2009-12-29 Belize, Caya Caulker, Manatee Watch

Today we got up early and took the 8AM ferry to Caya Caulker, for the Manatee Watch tour. The trip did not leave until 10 so we had some time to explore the island. It was much less developed and low key than San Pedro, probably a bit more our style, but also a bit dirtier. Had coffee and piece of cake at a beach front lounge/shack.
The tour was on a smaller boat with a wimpy 60 HP Yamaha (most boats have dual 200 HP, v6 engines). A cold front has entered so the wind is starting to blow at a constant 10-20 MPH creating some pretty big waves. We pass by several smaller islands one owned by a guy from Kentucky that had 2 air ports and a golf course on it in addition to the huge homes. It took probably close to an hour to an hour to reach the park for viewing Manatees. We saw small guy at a distance on the first stop. Some times they come right up to the boat, he did not. We tried a couple more spots but just saw one more at a far distance. It was fun exploring the mangroves though. The day was partly sunny, just enough to worry about a sun burn. We stopped at a small slightly developed island for lunch and fresh fruit. They miss calculated on food so Wendi and I shared a lunch. Got a few nice pictures of the Caribbean blue water.

From there we started to head back home and to do a little snorkeling. On the way the Italian girl spotted some dolphins which kept us entertained for along time as they played with the boat. Mostly swimming below our right in front of us. Got some great pictures and movies of them. The Italian couple were nice, she had worked at the Eastman House for several months learning about art restoration. They had been touring Guatemala for several weeks and really enjoyed the country, and did a lot of hiking. They wind really picked up and sea got really rough. The little boat was really pounding the waves. It turned into quite an adventure. We did head out to the reef and attempted some snorkeling. We were all a bit nervous as the waves were high and the sky dark and threatening.

The reef was very nice here but very few fish. We did get to see a really big leopard spotted ray going through the reef it was so graceful, just slowly gilding to the contour of the reef. We stopped at a 2nd spot to snorkel but only a few of us went in, Wendi and included. I was not in long before I got cold. From there. It was a short trip back to Caya Caulker. We had a beer while waiting for the ferry back to San Pedro. The ride back was even bumpy in the bigger water ferry. It was raining in San Pedro and started to pour not long after we got back. So much for going out for dinner, the ham and cheese sandwich tasted great!

2009-12-28 San Pedro, Hol Chan

2009-12-28 San Pedro, Hol Chan
Today was our first day of snorkeling. The wind has pocked up do there was a bit of waves out there today. We snorkeled at Hol Chan Marine Reserve just a few minutes from the beach. We where both amazed at the amount of fish and live coral on the reef. Belize has one of the longest barrier reefs inthe world, with Austrailas being a bit longer. The density and variety of fish was amazing. We also saw 2 sea turtles and several rays at the first stop. The reef had brain coralnand several large elk coral. The small bright fish really liked to hide out in them. Saw several small black fish with flourecent blue spots, my favorite. The portion inthe reserve we explores had the included the channel out o the reef so we had a spectacular 30 ft drop off to observe lots of coral and fish. Several people on board dived instead of snorkeled. I think we actually saw more stuff than the divers. We got back into the boat and headed for Shark & Ray Alley. A place that the fisherman use to clean fish and now has a large population of nurse sharks and rays. We saw multiple sharks, the largest maybe 5-6 ft long. We also saw several more rays and plenty of other fish. All in all a good trip. To avoid sea sickness Wendi took 2 regular Dramamine which wiped her out for the rest of the day which was spent longing around.

2009-12-27 Belize, San Pedro

2009-12-27 Belize, San Pedro
Took the ferry from Belize city to San Pedro. It was a beatiful sunny day and not a lot if wind. The trip was uneventful. Our hotel the Maya Priness is very nice, right on the beach with a lovely balacany for enjoying the outdoors. The room is wonderful and has a mini kitchenettes to handle light cooking. We spent the afternoon getting groceries beer and aquanted with the island. A pretty lazy afternoon. Had a good diner at a swood fire pizza place inthe south end of the island. The pizza was good but the mosquito where thick, luckily they had off. We met several nice dogs on our way home with Pedro following us te entire way, the left overs smelt good and one of the slices even better.

