Belize, December 2016
A week in Belize in early December. First we stayed in San Ignacio where we took a horseback riding tour to ancient Mayan ruins, made traditional Mayan chocolate, visited iguanas, and hiked through jungle to find toucans at sunrise. Later in the week, we ventured to Caye Caulker, a small atoll on the Belizean barrier reef where we visited an animal shelter and I went diving to swim with sharks and rays, and witness up close the great coral reefs this planet has to offer before they all are bleached into nothingness... as well as tasting all the Belikin varities we could.
The sunset view from our dock in Caye Caulker. On taht horizon is the Belize Barrier Reef.
Shelter dogs playing in the sand. All the dogs and cats here at the Caye Caulker Animal Shelter are open for adoption by anyone, including visitors. They are all adorable and friendly and could really do with some good luck if you're ever in the country!
Locals relaxing in the heat of the day on Caye Caulker. Hammocks are a way of life.
The San Ignacio Green Iguana Conservation Project was a wonderful place to have all sizes of iguanas crawl all over you! And the bonus was it was right at our hotel.
Sunset on the island.
Looking up to the ruins at Xunantunich.
Where we stayed on the island. Everything you could ask for, including local dogs to greet you everyday!
The Southern stingrays were such beautiful, gentle creatures. The nurse and reef sharks were what I came for but didn't get any good photos of either. The Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark-Ray Alley was the most wonderful way to spend a day underwater.
On the way to and from the ruins, we rode through Belizean farms and herds of cattle.
The fantastic view from atop the main temple at Xunantunich, one of the tallest and most interesting ancient Mayan structures still in existence. To the west (left) is Guatemala. Getting up here was the easy part...
Important signs.
The wild puppies of the Caye. Most of the abandoned and homeless dogs have been taken in by the Caye Caulker Animal Shelter so these little guys here have a home.
Land of the Lazy Lizard at the far end of the inhabited part of Caye Caulker.
Everywhere you go, you can find pork and lobster! This was the best spot for roast pork.
The motto of the islands is simple: go slow... Enjoy life. Take it easy. And you'll notice all the locals take this very seriously. If you're someone who value punctuality and speed, you're in for a treat.
The most colourful sunset in Belize was viewed from the tiny garden at our hotel in San Ignacio.
A sunrise hike to find toucans and other birds didn't result in any toucans (because they're being illegally poached!) or many birds at all really but I got a great educational walk about all the medicinal plants in the jungle. I ate so many different leaves.
The real estate office/coffeeshop/doughnut shop/animal shelter retail store!
In the small village of San Jose Succotz, our guide from Hanna Stables got a quick refreshment from a friend after crossing the Mopan River on pulley ferry. My horse, Justice, did it like the pro he is!
