--Xunantunich

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Hi everyone

After a very early start from Caye Caulker we were picked up by our tour guide in Belize City and driven for a couple of hours to Santa Elena to see the Xunantunich ruins. We had picked a Lonely Planet recommended guide and although expensive we were lucky to be by ourselves. Vitalino started his tours in 95 so took us first t the ruins which we reached via a pull bridge. Expecting the site to be packed we turn up and about 10 people there - fantastic. Before we went in he pointed out some howler monkeys and started to make calls to them. Politely listening we then jumped out of our skin when they returned the call - so loud more like Godzilla or something out of Jurassic Park! Ruins were amazing and what the Mayans did - their active period was 300 - 900 ad and they built the most amazing temples very similar to the Egyptians who were doing the same thing at the same time. Saw a toucan too which we have not seen for years since one lucky sighting in Costa about 4 years ago. Lunch followed locally in Santa Elena and we did not opt for the Cowfoot soup - yuk!

Next we drove back towards Belopan for our cave tubing experience which Neil described as a lazy river style thing. What he mentioned in passing on the way was a trek - fine and maybe some animal spotting - also fine. Arrived and again only 4 tourists there so really lucky - they had about 100 tubes ready. Vitalino said we would trek for about 40 minutes and he pointed stuff out all the way - armadillo holes - termites which he persuaded Neil to eat - yuk I love my food but i draw the line very firmly there. He said they tasted like carrot hmm. Next Vitalino starts poking a stick in a whole and nosey as I am get as close as I can - we until the most lively friggin tarrantaa flew out and I mean flew out!! The guide said I broke a world record as I swore and ran as fast as I could and N said he had never seen me move so fast ;-( I stayed a good 20 ft away why the guy played with it - honestly why would you - even n declined to hold and I don´t blame him way too lively and let´s face it we had disturbed it! I know what you are thinking and yes clearly my therapy all those years ago at London Zoo had come into its own but this was in the wild and I was scared!

Honestly what a walk - next he stopped because he could smell a boa constrictor which luckily had gone and then finally we get to the start of the tubing and it was a lovely float through some caves one of which was a mile long.

Finally we got Vitalino to recommend a hotel for the night in Belmopan the capital which I use the word losely - only 8000 residents compared to the 70 k we had in Belize City. After one Deliverance moment at a hotel he finally took us to the Bullfrog inn which was fab for the night - cheap and cheerful but good bar, pool table and food.

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Photos

Xunantunich
View of the main temple

Spider
Why would you ...

Top of the world
Getting our breath back!

Tubing
Finally we get to relax

Neil taking it easy
Fantastic views all the way but the water was bloomin cold!

Rapids
Not quite but was not complaining