We made it to San Pedro! (no wireless here, only pay services, so getting pix up on the blog is a challenge - sorry! How is it that we had wireless in the jungle but not in the town? hmm!)
Yesterday was our longest travel day of the trip, starting with a 7 a.m. departure from Gallon Jug, a 2-hour ride (unpaved roads) to Hill Bank Field station, where Carlos picked us up in his speedboat and toured us through the New Lagoon to the Lamanai archaeological site. He gave us a proper tour of the site - pretty hot but the view from the High Temple is amazing! We arrived at the High Temple with a large group of US Army reservists who were in the country undertaking a humanitarian effort and building some schools. At the top of the temple Guy looked over at a young man standing near him and recognized a boy he had wrestled against in Pennsylvania last year. In true Brooks grappler fashion, he threw him off the temple - the ultimate Maya takedown. Just kidding. He did realize what a small world it is, though!
Carlos then took us the next hour - 45 miles - down the New River and we saw a ton of wildlife .. including a great view of an adult croc. We also saw several boats of Mennonite fishermen. Ask your kids how these Amish folks found their way to Belize, and what they add to this country!
We made it to Belize City, got our ferry tickets and lugged ourselves and our bags onto the high-speed ferry. A bit more than an hour later we had made it up the coast to Ambergris Caye, and found our hotel. Little Jake headed straight for the TV, and I let him!
Today we are starting slow, and had a visit from Barry Bowen at breakfast. We met him around noon at his dock (their main home is here) and he and Dixie took us aboard their boat "Lancha Verde" to a neighboring island, Caye Caulker, for lunch.
It was a fun ride and a nice visit to a very different island!
Tomorrow is our last full day, and we have an afternoon snorkeling adventure planned. As if jaguar and crocs aren't enough, we're going to add sharks and rays to the mix. Anyone sorry they sent their kid yet??
All is well here! We miss you all but not the snow...
Yesterday was our longest travel day of the trip, starting with a 7 a.m. departure from Gallon Jug, a 2-hour ride (unpaved roads) to Hill Bank Field station, where Carlos picked us up in his speedboat and toured us through the New Lagoon to the Lamanai archaeological site. He gave us a proper tour of the site - pretty hot but the view from the High Temple is amazing! We arrived at the High Temple with a large group of US Army reservists who were in the country undertaking a humanitarian effort and building some schools. At the top of the temple Guy looked over at a young man standing near him and recognized a boy he had wrestled against in Pennsylvania last year. In true Brooks grappler fashion, he threw him off the temple - the ultimate Maya takedown. Just kidding. He did realize what a small world it is, though!
Carlos then took us the next hour - 45 miles - down the New River and we saw a ton of wildlife .. including a great view of an adult croc. We also saw several boats of Mennonite fishermen. Ask your kids how these Amish folks found their way to Belize, and what they add to this country!
We made it to Belize City, got our ferry tickets and lugged ourselves and our bags onto the high-speed ferry. A bit more than an hour later we had made it up the coast to Ambergris Caye, and found our hotel. Little Jake headed straight for the TV, and I let him!
Today we are starting slow, and had a visit from Barry Bowen at breakfast. We met him around noon at his dock (their main home is here) and he and Dixie took us aboard their boat "Lancha Verde" to a neighboring island, Caye Caulker, for lunch.
It was a fun ride and a nice visit to a very different island!
Tomorrow is our last full day, and we have an afternoon snorkeling adventure planned. As if jaguar and crocs aren't enough, we're going to add sharks and rays to the mix. Anyone sorry they sent their kid yet??
All is well here! We miss you all but not the snow...
