Up a river and around ruins – Monday 1 May 2018

Breakfast in Belize is different from what we have been experiencing. The difference being the Caribbean influence, or I assume that is what it is. Clueless Bob.

Longaniza is spicy pork sausage which was caseless. Fried Jacks are deep fried dough pieces. Didn’t care that much for the former, loved the latter, though I am sure the honey I drizzled over them played a large part.

This being a big breakfast post I couldn’t leave Linda out. She was old tried and true, staying with what she knew. The key point I would like to make is that this is here third plate of food. Guess you could say I went for variety and Linda went for quantity. The best thing for me was the fact I’ve got my appetite back, so it look like my cough is a thing of the past. Hungry, healthy Bob. Fat and Happy Linda.

Real estate in Belize is relatively inexpensive compared to the States. Then there are some real bargains like this place with only the road between it and the beach. Hurricanes don’t hit Belize very often but when they do the results have not only been devastating but also long lasting.

Iguana as seen from from bus.

Non-chicken bus as seen from our bus.It seems that chicken buses only serve the more rural areas of the Belize and that is not where we will be traveling. Maybe next trip, and yeas their will be a next trip as there is something special about Belize that we can’t put our finger on.

Roadside scene.

River boat scene.

Bat tree, or better stated, bats on tree. These bats don’t need darkness, but they are still wonderful mosquito eaters according to our local guide.

There was another tree I missed getting a photo of, the tree that had been tapped for “chicle”, a natural gum traditionally used in making chewing gum. In the past there were huge quantities of tree sap exported from Belize to Chicago where is was made into Wrigley’s chewing gum. Not any more though, as our guide put it, you chew that today, you’re chewing shoe soles. I think there might have been just a little bitterness there. The rush to the bottom in pursuit of the most dollars is everywhere.

At least they haven’t replaced the taste and fire of habanero  peppers. In my brief exposure to them at lunch today, the tiny little pieces of pepper were hotter than hot. I can’t imagine someone biting into one straight of the vine, though I once heard the story of someone who did. Not nice, not nice at all.

The “give and take” tree. it gives you its thorns if you brush against it. It’s not the puncture that’s the problem, it’s the toxin that is on the spikes. The antidote is also the tree. Cut off a strip of bark and rub the inside against where you were spiked and the pain goes away. Regardless, it is one nasty looking tree.

Partly eaten reptile of some type.

Reproduction mask on Mayan Mask Temple.

Perching bird.

Artistic photo by Linda of Mayan Temple.

Seed pods from unknown plant held by Bob and photographed by Linda. Botanically Baffled Bob.

Another photo of Linda atop a Mayan Temple. The thumbs up as much for the fact this is last one we will climb on the trip, as much as the fact she made it to the top.

Howler Monkey siesta time.

Every set of ruins has been interesting, because while they are similar they are also different. We both agree that the rough terrain, heat, humidity and altitude make visiting many of the sites something that is not for everyone. An example would be the Jaguar Temple at this site.

This view of the temple makes it apparent where the name of the temple comes from.

The Jaguar Temple is common to many of the sites we visited.

Belize national meal picnic lunch. Rice with beans, stewed chicken, coleslaw, watermelon, onions and habaneros with chips. At least I think that was what it was. I do remember eating a small piece of habanero  pepper and thinking once is enough for me. Then I ate two more tiny pieces, a lifetime quota fulfilled.

Artifact in the museum photographed by Linda. I am figuring this is one of those, if I don’t include it in the blog I'll hear about photos. Smart Bob.

This site was 25 miles up river, so we came by high speed boat. As our guide told us, in Belize you are required to have a life vest when aboard a boat like this. However, what you do with it is up to you. Here is Linda demonstrating how it serves as a soft seat with a cushioned back.

Hang on to your hats.

There is art, then there is art.

Another first from Richard. He had put together a slide show of photos he, Ben  and Vennis had taken during the trip and later emailed a copy to everyone. Other guides take photos, but we seldom ever see them. Richard really is head and shoulders above the others.

TV screen at the restaurant where we had our farewell meal.

With  out a doubt the worst wine we have ever had in our travels, the wine that had turned to vinegar we had years ago in Carcassonne, France not counting as wine. I noticed Terry wasn’t drinking his either. He summed it up better than I could, “Rot Gut.” And to think that several people at the table had two glasses. Their taste buds were different, to say the least.

The way to look at it is if everything was perfect Life would boring. Tomorrow the four of us who were on the pre-trip along with Richard will be flying to Nicaragua for the post trip. Till then ---.