Brent and Judy's Adventures

San Ignacio to Caye Caulker, Belize

johnbmullen — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:41:00 GMT

The bus ride from Flores to the border of Guatemala went smoothly. Nice bus, good road and the border crossing went smoothly as well. The last 5 miles before the border was a graded gravel road. But it was pretty smooth. Maybe it was because we were in the dry season and no mud. At the border we had to get off the bus and take all of our luggage to the Guatemalan customs officials and pay a $2.00 fee. We then had to carry (or drag) our bags across the border to Belize and go through their customs before reboarding the bus. Not a huge problem Probably took less than 30 minutes.

We pulled into San Ignacio about 5 miles down the road. The bus let us out and it went on to Belize City. We wheeled our suitcases down main street looking for a ATM and a telephone to call a hotel. We found both in short order. Located a taxi who took us to the Mayan Mountain Lodge a short distance out of town. The lodge is located on a beautiful piece of very lush tropical hillside. They have both bungalows and regular hotel style rooms. We chose a regular room to help hold down the expense a little. The meals were spectacular. Served in a outdoor dining room surrounded by lush vegetation the staff waited on our every desire. The owners were very nice and most knowledgeable about the local area. They have had the lodge for over 25 years. The following day we took a tour of the ATM (Actun Tunichil Muknal) cave. It was about a hours drive and then a 45 minute walk through the jungle crossing a river 3 times. With hard hats and headlamps in place we swam through a cool pool of water at the entrance. Then it was wading through waste deep water passing beautiful geological formations to a area where we were able to get out of the water and take our shoes off. Wearing socks only we tip toed through a Mayan artifact area with numerous pots and bones. Two or 3 skeletons were evident and one complete skeleton. After 3 hours in the dark it was good to arrive at the entrance and see the beautiful green of the jungle canopy.

The following day we toured the ruins of Xunatunich and kayaked the Mopan River. We learned alot from our guide about the many types of trees over hanging the river. The next day we caught the 7 am bus to Belize City with a connection via the water taxi to Caye Caulker. We arrived at Caye Caulker in time to have lunch at "The Bamboo Restaurant" for their wonderfully taste cheese burgers. Caulker runs on a network of golf cart taxis that will take you any where you want to go on the 4 mile long island. We stayed at the "Anchorage Hotel" It was on the beach with AC. So for Caye Caulker standards it was pretty nice. We rented bikes and cruised the boardwalk stopping to have a beer now and then. The next day was spent viewing manatees and snorkeling. The manatee viewing was disappointing. Maybe because of the limited sighting. Supposedly created from the wind and cooler weather. However, the snorkeling was superb. We saw our first stingray. He was probably 6 to 8 feet across. The colors in the fish were almost beyond descriptions. We were told that the wind would probably continue to blow for at least 3 or 4 more days. So we caught a flight home to Arizona the next day. We arrived in Phoenix about 8 pm. Great trip.

Poptun-Tikal-Flores

johnbmullen — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 08:17:00 GMT

Finca Ixobel near Poptun is a eco lodge with a very earthy feel. The accomodations are basic but very nice. Bungalows that are on stilts high in the trees are available. Or dorms stile rooms, camping, and some individual rooms in small houses through the grounds. They have a avery with scarlet macaws. Horse back riding was a optionthat Judy tried whilei did a day of cave spelunking. The meals are very well prepared. And cold beer and wine is available.

After 2 days we moved on to El Remata on the east shore of Lake Peten. This put us in striking distance of the Mayan ruins at Tikal. The next day was spent exploring these ruins and all of the wild life. Among the critters we spotted were spider monkeys, coatimundis, green parrots, toucans and montezuma oropendelas. The temples and other structures are awesome. And to consider that they were constructed without any machinery,beast of burden(ie-donkeys) or even steel is almost beyond comprehension.

El Remata is a great quaint village with a few hotels and shops. Great breezies come off of the lake in the afternoon to help with the warm humidity. And the sunsets over the lake are muy bien.