2009-12-26 Cave Tubing & Zip Line

2009-12-26 Cave Tubing & Zip Line
Today's activty started a bit later so we made an appointmentto do some yoga with Amy. It wad a nice work out sharing new techniques and poses from each instructor. Here classes were more yoger-cise/palates. Lots of movement and reps. All around it was a nice class with a great shavasona. We got going a bit before 9AM. The first stop at Panther Lodge was zip lineing. It went by pretty fast, but not too exciting. A few seconds of adrenin rush and it was over. From there we hit the river and cave exit and river. We started at the end and then hiked through the jungle to get to the starting point. Our guide showed us the standard stuff bulk horn tree, cahona palm & nuts, leak cutter ants and termite nest that are good sources of protien in the jungle. Wendi tried some and likenthey say it tasted like spierment. A few mosquito bites later we were at the starting point. Another lovely cave opening and pool. Lots of vegitation and aqua blue-green water. We jumped in fromther bank and paddeled up stream into the third cave system- bonus cave. We got about 2/3 the way through and both Wendi and my arms chest were feeling the paddeling so we caled it good and officially started down stream. This system gets lit of water and the caves do fill so there was very few stalagtites inthe ceiling as they get washed away. For this reason after ATM the caves where a bit of a let down. I did get some great pictures of the entrance and exists. The cave opening made great frames for the river and surronding jungle. The 3rd cave had a strong breeze that combined with wet cloths and no sun shine made for a cold experienc, I was shivering. We stopped at crystal cave, another sink hole entrance and tried to get some Picts of the cascade waterfalls, not much success with the camera as I was on a moving tube in the water so no long exposures. I got some really good shits of the 3rd cave entrance. Due to a high ceiling it had a lot of interesting formations. By the end I was glad to be done as I was gettin pretty cold. We had a nice lunch athe fancy lodge. Interesting suburban family next to us that needed everything just right and fussy kids that would not eat anything slightly odd. God forbid you live with what you are given!
Got back early and got the 2 1/2 hr eco-tour by Robin. We learned a lot about Belize geology and history, kinda wish we did this the first day. Had another amazing 5 course meal, probably my favorite at the Orchis Inn.

2009-12-25 Belize- ATM, Merry Christmas

2009-12-25 Belize- ATM, Merry Christmas
What a great experince we had today! We did the ATM tour in Belize. We started the tour out with a 30 min ride in an old army transport updated with comfy bus seats down a beat-up dirt road. The trip took us through streams, farmers fields, orange groves and a small village. We had some wonderful views of the hills in the background. A fun off road adventure. We went from the bus to a 30 min ( not sure of time/duration as I did not bring a watch, this is just a best guess) hike into the cave on muddy trail that included 3 stream crossings. We got to the cave an got some good pictures of te entrance. It was quite lovely with aqua blue water, lots of vegitation and wonder form and lines. We did have to wait a bit as there was a full queue when we arived. This gave us time to enjoy an amazing lunch of rice & beans and BBQ chicken. Every thing had a really nice smoky flavor to it. We did eventually get to enter the cave, the swim across the entrance was fun. Anne from the Orchid Inn was with us, but she was not comfortable in water so she took a side entance to avoid the swim. There were several tight squeezes and several more pools in the intial section of the cave. Eventually we came to another sink hole opening an some day light. After getting a talk about the spiritual importance of the cave by Martin the head lame went off, and we formed a human chain to do the next section on the cave in the dark. We probably went about 10-15 min like this. It was nice, but a bit scary as there were low celings and a few steps. The next interesting partnof the trip was when we got to an interesting stalagtite formation with fins. Martin turnned off the lights again and then started to play the fins by hitting them lightly with his hand. It made a wonderful harp like sound, an amazing and unexpected treat. The ret of the adventure was with lights on. We had a few more tight openings and eventually hit a point where we had to climb. The path went up a large rock with plenty of hand and foot holes onto a small shelf. Pretty straight forward for Wendi and I, but a bit challenging for the less experience rock hopper. From there we did a 4 leg scramble up a slick surface to more level ground. This is where we saw the first pottery and were required to remove our shoes, socks only from this point to show respect for the sacred portion of the cave. We co tinier to see more and more Mayan pottery as we went further into the cave. Martin spent a lot of time explaining the significants of the objects and their placement. At times I think he was reading a bit more into things than was really there. Needless to say we got to see some amazing ancient Mayan pottery up close and personal in it's natural location. I was also able to get some really good pictures. We eventually to the first human remiains, a skull and femoral. Martin lit the skull up with an orangish light, the picture was prettty spoky. We continued to see pottery and bones as we went along. We eventually came to a point where we had to climb a ladder to reach the final portion of the cave, the princess rating place. The skeleton was pretty intact with the body in an unusual position. The the left leg bent and too one side and the right arm up on a rock shelf. Martin thought it was a peaceful pose, I thought it looked like she was thrown or hit and landed in a less than peaceful pose, I guess I am ever the pessimist. We were running behind scedule so the hike out was pretty fast and uneventful. Had happy hour with Amy and Robin at the Inn, Belizian rum and coke. Lots of new people arrived during the day. Dinner was good and included lobster again. Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24 Guatamala-Belize

