We took a boat to Laughing Bird Caye to snorkel . . . just before a storm hit. As we watched beautiful fish below, we could feel rain begin to pelt our backs. We took shelter in this island palapa.
Belize has set aside about 40% of its land for protection. This island is one of many where tour operators take guests to snorkel, dive and observe nature.
Not many rocks on this island . . . but plenty of conch shells to line the paths.
We tried riding bikes into town, and "somebody" ended up with skinned knees.
Joan and Fritz Munzinger joined us on this trip, and our first excersion was to the Monkey River by open panga. We headed out across the lagoon, through mangroves and along the coast until we reached the small village at the mouth of the Monkey River. After ordering lunch (which we stopped for later), we motored up the river to view birds, crocodiles, iguanas and other wildlife. The highlight was a hike through the jungle to find howler monkeys, which we spotted high in the trees. Our guide let out a few loud "hoots" and the monkeys answered back!
A termite nest on the jungle hike.
This bare-throated tiger heron was one of our favorites. We also spotted toucans, green parrots, two species of woodpeckers, hawks, king fishers, woodstorks and other birds.
Proboscis bats lined up like bumps on a log in the middle of the Monkey River. When we got too close, they took off in formation. On our way back down the river, they were back in the exact same spot.
We spotted a few crocodiles along the shore.
Can you spot the howler monkeys high in the tree?
Gene found a walking stick to help with the jungle hike.
In the village of Monkey River, the locals make fish traps out of chicken wire, poles cut from jungle plants and twine. The snook we ate for lunch, one of the locally caught fish, was delicious.
We bought baskets from some of the Mayan women on our inland trek. Because Belize was a British Colony until 1981, everyone speaks perfect English.
This adorable little girl was shucking corn when we stopped to buy Cokes at her dad's roadside store.
The "facilities" at the store were not so adorable . . . just a "one holer".
Beautiful sunset over the lagoon. Placencia is a long, sand peninsula with the Caribbean on the east side and a lagoon to the west.
