I awaken to out of the ordinary “ship movement” – I toss on my comfy Carnival robe and venture out to my aft balcony to see what this day is going to bring weather-wise. Being at the back of the ship has its advantages – We see where we’ve been – and an impressive snake-like wake proves my suspicions – We were turning an awful lot! And the snake-ing continued…Around the corner, in and out of flashing buoys, more corners, more buoys. Getting into Belize is an adventure in itself. We approach an inhabited area of coast, slow down and toss anchor. Yes, my friends – it is a LONG SWIM TO SHORE.

As Carnival makes all their customs preparations, we dress, pack our day-bag, grab some breakfast and head down to the Theater. We did NOT book a Carnival excursion, but with a private company, MAJOR TOM. We checked in with a Carnival rep and were issued a tag with a number 1 on it. WE WERE ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE SHIP ON THE FIRST TENDER. Please do not let anyone tell you that if you DON’T book a CARNIVAL excursion that you will NOT be able to take the first tender. Just make sure you get to the Theater to arrange for your tender FIRST THING!

We board a large tender (and it was far from full) and head to shore. Yes, it’s about a 12-15 minute ride, but calm seas and bright sunshine made it a pleasant ride. Upon pulling into port, we see a very nice, clean and well kept area. Shops – restaurants – and more shops. As we leave the tender area, there are a bazillion people holding excursion signs up. Very confusing, but probably the most efficient thing they can do, honestly. We locate Major Tom – or did he locate us?

Major Tom is a people man – tall, voice that carries, and has a great sense of humor. Probably tells the same jokes and barks the same instructions each time a ship comes in. I felt at ease with him immediately. He introduces some of his posse, and then directs us to his “cash collector” – says that’s not his cup of tea! We shuffle towards the shopping area, donate our money to the lady with the clipboard and wander around the area for a spell. NOTE TO TRAVELERS – There is no DIET COKE on land; its called COKE LIGHT and tastes like COKE ZERO. After I’d say about 20 minutes of waiting for people to check in and pay, we leave the confines of the “walled city” and board the bus.

Inside the walled city is a clean, well-kept area. Outside the area is what we find to be the TRUE BELIZE CITY. We are reminded we are in a 3rd world country, although we are never hassled by vendors (except the lady that wanted to braid everyone’s hair) or feel uncomfortable or threatened. As we board the bus, we grab seats up front. The tour through the town is very educational as our host, Mikey, explains about the area, the people and their struggles. We are informed about their schools, their sports, their weather, their markets, their fishing profession, and the 2 working stoplights in town. (There are actually 4 stoplights – only 2 work) I am amazed about how they drive, here. There are “speed bumps” everywhere – the bus slows to a crawl to go over them – I’m assuming it is their way of traffic and speed control. The drive is about 45 minutes to the site, but I did not mind as our tour guide kept us very informed, entertained and the scenery was amazing! Unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

As we head out of the city area into a more rural stretch, we see many people along the side of the road, in the barrow pit areas that are flooded with water. We are told, that because of the ungodly amount of recent rain, everything has flooded – including the Talapia farms. So, people are in these flooded barrow pit areas, with their water masks and spear guns, hunting domestic tilapia that had been flooded out of their enclosures in the farms. And a little further down the road, we see the little lady doing her wash there, also.

We approach the mountains only to be engulfed into a lush jungle area with a dirt road through the middle. Watch out for that tree growing in the middle of the road! A few miles down this road, we stop and drop off some real adventuress – the zip liners! Sorry readers, not for ME! We head back to the Cave Tubing starting point. As we depart the bus, we are reminded that we are in the jungle and to put on the bug spray so you don’t get carried away! There is a changing area/bathroom – I suggest to WEAR your swimsuit under your clothes, so all you need to do is strip down. I planned on only wearing my swimsuit, and I wondered if I should have brought a tshirt and shorts or a wrap to wear also…I’m glad I didn’t. When out in the sun, the swimsuit dries fast. Those with more clothes stayed wet longer and got cold. The area is shaded and there is development going on – I hear it will be some shops and a snack bar? We are distributed some head lights – Seriously! Just like they use in a mine shaft. They fit directly on your head. If you are wearing a ball cap, leave it on the bus. They don’t fit so well WITH a ball cap. You are also given a large, black inner tube – about 3-1/2 to 4 ft in diameter. Attached to your tube is the life vest.

When everyone is ready, we head down a very nicely groomed trail towards the water. We find a rope, anchored at both sides of this slow, meandering creek and are instructed to cross the creek and hold onto the rope for balance. It is not very deep – maybe up to your knees. By the way, did I mention that the temperature is described as “refreshing”? As you step into the water, that “on second thought” crosses your mind as you now know you did not have enough bloody marys at breakfast for this! HOWEVER – I must admit – once you get in the water – play in it a bit (some in our group even did some cliff jumping) it didn’t seem so cold at all!

Have you ever heard that song about pioneer children “sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked?” The walking begins. And it is a hike. Not a steep or difficult one – but it seemed to go on forever! I was wearing some rubber soled/mesh water shoes (flip flops WILL NOT WORK) and I felt every little rock in the path. It was not muddy or slick – there was a little climbing up some faux stairs – but I was not expecting the trek to be that long. That being said, you really DON’T want to stop. If you keep moving, the bugs didn’t get you! And since we washed off ALL the DEET protection back in the “refreshing” water, the only thing you can do is KEEP MOVING.

Now, Major Tom does an extra cave as opposed to some of the others. We were actually offered an “extra” extra cave – and of course, most of us were up for it! We get to the river’s edge, put on our life vests (which I understand may have prevented a horrible accident that occurred there earlier this summer) and are helped into our tubes. Not gracefully, I may add – gotta get all that junk in your trunk into the hole with a bulky life vest on. Just think – although YOU may feel like you look funny, think about watching all the rest of your group and how funny they look! Not a big deal; actually quite comical! No worries.

We get in the water and we hook our feet under the armpits of the person in front of us. There were only 5 in our group and Junior took very good care of us. A little paddle left, a little paddle right, bottoms up – not much work at all. We get into the first cave and are instructed to turn our headlights off. DARK. PITCH BLACK. Ok – that gave me the heebie jeebies. I’m one of those people that likes to be in at least a little control, and I realized that the only thing in control of me was the gentle flowing current and Junior. Complete trust. We turn our lights on and look around. The musty smell and the echoing sound of water dripping is truly unique. Its like we’ve been transported into another world in another time. We are instructed not to yell and to speak softly in the caves – A toss up between respect and safety. It takes me a while to really relax and enjoy my surroundings, but I finally do. We exit the first cave and pick up those in our group that were not interested in the extra extra cave.

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