Good morning from Santo Tomas! We docked this morning about 8am and will spend the day here. I don’t have any excursions planned, so it’s going to be a lazy day of wandering the ship and (maybe) walking the pier. But I have to tell you about Belize!
The first thing I need to do is give a recommendation for the tour group we used. We booked Belize Jeep Adventures through the Shore Excursions website, and they were well worth the money. For starters, I expected a tour bus full of people, with a guide at the front talking through a microphone. Instead it was just the three of us and a very knowledgeable tour guide (Roberto) in a mini van. A lot more personal, and we got a lot more information than we would have through a more typical tour.
First place we went to was the Alton Ha ruins, about an hour outside of Belize. These were temples and living areas for the Mayan people. We learned all about how Mayans used science and symbolism to create their buildings, including the multiple use of the numbers 9 and 13 in building.
…..and my soap opera story! Back in junior high days, I was obsessed with Bo and Carly on Days of Our Lives. The show did a location shoot in Mexico and featured Mayan ruins. One of the plot points was you could stand at the top of the temple, speak in an almost normal voice, and be heard by those on the ground (it was how Bo proposed). It was how the ruling class communicated to the masses before microphones and speakers. It was the same here - you should have to yell to be heard, but it was very easy to be understood. Amazing technology. The temples were also placed in a perfect N / S / E / W configuration. Amazing they could do all this before modern technology. Much smarter than we are now.
Next was lunch of chicken, rice and beans, and then the howler monkey sanctuary. So cool! The sanctuary is run by the locals in the area - they give up 20% of their land to the sanctuary (keeping it natural and overgrown for the monkeys). The monkey run wild, and can be coaxed down by the caretakers who mimic their cries. We got some great pictures. :)
…..and now, the pictures!
OOTD - J. Jill dress from the Junior League Thrift Sale. There’s something fun about wearing thrift store clothing on a luxury cruise. I’d rather spend the money on the experience than the clothes (but still try to dress up!)
Part of my breakfast this morning - loved the latte art
My group for the morning - Nora, myself and Michael. We were in the middle of saying “Cheeeeeeese!”
The tradition of named signs continues…..
Partially funded by US AID. Yes, not spent on our country. But….preserving history that we all get to enjoy. I can go with that.
The all spice tree. We still use the spice today, and it’s the root (pun intended) of novicane,
Panoramic shot of the first area of the ruins
Had a good conversation with our tour guide before I climbed the first temple. “Remember” he said “the only people allowed to the top when these were in use were the rulers and high priests and priestesses. You are walking with greatness” It was an honor to be a part of it.
Another shot from the side.
Walking with greatness, and being a little goofy.
The second area of ruins.
This is the staircase up the second set of ruins. I was sweating by the time we reached the top, but absolutely wasn’t going to turn down the opportunity!
See those two tiny specks at the top, by the tree (right hand side)? That’s me and the tour guide. That’s how high we climbed. So cool!
Monkeys! Their faces were absolutely adorable.
One of the local guides, mimicking the monkey’s call to bring them to us. We got lucky - he said sometimes they come, some people don’t get to see anything.
Dad and baby monkey. The baby was a few months old, and the guide made a point to mention the dads do as much caretaking as the moms.
Me, Belize…..and Santa Claus. It’s a different definition of normal to be hearing Christmas carols and see decorations when it’s 82 degrees outside.
Outfit for dinner: Old Navy linen pants, lace top from my favorite thrift store.
The group!
Course #1: Grilled halloumi (cheese) salad
Course #2: Steak with potatoes and spinach
Course #3: I need to look up the name, but it was like was the ice cream version of Nutella. So, so good
The ship’s captain walked by as I was writing in the cafe. Thanked her for taking such good care of us, and also said how nice it was to see a woman running things. “Coming from another woman, that compliment is double” she responded. :)
