Glory - 4/25/15 - If you write a review and nobody reads it...

[pirate4me2]

OMG that made me laugh about the people singing to Disney songs as they played the slots!

[bonvoyagebites]

This is an excellent review. I am very much looking forward to upcoming chapters... and I will not "let it go".

 

I hope to write reviews as well as you for my blog. I need to polish up my chops. My reviews thus far have been an afterthought, more than 2-3 years after the fact...

 

Time to start doing stretches and hydrating, so I will be ready.

 

Keep up the awesome review!

[ArkTraveler82]

Your photos are so sharp and vivid... great color! What kind of camera do you use?

 

We're sailing on the Conquest in November. Any chance you're going on her before then? Would love to read your review of our cruise before we go!!! :D Thanks for sharing!

[memecakes]

More more, I am like an addict now! I have to know about that 5 minute adventure, it is killing me!!

[mykindaparty]

Saving my place.....[emoji3]

[cmcsharon]

Part 7…Roatan…Getting Steamed, Welcome to Jurassic Park…and…the GREATEST five minute adventure!

 

I think I’m going to skip Roatan and come back to it at the end of this review…………………….I’m kidding.

 

The truth about the 5 minute adventure is that I found this guy on the internet…and he offered to take us back to his house.

 

…Kind of sounds like the beginning of a slasher movie doesn’t it?

 

Well…since I know you’re just going to jump ahead to the end to see what the 5 minute greatest adventure was all about…I’m just going to show you right now!

 

We went all the way to Roatan to do this…

 

 

Now for those that are disappointed and are saying…that’s it??!! I’d like to take a minute to see a show of hands. Everyone that’s held a three-toed sloth please raise your hands. Come on. Put them up high. Now the rest of you look around…I’m guessing that there aren’t a lot of hands in the air. Mine is! Because…YES…we went all the way to Roatan to HUG A SLOTH. How could we not…just look at this face!

 

 

Okay…there is so much more to tell you (no surprise there) but I knew you’d just jump ahead so I had to come out and tell you. Now…it’s time for the details…

 

Our ship has arrived at the port in Roatan. I’m looking out the window and I see this beautiful lush green vegetation and some brightly colored port buildings. But…something looks a little off. It’s like the sky is this murky color. It almost looks like fog but it’s more like steam. Like the island is steaming!

 

I grab my camera and head out on the balcony and that’s when I feel it. This is not air like I’ve ever felt before. Remember that muster drill when it was raining…you could tell who on the ship was from California because we were the ones at the rail with our cell phones out taking pictures. Our weather is fairly consistent…a lot of sunny days...followed by a few partly cloudy days…followed by more sunny days.

 

What I would learn later is that this is what the air feels like when it’s 96 degrees with 100% humidity and no rain. I didn’t even know you could have 100% humidity and no rain!! And, I’m going to have to say…it’s not that pleasant. But…we had a great day planned so we are just going to roll with it. And, with my newfound acceptance of this weather atrocity we were experiencing…I picked up my camera to take the first picture…and…why is my picture all blurry? It’s because the lens has completely fogged over! I quickly wipe it off with my shirt and go to take another picture…and, before I can even snap it…it’s fogged over again. This is going to be interesting!

 

So, the guy I had found on the internet is named Daniel Johnson. Daniel is a native of Roatan and has his own Monkey and Sloth Sanctuary at his home on the island. We had arranged for Daniel to be our tour guide on the island, showing us the sights and then taking us to see his animals. My tour discussions with Daniel were very easy…I told him we just want to hold a sloth…anything else is a bonus! Ten of us would be heading out with Daniel today for our Roatan adventure.

 

As we’re out on the pier I stop to take a picture of a shipwreck through the lines tying our ship to the pier…mainly to see if my camera has adjusted to the humidity…and…success!

