Day 3: Journey to Chan Chich and a Meeting

Our day started spectacularly with a canoe at dawn across Laminai Lagoon to explore a river inlet on the other side. The temperature differential between the air and water is so great that it is very windy most of the time except for the early morning so that's the only time you can canoe. Unless you are very strong. That's not us.

The banks were lined with mimosa trees covered in fluffy mauve blossoms. One side of the river has large trees; the other has none because the Maya transferred the soil from one side of the river to another for agriculture. Over six hundred years later and the environment still tells the story of their lives.

The canoe ride was over too soon and it was time to say goodbye to Laminai. We would love to go back and spend more time in the ruins and on the river.

Next on our schedule was a drive to our next lodge, Chan Chich, situated in an unexcavated Mayan ruin in one of the country's largest rain forest preserves.

Along the way we had one of the most amazing experiences of the whole trip.

Our driver was Luis, one of the best naturalist guides around. He has a true passion for his job and is always studying and learning. When he found out I was a birder he stopped for every bird and animal he saw. I was a little worried for E who is not a birder. What was going to be a 2 hour trip took a lot longer than that!

A little way out of Laminai we saw an animal run across the road with something in its mouth. "Gray Fox!" says Luis. Then we look each other straight in the eyes, smile and he says "Margay.....NEAT!" It was one of those amazing moments when you connect with a total stranger and go beyond the roles you play.

A Margay is an endangered forest cat. The thing it was carrying in its mouth was its kitten! Luis had stopped the car and the kitten came wandering back onto the road, walking unsteadily as babies do. We watched until it disappeared back into the woods. For Luis and for us, this was an incredible glimpse into a very rare animal's life.

I had thought Laminai was luxurious, but Chan Chich was even more so! It's rated as one of the 10 top resorts in the world and it was truly amazing and not overdone at all. A once in a lifetime experience. At least Chan Chich is owned by Belizians so we were contributing to the local economy.

We ended our day with a swim in the open air pool situated under the trees, covered by a screen canopy to protect us from falling leaves. Spider monkeys swung from the branches and howler monkeys roared in the distance. Later, as we sipped our predinner wine, the parrots called noisily as they gathered around the lodge to roost for the night. What could be better?

Belize Trip Back Blips
Day 1: Lost Luggage and Laminai
Day 2: The Ruins of the British (and Mayan) Empires
Day 3: Journey to Chan Chich
Day 4: Jungle Oasis
Day 5: It's a jungle out here
Day 6: We win the Survivor reward challenge
Day 7: Floating down the river to infinity
Day 8: A Military Escort
Day 9: People Watching
Day 10: Toilet Humour
Day 11: Tikal Immersion
Day 12: Roxie and the Machete
Day 13: Communing with Tikal
Day 14: Slash and Burn
Day 15: Swimming with Sharks
Day 16: Passage of the Mangroves
Day 17: Exploring San Pedro
Day 18: Lost and Found
Day 5: It's a jungle out here