A Bumpy Ride

Wednesday we were up early- we had a caving trip planned. But when we arrived on the dock at 7am we were told that the cave tour was a no go as there was still lots of flooding inland from the recent rain. Disappointed we made a quick decision to join a tour leaving for the Mayan ruins of Lamanai. We loaded on the waiting speed boat. Leon was our guide and started filling our heads with info the minute we stepped onboard. We sped across the water and to the mainland, about a 30 minute ride – then we were at the mouth of the Northern River. The boat slowed down and we each got a breakfast burrito, fruit and some banana bread. We cruised up the river, through the mangrove swamp – catching some wildlife along the way. Before long we were back in Bomba. Not much has changed in 20 year. The locals are still selling their gorgeous wood carvings and the bathroom still cost $1BZ. We took a look around and then hopped on to the school bus for a 1 hour- CRAZY bumpy ride along the old panamerican highway. Our tailbones felt that ride. After an hour we were at the park entrance to Lamanai. We met our guide Eddie and where on another boat up the New River to the ruins. Eddie was flying up that river- it was like a rollercoaster ride.

One of the biggest and best excavated Maya sites in northern Belize, Lamanai lies 24 miles south of Orange Walk Town up the New River. The ruins are known both for their impressive architecture and marvellous setting, surrounded by dense rainforest overlooking the New River Lagoon. The translation of the word lamanai which means ‘submerged crocodile’ in Maya gives a pretty good indication of the local residents of this jungly setting.
We started at the visitor centre and made our way to the Jaguar Temple. Frank climbed the top-I took in the surroundings while the mosquitos nipped at my legs. Next, the Jaguar Temple. The structure is twelve feet shorter in exposed height than the High Temple, however a significant amount of this temple is under the ground, having been covered by dirt on its front side, and jungle roughage on its left side (when facing the front of the temple). Angular (blocky) jaguar heads adorn the front in the same style as the other temples in this site. The 3rd temple, The High Temple “El Castillo” is the largest Pre-Classic structure in Belize with a height of 108′ from the plaza floor. It was first built in 100 AD. On the south front side, the stairway has been partially consolidated. We climbed up the side and got incredible jungle views all around. We could see all the way to Mexico. We got to climb so many temples, the last one, the Mask Temple adorned by a 13-foot stone mask of an ancient Maya king. Build in Early Classic and Late Classic Periods with final phase of construction AD 550-650. This west-facing structure is decorated with two masks that date to the late 5th or early 6th century. The masks we saw are replicas placed over the originals to protect them.
After this wonderful tour we all convened for a traditional lunch of chicken rice and beans. Then it was the long journey back. A wonderful adventure filled day.
After our long journey home we decide to eat at Pineapples at our hotel. The lobster was very good- the dessert was not so good. We walked out to the pier after dinner and watched the huge fish and spotted rays swimming around attracted to the lights.
Then it was to bed as we had a 10:30 flight to Placencia on Thursday morning. We really didn’t want to leave this piece of heaven but on to the next adventure.