 

 

Daniel had warned me ahead of time that it’s a bit of a steep hike up and over the hill to meet up with the non-Carnival tour guides. So, we start to head up the incline, through the port shops…and finally we get to the top where the taxis are waiting. Whew! That was tough to do in this 100% humidity. And then the reality hits…yeah…that wasn’t the steep hill. Now we get to climb the steep hill and down to where we meet up with Daniel. As I’m about two-thirds of the way up I begin to wonder if it’s possible to drown in your own sweat! And…finally…we reach the summit (you’d think it were Mt. McKinley or something) and down the other side we go.

 

The first guides we get to ask who we’re looking for and then it starts to sound a little like the telephone game as it goes down the line…the first guide shouts out Daniel Johnson…and then a little farther down the line you hear…Dano Johnni shouted out…and then something even further down the line that’s closer sounding to Bob Smith. But out of this sea of dark haired Caribbean tour guides pops this blond haired, blue-eyed islander named Daniel Johnson. He quickly introduces himself and escorts us over to his shiny new air conditioned van for our journey.

 

Daniel is a wonderful guide. He apologizes about the oppressive heat but informs us there is a bad storm coming the very next day (which is the day we were originally scheduled to be here) so even though it’s 100% humidity…we’ve got the better day! He explains that the heat is so bad that the schools have to close at 10am and we get to see lots of children heading home or playing in the water around the island. Daniel is very articulate and very passionate about his island. He apprehensively shares that for a long time, he thought all of the United States was like the show the Jersey Shore! And, he named his white faced capuchin monkeys (that we'll be playing with later) after the Jersey Shore cast members…including Snooki, JWoww and Mike ‘The Situation’.

 

He drives us over to Little French Key and to Coxen Hole…while providing a wealth of information about Roatan and even Honduras. He was very knowledgeable and had a relaxed, friendly manner. At one point he took us to the top of a ridge where he offered to take a group picture for us, and he said normally you’d be able to see all across the ridge and out to our ship…but, the humidity fog was obscuring the view today. I believe one of the minions jokingly told him that the only group shot of us he’d get right there was if he got out and pointed the camera back at the van…as we were not leaving that air conditioning!

 

We stopped at a gas station and a few of the guys went in with Daniel to pick up some cold drinks. The local $1 beer was called Salva Vida which my son would later pick as his favorite of all the island beers he tried. Daniel also picked out a local soda for my daughter to try…it was banana! Banana soda…and she loved it. My son was intrigued by the guy sitting in front of the gas station with a rifle across his lap. Daniel explained that it was like having a private security guard. He said they don’t have much crime on the island but some businesses take extra precautions and the locals have no issues with it.

 

Here’s the banana soda.

 

 

We also made a stop at the cameo factory and got to watch as they worked on some cameos. Here’s the kids outside the cameo building.

 

 

I’ve reached my picture limit (and I'm going to have a ton for Roatan), so…

 

…Roatan continues…

[cmcsharon]

Your photos are so sharp and vivid... great color! What kind of camera do you use?

 

We're sailing on the Conquest in November. Any chance you're going on her before then? Would love to read your review of our cruise before we go!!! :D Thanks for sharing!

 

Thank you! Most of the pictures are taken with a Sony A6000 camera...and a few have been taken with a phone (Samsung Galaxy S5).

 

I wish I was going on the Conquest...but, unfortunately, I don't have anymore cruises booked. Which could be why I keep dragging out this one!

[cmcsharon]

Part 7…Roatan continues…

 

Daniel has taken us all over this wonderful island. We get to see sights and people and it really is a beautiful place. Now it’s time to head over to his home to see his animals. This is what we’ve all been waiting for!

 

I mentioned earlier how passionate Daniel is about his island and his heritage. It’s even more impressive when he talks about his animals. Most of the animals are rescues he’s taken in from others who would no longer care for them. Some of the animals are childhood pets. This is a young man who goes out into the forest every day to collect leaves so that his 6 sloths have fresh food. He’s up early chopping fruits and vegetables for the monkeys and is out caring for them until late every night. He even mentioned that he’d have 6 sloths sleeping in his bedroom that night because of the approaching storm. The point I truly want to get across is that this is not a zoo, it really is a sanctuary. We got to see firsthand that Daniel, along with his family, love these animals and are providing a safe and happy home for them, where they might not have had one otherwise.

