Caye Caulker and Playing Tourist

I've been here eight months and I, now, can say I experienced being a tourist in a tourist town. I have to admit that if anyone wants a Caribbean Island that's not the hotel chain, fancy shops, and Americana faces come to Belize Caye Caulker. Granted, I haven't been anywhere else, but this place was the most recommended and, I have to agree, it's a great place to play tourist.

We stayed at a comfortable, modern place with pool, jacuzzi on the roof top with 360 degree view of the island and sea. We had a full kitchen, hot water in the showers, and a toilet that flushes. The sandy white beach, the warm, clear water, and the sea breeze completed the picture.

My family wants to come visit but I am hesitant for them to visit. My son and his wife are having a baby due any day now - having a new baby in this country makes me nervous because one is exposed to many health risks.

At Caye Caulker, I met a young couple on the beach - they had a one year old and the mother was five months pregnant. I watched them laying out in the sandy beach - the little toddler had a great time in the water. I realized that my kids could enjoy the same experience. Maybe next year...the kids can come.

We took a day trip to Lumanai, a Mayan ruin in northern Belize - to get there

we took a boat ride up the river. The river flowed through the rainforest winding through channels - it felt like I was on the African Queen (you know the Katherine Hepburn/Humphrey Bogart movie).

Once we arrived at Lumanai, the guide served us the popular Belizean fare of stewed chicken, rice and beans, plaintains, and cold slaw. I must be evolving because I would have been disappointed if we didn't get served my chicken, rice and beans, and plaintains. The food was prepared by the guide's Mother and tasted delicious.

Before entering the forest, the preserve had a newly built museum; I was impressed to see that Belize created the site as an educational venue rather than a tourist center. It was nice to see only a couple of thatch huts displaying local handicrafts from Mayan villages rat

her than the lines of tourist trinkets and hawkers.

The trail to the ruin was well maintained and short. I didn't climb to the top - I think once is enough - too old for this, yeah? It was amazing to see mounds of forest growth that accumulated on top of the ruins, we saw only a small portion that was excavated - the bulk of ruins buried and intertwined with the trees that to dig would collapse the ruins. The animals in the photo above were Howler Monkeys - hard to see because they sat in the tall trees.

The highlight of this trip was having my friends from the temple and having them lead a sutra chant. It was wonderful to hear the chanting again. As we stood on the rooftop patio watching the sun slowly set in the horizon, Leo and Matt began the chanting, then John and I followed - the slow cadence, deep intonation and melodious rhythm brought a calmness and quietness that I loved. What a way to experience Belize!