The bus ride was two hours long but it was great. We drove through the city of Belize and then some other small towns as well. Denise gave us a wonderful history of the city and the areas as we passed them. She pointed out the Zoo, a mountain range that looked like a man lying down, and a hand that holds the golden leaf. We learned that English is the main language and then Spanish and creole. Belize is a British Colony and they use British currency. The Belize dollar is two to one of ours. That means there gas is 7.00!!!!! Most people live in the city b/c its too expensive to drive into the city from the outer areas. Some other facts we learned and that I can remember from the long day are:
- Education is super important. You must attend school in Belize. Uniforms are worn and are color coded according the school levels. The schooling does not end at 12 grade, they require you get an associates degree. With the education system there, even if you are expelled from school you will go at night. They also SPANK!!!
- There is one bottling company in Belize. They bottle all coke products, crystal water, and Belikin beer. Coke is made with pure can sugar. Belikin is the ONLY beer in Belize.
- The average temperature is 84 degrees.
- Two political parties--one is red and white and the other is blue and white.
- Prime Minister, instead of a president and if his party loses the election then he is also not elected. Its an all for one type of system.
- No highway patrol. The speed limit in the city is 25mph and then everywhere else its your choice!!!
- Belize is like a melting pot--there is African, Chinese, Amish, and English influence.
- Toucan is the national bird.
- Low crime rate. The majority of prisoners are refugees.
So we arrived at the Xunantunich Ruin site and were told that we would be crossing a river on a hand crank ferry. In the river there are piranha and crocodile!!!! We boarded and it was really beautiful to see the rapids in the distance but thankfully no unwelcome guests. There were military police at the site to protect it and to guard due to the close proximity of the Guatemalan border. We rode up a road in a van for about a mile to the ruins site. Jake was our guide during this part of the tour. He took us to each temple and told us the history of them and what each would have been used for by the Maya people.
Jake took us to the main temple, El Castillo. This is the temple where he told us we could climb to the top. We were game so we started up. The steps were HUGE and for my little legs it was a definite workout. We made it halfway point and the view was very pretty. It was neat to think of what the Mayans did years ago at that point. Rob told me he wasn't sure he was going to go to the top and I told him that I had come this far and he was going the rest of the way with me!!! We kept going, inch by inch, step by step to get to the peak. Each step was very carefully completed as the area was very narrow and rocky. At the top the view was FANTASTIC. You could see for miles. It was like we were in the heavens. I of course didn't venture near the edge and neither did Rob. We took lots of pictures so we could remember this feat!
After a few minutes Jake told us it was time to make our way back down. Oh boy! I admit, I sat on my booty on the first few steps and scooted down b/c there was no rail to help me and I sure didnt want to fall 160 feet down!! We made it down very slowly and carefully just was we did on the way up. We walked back to the vans, rode back to the hand crank ferry, boarded the ferry, and then back on the bus.
We went to a Belize resturant and had some awesome food. We had rice and beans made with coconut milk, chicken--aka bamboo chicken-iguana, just kidding--slaw, and a plantain. There was also some hot sauce at this restaurant and we tried the sweet pepper sauce. It was so good we bought some to bring back to the states. We also were able to find our Belize magnet at this same stop.
After eating we headed two hours back to Belize City. The drive back was bumpy and fast. Just an FYI: done use the bathroom on a bus while traveling in Belize. You will be bounced around like crazy.
So much happened on this tour but its hard to write about it all. We arrived back at the port and it was almost time for the last tender. We boarded the tender that was there and headed back to the ship.
Supper was good tonight too but I cant remember what I ate. We went to the show tonight as well in the Encore Theater. Of course enjoyed it too. After the show we went to the Lido deck, walked around and then got some pizza!!! Back the room after our late night snack--oh wait cookies and milk were the best way to end the night!!
Tomorrow we will be in Roatan---beach resort here we come!!
J-Tru
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