We have now relocated to the Island town of Flores for one night. The narrow cobblestone streets and tile roofed buildings makes for a picturesque town. We leave tomorrow for San Ignacio,Belize.

RioDulce-livingston

johnbmullen — Thu, 7 Feb 2008 08:04:00 GMT

RioDulce at Lake Izabel is a warm and humid place. Even in February.
However,with the lake to swim in it was great. We stayed in a bungalow at La Tortugal. It was a great place with friendly staff and wonderful food. The showers were hot and the view from the restaurant deck of the lake was superb. We took a launcha down the river to Livingston.It was a beautiful jungle boat ride with numerous bird sightings. We had a great sea food lunch in Livingston and arrived back at RioDulce by late afternoon. We also did a day excursion Finca Parisio where a hot springs water fall dumps into a small river. It was a great way to spend the day. We have very much been enjoying meeting friends from all over the world. Lots of young people are traveling the country from Germany, Italy,France,New Zealand,Ireland as well as USA and Canada. We left Rio Dulce after two nights and headed to Finca Ixobel near Poptun.

Western Highlands of Guatemala

johnbmullen — Tue, 5 Feb 2008 09:37:00 GMT

Ola amigos

Antigua has been a good experience and intro into the highlands of Guatemala. After 4 days we moved on to Panajachel on Lago Atitlan. It is a large lake with 3 volcanos on its shores and numerous Mayan villages to visit. The crafts that the Mayan people produce are very beautiful. They are known for their fabrics and embroidery. We stayed at Casa Loma for 200Q per night= about 28.00 US. Very nice room and people. We day tripped to Chichicastango for its Mayan market on Sunday. It was an amazing and crazy experience. They sold any thing from live chickens, corn and beans to beautiful table cloths and other embroidered fabrics. Narrow very crowed aisles with lots and lots of vendors. The meals we had in Pana were very good without exception. We have shuttled back to Antigua for one night and then on to a lower elevation at Rio Dulce. It is at Lago Itzabel. Guatemalas largest lake. But this is for another chapter since it is out of the highlands and more in the Carribean area of the country. We have had a little up set stomach from time to time. But nothing a lomitil did not repair. The weather has been spring like with no rain. Very comfortable with low humidity.

Guatemala Adventures

johnbmullen — Fri, 1 Feb 2008 10:40:00 GMT

We arrived in Antigua on Monday. Having a great time visiting different ethnic (Mayan) restaurants and small shops. We hiked Vulcan Pacaya yesterday and ate a traditional Mayan dinner last night. Today we toured a old monastery that was converted into a very exclusive hotel-Casa Santo Domingo. Bill Clinton stayed here when he visited Antigua. The grounds are gorgeous. We shopped at the Artisans Mercado and puchased a few fabric items. We are holding out for the mayan markets at Chichi and the other villages around Lago Atitlan. Tomorrow we take a bus to Panachel on the shore of lago (lake) Atitlan. Antigua has gone to the dogs. It now has a Burger King and a McDonalds. The Playa Central has a large fountain with mature trees, lots of benches. Seems to be the central social area of the town.

Copan Ruinas,Honduras

johnbmullen — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 12:27:00 GMT

Ola-We are having a great time in exploring the Mayan ruins of Copan. The Copan valley is very fertile with much agriculture being produced. We have had great meals and accomodations at Hacienda San Lucas. The views of the valley are gorgeous. Today we visited Macaw Mountain bird sanctuary and Luna Jaguar Hot Springs. It was a 45 minute ride on a dirt and mud road through some amazing country. The agua was muy caliente and very invigorating.

SanPedro Sula, Honduras

johnbmullen — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:53:00 GMT

After a long over night flight from JFK we landed early this morning. Our first impressions of this city is that it is a big industrial area with lots of traffic and nice people. We toured the mercado and the museum of anthropology. And ate lunch at an outdoor restaurant. The beef and pork on a stick were very tasty along with typical beans,tortillas and plantinos.

Gallery: B&J's Photos

johnbmullen — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 09:32:00 GMT

Cave Creek, Arizona