Group 2 @ Banana Bank

Group 2 had an action-packed adventure yesterday. It started with an early bus ride to Xunantunich. After the ferry ride across the Mopan River, Samuel, Aaron, Rachel and Montgomery ran the mile to the entrance. Brooks was elected to be the ceremonial 'sacrificial' victim to the Mayan gods atop the Stone Lady. Several of us got a natural suture, courtesy of some local soldier ants.
Unfortunately when we got to the Good Shepherd clinic, we discovered that Margaret Juan was away at a meeting. We delivered our supplies and got a makeshift tour of the clinic, including seeing Dr. Barks' plaque in the front lobby.
We then had a refreshing swim and lunch at Clarissa Falls, then an exhilarating trip through the canopy on the Jaguar Paw zip lines. Everyone successfully managed the 45' rappel -- nothing compared to what they had already done at Caves Branch.
We're packing and preparing to return to the states, reluctantly some of the students admit. It has been both a long and eye-opening week here in Belize.

Greetings from beautiful Southwater Caye

Today the first thing we did was kayak across the Caribbean to a research center, it was soooooo hard!!!!! Then when we were at the research center we went snorkeling, it was awesome!!! We then came back and ate lunch, laid out on the dock and went snorkeling again. This place is so pretty I absolutely love it here! I have already had so much fun on this trip and I can’t wait to go to the other places!!
~Cotter Jenkins

We just went to the Smithsonian research station which is on an island near southwater. After we kayaked out there a scientist showed us the research house and told us about some sweet biology stuff.

Yesterday I had to save Reb from a gigantic shark. Luckily I kept my harpoon gun handy and was able to save him just as it was getting his arm so he only lost his right hand, which Ms. Dunne knit back on. All of the boat rides have been awesome, I would be happy just spending the days riding around in the boat looking around. Everything here is chill and it’s been nice to just take a break and relax.
-Ryan, Scotty, Larry, Ed, Mike, Ramon, etc.

We’ve been snorkeling four times so far and will be going night snorkeling tonight. Hermit crabs are everywhere along with starfish. Tonight’s our last night here. –Lindsey


Well, we are on an awesome island in the Carribean, so there is not that much to complain about. I had a terrible stomache ache yesterday, but that I probably due to the fact that I had eight snickers and ten fanta. We were on the sand bar yesterday and a leapord spotted stingray came up to us, and needless to say, we all freaked out and ran back to shore. I love belize.
-Steven and Ulmer

I drowned the first time and my pants fell off when I snorkled. I had to ride on Alexandra back to shore…. I said I wouldn’t do it again. Needless to say I did I realized that a life jacket would help… also Ive been called a 10 year old Mexican girl a little too much… apparently it’s the tan… but its all good : ) also Steven is trying to be a Russian model with gabby’s tanning oil and grace is trying to be a burnt potato chip. Thomas is getting annoyed with the sea cow. Brooks is also getting killed every night in mafia. Zis is greatt
WoooaaaawwW.
-Mariana-
p.s. Bryce helped spell the apparently and WoooaaaawwW

Caves Branch Update

The last few days at Caves Branch have been simply spectacular. After an exhilarating adventure in the waterfall caves, Group I spent a day completing a service project in the village of Armenia. Beginning with a trip into Belmopan to buy supplies at the local hardware store and a drive by the U.S. Embassy, we spent the entire day in the village working at the local school, a K-8 school with roughly 380 students. The principal of the school had requested a sidewalk so that the students would not have to walk through the mud, so our students learned how to frame the sidewalk and mix concrete with sand and gravel as there is no Quick-Crete here. We also painted the school and added a flagpole to the front. Everyone participated in numerous ways; I was so pleased with their effort. Another treat for our students was being able to sit in on some classes and read to the younger Armenian students. Overall, it was one of the most rewarding days for me as an educator ever. The cultural interaction was exactly what we hope to accomplish as we continue to define what it means to be a global school. Our students were reading to, teaching, working, and playing with the residents of this tiny village. As the sun set and we finished our final project, every member of our group felt an incredible sense of accomplishment as well as the satisfied exhaustion that comes with a long day’s work. These memories will surely last a lifetime.

Group III rotated to Caves Branch yesterday and successfully ensured that the class of 2010 had 100% participation for the 300 ft. rappel, possibly a first, with Pat celebrating his birthday as he went over the cliff. Today, we head into the caves for the waterfall cave tour and into the village later this afternoon on our final full day in Belize. All is well with everyone. Best, Chris.

Lindsey's video @ Southwater Caye

The Lovely Bunch of Coconuts’ Blog Entries from the Caye

[Late entry (my fault!) from the Caye - Group 3)]

Greetings from beautiful Southwater Caye. Following a magnificent, star studded boat ride over last night, the explorers were more interested in exploring food and beds than the caye. We enjoyed a fabulous dinner after which they dragged themselves to bed. The two hour time difference allowed them to go to bed at 8:30 local time, their bodies were telling them it was 10:30. We have snorkeled, boated, and kayaked. Each and every one has been fabulous. Ms. Tripp, well that is a story best left for another day. Mrs. Dunne

I don’t know what to say. I don’t write well. I am having a cool time, saw some great fish. The stars are really pretty. Love, Rebecca

