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Adventures in Belize 2012

By : Laurie Engleking
Trip Begins June 9, 2012
Trip Ends June 16, 2012

This was truly an adventure of a lifetime in Belize. From the jungle to the ruins to the reef off Ambergris Caye - it was all a unique and wonderful experience on our Belize tour.
See my photos : Belize June 2012

Want to go? Beautiful Belize

I went to: Belize, Pooks Hill Lodge, San Pedro, Ambergris, Blue Tang Inn, Xunantunich, Belize, Actun Tunichil Muknal, Belize City
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June 9, 2012
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First day of Tour

Pooks Hill Lodge, Belize

I arrived one day early and stayed in Belize City and did Cave Tubing and Zip lining on my own. That was worth coming a day early. I spent the night at the Biltmore and then the shuttle from Pook's Hill picked me up at 1 PM on June 9. I met my fellow travelers and we went to the Belize zoo. The zoo was filled with animals native to Belize. You can have the opportunity to feed the various animals for a small fee. On to Pook's Hill and settle in to our Cabanas. We had our evening meal at Pook's Hill and the cooks there are excellent at preparing tasty Belizian foods.

June 10, 2012
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June 10 - Rio Macal and Xunantunich

Xunantunich, Belize, Belize

Our day began with our bumpy ride to Xunantunich. We toured and hiked the ruins with our guide Francisco. He was our guide for the full 4 days. He is very well informed and a good driver too. We had a great lunch in town before getting in our canoes to paddle the Macal River. Francisco suggested we order nachos for an appetizer and they were the best. We had 2 canoes and paddled up river first. We didn't get to see much wildlife but I did spot a Tocan, and lots of bats. The river was beautiful. When we returned to Pook's Hill I hiked to the rock pools for a dip in the river. Supper at Pook's Hill was delicious. We enjoyed a night hike in the darkness with Francisco. He is great at spotting wildlife in the dark. We saw native birds and a tarantual.

June 11, 2012
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June 11 Caracol

This day we made the long 3 hour trip to Caracol. We saw different lives of Belize from country to towns along the way. We stopped at the Rio Frio Cave before heading in to the Ruins. After exploring the ruins of the city of Caracol we had a great picnic lunch and some time to relax before heading out. It is amazing to see all the ruins that still are left to be excavated. The size and population of the Mayans in that time is unbelievable. On the way back to Pook's we were able to stop and take a dip in the Rio Pools. I would have loved to have spent more time there - like 1-2 hours and had a picnic there. The water was so cool and the pools were amazing. We were all glad to have that relaxing and refreshing time there.

June 12, 2012
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June 12 the ATM Cave

Actun Tunichil Muknal, Belize

This was the greatest of all adventures. We left early in the morning so we could be the first visitors to the cave. Pook's Hill is not far. Our guide and driver was Hector and I am sure he is the BEST guide there is. He explained everything to us and guided us literally every step of the way. Wading, swimming, and climbing for 3 hours. At one point Hector told us we would be climbing up a 16 foot boulder - he helped us find our footings and hand holds and made us feel confident. This is something you can't imagine till you see it. I can't believe they even allow tourists to be in the cave with all the artifacts laying about. Nothing like it anywhere!

June 13, 2012
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June 13 Fly to Ambergris and check in at Blue Tang Inn

Blue Tang Inn, San Pedro, Ambergris

Today was the day to transfer to Ambergris Caye. About a 1.5 hour ride to the airport after saying our good byes at Pook's Hill. Would have loved to stay there one more day. We had a short, 2 stop flight to San Pedro in the rain. I got to sit in the co-pilot seat on the flight to San Pedro, that was probably a once in a lifetime thrill too. When we got there it was just cloudy. A Blue Tang driver met us at the airport and we got to the Inn within minutes. The streets are dirt and cobblestone and everyone has 4 wheel drive golf carts. You can get anywhere just by walking the beach. Lunch at Wet Willie's and a Belikin Beer. Lounging by the pool and beach and went to the spa. Supposedly there were jelly fish on the reef so we did not snorkel that day.

June 14, 2012
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June 14 Snorkeling

We finally got our snorkel trip in during the afternoon. We took a glass bottom boat so we could look for the jelly fish. We didn't see any. First went to Shark Ray Alley and then to Hol Chan. Saw Blue tang, baracuda, sting rays, Horse eyed jack, nurse sharks, Moray eel, grouper, sea turtles, and various other fish. On the way back in to San Pedro we were lucky enough to spot many dolphins and they even swam with our boat a short while. That was a rare sighting according to our guide Metch. It was a perfect day for snorkeling.

June 15, 2012
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June 15 - Overcast and windy day - shopping day

The final day - spa, shopping, and eating. Best ice cream on the island is at Mannley's. I loved the coconut. Best Desserts and Rum Punch - Caramba's! Best food - Wet Willie's pulled pork and baked mac and cheese with jalapeno's. My favorite spot - anywhere I could find a hammock! This 'adventure' was more than I ever expected. My fellow adventure life traveling companions were a great group and we were all comfortable traveling together.

June 16, 2012
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June 16 Flight home

Belize City, Belize

Transferred to the airport! Good bye Belize - hope to return some day!

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