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Our Beautiful Belize Trip!

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

Belize is wonderful, so much diversity, jungle, animals, beautiful birds, ruins, barrier reef (which is the second largest in the world). I loved the jungle, the people that I met on our Belize tour, the children playing like kids are supposed to play, and family unity. I am so grateful that I was able to go on our Belize trip and experience everything that I did. Can't wait for the next adventure...
See my photos : Our Beautiful Belize Trip!

Want to go? Beautiful Belize

I went to: Belize, San Ignacio, Xunantunich, Belize, Actun Tunichil Muknal, San Pedro, Ambergris, Blue Tang Inn, Belize City, Pooks Hill Lodge
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June 9, 2012
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Woohoo!! Arrival in Belize and the Zoo

San Ignacio, Belize

After a bit of a bumpy landing we arrived in Belize and were met at the airport by Francisco our awesome, terrific guide for the next few days. After we picked up another fellow Adventure Life traveler, we headed to the Belize Zoo a small but totally great place. The Belize Zoo has many of the animals and birds found in Belize. My daughter Melissa, got to feed Tapirs, which she was so excited to be able to do. It is such a nice, peaceful place with winding paths, and little nooks where you will come upon some other creature indigenous to Belize. Then off we go to Pooks Hill, driving on some of the bumpiest roads, it was an adventure just getting there, but in a totally good way. Around a bend, up a hill and we come upon one of the coolest places I have every stayed. We are welcomed by Vicki and managers Kat and Dave, and I already feel like I am visiting good friends.

June 10, 2012
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First Day Adventure to Xunantunich

Xunantunich, Belize, Belize

After a delicious breakfast, Francisco has us load up and off we go to Xunantunich. When we first got there I thought there is no way I am going to make it to the top, and if I do how the heck will I get down ? Well that was not a consideration at all. Hearing the history, getting caught up in the feeling and enormity of the place, I was going up and down the steps without a thought. Such a beautiful and wonderful experience.
After a terrific lunch at a local restaurant, we go to the Macal river. As we were waiting for our river guide, we watched children having fun, just being kids playing in the river. No TV or Video games to prevent them from just playing and being free.
We then started our canoe trip down the Macal River, searching for birds, Iguanas and other wildlife. So peaceful and beautiful. We came across the coolest area that was loaded with bats.
Tonight Francisco took us for night hike through the jungle around Pooks Hill. We find Tarantula's, many, many different birds, and try to follow other noises of the jungle to see what we might come upon. I just love trekking through the jungle and night time just makes it that much more fun.

June 11, 2012
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Carocal and beyond......

Carocal, Belize

This morning we started out on another adventure off to Carocal, Rio Frio Cave, and then the Rio on Pools for an afternoon dip.
To get to Carocal, we cross a river via ferry, up a hill, then stopping at a Military location for an escorted drive down to Caracol. Before we leave for the excort area for Caracol, we go to Rio Frio Cave. Such a nice surprise and so pretty. Then off to Caracol, driving down many roads where we saw wild turkeys, and again other birds. We finally arrive at Caracol. So worth the drive. Francisco our guide is so knowledgeable to indigenous plants, and the history of Caracol he made our tour so interesting and fun. After Caracol, off to Rio on Pools, for a nice cool, refreshing dip. Best of all days on our trip. Oh and we were rockin the tunes on the way back to Pooks Hill....

June 12, 2012
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Fears Faced

Actun Tunichil Muknal, Belize

This morning we leave Pooks Hill early with our guide Hector who is taking us to the ATM Cave. Let me say that the three of us traveling together each had our own fears about this. Claustrophobia, too narrow and dark, too strenuous. Kat gave us the total 411 on what to expect and Hector told us before we started that if one person could not handle it, no questions asked we just turn around and leave. We walked about 1 1/2 miles on a trail and crossed the river several times and finally got to the stageing area. We then swam about 20 yards to the opening of the cave, and off we went. Through the water, up over rocks. It was just the four of us in the cave, and so quiet. None of us asked to leave and we just kept on going. We kept climbing and got to the spot where you take off your shoes and go the rest of the way in your sox. We came upon The Cathedral Area. Stalagtites and Stalagmites, wide open, with ruins of pottery, sacrificial areas, skeletal remains. Simply awe inspiring, spiritual, amazing... When we got back to Pooks Hill other guests asked us what it was like as you cannot take pictures there. All I could say was strenuous, an adventure, and experience, a must do. This is something that will be forever imprinted in my brain,my heart and soul. I feel so accomplished that I was able to physically do this, and am so grateful that I did not chicken out and not go to ATM and well the spiritual part,well what can I say other than again, grateful.

June 13, 2012
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Off to Ambergris Caye

Blue Tang Inn, San Pedro, Ambergris

This morning we depart for Ambergris Caye. It is hard to leave Pooks Hill as not only is it so pretty there, but again, I just felt like I had the best stay with some very close friends.
We fly out to the Caye, a little bouncy, way rainy, but our pilot had a smile on his face the whole way, so I figured we were safe.
We arrive at the Blue Tang with the hope of going Snorkeling that day to the Barrier Reef only to be told that there were Jelly Fish and it was not safe. So decided to set up spa treatments for massages instead. Relaxed, happy our day ended with dinner at Fido's which is a San Pedro hot spot. Be prepared fellow traveler, San Pedro is quite different than the mainland. More expensive in every way, has a cool carribean vibe, and tons of hustle and bustle.

June 14, 2012
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Snorkeling Adventure !!

Blue Tang Inn, San Pedro, Ambergris

This morning we were told that the dive company we were going to use, was still not going out due to Jelly Fish. We finally came up with a solution as other dive companies were taking divers out. The Blue Tang made arrangements for us to go in a glass bottom boat so we could see if there were any jelly fish. Much slower way to travel, but we ended up with a small group and our guide Metch, who has been doing this for many years, and so nice and helpful. Got to Shark Ray Alley, jumped in the water, which is so clear. The fish are so brilliant in color, the Nurse Sharks did not make me nervous as all, and Manta Rays everywhere. We then went to Hol Chan and saw turtles and groupers and tons of other fish. So beautiful and so worth it.
That was it as far as planned activities for today, not much else to do in San Pedro besides check out the town, shop and eat, at least for us.
We did a lot of reading from our balcony, and we did see some pretty interesting people go by us. See the pictures of the local in the pine tree and other local with some kind of mammal on his back :)

June 15, 2012
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Last Day in Ambergris Caye

Blue Tang Inn, San Pedro, Ambergris

Today was a free day, nothing really planned. We walked out to the end of the peer by the Blue Tang and went swimming in the ocean, had lunch at Willy's which is on the pier right in front of the Blue Tang. Best Mac and Cheese I ever had, no kidding. Walked around town, shopped, had ice cream and hung out at the hotel. Again, not much to do in San Pedro Town and I would have been fine staying at Pooks Hill longer and staying one night in San Pedro just to go snorkeling. But that is just me, and some of you reading this will love Ambergris Caye that is for sure.
Had dinner at a terrific restaurant, La Caramba and called it a night.

June 16, 2012
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Home

Belize City, Belize

We leave Ambergris Caye for our flight home. Belize is wonderful, so much diversity, jungle, animals, beautiful birds, ruins, barrier reef ( which is the second largest in the world ). Even though Ambergris Caye might not have been my favorite place, I am glad that I went there and able to experience San Pedro and the residents there. I loved the jungle, the people that I met, the children playing like kids are supposed to play, and family unity. I am so grateful that I was able to go there and experience everything that I did. Can't wait for the next adventure..

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