Sunday, December 5--Belize City, Belize

 Interestingly, we anchored in a shallow harbor a long way from Belize City and used two fairly large commercial catamarans to shuttle us to/from shore. While tendering in, in the distance we could see a large construction (dredges, cranes & new buildings) project being built in the bay. One could only think China was dredging up another island, only this time not in the South China Sea. Later Cap’s tour guide explained that Belize was building a cruise terminal out in the bay that ‘may’ later be connected to land via causeway. Having a secure safe place to dock vs. anchoring & tendering may make economic sense. 

 

New cruise island terminal under construction miles from shore in Belize

 

 

Belize tenders


Cap’s tour took him to the Altun Ha Mayan ruin. He has such little appreciation for the Mayan civilization. His tour guide Carla was so enthusiastic and passionate about Altun Ha and her country. More books to read on Cap’s Reading Bucket List. And little did he know that the black orchid was their national flower. Nor did either Suzy or Cap know allspice came from a nut from the allspice tree and wasn’t a blend of spices.

 

 
Altun Ha Mayan Ruin
 
 
 

 

Suzy chose a drive through town and a beautiful airboat ride on a lagoon that was a bird sanctuary. We saw dozens of different water birds and a crocodile—but the manatees eluded us.

 

 
Almond Hill Lagoon, Belize

 

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