This is our trip to Belize. Our adventures took us from the heart of the rain forest, to one of the world\'s most outstanding reefs, and finally to its sandy shores on the Caribbean Sea.

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2. Our trip to Belize . . . Situated in Central America, Belize shares it borders with Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula to the north, Guatemala to the west, Honduras to the south, and . . . the world’s second largest barrier reef along its Caribbean coast.

3. Though it is a small country, 8900 square miles (a bit larger than New Jersey), it is a land of diverse climates. The interior is mountainous and filled with dense jungle - a rainforest climate.Along the coast and the 450 plus islands or “cayes,” the climate is similar to that of the Florida Keys.

4. English is the official language as Belize was a British colony that gained it’s independence in 1981.However, it is a melting pot of cultures from around the world.Primary languages spoken include English, Spanish, Creole, and thenative languages: Garifuna, Kekchi, Maya.

5. We were picked up at Goldson International Airport in Belize City by Ruben from Caves Branch Jungle Lodge. He was standing at the exit holding a sign displaying our name. He drove us via Belmopan, the capital, to Caves Branch along the Butterfly Highway. Our trip was 1 ½ hours and we learned quite a bit about the country along the way.

6. Caves branchJungle lodge

7. The Lodge!!

8. A warm welcome

9. Our Jungle Cabana

10. Origami Bath Towels!!

11. The rooms were everything one could want . . . Even outdoor facilities!

12. Fortunately they provided absolutely luxurious indoor facilities as well.

13. Unbridled Excitement 

14. The Cabanas were awesome! Open to the great outdoors. Fortunately there was a fine mosquito mesh covering the windows.

15. The Cave Journey

16. A leisurely trip to the caves

17. Through acres and acres of orange trees

18. Preparing for a more rigorous trek through the cave.

20. Explaining we’d be crawling on our stomachs

22. Part of this adventure is climbing underground waterfalls. Unfortunately I had to leave my camera behind to pick up on the return trip... as seen on the following slide

23. Gearing up to climb the waterfalls

24. And without benefits of a flash . . .

26. LUNCH!!!

27. The Black hole drop

28. The start of an over an hour upward journey

29. A 330 foot drop to the canopy below

33. Waiting patiently - No lunch till we all get down

35. We made it – Now for lunch

36. Thatch CayeResort

37. After a few days at Caves Branch, we were driven to Dangriga and dropped off at the Esso station.Travis, co-owner of the privately owned caye, picked us up, drove on over to a lagoon surrounded by mangroves, and took us off in his boat. The boat ride was about 30 minutes.

38. A hand carved Welcome sign at the docks

40. Balin, our caretaker extraordinaire.

41. Thatch Caye’s central Palapa

42. Travis & companion on the internet......that’s Travis taking it easy on the shoulder

44. Our Casita

46. Thatch Caye: completelypowered by the sun and the wind ...with a little help from gravity for the plumbing

47. With lighted stairs and paths

49. Cabanas

50. A baby Coati Mundi checks us out

52. . . . mama checks us out

53. Another caye resident – an Agouti

54. Who loved snacks

55. ... especially Pita bread

56. Off to snorkel the reef, Chico points the direction

57. Thatch Caye’s resident Crocodile coming in for its nightly sleep on the beach

58. A blue crab is startled as we walk along the path at night

59. Off to catch dinner

63. Our Master Chefs!

64. A tasty lunch in one of the dining palapas

65. Jaguar reefresort

66. Our last destination was a resort with air-conditioning!!We were again picked up at the Esso station in Dangriga to enjoy a leisurely car ride to Hopkins, over pothole after pothole on a mostly dirt highway!

67. The road from Dangriga to Hopkins

68. A little treacherous after the afternoon thunderstorms

69. Jaguar Reef Resort

71. A most beautiful beach

72. Back to Dangriga for the flight to Belize City

73. Tropic Air took us back to Goldson International Airport.Took about 15 minutes.

76. 48$ at the airport. . . But a much needed book for the long return flight home.

77. Many thanks to... Adventures in Belize for creating a journey full of fun & adventure! Our hosts at Caves Branch Jungle Lodge:Ian & Larryhttp://www.cavesbranch.comOur hosts at Thatch Caye Resort:Travis & Balinhttp://www.thatchcaye.com

78. Contact Kelan at Travelers Corner to make travel arrangements 202-590-0373 or 800-906-6907 Orfeel free to contact Larry or Evita at Caves Branch866-357-2698Travis or Balin at Thatch Caye800-435-2414 Please just mention I sent you there. Thanks!

79. One last note... I want to mention one incredible thing we learned on this trip... Ian Andersen, the owner of Caves Branch, and his wife started teaching chess to the children of Belize a year ago. The game has spread like wildfire! The Belize National Foundation has been created and the game is taught in every school in the country. Students are going on to international tournaments.

80. The end