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!