Steinbeck asks the question about his journey: "What was I doing wrong? Was it going as I wished?" It's the usual question for me about this far in. I'd gone to the usual sundowner bar a lot earlier than normal. I'd ordered a rum and had just happened on the above quote. A Belizian guy came up to me and said that the book 'better be about Belize'. I showed him the cover, saying it was universal. He replied that he'd read Steinbeck and that he was fine, but...

As ever, getting used to local conditions after a few days. Belize buses? Phht! A breeze. Don't know what all the fuss was about. Belize City - supposedly hardcore - was fine and included the usual sweaty walk, but this time to a boat that would deliver me to a tropical island. When I got here my accommodation had obviously closed down for... what? The summer? The hot bit of summer? An onshore wind? Who knows. Still, found somewhere else and the pictur...