Many facets of Belize

After several weeks exploring Mexico, it was time to cross the border into Belize.  Belize is a country of contracts.  Jungles and beaches.  Prior to the 1970's the ethnic makeup was predominantly Creole, a mix of African and British descent.  Belize achieved independence form the British commonwealth in 1981.  Since than an influx of Mayan and Spanish descendants has immigrated into the nation.  Belize has one of the most stable and democratic political systems in Central America and uses the American dollar as its currency.  On my tour we visited two cities

Caye Caulker 

It was easy to fall in love with this small laid back Caribbean Island.  Small bodegas sell everything from hardware to groceries to shoes.  Fresh fish stands dot the Caribbean side of the island where you watch fisherman haul lobsters and snapper from the ocean right to the grill.  As day turns into night restaurants and bars come alive.  We even found a karaoke bar the first night there.  We spent the first days snorkeling with nurse sharks and eagle rays.  Drinking and dancing in the boat to help cool the sunburn.  The second day was relaxing by the beach, cocktail in hand feeding fish to tarpons or petting sting rays.

San Ignacio

San Ignacio located in western Belize, serves as the cultural-economic hub of the Cayo District.  It got its start from mahogany and chicle production during British colonization. Over time it attracted people from the surrounding areas, which led to the diverse population of the town today, the second largest in the country.  

San Ignacio serves as the gateway to several archeological sites and cave systems.  Most of us choose to explore the Actun Tunichil Muknal or ATM cave.  The ATM cave is notable as a Maya archaeological site that includes skeletons, ceramics, and stoneware. There are several areas with skeletal remains in the main chamber. The best known is "The Crystal Maiden", the skeleton of what is believed to be a 17-year-old boy,[1] possibly a sacrifice victim, whose bones have been calcified to a sparkling, crystallized appearance.  

Once we parked the van, geared up with helmets and water shoes we hiked through jungle and water for 40 minutes to get to the cave entrance. To get to the crystal maiden, you are swimming, crawling and climbing over and under rocks through several cave chambers.  A true adventure tour and one of the best activities I did during my time in Central America.