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.