 

The first animals we get to interact with are the white faced capuchin monkeys. For those that were brave enough to get in with them…they were very, very curious. They wanted to be everywhere. Daniel had everyone take off hats and glasses and remove everything from pockets before going in. But…it was still like being with Dexter from the Night At the Museum movie…except this time it was Snooki and Jwoww! He also warned that they’re probably going to climb inside your shirts and into pants…and…it’s best to just go with it! Surprisingly, their tiny fingers were very soft so it wasn’t so bad when you’d find them in your eyes!

 

The capuchins absolutely loved one of the minions. He was like a big tall tree and they climbed all over him. Here he is wearing his capuchin monkey crown…the new Monkey King. And, we’re all thinking he’s going to have to burn that shirt before getting back in the van…because those little capuchins had a very special way of inaugurating him into his monkey king status.

 

 

After holding the capuchin monkeys it was time to hold one of the spider monkeys. Again, the Monkey King was a favorite…which could have been because he was actually smelling like a monkey now. But, after the monkey king had a turn…another one of the minions wanted to give holding the spider monkey a try.

 

Before letting her hold the monkey, Daniel repeatedly warned her that this particular spider monkey likes the guys better. And it simply has to do with the fact that they have broader shoulders and are taller and the monkey feels more secure. But…even after Daniel’s repeated warnings…she decided she was going to give it a try.

 

And this…this is how NOT to hold a Spider Monkey!

 

 

I’m surprised we were even able to get pictures of this we were all laughing so hard. Please know, the monkey and the minion were not harmed during any of this and Daniel was right next to her the entire time.

 

And…she’d been warned!

 

Eventually the spider monkey found a position that they liked.

 

 

 

After we were done holding the monkeys…then it was time to go in with these beautiful creatures!

 

 

If getting to be around all these amazing animals wasn’t enough of a perfect setting…all we had to do was turn around…and we are steps away from the water.

 

 

And…Roatan…continues…it’s time to meet the three-toed sloths!

[adoptivemommy]

Did you fall asleep? Come back!! LOL

 

We are doing this same cruise for our honeymoon in September. :) Awesome review! I even checked to see if those ocean view cabins are still avail, but they are not :(

 

We booked little french key for Roatan, but now I want to meet sloths!

[kmarie10531]

Hilarious is an understatment. now I MUST find your Magic review !

[lorim103]

Great review so far--subscribing.

 

Keep it coming!

[bonvoyagebites]

Hanging out with that many monkeys pretty much has the potential to be the BEST.DAY.EVER!

 

I have a trip coming up in October that will take me to Roatan.... time to research on the net and get booked with Daniel, eh?

[AzJunkGirl]

This is the best review ever!! Thank you! Now, how can I get in touch with Daniel Johnson?? We will be on this cruise in July.

[wbrownmtsu]

Oh My Goodness!! Those pictures with the spider monkey made me bust out laughing. Thanks for the great review so far!!

[cmcsharon]

This is the best review ever!! Thank you! Now, how can I get in touch with Daniel Johnson?? We will be on this cruise in July.

 

You can contact Daniel through the 'site that must not be named' here on cruise critic (hint...there's an F and a B in its name). Just search for Daniel Johnson's Monkey Park and Sloth Sanctuary! And then send him a message through his page. Tell him Miss Sharon sent you!

 

I've got so much more to share about our trip with Daniel...and we haven't even gotten to Jurassic Park yet. Curse this full-time job...and the need for sleep! More to come, later.

[Beachiekeen]

Holy cow, I read the latest installment this morning and was laughing so hard, DH asked what the heck was going on. I showed him all the monkey pictures. This review is great! I'll be sad when it's over!

[cmcsharon]

Roatan…continues…it’s time to meet the three-toed sloths!

