Belize City and beyond 1/23

Posted on January 23, 2014 | 3 Comments

We parked Stray Catz in a marina just outside Belize City to do a little traveling inland. The first day we made it to the Belize Zoo. The zoo specializes in local wildlife in their natural habitats. Many of the animals are rescued pets or for whatever reason will not survive on their own in the wild. This makes for some up close and personal experiences.

Yes we really took this shot.
Yes we really took this shot.
National bird of Belize
National bird of Belize

There were many others and this made a very enjoyable afternoon trip.
The next day we took off on a two and a half hour crowded bus trip to go see a Mayan ruin.

The crowded bus from St Ignacio to Belize City
The crowded bus from St Ignacio to Belize City

This is what we saw when we got there

After a 2 1/2 hour bus ride this is what welcomed us.
After a 2 1/2 hour bus ride this is what welcomed us.

Fortunately (?) we met Adolfo who hooked us up with a driver to take us to La Mirador. A Mayan Cave believed to be used for reaching the afterlife. This turned into an adventure in itself, because the road out there was four wheel drive quality and we were in a Toyota Corolla.

View from La Mirador base camp.
View from La Mirador base camp.

Inside the caves there was pottery that had not been moved since it was left there hundreds maybe a thousand years ago.

Right where it was found over 20 years ago. Who knows how long it has sat there.
Right where it was found years ago. Who knows how long it has sat there.

It was about a mile hike down and then up a slippery muddy hillside to reach the cave, but well worth the effort.

These caves were cavernous.
These caves were cavernous.
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The muddy hills got real tricky in the steep parts.
The muddy hills got real tricky in the steep parts.

On the way out it got real interesting when shortly after leaving the driver got real excited claiming no brakes. This was in addition to the fact that the car kept dying and having to be restarted. With no seatbelts in the back seat, Kylan and I were scared. The 7 1/2 miles to pavement and the additional 10 miles to San Ignacio were memorable, but we made it without incident.

Sampling some local Flayva in St Ignacio.
Sampling some local Flayva in St Ignacio.

The next day we went back to Xunantunich to find it open and got an amazing tour from Adolfo. He is of Mayan decent and cares and knows much about the culture, the history and the area.

Outside the site with the guide.
Outside the site with the guide.

First we have to take a hand cranked ferry across the river.

We made Kylan crank us across the river.
We made Kylan crank us across the river.

Then about a mile walk into the site on which we saw iguannas, spider and howler monkeys, toucans and hundreds of butterflies. Adolfo also taught us about the many plants and trees along the way.

A pride of howler monkeys were there to greet us on the way in.
A pride of howler monkeys were there to greet us on the way in.

Inside the ruin site we enjoyed the many facets of the Mayan culture.

We're almost halfway.
We’re almost halfway.
So happy we made the climb.
So happy we made the climb.
Many steps to see the Kings view.
Many steps to see the Kings view.

Once on top Kylan was able to put his finger on Guatemala.

Kylan with his finger on Guatemala.
Kylan with his finger on Guatemala.

When we finished with the tour we jumped back on the bus for another crowded ride back to Stray Catz.
Today we are heading out to the Atolls off the coast.

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