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| Mayan Ruins, page 1 of 2 | page 1 2 |
During our trip, we visited two Mayan ruins, Lamanai in northern Belize and Xunantunich in the southwest near the Guatemalan border. |
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| Lamanai | |
This day started with a drive to Orange Walk Town, about an hour north of Belize City. Here, we rented a four-seat boat from a local operator. Getting to Lamanai by boat was as exciting as seeing the ruins themselves. Carlos, our captain, was an expert birder who knew where to look for good birds. We birded the New River for three hours on the way to Lamanai. |
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| Waiting for our boat at a small dock on the New River just south of Orange Walk | |
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| Carlos, our captain, keeps an eye out for birds | Passing a remnant of boat dock |
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| We meandered through 30 miles of sloughs and byways on the New River before arriving at Lamanai | |
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| Fishing on or IN the river. Aren't these guys on the right afraid of the crocodiles?! | |
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| It was just like a James Bond movie. This big boat was bearing down on us and chased us through the sloughs at high speeds. Quite a thrill ride. | |
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| At a wide spot in the river, we pull over and the big boat goes blasting by | Just love scenes like this -- a local fisherman in a primitive dugout canoe |
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| Amazing tangle of inpenetrable jungle, home to hundreds of birds and critters. Who knows what's in there? | |
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| Passing Shipyard, a Mennonite colony, whose members farm the fertile river valley | |
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| These beautiful blossoms remind us of fireworks | Is this a bunch of snakes or a weird cactus-like vine? |
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| After birding for 3 hours, we finally arrive at Lamanai, a major Mayan ruin site. Lamanai means "submerged crocodile." But first, lunch before a tour of the ruins. Carlos serves us stewed chicken and rice and beans. | |
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| Lamanai is famous for these 5th century Olmec masks | This is a reproduction of Lord Smoking Shell, a Mayan god |
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| Another view of Lord Smoking Shell | Lamanai was occupied between 1500 BC to the 19th Cent. |
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| At 33 meters (108'), the High Temple is the tallest of the four temples on the site, and one of hundreds of buildings identified in the 2-square mile area. | |
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| The steps are steeper than they look. A rope assists climbing. Herb and Geno make it to the top. | |
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| The top of the temple offers a grand view of the New River | |
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