Diary of a Suitcase: Belize: Altun Ha Ruins and the Snorkeling Spawn

Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, is missing a pier. Hence the need for a tender.

Travel word for the day:

Tender- Small boat used in supplying a ship, or to ferry people to and from shore.

Ships visiting this country anchor about 6 miles off the coast. My Owner liked it. It was something new and she's big on that. There was something adventurous feeling about stepping off one vessel onto another at sea.

When the tender arrived MO and her daughter's future mother-in-law and travel companion for the day found the tour group they were joining to travel by bus to the ruins at Altun Ha. MO was excited because she had heard that these were ruins where climbing them would be permitted. The tour began with a brief tour of the city and some interesting facts; English is the official language, all of the schools are church run and where you attend church determines where you go to school, a traditional meal is rice and beans, etc. Then began a fairly long bus ride to the ruin site.

Road side fruit stand

The last few miles to the site were a little rough.

They arrived at the site and had a tour.

The site is most famous for a large jade head discovered by archeologist Dr. David Pendergast.

Now had my owner studied up on these ruins before she arrived? No. There were quite a few ruin choices on this trip and excursions were planned at the last minute. She tends to like to travel without too much of an agenda so as to minimize disappointment should plans be altered.

As I said she was excited about the prospect of getting to climb them. (What is she? Ten?) You'll notice how treacherous it looks. Don't be fooled by that. There are steps and a handrail up the back, okay I'll give her that the steps were very steep, but still. Later back on the ship when she showed her kids the pictures of the ruins she never mentioned the steps and handrail. She just showed them the picture and said she climbed it. It's a good thing I'm here to keep her honest.

The jungle surroundings were lush and MO couldn't help wishing she hadn't read the book The Ruins. She kept her distance from some of the more aggressive looking plants.

Here are a few more pictures from the day. Then scroll down to see how My Owner's children spent their day.

While My Owner was off to the ruins her spawn and future son in law were snorkeling. When MO saw these pictures she was very jealous.

Mr. Snarky shunned sunscreen which he thinks is full of harmful chemicals and put the sand from this beach (the consistency of clay) on his face. It was the only part of him that got burned.