A pelican out for breakfast.

Morning light was not nearly as dramatic as evening light, but there was no time for photography at sunset. Daily volleyball strated at 5pm and continued until it was too dark to see the ball and then for another ten minutes more.

As evening approaches, Kyle and I sit on one of the docks enjoying the refreshing sea breeze which averages between 10 and 30 mph during our visit. Of the many spectacular things we observed on this adventure, the most breathtaking for me was the star-filled night sky. With zero light pollution and crystal clean air, I was for the first time in my life able to fully appreciate the heavens above. There really are millions of stars in the sky and when you can see them all at once it is a sight to behold.

Kyle wastes little time locating the hammock palapa. We all need a little rest to recover from the crossing.

Despite the lack of electricity, two composting toilets for the entire island, and gravity fed, solar “warmed” (“heated “would be an overstatement), brackish water showers, the island is remarkably well stocked with sea toys.

The island is sprinkled with palapas which create shade from the intense afternoon sun.

Despite expectations to the contrary we arrive at Long Caye alive. The 50-yard wide atoll will be our home for the next three days. Land never looked so good to me. The word paradise does not do this place of beauty justice.

Did I mention that the boat is very small. Gabe’s hair is sticking out sideways not because of the wind but because she is returning to her seat after being bounced off the top of the cabin. Lee is not reaching for a bag but rather prefers to absorb the impact of each wave while hunched over rather than sitting down. Zoom into the photo for a peak at Kyle’s face. I mentioned that the boat was small right? And that we are in the open ocean for a 35-mile, 2 hour crossing in high winds with big swells. For the first five minutes, this was more exciting than any thrill ride I have ever been on. After ten minutes, I start planning water survival strategies for when the boat breaks in two from impact with waves twice its size. You are getting the picture, right. Tiny boat, huge ocean waves, fear of death and spinal injury.

Today we drive to Dangriga where we will transfer to a small boat for a 35-mile open ocean crossing to Long Caye located on Glover’s Reef.

Back to the Maya Mountain Lodge for our last night. Each evening we are treated to a 4-course meal featuring exquisite local cuisine explaining why, despite 6-hours of strenuous exercise each day, I managed to gain weight. While in the jungle, Kyle and I also sampled live termites a great source of protein with a carrot like taste. Had they been the sole source of food, I am sure I would have lost a lot of weight.

A moment of rest. Our group included two other father-child combinations. Gabriella (Gabé) age 14 and her dad David (not pictured) and Lowell (pictured) and his three sons, Gabe, Jesse, and Lee. Rounding out our group was a single mom, Grae and a couple from Alaska, Steve and Marie.

The view from the top is spectacular, as was the speed of the wind and my fear of being blown over the edge of this extremely steep pyramid. Unlike the US where we are protected from everything but paper cuts, Belize offers endless opportunities to take one false step and be dead as a result. Needless to say we exercised great caution on this particular day. Pictured behind us is the entire excavated city which includes several courtyards and lesser structures.

After lunch we visit the Mayan runis of Xunantunich and climb the Castillo which remains one of the tallest man made structures in the country today.

By noon we reach Clarissa Falls and put out for an exquisite lunch. Pictured here is a traditional dug out canoe that is still used for river crossings.