 

Now it’s time to meet the stars of the show! What you didn’t know is that all during our time with the spider monkeys we were already hanging out with the sloths…as some of them are hanging from the trees around us.

 

Here’s my son with one of the sloths hanging in the trees.

 

 

Now it was time to officially meet them. Daniel brought out one for us to hold that would be considered a teenage sloth. Her name was Jordana…and, she was precious! You would think the coarse thick hair would be rough but they’re really quite soft. Jordana, with her 3 giant claws on each hand (paw?), would just contentedly lay on you, occasionally gazing up at you or looking around.

 

It was a very unique experience.

 

 

So, you might be wondering…was it worth it? Flying all the way across the United States, boarding a ship, cruising 1000’s of miles away to a little island off the coast of Honduras…just to hold a three-toed sloth for about 5 minutes?

 

ABSOLUTELY!!!

 

I would do it all over again in a heartbeat…and, I think the minions would agree with me. I know the kids would agree…they’ve plastered it all over their Instagram…(and, that’s how you determine what’s cool nowadays)!

 

As Daniel’s sister was helping us pass Jordana from person to person, Daniel came out of the house holding two…a baby sloth and a more mature sloth. It was really incredible to get to see, and touch, and learn about these amazing creatures. We didn’t hold the baby but several of the minions held the larger sloth.

 

This was such a great day…everyone got plenty of time with the sloths…we were never rushed…and Daniel patiently answered all of our questions. Well…all except mine. All I wanted to know was how to get one past security and on to the ship!

 

Here’s our WONDERFUL guide, Daniel Johnson, holding his baby sloth.

 

 

And here’s one of the minions holding the larger sloth while listening to Daniel share information about these very special animals.

 

 

We still had one more adventure to go to with Daniel so unfortunately, it was time to say goodbye to the sloths. As we were heading towards the van one of the minions, who’s a contractor, noticed some work being done on the house and asked about it. Daniel explained that it’s his mother’s house and that its tradition on the island for sons to live with their mothers until they marry.

 

And then, from behind me, one of the minions calls out my daughter’s name and says…you should marry Daniel, and then you could stay here!

 

I didn’t get to see my daughter’s reaction, because she was behind me…but, I did get to see Daniel’s sister. She had the classic little sister reaction…she thought that idea was hysterical! She was laughing so hard.

 

Later that evening when we were back on the ship I asked my daughter what she thought of that comment…and…without even hesitating she said…I would’ve done it. (Just to get to stay there with those sloths!)

 

So, if anyone sees Daniel…or, Daniel, if you happen to see this…she’s waiting for your proposal. And…you only got to see her casual side…here’s what she looks like on the pages of magazines. (She’s been a model in California since she was 16.)

 

 

Granted…she’d only be marrying you for your sloths…but, would that be so bad?! (I’m kidding!) :D

 

Next up…Roatan…continues…Welcome to Jurassic Park!

[Taylor95]

Really enjoying your review! We are scheduled for the Glory in October but on the Eastern Caribbean itinerary. I completely understand booking vacations to fulfill something you know your kids will love. We chose our first cruise completely for the purpose of my daughters 16th birthday and wanting to swim with dolphins. She is an animal lover, so our next vacation was to Myrtle Beach where we booked a Wild Encounters Tour which was an awesome experience. It makes us happy as parents to see our kids happy :). Your daughter is beautiful - Daniel probably liked the suggestion ;)

 

I hope you can book another cruise soon - I love reading about your adventures!

[neonbear]

I want to jump in and say I too love your review. My husband and I have the Glory on our short list of possible cruises for our one year anniversary. And I also want to add that I would volunteer to be one of your Minions anytime. I don't Live in California anymore, but I'm from there, would that help my cause?? :)

 

Your giving me thoughts about doing my own review when I go on the Conquest later this year.

 

Oh and one last thing, I really cracked up at the Cards against Humanity. I played that for the first time with some family members on New Years. I think we spent 8 hours on the crazy game!

