Belizean Vacation: Thatch Caye

After a night in Miami and three nights in the Cayo District it was time to head to an island.  When we planned this trip Dan wanted some totally relaxing beach time and I wanted a little adventure.  I tend to get antsy and bored with a 100% beach vacation.  But our time at Thatch Caye was perfection and just what we needed before heading home to start the third trimester prepare for baby time.

We wanted to visit one of the many islands, go snorkeling on the reef, and have some completely laid back time swinging in hammocks for the beach portion of our trip.  We considered a bunch of different spots before settling on Thatch Caye.  I wasn't interested in some of the typical destinations like Ambergis Caye and Caye Caulker was at the top of our list until we decided to save that spot for a time when I can go scuba diving.  A private island with a small number of reservations at once sounded just right.

We had a completely awesome time on the island.  It was beautiful and serene.  The snorkeling was some of the best we have ever done.  The hammocks were plentiful - both in the sun and in the shade.  We always had the beach to ourselves.

{snorkeling photos taken by Dan}

We left feeling completely rested and relaxed... and talking about our next vacation to Belize.  I think that it will be a great place to take kids someday.

Belizean Vacation: Sites from the Cayo District & San Ignacio

The Cayo District of Belize is beautiful.  I spent the entire time we were there feeling very relaxed and loving the scenery.  From crazy San Ignacio (driving in this small yet big for the area town was something else)  to the tiny villages dotted along the road to the enormous ranches and citrus groves it was all mesmerizing.

Without a doubt renting a car was worth it.  But it was a bit of a hassle as there are not a lot of car rental agencies through the country so we ended up being limited to renting and returning at the Belize City airport through Hertz.  But again, totally worth it as we love to explore the countryside on our own schedule rather than zipping through on a tour bus. 

Here are a few photographs of the view in the Cayo District, our favorite local eatery we discovered, the beautiful fruit at the market, and simply things that caught my eye...

{can you see the baby turkeys?  i had to stop for this family of free range wild turkeys but wish I ha a zoom lens on my camera at that moment!}

I have one more post on the Cayo District as I have to share the lodge we stayed at... it was so neat!

Belizean Vacation: Exploring the Macal River and Blue Hole National Park

There are so many things to do and explore in the Cayo District of Belize that we had a hard time narrowing it down.  While I don't like to say or use pregnancy as an excuse or constraint, there were quite a few things that weren't really options for us with me being 6 months pregnant as some are very active.  But that was okay as we wanted to have a mix of relaxing and adventure and we found plenty of adventure that was preggo friendly.  

We spent an afternoon at the Macal River.  We drove the Hummingbird Highway.  We visited the Blue Hole National Park and did the jungle hiking loop and swam in the inland blue hole... that was the most strenous hike while on vacation ever and I have to admit after climbing up into the jungle I spent the second half being freaked out by the thought that there are jaguars.  The dip in the blue hole was a perfect way to cool off and to stop thinking about jaguars.  We spent nearly every evening reading and drinking local beverages at the lodge.  For the first time ever we were reading the same book at the same time... which is maybe dorky but also a lot of fun. 

{dan's shot- probably obvious :) }

{look out tower that we climbed up is dan's shot}

I have a list of things I want to do when we go back, one of which is to do a canoe trip down the Macal River. 

Belizean Vacation: Exploring Mayan Ruins in the Cayo District

Way back in March Dan and I travelled to Belize.  Since then I have been trying to figure out how to share this trip.  There was such a variety of adventures to the trip that limiting the photos and stories to one post was overwhelming and would just leave too much out.  So I am breaking it up into a short series.  We started our trip by driving completely inland, to the edge of the country by the Guatemala border in the Cayo District.  I have to say, this is one of our favorite vacations ever, more on that to come.

We spent three nights in the Cayo District of Belize and loved every minute of it.  I am so glad that this place made it on our itinerary.  It was beautiful, inspiring, relaxing, and one of those places where you feel like there is nothing else happening anywhere else but right there.  We were completely unplugged and just enjoying the moments.

The Cayo District of Belize has several Mayan Ruins.  We knew we had to visit ruins.  We decided to visit Xunantunich and Cahal Pech.  But I wasn't quite sure if I would love this part of the trip.  I really loved exploring the ruins.  It was beautiful and amazing, a highlight for sure.   

Since we had a car it made it easy to make it to Xunantunich before the crowds.  We headed there immediately after breakfast.  A hand crank ferry takes you across the Mopan River and then you hike up a ridge.  It is surrounded by forest and just about a stones throw to the Guatemala border.  At 6 months pregnant I climbed up El Castillo (second tallest structure in Belize) and at the top some backpacker woman said "see, she is just as wide as me" - she wasn't pregnant and I am not sure what the context of her observation was but it was pretty amusing. Why yes, I do have a huge baby house thanks for noticing!

After exploring Xunantunich we headed to San Ignacio to see Cahal Pech.  Cahal Pech was awesome.  It was so peaceful as I believe there are less tour groups that go to this one so we had the place to ourselves most of the time. 

 

{dan's typical couple shot- we take these everywhere!}

This last shot of Dan at Cahal Pech might be one of my favorites from the trip.  

Up next will be adventures from the Hummingbird Highway and Macal River!