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Adventures in Central America

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by: Tami Doughty
Our trip to tropical paradise - adventures in the thick jungles of Belize, exploration of the ancient cities of Guatemala, and lazy days in the sun at the Caribbean. Perfect!

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Adventures in Central America!

Want to go? Belize Explorer

I went to: Belize, Pooks Hill Lodge, Actun Tunichil Muknal, Xunantunich, Belize, Guatemala, Tikal Ruins, San Pedro, Ambergris, Belize City, Flores, Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve
Holding a boa constrictor at the zooBlack tailed deerNatural tropical setting at the Belize ZooSpider MonkeyRyan looking for more monkeysTapir - Belize's national animalTurtle"Pops" the toucanBeautiful hibiscus flowerJaguar - not looking so friendlyOld Man MonkeyOscelot taking a napHey pretty birdieGiving me a piece of his mindExploring the beautiful grounds of the Belize ZooJaguarundiPolly want a cracker? Francisco making friendsThe lodge at Pooks Hill The small seating area in our cabanaOur cabana at Pook's HillThe resident lizard living in our thatched roofView from our cabana down the hill into the excavation siteHector leading the way en route to ATM!Leaf-cutter ants blazing their way across the jungleSo excited for ATM!All geared up and ready to goThe entrance to ATM - Actun Tunichil MuknalRyan's eager to jump in and get startedScorpion Spider - a foot of creepiness watching us passA vast collection of pots from ancient mayan ceremoniesThe mayans believed breaking pots would release souls Detailing on a pot - the "Monkey Pot"Remains of a long ago sacrificeScattered bones - washed into a pile by heavy rain waterSpectacular cave formationsHector and our group entering "The Cathedral"The Crystal Maiden encased in glittering limestoneEn route in the ATM caveRyan responds to the "Alligator"-said to guard the interiorATM is fantastic!! Scorpion in the bed - now that was a bug story....Canoeing on the Macal RiverDense foliage, alive with the sounds of the jungle Returning into San Ignacio on the Macal RiverLoving life on the Macal RiverHandwinched ferry across the Mopan River to XunantunichAlmost across....Entering the main complex at XunantunichAn ancient weathered stella and altarThe gumbalimba tree - or "tourist tree". Can you guess why? View from the top of El CastilloFriezes decorating El CastilloLooking down into Xunantunich from the top of El CastilloWe're soaking it in from our vantage point!From the top of El CastilloIts a looooong way down! Another view of El CastilloExploring the ancient ball courtA well preserved stella - commemorating an important leaderHector explaining the maya calendarThe Roaring River at Pooks Hill - Red Cliffs swimming areaJungle beautyHanging out in the rainforestEmerge from dense jungle into this pristine meadow at Pook'sOffice at Pooks - smoke above means its hot water time! The excavated mayan residence on the grounds of Pooks HillLadies doing wash on the banks of Lake Macancha, GuatemalaThe shores of Lake Peten ItzaWelcome to Tikal National ParkExotic beautySwarms of curious Coati MundiDanielo tells Ryan a tall taleA mock of the infamous Star Wars scene - Ryan's loving it! Incredible view from the top of Temple IVHappy to be at Tikal National Park! Dense jungle hides ancient secretsHolding up the Temple of the SunA coati mundi joins usRyan exploring an excavated residenceFamily portraitJungle has reclaimed the original north entrance to the cityRyan beginning the hike to the top of Temple VAlmost there.....Impressive Temple VThe Grand PlazaPosing in front of Temple ITemple of the Three MasksA row of stella and altars - the Mayan historyOur cabana at Pooks Hill on a misty morningThe view from the front of our cabanaBrilliant colorsOur balcony view at SunBreeze Hotel - Ambergris CayeRyan enjoying island lifeThe "alarm clock" outside our roomRyan enjoying a lazy balcony breakfastSoaking it in.....Quaint streets of San Pedro..watch out for the golf carts!A slice of life on Ambergris CayeSnorkeling at Hol Chan Marine ParkGrumpy looking black grouperThere's a puffer fish down there... Sea Turtles! Sinister looking ray disguised in the sandSchools of fish hanging out under our boatRyan gives Hol Chan two thumbs upSo many fish....Swimming in a caribbean aquarium...Nurse sharks on their way..... Exploring the barrier reef on the way back to AmbergrisHere's to the island life!Locals prepare to sell their waresView of San Pedro from the pierOur Tropic Air flightIncredible views below as we head to Belize CitySandwiched in our mini-plane, we're heading home!

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