2009-12-24 Guatamala-Belize
Woke up early again this morning to barking dogs, roasters, fire works and the music, same song and funky beat.
The low grade cold Wendi has been fighting the past few days has got worse, her lungs and head are congested and is coughing alot more. I feel so bad because there is nothing I can do and not many options for cold relief, we joke about the amount of pharmacies in the US, but could sure use one now. Hopefully the drver can point us to some where to buy cough syrup but may need to wait until we get to Belize city.
Another long wait at the border this time just miss communication with each party waiting for each other on different sides. We did get through with out paying money, the girls in front of us where asked to pay, what a scam, but with armed guard and your passport at stake it is hard to get too upset. Alfred took us to lunch and then met up with other guest to tour the zoo this afternoon. It was small but nice. Every thing outside with the animals in a pretty natural setting. My favorite part was the cats both panther and oscilot.We also saw our first bicycle touridt today a few miles into Belize. A couple on a tandem mt bike, Alfred said he seen then bicycling around Belize for the last few days someday that could be us. Also saw a guy on BMW touring bike in Guatamala the day before. With a touring motorcycle you always have a better chance of out running trouble, not on a tandem!
Left the zoo and came back for a swim in the natural pond swimming hole. It was the first really warm day and the swim felt good. Wendi joined me after I made sure there where no frsh water man eating crocs. The water was nice and refreshing. Wendi felt good, no problems with the shoulder and almost full range of motion to swim!!!! Forgot the camera and missed some great photos of flowers and palm trees as the sun as setting. There is always tomorrow. Came back to the room, didnsomenyoga and rested for a while before headed off to the main building for x-mas eve happy hour which included rum/soda beer and wine compliments of Robin & Amy. We had a pretty full house with people from all over the US, Canada, and great britian. One party of four arrived in Belize today only to realized one of the childrens Passport had experied and they could not get throgh cudtoms. A new passport would take 3-4 days to get expidited so they had to go back home. How terrible. Happy hour was fun and included door prizes. Another great dinner with too many courses. I am really putting on the weight.back in the room finishing the journal. Need go get to bed soon another early morning and then off on another adventure- ATM cave tour. Can't wait.

2009-12-23 Guatamala, Tikal

2009-12-23 Guatamala
Well another great day of vacation today. Soak up early- 5 am to go to Tikal, this way we beat the tourist. We left in the dark and got there as the sun was rising. It was quite cold as the site was a a bit higher in elevation. We met our guide and the rest of the group and headed off into the jungle after a quick glance at the modeled Tikal. Our first stop was Temple IV and a long climb on wooden stairs. The fog was just lifting and we had very nice views of the other Temples poking out above the jungle. Not the best light but I did get some good photos. This was where the ending seen for Return of the Jedi was filmed for the ewalk scene. It was nice to climb stairs and not a steep temple side. Fromther we went to the Plaza de Grand piramide. We were not to climb this as somefell and died a few years ago. Still an impressive structure. From there we went tithe Plaza de Los 7 Temples. They were all arranged based in the solstice, equinox, and moon orientations that triangulated light into the center of the plaza need to better understand the physics/geometry behind this. This site was currently be restored and was covered in lots odlf scaffeling. From there we went to Temple V the biggest and baddest one to climb. Basically multiple ladders with a few platforms in-between. We were both a bit shaky but the view of the grand Plaza was amazing! I can only imagine what it looked like with no trees. We got some great picks and just hung out on top for a while. The architecture was impressive. A large central staircase with ramps on either side. The corners where built up with multiple stages( I think 9). After a slow climb back down we went into the grand plaza, amazing Temple I- Gran Jaguar on one end and Temple II on the other end Acropolis del Norte complex on one side and Acrpolis Central on the other side. Most of these structures had been well restored with Temple II tower being updated and covered in scaffeling. This ended the official tour and left us 2 hours to explore on our own. The tour guide w as personable and funny, but did not give us the detailed description we enjoy on a tour. Will just need to read more later. The only time so far I wish we had more info( the people staying next to us have been cramming what to do next all afternoon, I am just happy to be enjoying the present and not wording what to do next- 9 AM pick-up for the trip back to Belize.). We continued to e plore the Grand Plaza and then went back to go spend a bit more time at some of the sights we passed by quickly on the tour. We where both tired on the way home and enjoyed a nap In the crib, Wendi in bed, me on the hammack outside the room. After my short nap I headed down to the lake for a quick swim. It was cloth washing day so I had to get past the soapy section to swim. The water was warm and clear but the story of the fearsome fresh water crocodiles earlier in the day kept me close to shore and nervous. After a the swim I spent some more time in the hammock reading and enjoying the great weather. Got somemore great sunset photos and then headed out for a cervesa and food. Meet an interesting locals at the bar down the street, talked about 2012, everyone is obsses with it here. Escaped the bar and hit a new resturante for local food. We waited over 1 hour (a large party of teenage girls in fancy dresses came in and had called ahead) for mediocre food I ate Wendi's whole fish and she tried to eat my tri combo, fatty chicken, fatty beef, greasy rice and veggies. Came back and went to bed, glad the festival music was much quiter than the night before.

