Created with Paul's flickrSLiDR.
I put this slide show together (if you are reading this in Bloglines and you want to see the photos you might have to go to my blog) earlier this week, but haven't posted because I wanted to put some text together. Now I am hoping that these photos will speak for themselves. In brief:
We flew into Belize City, the port city of Belize, an intense little town. The downtown bustles and is separated geographically from the tourist village. We stayed outside the tourist village at Hotel Mopan for one night before getting on a bus for San Ignacio. The bus was an old American school bus, but as we would learn this system runs like a Swiss watch at a fraction of the cost.
In San Ignacio we visited a Green Iguana Sanctuary, took a day trip to the amazing ruins at Caracol, swam in the Rio On, ate delicious homegrown food at Hanna's, and stayed at Martha's. After a couple of days there, we took a series of buses and a water taxi to the town of Placencia. Although it was more of a tourist town than we expected, Placencia was pretty calm. The fancy pants resorts (Coppola owns one) are north on the peninsula and folks like us (well, and a certain someone not so much like us, more clues on the podcast next week) stay closer to Placencia Village. We stayed in a cabin on the beach at Raguana Lodge. A little snorkeling, kayaking, and manatee seeking mixed in with a lot of swimming, napping, and reading. The food was delicious--lots of tasty fresh fish, stew chicken, coconut rice, fresh fruit, and homemade yogurt (not in the same meal). I am not sure I have ever had a banana that could have come from within 15 miles of where I was eating it.
A week at the beach ended with a series of bus rides to Belize City for the last leg of our journey and one day trip to the ruins at Lamanai. While waiting for the tour to start we stolled around Orange Walk Town and managed to see the remnants of the previous night's entertainment--a real, actual factual travelling circus. If I had wanted to lose a hand I could have poked my hand into the lion cage! Crazy. So for this tour (tours are big in Belize, when we went to Mexico we took one tour--this time four including snorkeling) instead of the two+ hour bumpy van ride we had to Caracol, we approached the ruins by boat. Astonishing.
In all, the trip was great. I didn't mind the hot, humidity perhaps because I knew what the weather would be like when I got home. I think that there are many ways to travel Belize, let's just say there was a Radisson in BZE City and let's just say we didn't stay there (not that there's anything wrong with that! We're just cheap!). So whatever kind of traveller you are, there is a journey to be had in Belize.
Cool pictures! Was it scary climbing back down the steep the temples?
Posted by: amy | June 29, 2007 at 06:33 AM
Nice slide show. Love the iguana.
Posted by: Janice | June 29, 2007 at 09:06 AM
amazing pictures! I love those random signs. especially the *secret* poker game...
Posted by: Jenny | June 29, 2007 at 09:30 AM
Girl, you are a good photographer. Were there a lot of bugs? I bet there was a ton of really huge and creepy bugs.
Posted by: anne | June 29, 2007 at 10:37 AM
Did the banana taste different? fresher? better? Or was it just the vacation talking?
I can't wait to hear the next podcast...
Posted by: Daphne | June 29, 2007 at 11:09 AM
Great slides!
Posted by: Gina | June 29, 2007 at 11:53 AM
That looks and sounds like a fantastic trip. There really is nothing like tropical fruit fresh from the tree/vine/bunch. Yummy bananas for sure. Can't wait to hear more on the podcast!
Posted by: Karma | June 30, 2007 at 08:25 AM
How fun! Looks like a great trip. Fantastic photos!
Posted by: tiennie | June 30, 2007 at 08:32 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! The photos are wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing them. I too am looking forward to the podcast. Is it difficult to crochet in a hot sticky climate?
Posted by: erin | June 30, 2007 at 10:47 PM
Did you not make it to Miss Big, Bold, & Fabulous? Or Fred's secret poker game? Great photos -- they really make me want to go on a trip.
Posted by: alison | July 01, 2007 at 09:56 AM
Love that slideshow. It looks like you guys had an awesome time. M and I did a few days in Belize on Caye Caulker (the cheap caye!) in the midst of our trip to the Yucatan peninsula. We had a great time, too, but even in March it was hot as hell!
xox, J
Posted by: Julia | July 03, 2007 at 12:22 PM
Hi
Great book. I just want to say what a fantastic thing you are doing! Good luck!
G'night
Posted by: tovorinok | July 05, 2007 at 02:58 AM
Hi
Very interesting information! Thanks!
Bye
Posted by: tredinertok | July 10, 2007 at 03:41 PM
Thanks a ton for your photos and great post! I just listened to the podcast from right after you returned from this trip, and we are going to Belize in January! I will show my kids the photos pronto...
Posted by: Joanne | July 18, 2007 at 06:44 PM
no deposit online craps play
no deposit online craps play
Posted by: onlinecraps | August 10, 2007 at 07:45 AM
Every one is looking how to gain healthy weight! But I need opposite!I cant gain any! WHat should I do?
Posted by: elacealkwab | August 13, 2007 at 07:08 AM
The White House did not immediately respond to queries about the conference call from RAW STORY. Bush did not name any other participants. best mortgage
Posted by: Trurgyhorgo | September 24, 2007 at 08:24 AM