UPDATE: 15 March 2004
Belize and Guatemala...
GUEST
REPORTER: Bill Long - an American who was born in Brazil and remains an earthroamer...
"Sex,
Ticks, and Rock and Roll" is what one of the river guides, named Tony
Santiago, said after sharing his wisdom and rum with me during a recent
adventure of mine to Belize and Guatemala. After being laid off from
SMARTworks.com at the end of November, I figured I had some time on my hands. I
booked a trip via GORP.com (GAP Adventures) for a 15 days from January 14th-28th.
So I went solo and met up with a group of 10 from all over (mainly Canadians).
Here are some highlights I wanted to share:
Day
2-4 Flores/Tikal, Guatemala
- Climbed Temple IV in the morning just after sunrise. Waited on the top to see
the mist clear and reveal the other temples poking through the jungle canopy.
Wow! Something I've always wanted to see. The highlight of my trip.
- Saw lots of new animals: wild turkey, tucans, green parrots, spider monkeys,
howler monkeys (who pooped on us), coatimundi.
Day 5-7 San Ignacio
- Swam through the entrance of an underground cave (Actun Tunichil Muknal) with
a river running through it. Spelunked for 3 hours ending at an area the ancient
Maya used for sacrifices 1400 years ago.
Day
8-11 Belize/Macal River
- Paddled up the Macal. Was the target of mosquitos and hundreds of Ticks.
Brought back some kind of wierd rash - yea, that's just great.
- Ate stewed Iguana and Iguana eggs and live termites (taste like carrots).
Day 12-14 Caye Caulker
- Snorkelled at the Belize Barrier Reef with lots of rays, lobster and
parrotfish.