 

Christine

[cmcsharon]

Roatan…continues…Welcome to Jurassic Park!

 

We are back on the van and heading to our next destination. We’ve got the Monkey King sitting in the very front of the van (sorry Daniel!). And it’s only a few minutes before we are pulling in to the next stop. Daniel parks the van in front of a tree and as we climb out…this starts climbing down the tree…

 

 

We start to make our way in and it’s like stepping in to a miniature Jurassic Park. These things are everywhere! Welcome to the Iguana Farm.

 

 

Daniel explains that because of the extreme heat, and because it’s mating season, there aren’t very many of the iguanas out. Which to me is a good thing…because I’m already thinking I should head for the van and lock myself in (which apparently is a pattern with me…having locked myself in the car as a child because a bat flew in our house…hence, the aversion to cavetubing).

 

So we’re surrounded by these prehistoric looking creatures and then they bring us giant green leaves to feed them…which causes some of them to come running at us…a move that does not endear them to me. I’m not especially thrilled with those giant snapping mouths down near my ankles…and I quickly lose my leaf.

 

 

Some of the larger iguanas will lean into you like a dog wanting attention and some of the minions would pet them. I just kept repeating to myself…it’s a veggie-saurus…only a veggie-saurus…even though I’m pretty certain that over in a bush, making eye contact with me, is one of those kind that their neck skin flips up right before they spit poison in your eye…and, he’s got that skin flap thing already locked and loaded. It was time for me to move.

 

I went off to look at the other animals that the farm has and one of them was this cute thing with some vicious looking teeth…I think it’s a lemur.

 

 

I didn’t get to see it for very long because 3 of the smaller iguanas started a rave at my feet and it was getting out of hand so it was time for me to move again.

 

Also at the farm they had an outdoor aquarium and we got to see lots of different fish. Here’s a picture of what I think is a blowfish and a lobster, with some smaller fish around.

 

 

As we were down at the water Daniel pointed out some activity at a very near private island and shared some disconcerting news. A developer, from California, had purchased the island and was conducting excursions on it where they bring people over to the island and they can ride horses in the water. He pointed out some people that were out in the water on horses. The problem is that the island doesn’t have a beach, it’s a coral reef that surrounds it…so, the horses are actually walking on the reef, destroying it. It will take decades to repair the damage. He doesn’t blame the tourists…because they don’t know…but, the developer knows and yet he continues. Daniel then went off to speak to Mr. Sherman the owner of the Iguana Farm to get an update, as he is leading the effort to end the destroying of the reef. So…here’s my public service announcement…if you go to Roatan…go see the sloths, and save the horseback riding for another island!

 

It was finally time to end this amazing day so we all pile back in the van and Daniel drives us to the port. Fortunately, he gets to drive us all the way over the hill to drop us off…which they’re allowed to do at the end of the day…because Carnival knows we’ve already spent our excursion money.

 

We say our goodbyes to Daniel and again thank him for the most incredible day.

 

In case you haven’t figured this out by now…I would highly recommend Daniel and his tour to everyone. It was an unbelievable experience and I’m so glad my son found it and asked me to look into it. If I’m lucky enough to be on a cruise to Roatan again I will definitely go back.

 

If you’re interested in his tour you can find him on his fb page by searching for Daniel Johnson’s Monkey Park and Sloth Sanctuary.

 

Just in passing, Daniel mentioned that the summer months on Roatan are the famine days for the island because they rely on the tourism...but, many ships are pulled out of the Caribbean and moved to Alaska so Roatan gets cut from a lot of itineraries. He mentioned it just as a concern for his other islanders, not himself (which was impressive, caring for others…more good traits to have for my future son-in-law. Kidding!). I'm hoping this review encourages others to give his tour a try...he’s doing a great thing for those animals.

 

Roatan…continues…just one more thing…

[cmcsharon]

Roatan…continues…just one more thing…

 

 

I just wanted to share a couple more pictures from the island and a quick story.

