Day 4 - Belize
Tuesday, May 1, 2012

UP EARLY!
Today we had a shore excursion booked! It's a bike ride in the jungle, with time at a swimming pool afterwards. We were at breakfast by 7:30, and it looked like we were beating the crowds because we were able to find a table without too much trouble. After breakfast we gathered up our gear for the day and headed to the Encore Theater, where our tour was to depart from at 9:15. Belize is a tender port (the only one for the week) and I was impressed that all excursions were meeting in the theater, because that meant they were making sure we were getting on a tender with the group. We have had it where you meet on shore and it can be quite competitive to get on a tender that will get you there in time to meet your tour. I would always feel like saying, I'm not pushy but I have to get to my tour on time!" When we got to the theater we passed by a reception table where we were given "Grey #5" stickers to put on our shirts, to identify the group we belonged to. So far so good - very impressed with the organization of this process! We found some seats and then we saw that the movie screens at the front of the theater were showing clips from "America's Funniest Home Videos". Everyone was laughing and enjoying the clips - what a great way to kill time! When our tour was called we boarded the tender for the FIVE MILE trip to the shore! FIVE MILES!

BACAB ECO PARK
Once we got to the shore we boarded a bus to the Bacab Eco Park. Actually there were several different tours going to the same place. Our tour was biking, another was horseback riding, another was kayaking, and another was just there to enjoy the park's swimming facilities. The park has only been around for a few years and is privately owned by one family. Kind of amazing, really. The ride there took about 20-30 minutes and was narrated the entire way by a local guide.

There were only 6 people in our bike group, which was great! The bikes were kind of run down - the gears were locked so you could not change gears, but that was not a problem. It was all very flat, but of course the terrain could get quite rough between the gravel roads and the roots popping up through the ground in the jungle. The gal that led our group was good. We stopped several times so she could point out interesting sights, like termites, and monkeys. We saw a lot of iguanas too. Oh! And it was VERY HOT!!!! We definitely worked up a sweat on the ride. When we stopped to talk, the mosquitos got bad but once we got moving again they were not a problem.

When we got done with the ride, they had great facilities for changing clothes for swimming, and our stuff had been safely stowed in complimentary lockers while we were biking. We were so hot that we could not wait to get in the pool! And the pool was amazing! It was the perfect pool because it had those underwater shelves around the edge for sitting partially submerged, the depth was about neck deep all over, and it had a separate kidding pool area with a "mushroom fountain". It even had a beautiful rock slide / waterfall focal point! There were plenty of chairs and even some lounges that were partially under water. Our tour included lunch and we ate that at a shaded table, poolside. The lunch was local in flavor with rice & beans, fried plantains, potato salad and chicken.

BACK AT THE SHIP
Dinner tonight was great: We both had Filet Mignon, and I had the warm melting chocolate cake again. Tom had his favorite dessert: Apple Pie. All our table mates were there except for one couple! The show tonight is the show they have been talking about all week: "Dancing in the Streets". They say if you only see one show, this is the one. It was great! High energy dancing, and the "Fun Force" breakdance guys were even part of the show. LOTS of acrobatics! Very impressive and very entertaining!

After the show I worked on this journal and had to call it a night! Tom was frustrated with me because he wanted to prowl around the ship and see what was going on. I know that is code for "go find some food". So he checked out the night life and returned with some treats :)

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