Friday= Lamanai (an amazing ruin on the mainland of Belize). It was a super long day today, as both Matthew and I were up at 6am because we had to be 3 docks down from our hotel by 6:50am to catch part 1 of our 3 part journey!
We had decided before we left for Belize that we wanted to one of the mainland tours, but we weren't sure which one we would choose. After talking to Suyapa, Tomas, and a few other locals we decided on Lamania. We went back and forth between Lamanai and the Cave Tubing excursion. We actually booked the cave tubing and thought about it some more and changed our minds. The great and (bad) thing about San Pedro is the laid back reality. These people are not putting on a show, they are truly cool, calm, and collected. I find this relaxing while on vacation, but could never handle it on a daily basis.
I digress... so we changed our minds and decided on Lamania. WHAT A GREAT CHOICE!!! We started off the first leg of our three legged race on a boat that left San Pedro and took us to a little town outside of Belize City called "Ladyville". (note: there is no Manville) :) The first boat ride took us by Caye Cauker, another tiny island, breezing by Belize City in the distance and finally up the Old River (1 hour). Once we exited the boat, we had about a 30 minute drive to the next boat which would take us up the New River to Lamanai (1 hour boat ride). The trip to Lamanai was about 2.5 hours and we have to do that in reverse on the way back! My times may be a little off, but we ended up at Lamanai around 11:30 or 12noon.
Lunch was thankfully provided and it was absolutely delicious!!!! There were the traditional rice and beans with stewed chicken, potato salad, vegetable salad, and fried plantains. Once all of our belly's were full it was off for our guided tour of the Myan Ruins of Lamanai with Eddie. Eddie was also our captain for the second boat leg and was super knowledgeable. I however, have gotten ahead of myself and need to go back a few legs!
Leg One: Boat ride from San Pedro to Ladyville. The boat ride over to the mainland was WINDY and COLD. Of course, Matthew and I both dressed for warm San Pedro weather and today was cloudy and windy in the morning. Needless to say the majority of the first leg was miserable... until we ventured into the Old River. We were able to see and get pictures of a green iguana (which happened to be orange, men and their damn changing colors), crocodiles up close, and lots of different species of birds. While on the Old River we also had a delicious breakfast (chicken and cheese inside of gourmet bread and fresh fruit, and hand squeezed orange juice) while taking in all of the wonderful animal life.
Leg Two: Van ride to next drop off (I can't think of the name of the town, unfortunately). Our Searious Adventure guide was fun and lively giving us an education on everything Belizean. We learned about why and where certain fruit trees/plants grow, what is in season, how the picking process works for cashews (now it explains why cashews are so darn expensive), as well as some insight into the school systems both on the island and mainland. Matthew and I were in the back seat of a 13 passenger van and I of course got car sick. I was sooooooo glad to be on non moving ground for a few minutes, breath in some fresh air, and hop on another boat. It was sunny out for this part of the leg!
Leg Three: Boat ride with Eddie in WIND and CLOUD!!!! We were once again cold, but thankfully we stopped numerous times for different wildlife photo opps. There was so much to see and hear on this trip it was hard to take it all in. Eddie would weave in and out of different off shoots of the river and go us the Lamanai in one piece, as promised. As I mentioned before, we are a fantabulous meal and then headed off to tour the Mayan ruin on Lamanai.
Lamanai which I didn't know is the Spanish historic name for Lama’ an/ayin, which means “submerged crocodile.” Lots of the temples had crocodile carvings on or around them. Our first stop was Jaguar Temple, it was massive and had two Jaguar masks on either side of the center steps. On our way to the next temple, we saw, or rather heard the Hollerbush Monkeys! They were facinating to watch and stick together in families of 8-20 monkeys. There wasn't too much monkey business going on since we were on a guided tour and needed to continue on. Stella was a small temple that we visited next and Matthew and I were able to get our pictures taken together at this ruin.
So, we continue to travel on and on until we come upon this gigantic structure that had to have been 12 stories high (picture each story getting smaller). Well, this was the one that we were all suppose the climb to the top. Matthew bolted right up, but not me. I climbed slowly and carefully so that I wouldn't slip and fall. I eventually made it to the top with Matthew and the rest of our tour group and I was SOOOOO GLAD that I DID IT!!! The views were awesome and we promise pictures are coming. So, now the hard part for me, having to now get down this massive structure that does not have an elevator. Slowly, but surely and with the cheering on from fellow group members. It was a great accomplishment. After that though, my legs were still shaking and walking was a struggle, I did it slowly!!! our fourth and final temple was called Mask Temple. This temple actually had/has a toomb inside of it, but due to guests abusing items within the toombs, they were forced to seal the entry way. Matthew and I once again got our pictures taken with the one of the masks.
After a morning of travel, lunch, tour of Lamanai, and checking out the gift shops... we headed back to do the three legged trip one more time. However, in the afternoon, it was warmer and the sun was out!!!!
We were able to get some awesome pictures of animals, ruins, sunsets, and people and hope that our tour group had as much fun as we did! Overall, I think both Matthew and I are happy with our choice... I would ask him, but he just crashed on the bed and is asleep already!
Love,
Carly and Matthew
Next up: Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley at 9am on Saturday Morning
No comments:
Post a Comment