Today we set sail on the ocean for a snorkeling trip. After breakfast at our hotel, Blue Tang Inn, we headed down the pier to board or sailboat.
Our island home, Blue Tang Inn. (Joe Devine)
Although it was a windy day, the sun was shining as we set out for our first stop at Hol Chan Marine Reserve. It was a bit crowded when we arrived, so our guides decided we should stop on our way back so we could have a more enjoyable experience once the crowd died down a bit. We headed straight to our next stop, Shark Ray Alley, where we got to swim with schools of fish, nurse sharks and rays!
Next it was off to the island off to Caye Caulker for lunch and some land exploration. We found a delicious crepe restaurant and continued on to explore the island. Back on the ship, we were off to revisit Hol Chan which had a lot less visitors later in the afternoon. Our guide took us around the colorful coral reef pointing out interesting ocean life along the way. We saw sea turtles, eagle rays, eels and plenty of fish including blue tangs.
Our guide feeding a fish friend. (Joe Devine)
The sunset was beautiful as we sailed back to San Pedro for our final night of local cuisine and good rest before heading back the next morning to catch our internal transfer to Belize City to begin our journey back home.
Sunset on our sail back to San Pedro. (Joe Devine)
On our way back home we stopped overnight in Denver to visit my step-brother and his wife where we got to share our great experiences and photos of our Belize adventure before heading back home to Missoula.
Visiting family in Denver on our trip back home. (Joe Devine)
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
