Our remaining time in Belize is dwindling, but there is no shortage of things to still do. In the past two days we have filled the schedule with many memorable moments.

On July 11, we started the day taking a ferry across the river to explore the Xunantunich Maya ruins. Following our exploration, we enjoyed a nice authentic Belizean meal at a local favorite eatery, Benny’s. Then off to cave tubing. We changed into our swim suits, and grabbed helmets, headlamps, and inner-tubes and hiked 30 minutes. Our guides tied our tubes to together, and off we went to float through the dark caves underground. It was a highlight for many. We finished the day with independent project time and our routine evening meeting.

The next day, July 12, we got shuttled across the river in canoes and hiked 3km round trip up the other side of the canyon from the lodge. This steep hike takes place in a national park that serves to conserve habitat, especially for scarlet macaws. We stopped many times along the way to learn about local plants and how Maya people utilize them. We had a nice moment of reflection and tranquility at the summit. The afternoon we surprised the students with a Maya chocolate presentation on the history and rituals of how chocolate evolved from ancient Maya culture to where it is today. Following chocolate making, we went to the Green Iguana Conservation Project, where we learned about the efforts to protect a Belizean favorite animal. We got up close and personal with the lizards and got to hold them.

In the evening, we played a competitive game of JeoParty about our experience and what we learned in Belize.

– Giulia and Joshua