 

Here’s a picture of the island from the ship…you can see the lush green vegetation and colorful port buildings…along with some of the humidity fog we had all day.

 

 

And, a picture of the pier with another Carnival ship in front of us.

 

 

 

So, Daniel had just dropped us off and we were making our way through the port buildings and on to the ship. A couple of the minions had their swim suits on under their clothes so they were heading over to the beach side of the port to get in the water. The rest of us were dragging ourselves back to the ship.

 

If you recall, we’ve been all over this island in 96 degree temperature and 100% humidity. We looked like drowned rats from the sweat…and we were beat.

 

We get through the line and on to the ship and several of us step into the elevator, with some other people. My daughter and I are at the back of the elevator and then there’s some people we don’t know in the middle and then a couple of minions are at the front of the elevator.

 

No one is talking in the elevator, it’s very quiet. I’m sure everyone was feeling the effects of such a hot day and we were all just enjoying the cool air and waiting to reach our floor.

 

The elevator stops on Deck 6 and one of the minions in the front (Terrorist minion to be exact…aka Grandma minion) takes a few steps to get off…and then turns to leave…and as she does she loudly says………..time to go wash the monkey off of me.

 

And…the elevator doors close.

 

And the laughter is deafening…

 

 

 

And here’s what we’d find in our room that night.

 

 

 

 

Next up…Belize…Glow in the Dark Birds, TunaSandwich Ruins, and…Amish in the City?

[MazziB]

Was up early to read your review. Wonderful. Roatan is now on my bucket list. Just one sad note, some of your pictures would not open for me this morning But other than love, love the review. Will try pictures again later this morning.

Edited May 23, 2015 by MazziB

[Kingisacruiser]

I got roped into reading your review by the title. And even though I have no plans to go on the Glory again (plans do change), I am so hooked on your review. I have caught myself laughing out really loud multiple times.

 

I must say this review puts you among the CC review greats!

 

I am going to read your Magic review too. I can't wait for more.

[cmcsharon]

Belize…Glow in the Dark Birds, TunaSandwich Ruins, and…Amish in the City?

 

Our third port stop on this trip is to the country of Belize in Central America. Most of us had never been to Belize before…so this would be another new adventure for most of us.

 

One of the minions had been on a diving trip to Belize several years ago and she brought back a jar of Marie Sharp’s hot sauce for my son…Marie Sharps is to Belize what Sriracha is to the US…so, the one thing he wanted to do on Belize was get some more.

 

When I was researching this port it reminded me of when I was researching for the port of Jamaica. People love Belize or they hate it…there’s not a lot of in between. It seemed like a lot more people were on the hate side of this one and recommended you not even get off the ship. One of the things people didn’t like was the long tender ride to get to the port. The ships have to anchor quite a distance from Belize and it takes about 20 minutes to reach the port by tender. And then when you reach the port, this is not one of the heavily invested in ports with beautiful shopping areas and a Margaritaville to greet you…no, this is a much smaller setting enclosed with razor wire and military looking armed security. And, a lot of the reviews of this port indicated that this was not the port to go out on your own on.

 

Because of the concerns about this port I was trying to decide between 3 things…a quick shopping trip to the port (because we had to get some Marie Sharps) and then return to the ship…or, go on the Carnival excursion to Starfish Island and Snorkel (I liked this one because you didn’t have to make the 20 minute tender ride to the port, the tender took you from the ship directly to the island)…or, the third was to do the all day excursion to see the Xunantunich Mayan Ruins.

 

I started leaning towards doing the trip to the ruins because the kids and I had never done anything like that and just when I was going to book it…that’s when Carnival reversed the itinerary on us. Almost all of the Belize excursions were removed, including the two I had been looking at. They did have a 6 hour tour to a smaller set of ruins still listed but it wasn’t as impressive looking as the Xunantunich ruins. I let the other minions know that my first choice would be the ruins trip…but, we won’t know until we’re on the ship if it’s going to be offered.

