Today was to be another snorkeling day, but we were rained out--stormy sea! We camped out in the dive shop and watched a National Geographic movie on Sharks. Good presentation--they really are our friends and we really are not in their food chain no matter how big and toothy they are.
The sun reappeared and we rode bikes into the town of Hopkins. The people of Hopkins are largely Garifuna, a culture whose ancestry is a mixture of Carib and escaped African slaves. They have their own language and are quite superstitious with a traditional ceremony called ''Dugu.'' This is a big family reunion in which deceased relatives also attend and are believed to take possession of other celebrant's bodies. Pretty creepy, but interesting. One of our waiters told us he is afraid of the Dugus and stays far away when he sees one.
Most of the staff at Hamanasi are Garifuna from Hopkins and they were wonderful! They were super friendly, personable, happy and contributed greatly to the overall charm of Hamanasi. The children we met in Hopkins were friendly, well spoken and very self-confident. We went into the drumming center; an open air, dirt floor, palm thatch roofed building where the local drummers meet and the kids take drumming lessons and dance. A 10 year old boy spied us and came over to play the drum for us. He was really good! The kids all go to private schools patterned after the British education system. Local elementary schools, mostly supported by religious denominations, then on to High school and Jr. College in Dangriga. If they do well, they can continue on at the U. Of Belize in Belize city. Mode of transportation in Hopkins is via bicycle. The houses are a mixture of two room thatched roof huts with a dirt floor and newer concrete block houses in brilliant colors. They have plumbing, but it seems to be outside. Every house has a clothesline full of wash and cable T.V.
Adventure Life has been an extraordinary travel resource for us over the years and today was no exception. Our River Cruise booking was handled by Jess (who has been our personal trip planner for several years) the same day as our inquiry. Suggestions were given for cabin choice and pre-trip options (that were not shown on the cruise line's website) like airport transfers and prepaid gratuities. Trip insurance recommendations followed and we were assigned a travel co-ordinator till the end of the tour. All we have to do is show up! Great service from friendly folks.
APtravelwell
1 day ago
My representative Kevin was very responsive generally and in crafting our itinerary to our specific priorities.
Rocco Labella
1 day ago
Although there was a lot of paper work, I received help and guidance when I needed it.
Donna Kirby
2 days ago
Our travel was flawless! The rider pickup (airport, hotel, ship) was seamless. Jane's recommendation for Emerald Cruise Sakara was everything I wanted but the experience was soooo much more. Adventure Life took care of each and every detail and this was the easiest of all my travels.
Anne Petty
3 days ago
Follow up was effective any questions were answered in a timely manner