This morning starts with a hearty breakfast. We have a strenuous day ahead of us. We get to know our fellow travel mates and I look forward to getting to know them further.
Once our breakfast settles we head out on the adventure. We walk about 2 hours on a gravel road that winds through the jungle with river crossings until we reach the entrance of the cave.
I am floored by the pristine beauty of the cave. This is a picture you would see on a post card. Once we get a safety briefing and learn the history of the cave (I have actually met the first Archeologist to discover and uncover the ruins inside the cave), we are on our way.
We start out by swimming in the mouth of the cave and then it is dark. I am glad we have headlamps and helmets. I have so much adrenaline for what lies ahead.
The trip inside takes us about an hour and a half. On our way to the main cathedral, we climb over rocks, swim and traverse cave walls. Because of rocks under the water, we work as a team to help each other navigate the terrain.
With one last climb up a large boulder, we reach the main cathedral. The rest will be for you to find out for yourselves. All I will say is that the experience is so spiritual and surreal. It is unlike anything you can imagine.
After we make our way out of the cave, it is time for lunch. The sandwiches, fruit and cookies taste gourmet after our strenuous adventure in the cave. While I did get cold in the middle of the cave, I am thankful for the wet clothes for the walk back as it is hot.
When we get to the lodge we all part ways to relax, shower and unwind. Mom and I grab a beer and sit on the porch. While the Belizean Belikin beer is not the best, it is an amazing reward after our day of adventure. Sitting on the porch, I am reminded of our family cabin in Montana...just different scenery...jungle instead of pine trees, humid instead of hot and dry, macaws instead of meadowlarks.
We decide to take our next beer in the room while we enjoy a much needed HOT shower. I feel weird getting cleaned up for dinner in the jungle but dinner by candelight seems slightly dressy so I manage to do something with my hair.
We arrive at dinner a little early. The owner Ray hands us a beer and sits down with us to enjoy some pre-dinner chips and salsa. We really enjoy visiting with him about the history of the lodge, how his kids grew up in the jungle and how they were able to do homeschooling in the jungle and go on to great Universities for college. Having a desire to live and work abroad, I enjoy hearing about how couples manage to live life out of the norm.
Dinner again is a wonderful meal. We all enjoy sharing our days excursion and learning more about each other. It is mom's birthday today and I had made prior arrangements for a cake. She is surprised when the staff brings out a cake covered in candles and we all sing 'Happy Birthday'. Mom of course is embarrassed but I know deep inside, so excited to be spending a birthday with so much action.
After dinner, we all retire to the common area where we enjoy an after dinner drink (mostly beer). Cat and David also sit and relax with us, only making them feel more like family. David grabs his guitar and serenades us the rest of the evening.
As the evening progresses, signs of a thunderstorm warn us that rain is inevitable. My mom is very very afraid of lightning. I am not sure how she will handle an open air cabana with a thatched roof. Luckily the storm is small and passes quickly. We fall asleep to the sound of rain falling on the thatched roof...very cool!
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
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
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.