Hello everyone!
Can't remember if we filled you in on our great trip to Lubaantun mayan ruins (where they found the first crystal skull) - but it was a great trip. 2 of the 3 guides were ver informative (one kept making up stories...about earthquakes and multiple kings...apparently the students got quite a kick out of it).
Then we went swimming in Rio Blanco waterfalls (minus the falls - as it is the dry season), but had fun swimming, and many jumped off a cliff (don't worry - all are okay).
Wednesday night we had the best Garafuna drummers in Belize play for us at a local bar/restaurant. Some students punta danced and there was even karaoke after (stories to follow).
The next day we left PG (mixed emothions there) and headed to th Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary for a hike (again to a waterfalls...but this time they were there and the water was refreshing!!!!). That night most of us experienced a night hike in the jungle with jaguars (we didn't see them, but were told they saw us)! We did see...snake, armadillo, gibnut, deer and a birds. Very cool experience...but a bit scary for some. Too bad we couldn't say the sleep was cool....VERY, VERY warm (with no fans or AC).
Today we were very excited to have our last helping (lunchtime) of rice, beans and chicken...NOTE: No one wants rice, beans or chicken for at least 3 months when they return home. (-:
We drove back to Belize City to go Zip lining at Jaguar Paws. Everyone enjoyed and said it was one of the highlights (again...we didn't lose anyone).
Last night in Belize - mixed emotions...glad to be getting home, but sad to leave.
Long trip back tomorrow - see you all at noon on Sunday! (Have junk food and Tim Hortons waiting.)
Love to you all!
(-:
Friday, May 14, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Can you say...Sunburned????? (-:
Hi All!
Today all but 5 woke up with sunburns. We had a slight change of plans yesterday. Weather was too windy out at the Reef for us to go to Lime Caye (and if the captains won't go...you know it is too bad), so instead we went to West Snake Caye for the day.
The boat rides were great (only a couple of cases of sea sickness).
We spent the day at the Caye, lying in the sun, exploring, snorkelling and swimming. A day of (somewhat) rest that everyone needed. Unfortunately, I think, because we only had 1 day on a caye instead of 2, people decided to soak up the sun a little too much. Lots of burns today, but they are real troopers - everyone was at breakfast in PG at 7:30 am.
We had some free time this morning (2 hours) to explore Punta Gorda (PG) a bit and do some shopping.
At 10:30 today we are going to the Mayan ruins of Luubantuun (where they found the first crystal skull...like in the Indiana Jones movie). Everyone is quite excited (don't know if they could handle a day in the sun today). There is a "dig" team from California there, so they are hoping to learn lots.
After the ruins we are headed to Rio Blanco falls for a swim, then back to PG for some Garafuna drumming tonight!!!! We'll get lots of photos and video of our "Punta" dancers for you.
Hard to believe we've been here a week already and we only have a couple of days left.
Tomorrow is the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Sanctuary, so no posting until Friday when we make our way back to Belize City (after zip lining)!!!
Everyone is still doing well. Love to you all!!!
(-:
Today all but 5 woke up with sunburns. We had a slight change of plans yesterday. Weather was too windy out at the Reef for us to go to Lime Caye (and if the captains won't go...you know it is too bad), so instead we went to West Snake Caye for the day.
The boat rides were great (only a couple of cases of sea sickness).
We spent the day at the Caye, lying in the sun, exploring, snorkelling and swimming. A day of (somewhat) rest that everyone needed. Unfortunately, I think, because we only had 1 day on a caye instead of 2, people decided to soak up the sun a little too much. Lots of burns today, but they are real troopers - everyone was at breakfast in PG at 7:30 am.
We had some free time this morning (2 hours) to explore Punta Gorda (PG) a bit and do some shopping.
At 10:30 today we are going to the Mayan ruins of Luubantuun (where they found the first crystal skull...like in the Indiana Jones movie). Everyone is quite excited (don't know if they could handle a day in the sun today). There is a "dig" team from California there, so they are hoping to learn lots.
After the ruins we are headed to Rio Blanco falls for a swim, then back to PG for some Garafuna drumming tonight!!!! We'll get lots of photos and video of our "Punta" dancers for you.