The snorkeling is really fun, we saw tons of cool fish and a thirteen foot shark but it only took off reb’s right hand. This island is the most relaxing and laid back place you will ever visit. Everything is amazing and we are just chillin mon
Pat and Matthew

It’s been a pretty great couple of days. Its pretty chill here time goes by slow on the island, so weve just been having an awesome chill time. Also, ive seen many strange and awesome creatures, octopi, seahorses, tons of different fish and many other crazy sights. Also, the stars are amazing out here, I looked at them for hours last night. Later this afternoon we are kayaking out to the research island.
Harrison

Groups on the move

Today is another travelling day as Group 2 moves from Southwater Caye to Banana Bank, Group 3 goes down the road from BB a ways to Caves Branch, and Group 1 heads to the coast.
Here at Banana Bank, Group 3 enjoyed three days of full-on activities. Monday when they arrived, having stopped at the Belize zoo, they zipped through the trees at Jaguar Paw. They then got in a little shopping at the Art Box before returning to BB for a leisurely afternoon around the lagoon-shaped pool. The next day they all mounted up for a 3-hour horseback ride through the fields and jungles. Everyone loved walking their horses through the Mopan River. Later that afternoon the group enjoyed a nature walk and a river swim at the junction of two rivers, the Roaring Creek and the Mopan. Its an interesting phenomenon, as one of them is warm and the other cold, though they come out of the same mountains in Guatamala.
Yesterday was the signature event of the BB stop: visiting the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich and spending the day with Margaret Juan at her clinic. The entire group pitched in for two hours of much needed and appreciated clean-up work at the clinic.

Caves Branch, part II

Group Two had an unbelievable experience yesterday in the Waterfall Cave Tour. It was definitely a unique experience for everyone as you will hear when everyone returns. Quoting Gabby, “OMG, the caves today were rough, literally, however, jumping off the cave waterfalls was fun. My favorite excursion was rappelling off the 300 ft cliffs! It was scary but exhilarating. I recommend swimming in the river also, cold but refreshing. Also, playing volleyball was a blast.”

Today is a day of rotation with Group I moving to Caves Branch, Group II moving to South Water, and Group III to Banana Bank. The adventure continues…

Journal entry #2: Group I

"Everything today (well really it was yesterday) was very intriguing and opened my eyes to new things. Horses are the new coolest thing in the whole entire world. They definitely beat the water bags. Ziplining doesn't beat the water bags but it was still insanely cool. It was like we were birds. I am very sad to leave this place -- it is awesome. Today Will got stuck on the zipline. And that was one of the funniest things I have ever seen in my life."
Lilie Jane Hudson

Journal entry #1: Group I

"Day 2 in Banana Bank! I love it here :) Today we went to the Mayan ruins and it was really hard work walking to the top, but so cool by the time we got up. The view was amazing!!! I also really enjoyed riding in the bus (until it got stuck!) and looking at the houses and other buildings. Its a huge difference from SC!"
Georgina Dench

Readying for a ride

Some of the group in the main lodge preparing to ride horses in the rain. Notice all the smiles!

Offroad adventure

While Group I was off in a coconut grove cracking open coconuts and drinking the water / milk, our bus driver, while trying to turn around, slid a bit off the road. Luckily some locals drove by, hooked up a chain to our bus, and yanked it back out onto the road, and away we went.

Group I atop Xunantunich - the "stone lady"

Brooks arrived; travelling day

Brooks (Burnside) arrived here at Banana Bank yesterday safe and sound and raring to go-- and quickly left her mark at the zoo (see photo). After lunch we headed into the canopy for ziplining from platform to platform. Everybody did it and had a wonderful time. The 40 ft rappel/drop at the end got everyone's heart pumping a little faster. We hit the zoo on the way back to "camp". Everyone took many photos of unusual animals: jabouti, jibiru stork, peccaries, tapirs, pacas, baramundi, harpy eagles, and toucans, to name a few.
Later that night after dinner, we headed out into the jungle for an hour walk. Many of the students were amazed at the number of animals still active at night, particularly leafcutter ants, which we saw thousands of. Casey cleverly discovered what we now term a "tiger trap."
After breakfast this morning Group I headed across the river towards Caves Branch. Group III is expected here around lunchtime after they visit the zoo.

Greetings From Caves Branch

This is our first opportunity for an update, and it will be a quick one as we prepare for another day of adventure. Our entire group (Group II) hiked through the jungle yesterday for the first Black Hole drop (300 ft. rappel). Everyone in the group did it, with some being pushed a little more out of their comfort zone than others. Today, the group will head to the waterfall cave tour and into the village of Armenia later this afternoon. We have very limited internet access (satellite) and will post when we can. I have spoken to the group on South Water, and all is well there. They had a great day yesterday. Both the Caves Branch Group and the South Water Group had good weather. I hope the Banana Bank weather improves today. More later. Hope all is well back home!

Group I @ Xunantunich, Saturday, March 21

Group I on the steps of "Il Castillo", the principal temple of Xunantunich.

Weather in Paradise

For the 3rd day in a row, at least here at Banana Bank, we have had rain. In fact, it has just started coming down as I type. We're told this is very unusual, as we are in the dry season here in Central America. But we are happy to have it as it has helped cool off the days. I'm sure those of us on the Caye may not feel the same about the rain though ....

Hi: 78, