Arriving at the airport, I was greeted with the familiar third world vibe, de-boarding down a flight of stairs to a tropical outdoor scene. Ah yes, "welcome home" the sun and breeze seemed to say.
We grabbed our bags and went out front where we were supposed to meet a recommended taxi driver named "Leo" who we had called and asked to pick us up and take us to Orange walk. However, he was no where to be found. A nice - foreign but local - lady came out and asked us if we needed a taxi and once we explained the situation she said "oh yes Leo is probably driving someone, but there are plenty of other drivers and they all charge the same." So we trusted her advice and accepted a ride from an elderly man named "Floyd" to take us. He was a friendly guy who shared a funny saying with us about one of his daughters who married a Brit and lives in Manchester: "Where the honey lies, the bee flies."
Quick fact:
Traveling by local bus = $2.50 per person to get 58 miles across the country
Traveling by taxi = $100!
Anywho, an hours drive later we arrived in dusty Orangewalk, a small town up north that is nothing special to look at. However it is located next to the New River and we had reservations at the Lamanai Riverside Retreat which was literally, on the riverside. Much better than staying in town. We immediately enjoyed the surrounding water, vegetation and birds.
The accommodations here was a basic room, but the restaurant/bar area was wonderful and served good food, breakfast of course being my favorite!
So after our first night of sleep, we got up the next morning and prepared for the day's adventure: A boat ride tour an hour and a half up the river to one of the Mayan Ruins sites, Lamanai. Our guide, Ignacio, was very knowledgable, having a background in archeology. One of our favorite facts he shared with us, the real name is pronounced Laman Nain which correctly means "submerged crocodile" as the Mayans believed the crocodile to be the god of the underworld. However, the modern name of Lamanai means submerged insect or bug, which we all got a good laugh out of. I wonder what Mayan god a submerged bug is... not what they were going for, I'm sure!
Close up of what you saw in last photo! Insect bat!
Submerged Indeed!
And because Matt had an extremely vivid imagination about how the crocodiles were going to eat him, I thought this poster was fitting! Plus that's a great quote and good advice to all!
Local kids
Jacana, also know as Jesus Bird, because the way they lily pad hop looks like walking on water.
I call them: Zebra Hoppers!
Neotropical Cormorants!
More amazing facts shared by guide: This leaf is the allspice tree, we tasted it and agreed! The other photo is called a "Give and Take Palm" and according to the Mayans if you pricked someone with those spokes they got an immediate fever and headache, but if you cut open the tree truck and rubbed the insides on the wound, the fever and headache immediately subsided!
Part of Jaguar Temple!
The tallest temple at the site, 112 ft, so of course we climbed it. Take that Vertigo!
On top of the world!
"New River" look out
Well, needless to say, we thoroughly enjoyed that adventure and highly recommend it to anyone interested. The next photos are a few from around the town of Orange Walk before we headed off to our next destination: Caye Caulker! Stay posted, part 2 and 3 will be up soon.