Hard to believe we've been here a week already and we only have a couple of days left.
Tomorrow is the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Sanctuary, so no posting until Friday when we make our way back to Belize City (after zip lining)!!!
Everyone is still doing well. Love to you all!!!
(-:
Monday, May 10, 2010
We just finished up 2 days of service learning
Hello all!
Sorry for the late post...we've been out of commission for a few days! (-:
Let's recap...
2 days ago...we had a trip to the Mayan Village of San Jose.
Before we went to the village we had a beautiful bus ride (a little long for some) through the Hummingbird Highway. We then stopped and had a cacao farm and chocolate making tour! Some of the students got to grind the cacao (and of course we all had a taste - nothing like fresh chocolate).
After the tour we went for a village tour an had dinner in local homes in San Jose (a very traditional Mayan village). The students had an incredible experience here...I will leave it to them to tell you (as words cannot describe). 8 brave ladies stayed overnight in the guest house at the Mayan village...and me up with us in the am (apparently "large spiders" were the topic of conversation that night).
Yesterday and today we did service learning with TIDE (Toledo Institute for Development and the Environment). We split into 2 groups and all had an experience: tree planting, working in the tree nursery and making signs for the Marine Reserve. Oh - we all got to have an incredibly beautiful boat ride up the Rio Grande river. (Needless to say - there were a lot of red boddies.)
Tomorrow we head for Lime Caye (for overnight) - so we won't be able to e-mail or update until late tomorrow night (or even Thursday).
Hope all of you are well. We wish all our mothers, grandmothers, etc. a Happy Mother's Day (1 day late).
(-:
Sorry for the late post...we've been out of commission for a few days! (-:
Let's recap...
2 days ago...we had a trip to the Mayan Village of San Jose.
Before we went to the village we had a beautiful bus ride (a little long for some) through the Hummingbird Highway. We then stopped and had a cacao farm and chocolate making tour! Some of the students got to grind the cacao (and of course we all had a taste - nothing like fresh chocolate).
After the tour we went for a village tour an had dinner in local homes in San Jose (a very traditional Mayan village). The students had an incredible experience here...I will leave it to them to tell you (as words cannot describe). 8 brave ladies stayed overnight in the guest house at the Mayan village...and me up with us in the am (apparently "large spiders" were the topic of conversation that night).
Yesterday and today we did service learning with TIDE (Toledo Institute for Development and the Environment). We split into 2 groups and all had an experience: tree planting, working in the tree nursery and making signs for the Marine Reserve. Oh - we all got to have an incredibly beautiful boat ride up the Rio Grande river. (Needless to say - there were a lot of red boddies.)
Tomorrow we head for Lime Caye (for overnight) - so we won't be able to e-mail or update until late tomorrow night (or even Thursday).
Hope all of you are well. We wish all our mothers, grandmothers, etc. a Happy Mother's Day (1 day late).
(-:
Friday, May 7, 2010
Belze Zoo / Mayan Ruins & Cave Tubing...
Hello Everyone!
OK - so here is a post for the last 2 days.
We are still all doing well. Katherine got her luggage today (yay!!!) so we are now all good.
Yesterday we went to the Belize Zoo...had a great time!!! Some of us held a boa constricter (balboa was her name) and some of us got to feel the Jaguar (buddy). We'll try to post video when we get to Punta Gorda tomorrow or Sunday.
Then on to Xunantunich ruins (hot, hot, hot) - amazing experience and all of us survivied the heat. It was great to get to the pool at the Log Cab Inn last night.
OK - today we got up early and headed to Ian Anderson's Caves Branch. it is BEAUTIFUL here!!!! We all went on a 4 hour tubing/cave expedition and had a ball (and lots of laughs).
Tonight Mr. Anderson himself is going to talk to the students.
Tomorrow we are on to the Mayan Village of San Jose (and some will stay overnight).
We'll get to you all again tomorrow.
Until the...love to you all!!! Everyone is doing well and sweating up a storm.