2009-12-22 Guatamala

2009-12-22 Guatamala
Drove from Belize to Guatamala today to start the next adventure. It was a long ride throgh the country with beautiful scenery. The people of Guatamala look to be as por as Belize but a bit more pride inwhay they have. Less trash and more maintained property. Lots of horses tied to the edge of the road and dogs every where. I w as taken for 10 Belize dolars at the boarder by the customs guy-merry Christmas, I hate not speaking the language! We git to the hotel la Casa De Din David which is right on Lake (Lago) Peten Itza. The water is carribeab blue. We checked in had a quickl lunch and headed off for a canopy tour. We hiked up a small. Hill and did swinging bridges across several bridges so you were actually walking through the jungle canapy. This was a very cool experience to see the trees from the top. From below they all look alike, but from above they all have different leaves, shapes and colors. After 1.5 hr exploring the jungle we went to Flores a European like city on a small island in the lake. It was very lovely and quaint. We stooped for some drinks at a cute little bar and enjoyed the sunset. We experimcrd our first "guatamalan" service - 30 min to get 2 drinks. I guess we just need to slow down and relax, this is not America! The city was nice and had many quaint resturante and shops, someday we hope to come back and explore it with more time. We had a lovely sunset and some good drinks. Wendi had a mojito with lots of fresh mint, it was bright green so it had to be good for you. We saw many people swimming in the lake and was wishing I had my suit. As we walked back to meet our guide we passed several quante resturante and cafes. The drive out of Flores was a bit crazy with no traffic control signals at any intersection, basically a free for all. Add to that a bunch of motor cycles going everywhere and I was glad to be a passenger. Guatamala was a motorcycle country, not a lot of cars but lots of bikes. We stopped at an mall to get cash at an ATM and was suprised by all te bikes parked outside. The mall was filled with teenage kids and lots of armed guards. This was the norm, even at Tikal and the border.

2009-12-21 Belize Journal-Happy Solstice
Our firstfull day in Belize! We had a great day of exploring and new adventures. We started out the morning an hour early, the watch did not take the time change. Had a great breakfast and then off on the first adventure. Boat ride on the New River to the Lamanai Mayan ruins. I was expecting a African queen type of boat trip but was pleasantly suprised with a fast boat, narrow rivet and lots of turns. We stopped to feed the spider monkeys first and one jumped into the boat. Obvisiously he has been around people a lot as he was not afriad and ate all the bananas we could feed him just walking up and down the isle of the boat. We stopped to check out multiple bird along the way including "Jesus" bird that could walk on water and many herions. The weather was cold and rainy so I with out my rain coat (left in buffalo airport) was quite cold. Luckily they had some old beat up raingear that helped a bit. The ruins where pretty impresive. Several tall structures. We got to climb the high tower, very similar to the temple in Coba, steep and slippery. Lu oily it also had a rope to hold onto. The view fro on top was great of the country side and lagoon. We could also see a group of howler monkeys in a tree top nit far away. They maid this load howling noise, just like out of Jerasic Park. It was a bit spokey when we first entered the park actually. The clouds did lighten and the rainstopped for the tour. We had lunch, a quick tour of the visitor cener and a chnace to check out the gift shops. The ride back was a bit warmer and dry. A quick nap some ready and a great lobster dinner followed. We played some ping-pong , packed for Tikal and Noe on bed writing and reading.

Testing a new app

New app for the touch. Works well so far but no landscape key board