 

Once we were on the ship I was able to check the shore excursions, and book, directly on the TV in our cabin. This was a great improvement over standing in line at the Shore Excursion desk! Both the Xunantunich and the Starfish Island excursions were offered so I went ahead and booked the trip to the ruins. Turns out we would be the only ones from our group going on this trip.

 

It was a cloudy morning when we arrived in Belize and a little bit foggy. I went out on the balcony but couldn’t see the port so I didn’t know if it was visible from the other side of the ship or if we were just so far out that we couldn’t see it.

 

I knew this was going to be a very early morning for us so I had ordered room service for breakfast by putting out the hanging tag the night before. I scheduled it for delivery at 6:45am and it was served promptly and the order was accurate. The kids groggily ate while getting ready.

 

We were to meet in the theater at 7:15am and when we got there it was already quite full. You were given stickers that indicated which excursion you were on and it seemed like a sea of yellow stickers in that room…the same color we were wearing. Great…this has the potential to be a complete fiasco. Eventually all the yellow stickers were asked to rise and we slogged our way out to the tenders…I’m sure the 4 people remaining in the theatre were glad to see us go.

 

My only experience with tenders had been in Grand Cayman. Remember Grand Cayman…it’s the place with the big beautiful port facility and big shiny new tenders…Belize wasn’t so lucky. The tender we were about to get on was about half the size of a Grand Cayman tender…and, looked like it spends its off days on some extracurricular Central American activities…are those bullet holes near the front?

 

My son was first to get on and he enters in the enclosed lower section…but then quickly bounds up the stairs to the top level. My daughter follows right after him…as I’m looking around thinking…come back. That enclosed section looks like where I want to be. Instead I begrudgingly make my way up as well. We get settled on a bench and I look at the dark looming clouds above us and feel the constant wind…and start thinking…if only I hadn’t looked at the shore excursions on the TV. I could still be in bed. Instead I’ve got 20 minutes of my hair being blown into one giant tangled mess followed by a two hour bus ride to look forward to.

 

Fortunately, the clouds didn’t open up on us and we made it to the port. A bunch of buses are lined up outside the port terminal and we file our way onto them to begin the journey out to the ruins. Our guide on the bus provides a running commentary of the history and life on Belize. He made the 2 hour long bus ride interesting and enjoyable. Again, the differences between this country and Grand Cayman or even Roatan were very evident. Belize is a much poorer country.

 

Here are some pictures of the buildings in Belize City, as taken from the bus.

 

 

 

 

Surprisingly, there is a large Amish population in Belize and we got to see several of the Amish men selling watermelons from their carts in different parts of the city. We don’t have Amish in California so it was interesting to see them but very unexpected. Our guide said that the Amish produce a lot of the consumables for the Belizean population and they’re very well respected in the country.

 

Many of us had difficulty saying the correct pronunciation of the name Xunantunich…so our guide said to just say Tuna Sandwich very quickly and it will be close enough!

 

My kids were sitting next to me on the bus and would spend the 2 hours switching between paying attention to the guide to falling asleep and back to listening again. At one point, it appeared my son was sleeping when the people in front of us started asking everyone around if we saw the birds during the night. They said there were hundreds of birds glowing in the dark and circling the ship during the night. I had to keep from laughing when my son’s eyes suddenly pops open and he looks over at me…and quietly says…were they abducted by these glowing birds?

 

It wasn’t much longer after this that we were pulling to the side of the road. The bus let us off at a beautiful green river. We have to cross the river on a ferry that’s powered by a hand crank…so we all step aboard and the ferry handler takes us across.

 

Here’s the green river.

 

 

And here they’re turning the hand crank.

 

 

Once we’re on the other side of the river we transfer to vans to take us to the entrance to the Xunantunich Ruins.

 

Next up…Belize…continues…

[MistyRo76]

Very much enjoying your review! Have done this itinerary before...but you're making me want to do it again! Great writing style and sense of humor! Thanks for taking the time to document your trip for us!

 

Misty