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Tropical Ecology

“From the top of the temple down to the river”

One of the many amazing things about Belize is how awake and ready we are to hit the ground running when that 5:30am alarm goes off!

We began our day with a walk through the Belize Botanical Gardens, where we saw Jackfruit, Ginger, Tamale leaves, Angel’s Trumpets and the Lodge’s Solar Panels! After breakfast we were lucky enough to see Collared Aracari Toucans by the deck!

Xunantunich - El Castillo.

Xunantunich – El Castillo.

We then traveled to Xunantunich where we hiked on and up Mayan ruins. It was breathtaking! We explored the residential areas for nobility — El Castillo (“the castle,” in Spanish) is 130 feet above the plaza floor. It is the second-tallest building in Belize. The Mayans were at their peak around 500 or 600 A.D. Approximately 7–10,000 people lived at Xunantunich, with around one million inhabiting the country.

After an awesome morning, the day just got better!

After lunch we grabbed life jackets and paddles and met at the beach on the Macal River. We jumped in canoes and spent several hours floating and paddling (about seven miles). The wildlife was plentiful and we were surrounded by bird noises, iguanas, rapids, bats and teachers talking.

When we got off the river we were treated to visit to a local ice cream joint! So delicious! We had all kinds of flavors new to us — sour sop, sweet corn, and crab. Also flavors we knew such as coconut, pineapple, chocolate, etc.

We headed back to DuPlooys to learn about figs and get ready for dinner!

Tree frog

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9 COMMENTS
  • John Keller

    6 years ago

    Glad you all are having fun and enjoying the trip. However, there is one detail that has me concerned. There is no way that Kate Keller is “awake and ready” at 5:30am! Hope the trip continues to go well.

  • John Keller

    6 years ago

    Glad yall are enjoying the trip. However, there is one detail that has me concerned. There is no way that Kate Keller is “awake and ready” at 5:30am! Hope the trip continues to go well.

    • Liz Baird

      6 years ago

      AUTHOR

      Kate would like to remind you that there is a two hour time difference which makes it better!

      • Kristin Mabry

        6 years ago

        Hahaha this made me laugh…. good job Kate!

  • Unah Cryan

    6 years ago

    Glad to see that you are having a good time there! It sounds like you are learning some historical facts as well as learning biodiversity in the area! Loving reading your daily posts! Please keep it going for all of us!

  • Brittany Argall

    6 years ago

    Let your crew know that TedED has a cool video that talks about fig wasps! I used it this year since I couldn’t remember all of the details.

  • Janet Havens

    6 years ago

    Hope y’all are having a great time!! I sure would like to see some inside pics of the inside of El Castillo! Hope shannon took some for me! Oh, and how many steps was it to the top of that thing?!?

  • Lauren daniel

    6 years ago

    I’m wondering how delicious your meal is right now?! You made it out of the cockscomb basin and guess what- it’s about to get Super Awesome. Enjoy south water caye and the barrier reef you’re about to explore!You have earned it! I can’t wait to hear how the snorkeling goes. I’m also curious to hear about what you saw while you were “off the grid”. Ask Katie if she found a cool pair of earrings for me.

    • Liz Baird

      6 years ago

      AUTHOR

      You are right! We have had delicious food out here on the caye! Everyone got in the water yesterday and this morning we head out for our first snorkel from a boat! We had lots of fun “off the grid” and saw a coral snake walking back from the waterfall!

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