Belizean Bliss (which is a redundant phrase)

I had nary a clue what to expect from a jaunt to Belize aside from stellar recommendations from my friends Erin and Becky, along with online reviews and commentaries.  Bring me adventure!  Charley didn't know our destination until I handed him a boarding pass.  Hoodwink!  And he was pleased.

After departing Big D, we landed in Belize City.  This is located on the mainland of the incredibly diverse and unique country of Belize.  It's as if Jamaica and South America had a love child and named her Belize, where she grew up in Central America, developing a meld of characteristics from her surrounding regions and countries.

We jumped immediately from Belize City to the charming town of San Pedro, on Ambergris Caye.  I harbored some trepidation about flying in a tiny plane but that leg was merely a warm up for an even smaller aircraft we experienced later in the trip.

San Pedro is brimming over with personality, tropical appeal, and welcoming inhabitants.  The town is small enough to eliminate the need for automobiles, save for the random work truck or public taxi, though golf carts are commonly used for locals or tourists who need a hoofing reprieve.  This cart has even been Hummerized to distinguish it from the rest.  Amazingly enough, aside from Coca Cola and a basic selection of American products, there was not a single fast food brand location, Starbucks, or Gap clothing store.  Equally as impressive:  everything one needs can be found within a short walk or bicycle ride.  Since we traveled during the onset of the low season, maneuvering about and procuring what we ate or shopped for was a snap.  And, oh, the food!  Even the least impressive meal was still a hit.

One of the highlights of our trip was snorkeling in Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley.  I was mildly apprehensive about jumping into the water with an animal named a "shark," but nurse sharks are extremely docile and considered to be bottom feeders.  The snorkel guides bear hugged the sharks, flopped the animals over onto their backs, and then scratched the belly as if it were a doggy.  I am most intrigued by the rays.  So graceful!  Charley snorkeled for the first time EVER and I was super impressed that he dove (punny) right into the experience.  We were both amazed at the density of marine life and coral displays we saw.  Our trip was facilitated by a company named Seaduced and we were both very satisfied with the guides.

As might be expected, doggies were a frequent scene on the island and there are no leash laws in place.  The dogs are well behaved, though, and between the town's version of the humane society and generous locals, tourists, and restaurant owners, we're of the conclusion that the island dogs are living a pretty nice life.

Poverty is high in this country, but we couldn't help but notice that people generally seem happy and apt to enjoy the natural paradise surrounding them.  Kids play and swim in the same waters as the tourists, and those who are fortunate enough to earn a living seem to incorporate extended family into the equation as much as possible.

One of the best days I've ever experienced on a vacation or otherwise was through our day trip to take in the Actun-Tunichil-Muknal Cave Tour through Pacz Tours.  We were both challenged mentally and physically, and I frequently sucked up some typical "fear of heights/steep surfaces/precarious positions/slippery slopes" that there was no time for when the next person is waiting his turn to traverse the same route.  Cameras have been banned in the cave as a result of a klutzy shutterbug that damaged some of the hundreds-of-years-old Mayan artifacts, so here are some examples of what we experienced, via Google images:

Not for the faint of heart: click here for an image of the only known full Mayan skeletal remains located in a cave.

At the conclusion of our tour, we ate lunch in the jungle with a choral backdrop compliments of howler monkeys.  I am certain I had a kindred connection with one of the louder ones.

Our trip to and from the cave was facilitated by the smallest aircraft I hope to ever encounter.  It resembled a mosquito and felt not much larger than one.  Aside from the pilot's seat, there was room for three other humans.  Belmopan is Belize's capital city and is the location of the landing strip that was our pit-stop between the mosquito and tour van.  We thought we may buy a snack before or after our tour, but as you can see Charley hanging our wet cave clothes out after the tour, there was no chance for a snack, nor risk of becoming lost in the terminal.

It's a bebe coconut!

We'll be back, San Pedro!  Complete Photo Album (pardon the panoramic photo experimentation)