Family: Down South

This was a bit funny.  My dad saw a website online that advertised the opportunity to live like a Mayan.  My dad was under the impression that we would be sleeping in the Jaguar reserve, since it boasted that the guide grew up in the reserve.  We got there, and it was just a shack on the side of the highway.  The guide had lived in the reserve up until it was made into a reserve, at which point his family was forced to relocate.  The hut was very similar to the hostels that I have slept in all summer.  My dad was worried about my mom's comfort, and offered to take her to a hotel.  He then admitted that the reason was that he didn't want to be teased about this forever.  I took a picture of his face.  That night after dinner.  We went on a Jaguar hunt.  We did not expect to see anything more than some monkeys and a toucan; however, we are now on the official record as having spotted a Jaguar.  Yes, my friends, the Jaguar hunt was successful.  We didn't really see anything else for the rest of the night on our midnight jungle hike, but we saw the illusive and stealthy Jaguar. 

The next morning, we packed up to head to the Cotton Tree Lodge in Toledo.  The Humming bird highway remains one of the most beautiful drives that I have ever experienced!  It was indescribable.  My dad picked out a spot of land for retirement.  (this was actually before the Maya Center.) Anyway, we started the drive further down south, and went into town first.  We got some lunch and I tried showing them the chocolate factory and the shop, but both were closed for lunch.  We ended just heading on over to the lodge.  We got to the lodge and learned that it was an eco-lodge that does a lot of philanthropy in the community.  It took some adjusting to.  I am use to the heat, but my mom was struggling with the extreme heat and off the charts humidity of the jungle.  She...we were concerned about having a night without air conditioning.  It actually worked out just fine.  The jungle down south cools off a lot more at night than it does at the western boarder.  I really just enjoyed sitting in the hammock on the front porch.  We also went out to the jungle lodge to see the monkeys.  No matter how much we looked for them, we weren't able to see them. 

The next morning, we decided to go snorkeling again.  The water in PG isn't nearly a crystal clear as the cayes.  There are five rivers that meet the sea in Toledo, and that makes the water a lot more murky,  and easily churned.  The guide took us to a ranger office for the marine preserve who told us a bit about the area and what Belize is doing to preserve the water.  It was really interesting.  We then went to a beach that was crystal clear and beautiful. 

Cadie was talking about how she likes "what if?" questions.  I then asked her, "What if you wake up tomorrow and love J. Biebs."  She then promised that that would never occur… ever, ever, ever.  At which point I sang, "Never say NEVER!"  She didn't appreciate the serenade.

We then went snorkeling and saw an octapus, starfish the size of the kitchen sink, lobster, and dori fish.  It was not nearly as well known as the Ho Chen reserve, so we were the only ones out there, but I actually liked it a lot better.  PG remains my favorite part of Belize.  We started to have lunch on the beach, but the sand flees were to potent, so we just ate out on our boat and had the chance to talk to our guide for a while. 

The next day, we packed up the car and headed back to Belize City to take my parents to the airport.  :)