Klye checks out a python.

On our last day, we venture out to the Belize Zoo which is located in the jungle and features only native species. Some animals run free (sticking around for the food) and the rest have minimal pens.

Our return to Belize City is a 3-hour journey and this time we will share the boat with some 20 odd passengers compared to 12 on the way out. Fortunately, the boat is much bigger and the waves much smaller resulting in a much less traumatic journey back to the main land. Our last night is spent in the Biltmore Plaza Hotel where we all race for our first hot, fresh water showers in a long time. The evening culminates with an exceptional meal at a Chinese restaurant (a nice change of pace from a weeks worth of Belizian fare).

I too found the hammocks to be my favorite recouperative destination.

All of the activities in the ocean are exhasting and a lot of time is spent resting in the hammock palapas.

The wind is your friend when midday temperatures soar. This morning they are brisker than usual averaging about 30 mph.

 Our last day in paradise and I am up with the sun and the moon.

Friday evening and time for the Long Caye Talent Show. Jes and (the other) Gray treat us to music that was nothing short of fantastic. Kyle and I wisely elect not to traumatize the other guests with our attempts at singing. I should add, however, that each night after volleyball, despite being percussionally challenged, I participated in a drum circle.

One of my favorite art shots.

Today we paddled the sea kayaks out to a great snorkeling site on Glover’s Reef. We spotted a big barracuda, several squid, fish of all size, shape, and unbelievable color and a very BIG lobster.

By far the most ubiquitous creature on the island was the hermit crab. For the record these guys will draw blood if they pinch you with their claws (Grae was first to discover this fact and the rest of the group seemed all too happy to discontinue further investigation). Pictured here is the organic waste dump site covered in crabs. Every shell contains a crab and you can hear the sound of them eating from 20 feet away. Their favorite food seems to be the remains of oranges we used to squeeze our juice from each morning.

A closer view in flight.

A pair of ospreys maintained vigil over the atoll. Click on the photo for a close up of the impressive talons on these guys.

The days activities included windsurfing and kayak surfing in perfect conditions. Both required the use of long retired muscles and each day produced a new batch of sore body parts. All worth the exhiliration, however.