Time for another flashback. This past June, I took a trip to Belize with twelve students from Landon. The trip followed the success of the previous year's trip to Peru. This time we were off to Belize to explore issues of climate change, and complete a service project in the coastal city of Dangriga while hosted by locals of the Garifuna culture.
Our first glimpse of the jungle
The trip was a success. We started off with a swim in the Sibun River, eighty degrees of beautiful tropical river in the middle of the jungle. We hitched a ride on the back of a truck pulling a trailer. We stayed a few days at the Monkey Bay Sanctuary, and went looking for animals in the middle of the night. We were a bit too noisy and came up empty handed.
The Sibun River
Hitching a Ride
Sunrise at Monkey Bay
Empty Hammock, Monkey Bay Sanctuary
Laundry, Monkey Bay Sanctuary
We left Monkey Bay, and explored the caves of Mayan princesses. We swam into the cave and ventured a few miles back following a stream in a huge underground cavern. Unbelievably, our guide led us to the remains of Mayan princesses over a thousand years old.
The Road to Mayan Princesses
Mayan Princess Skull
We spent some time in the Pine Ridge Reserve, exploring many swimming holes and hiking to Big Rock Falls.
Sunset, Pine Ridge Reserve
Big Rock Falls
Following our stay in the Pine Ridge Reserve we were off to visit some Mayan ruins, followed by our stay in Dangriga where we helped repair a statue and paint the local museum.
Xunantunich Ruins
Local Boy Fishing
Swimming in the inland Blue Hole
The Local Girls, Dangriga
a Boy and his Horse, Dangriga
Young man, Dangriga
Painting at the Gulisi Garifuna Cultural Museum
Painting
Friends
A Helping Hand
Finally, we finished our trip with a stay on a remote Caye, and even got the chance to hunt for a few spiny lobster.
Remote Caye
Paddles like a dream
It was short and sweet. I am definitely looking forward to this summer's adventure in Tanzania.
Relaxing, Belizean Style
