After spending four days in the jungle, I was ready for relaxation at the final destination of this vacation - the beach! I woke up, flung my damp clothes into my damp suitcase, and yanked my frizzy hair back into yet another ponytail. I realized I hadn't yet walked the medicinal trail on the property, so we decided to quickly check it out after breakfast. The trail climbs up along the bank of the Macal River and ends near the River Camp. This camp is Chaa Creeks more 'rustic' accommodations and only costs $55 a night. For $55 you get a cabin with a bed, a lantern, and, and, well, nothing else. They have a family onsite that cooks the meals, but you can also enjoy any of the other amenities the resort has to offer. The camp isn't for me, but I can see the appeal for some...
While we were checking out the place, I spotted this out of the corner of my eye...
I tried to appear all casual like as I glanced around the facilities, but what I really wanted to know was what they were doing. It seemed like some kind of ceremony - Mayan mysticism perhaps. The ladies began to place a scarf over the girl's head, and I started to get a little freaked out until I saw the woman doing the majority of the talking was reading from a pink ipad propped up on the bench. Lame.
After that we hustled back down the steep trail to meet the clan for our morning departure. The 20 of us packed into two vans and headed east to the Caribbean.
Homes for the migrant workers at one of the orange groves...
This towering structure had us scratching our heads though. Don't think it will land in Architectural Digest anytime soon...
Two hours later we arrived at Jaguar Reef Resort in Hopkins Village. Ahh....
The resort was really neat, and the people there very friendly. It's a very modest-sized town - approximately 1,000 people. I wanted to check out the downtown, so the first morning I donned my running clothes, safari hat (pretty dorky but I forgot my running cap), and ran the two or so miles into town. Here are some pics of the route...
Library...
man + machete + chopping through thick rainforest = stud. Guy with machete hacking at a few sand plants? Not too sure about that one...
Our friends, Michele and Gary, had us laughing when they spotted this concrete statue of a dude that looks like a lady...
We didn't do anything adventurous once we got to the beach except grab some complimentary bikes from the resort. We rode them south on the main road (vs north to the downtown) towards the Sittee River. There is a lot of new vacation home construction going on in that area towards the river, and it would be interesting to see this town in three to five years.
The remainder of the trip was relaxation, so the camera was put to bed. As much as I enjoyed the beach, I kept thinking back to all the interesting things in the rainforest. Believe it or not, that was really the most memorable part of the trip for me. I suppose part of that is due to waking up the first night with what appeared to be a multitude of nasty bug bites in my underarm that just seemed to spread and worsen over the week. $400 and two systemic steriod shots later I'm on the mend.
After visiting other cultures, I like to examine what I've witnessed amongst the people there and reflect on my life in the states in comparison. Most of the population in Belize have little in terms of material possessions and money, yet they seemed so content. I witnessed multiple generations together outside their homes talking, playing games, enjoying each other's company. They do have television, and I'm sure have seen how the American lifestyle of excess projects itself to the world, yet I don't see a want for what we have. I see an appreciative spirit in the Belizians for each new day the Lord gives them. That is a spirit I desire to possess as well.
Nothing like living in a simpler culture to help me see that I really don't need to buy all the stuff offered in stores & online.
I liked the shots of downtown. So glad you didn't get lost in the big city!
Posted by: Rick Barry | February 10, 2014 at 03:18 PM