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Belize
In short, this was an epic trip. The extended version follows:
Thursday, August 12, 2004
4:30AM
We pushed off from Ann Arbor after staying up all night packing and registering for classes. Jason Godley, my new roommates that I’d met only days before, Kate Mescal and myself headed off for Detroit airport to catch a 7AM flight to Charlotte and then onto Belize City, Belize.
1:00PM
Our plane lands in Belize City and we become better acquainted with each other over bottles of the local beer, Belikin, which is really the only beer available for purchase in Belize. We waited at the airport for the rest of our party to arrive. Once everyone had arrived we were ready to depart. Our m-trek guides were four, second-year MBA students: Mike Rendon, aka ‘pinto’, Danielle Shea, aka ‘D’, Tom Hiddeman, aka ‘Metro-Texual’, and Marshall Hyzdu, aka ‘Dewey’. We packed ourselves into a van and headed off to the jungles of West Belize. Out destination, a ‘jungle resort’ called ‘DuPlooy’s Jungle Lodge’ was located a few hours west of Belize City, near the Guatemalan border.
6:00PM
After stopping by a local convenience store to purchase refreshments and Belikin Beer, we arrived at the DuPlooy’s Jungle Lodge. Our private house, dubbed the ‘Pink House’ (painted yellow) was large and accommodating. There were 7 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a central living area, and a huge screened-in porch. We dropped our bags off in our rooms and headed down to the main lodge for dinner.
9:00PM
After a great dinner of Belizean-style lamb and fish, we reconvened at the Pink House to become better acquainted with one another over Belikin beers and conversation. Our revelry lasted well into the night.
Friday, August 13, 2004
A quick breakfast before Rene, our local guide, met us with the van that would take us to the Mayan ruins of Caracol and then on to Big Rock Falls. At Caracol, I decided to stand on the sacrificial altar. Rene told me to get off.
The Caracol Temples
Big Rock Falls was the highlight of the day. We reached Big Rock Falls after a short trek and descent through the forest. The sun was bright, and the rays shot through the mist of the waterfall.
Our afternoon was filled with playing around the waterfall and diving off of the cliffs.
The Falls
Bonzai!!!!!!!
Saturday, August 14, 2004
An early wake up and off to the Nohoch Che’en Reserve where we spent the day river tubing through caves. After tubing a few of us decided to go horseback riding into Gautemala. That's where I met my most favorite horse in the world - Baby Doll.
Into Darkness
Baby Doll
Sunday, August 15, 2004
Our last breakfast at DuPlooy’s in the jungle, and we were off to the ocean side of the country. We went back to Belize City, where we took a water taxi to Caye Caulker, a barrier island off the Eastern coast of Belize.
Girls In Tow
The Group Arrives in Caye Caulker
Monday, August 16, 2004
The big day of SCUBA and snorkeling near the blue hole (1,000 ft wide, and 400 ft deep). Only 4 of us went SCUBA diving while the rest of us (me included) went snorkeling.
Fishies!
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Our sailing trip was cancelled due to inclement weather, so we sat around, played cards, and drank beer and rum punch.
Yuck
Wednesday, August 17, 2004
During the day we went fishing and caught some great eating fish. Dinner was followed by a late night sailing trip with lots of rum punch. We all say our final goodbyes to Belize...
Our Fearless Trek Leaders
Sailing
Night Swimming
Thursday, August 17, 2004
Back to Belize City, then to Detroit, then to Ann Arbor. Time to get geared up for 2 years of MBA school at Michigan!
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