(-:
Faculty are doing well too....Nicole was touched by the fertility god, Wendi was kissed by a Jaguar, Scott jumped off a 15 foot cliff (into water....eventually), and Sharon is having a ball!!! (-:
OK - so here is a post for the last 2 days.
We are still all doing well. Katherine got her luggage today (yay!!!) so we are now all good.
Yesterday we went to the Belize Zoo...had a great time!!! Some of us held a boa constricter (balboa was her name) and some of us got to feel the Jaguar (buddy). We'll try to post video when we get to Punta Gorda tomorrow or Sunday.
Then on to Xunantunich ruins (hot, hot, hot) - amazing experience and all of us survivied the heat. It was great to get to the pool at the Log Cab Inn last night.
OK - today we got up early and headed to Ian Anderson's Caves Branch. it is BEAUTIFUL here!!!! We all went on a 4 hour tubing/cave expedition and had a ball (and lots of laughs).
Tonight Mr. Anderson himself is going to talk to the students.
Tomorrow we are on to the Mayan Village of San Jose (and some will stay overnight).
We'll get to you all again tomorrow.
Until the...love to you all!!! Everyone is doing well and sweating up a storm.
(-:
Faculty are doing well too....Nicole was touched by the fertility god, Wendi was kissed by a Jaguar, Scott jumped off a 15 foot cliff (into water....eventually), and Sharon is having a ball!!! (-:
Thursday, May 6, 2010
We are here - can you BELIZE it???!!!! (-:
Hi Everyone!
We arrived yesterday afternoon. Flights were good and everyone arrived safely. Only one person (Katherine from Kingstec) didn't get their luggage...it stayed in Houston. We're headed to the airport to pick it up today.
Upon arrival we checked in to our Hotel (Hotel Mopan) and went to dinner Birds Ile - it was awesome!!! and the restaurant was on the water...sunset was beautiful. (Will post photos when we can.)
Everyone slept well in our air conditioned rooms (thank gooodness as it was very, very hot and humid yesterday).
Woke up this am and just finished a lovely b-fast and getting ready for a very full day~
today we are headed to the Belize zoo....then to the mayan ruins of Xunantunich.
Tonight we are going to have a pool where we are staying so we are VERY exited to be able to take a dip after a HOT, HOT, day. (Even Belizians are finding it hot.)
We all say "HI" to all of you.
We'll try to post tonight or tomorrow am (with photos).
(-:
We arrived yesterday afternoon. Flights were good and everyone arrived safely. Only one person (Katherine from Kingstec) didn't get their luggage...it stayed in Houston. We're headed to the airport to pick it up today.
Upon arrival we checked in to our Hotel (Hotel Mopan) and went to dinner Birds Ile - it was awesome!!! and the restaurant was on the water...sunset was beautiful. (Will post photos when we can.)
Everyone slept well in our air conditioned rooms (thank gooodness as it was very, very hot and humid yesterday).
Woke up this am and just finished a lovely b-fast and getting ready for a very full day~
today we are headed to the Belize zoo....then to the mayan ruins of Xunantunich.
Tonight we are going to have a pool where we are staying so we are VERY exited to be able to take a dip after a HOT, HOT, day. (Even Belizians are finding it hot.)
We all say "HI" to all of you.
We'll try to post tonight or tomorrow am (with photos).
(-:
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
1 more sleep!!!
Hi Everyone!
This is a blog for the NSCC International Tourism trip to Belize (May 5 - 16th 2010).
We are just over 24 hours until our flight to Newark leaves (and will be at the airport in less than 12 hours).
We will try our best to update this sight with photos and stories (but will all depend on internet access).
Enjoy our travels!!!!
NSCC Akerley, Kingstec & Pictou
TOUR 3030 students & faculty
This is a blog for the NSCC International Tourism trip to Belize (May 5 - 16th 2010).
We are just over 24 hours until our flight to Newark leaves (and will be at the airport in less than 12 hours).
We will try our best to update this sight with photos and stories (but will all depend on internet access).
Enjoy our travels!!!!
NSCC Akerley, Kingstec & Pictou
TOUR 3030 students & faculty
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