Shoe Shopping

Treked out in the snow (& slush & puddles) on the TTC ALL day Saturday as we found out we would need hiking boots or shoes for our jungle excursions. Harold got these: Columbia Beartooth™ GTX




And I got these: Merrell Siren Sport GTX XCR



We also got these cool headlamps for the caves:
Headlamps


Now all we need to get is Snorkel's and Masks!

5 more work days to go :D

CAVES BRANCH EXPEDITIONS

Here are the tours we are hoping to take, and thinking of taking while we are staying at Caves Branch. So hard to decide!

Definates

River Cave Expedition - Cave Tubing

More underground rivers .. This time combine cave tubing and cave exploration to explore this incredible river cave system where ancient Maya Ceremonial centers, pottery, artifacts, altars, obsidian blood letting blades, jade and the actual footprints of the Shaman and priests dated to 400 A.D. are still seen.

Spectacular crystal formations over 5,000,000 years old cast eerie shadows into the black abyss as you explore and experience the most sacred area of the ancient Maya.

A living museum where the past can still be experienced in its historical and natural location. Massive cathedral size chambers with walls of river sculptured rock dwarf explorers as we pass on foot and inner tube.

Imagine the experience as we float through a cathedral and you turn off our lights … leaving you with the sensation of floating in timelessness.

Subject to high water levels during the rainy season.

OR

River of Caves Tube Float and ZIP Line Combo Adventure

Experience the full 7 mile tube float, only available through Caves Branch, then after lunch, experience the adrenaline rush on the new "ZIP Line" aerial adventure through the tree tops of the tropical rainforest. A special Adventure Combination only available at Caves Branch.

Pre set departure dates from July to February... subject to high water levels during the rainy season.

AND

Tikal Full Day Trip

Tikal in Peten, Guatemala is one of the grandest and most magnificent Mayan site in Central America. Four hours of guided tour at the site and enough time to walk around on your own. Leave at 6:00 a.m. and return 5-6:00 p.m. Optional stops on way back for photographs and shopping. This trip includes round trip transportation, Guatemalan border and park fees, guide at the site, and lunch. The guests have to pay their own BELIZE departure tax.

Note: People who have US passports or the new barcoded EU passport do not need a visa to enter Guatemala. All other visitors should check with their embassy about getting a multiple visa for Belize and a Guatmalan visa if they plan to do this tour and return to Belize.

3rd & 4th possibility

River Kayak Day Trips

Natural history guides will take you along a beautiful 8 mile stretch of the Sibun where you can take you time to stop and enjoy your surroundings throughout the day. Our local experts help you get the most from this Belize river kayaking experience.

Mayan Ceremonial Cave Tour

If You Dare...enter into the world which was believed by ancient Mayan priests to be the "ENTRANCES TO THE UNDERWORLD".. the Realm .. the Domain .. The Kingdom of their Gods .. XIBALBA. Fighting the forces of the spirits left from a civilization lost, walk the actual steps that Mayan Shaman walked as they entered .. Xibalba.

Feel the presence of the ancient Gods as we explore spectacular and awe filled crystal chambers that hold 2,000 year old Maya ceremonial centers. Fire pits, charcoal and ash, pottery, bowls, relics, alters, wall carvings, glyph writings and actual skeletons of sacrificial victims are found in various ceremonial caves. These caves are dry caves .. no cave tubing.

This adventure starts off with a 40 minute hike through the jungle which is considered to be challenging. If you are not up to long hikes or strenuous activities, then we do not recommend this activity to you. Once at the site of the cave entrance, you must be somewhat agile in order to enter the cave. All participants must be relatively fit.

Jungle Tours and Treks

One full day in the pristine jungle with local bushmen guides. Learn many of the secrets that the jungle holds: natural medicines, herbs, barks and many plants that are still used today by natural healers throughout Central America. Ancient ruins, burial sites and altars lurk below the shadows, hidden by time, as you trek through areas few have ever seen. Explore the Blue Hole River as it surges from below a 250ft cliff and take the opportunity for a refreshing dip in its aqua blue waters.

Daily departures year round, seasonal rain does not effect these jungle tours.

Xunantunich and Cahal Pech Maya Ruins Day Trip

This guided day trip with experts on Maya takes you from the Caves Branch Estate to two of the major Mayan sites in Belize.

First visit Xunantunich, also known as the "Maiden of the Rock" which is the second tallest Mayan ruin in Belize. It stands 130 feet high to give a panoramic view of the Cayo District, Guatemala and the Mopan River. The site has been largely excavated and is reminiscent of some of the largest Mayan temples found in Tikal and Copan and has a great on site museum.

Then lunch in San Ignacio and proceed to the Cahal Pech Mayan ruins, meaning "Place of the Ticks". Cahal Pech is located 15 minutes on the outskirts of San Ignacio, and was home to a Maya Royal Family.

extras, we can pay ourselves if we feel like it:

Jungle Safari After Dark $30

The Belize jungle is habitat for an incredible variety of fauna. Our wildlife adventures begin in the early evening. Departing from the Jungle Lodge after dinner, local bushmen guides will lead you through the jungle in search of many of the elusive animals that feed under the cover of darkness such as howler and spider monkey, gibnuts, kinkajou, wild boar, deer, quash, armadillo, tarantulas, scorpions, leaf-cutter ants and of course snakes!

On a number of outings since we opened the Lodge, even the elusive jaguar has been sighted as close as two minutes from the Lodge itself. These are exciting and enthralling wildlife adventures for all.

Nightly departures year round, a bright moon negatively affects possible number of animals seen.

Birding Watching $35

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned birder, Caves Branch offers daily opportunities for viewing both local and transient bird populations. Many of the native Belizean birds are not found elsewhere in North America so be prepared for a treat.

These treks occur early in the morning, as this is a time when most bird species are feeding or are moving to new locations, making it ideal for viewing. As the night sky lightens and the jungle comes to life, you'll start your walk down our 1km drive that shares three different and distinctive birding habitats. It is not unusual to spot over 100 species over a couple of mornings. These excursions are truly a feast for any birding enthusiast and allow you to sample what bird watching in Belize can be.

Morning bird watching runs from dawn to 8:00 a.m. (breakfast)
Full day bird watching is also available for the really dedicated.

The Pets

Very common question is: "What are you going to do aboaut the pets while you're away?"

While we are away we are boarding the birds at the Menagerie, and we have a Petsitter coming to look after our kitties. Lee of Three Star Pet Sitting Services.

We met her last week, and she seems great!

Planning for Belize

We've been planning (& planning & planning) our trip to Belize for many months now - a four and a half year belated honeymoon of sorts. We've just about everything we need, and it's just over 3 weeks until we depart.

We've started this blog in hopes to share our travels with our freinds and family while we're away.