Earlier this week we had a chance to do something that we've missed since being here. We joined a couple of friends, Bart and Nicole, and went ATVing for the day. They have a couple of quads and were kind enough to let us use one. We had so much fun!
Bart and Nicole have been here for a few years so they've explored and mapped out a lot of the back country. Belize has so much to offer but it's not all easily accessible by truck. I have to admit that I was getting a little tired of seeing Belize through a windshield!
Bart and Nicole have been here for a few years so they've explored and mapped out a lot of the back country. Belize has so much to offer but it's not all easily accessible by truck. I have to admit that I was getting a little tired of seeing Belize through a windshield!
So, we met up in the morning and headed into the Mountain Pine Ridge area. This western part of the country has all the best rivers and caves. It's really beautiful but the road in really sucks! It's amazing how much the quads smoothed it out!
After a little bit of main road travel we hit the trails. We stopped at a small swimming hole for a refreshing break. The trail in was through some heavy jungle. The kind of place where the sun rarely touches the ground.
We also stopped for a lunch break at the base of a Mayan ruin. Belize has ruins scattered all over the country and most of them are not excavated. This particular site has been partially uncovered but the jungle is eagerly working to take it back.
Then we were back onto the quads and we rode for another 45 minutes or so. We parked the quads and began a hike down a long hill. As we came out of the trees and back into the sunlight, the view took my breath away. A beautiful waterfall with multiple basins of clear water just made for swimming. And we had it all to ourselves! Incredible!
After another swim we hiked back up the hill. On the way down, it felt like a stroll. On the way back it was a real workout!! It gave us the excuse to stop for dinner at a lodge on the way home. All in all, a great day. Thanks Bart and Nicole!
After a little bit of main road travel we hit the trails. We stopped at a small swimming hole for a refreshing break. The trail in was through some heavy jungle. The kind of place where the sun rarely touches the ground.
We also stopped for a lunch break at the base of a Mayan ruin. Belize has ruins scattered all over the country and most of them are not excavated. This particular site has been partially uncovered but the jungle is eagerly working to take it back.
Then we were back onto the quads and we rode for another 45 minutes or so. We parked the quads and began a hike down a long hill. As we came out of the trees and back into the sunlight, the view took my breath away. A beautiful waterfall with multiple basins of clear water just made for swimming. And we had it all to ourselves! Incredible!
After another swim we hiked back up the hill. On the way down, it felt like a stroll. On the way back it was a real workout!! It gave us the excuse to stop for dinner at a lodge on the way home. All in all, a great day. Thanks Bart and Nicole!