After a stopover for one night in Corozal to try and arrange boat transfer to our next planned destination we discover no boats going across this short stretch of water and the only way to reach Cerros is by taxi!! A 90 minute journey which mid way involves crossing a wide river by a hand-cranked ferry system whereby passengers get out of the vehicles, the vehicles then drives onto wooden deck of a barge attached to either side of river by steel cables, passengers walk onto the platform and then the whole contraption complete with up to 4 vehicles is cranked over by hand pulley system by very enthusiastic workers....how they seem to enjoy their work....we then get off the platform at the other side of river and can get back into the vehicles ....health and safety Belizean-style. We drive on rutted roads for another 10 miles passing Cerros Mayan ruins arriving shortly after at Cerros Beach Resort.

This is a small establishment with 4 palapas-topped cabins set out in the garden and a restaurant with an excellent chef Bill who with his wife Jenny bought the site 12 years ago, developed it and now run it with their 2 cats and "ferocious" guard dogs.... We cycled here 3 years ago from nearby Copper Bank Inn, where we were staying, and after visiting the ruins in need of lunch we cycled on to Cerros. I (Elaine) had the best ceviche ever and with a great atmosphere in pub/restaurant, swore that when we returned to Belize we would come and stay here...That day had arrived! We have 3 nights booked here in a wooden cabana with stunning views over river back to Corozal where we had left 2 hours ago. We are greeted by 2 barking Alsatians who turn out to be real p**** cats once we get out of the vehicle.

We spent the next 3 days relaxing, eating and drinking....Bill makes the best chocolate cake with ganache topping .....Eric went swimming a couple of times but said there was no sand under the water only white clay making it like swimming in milk, and...I spent most of the time lying on the wooden sun loungers under a palapas-topped umbrella.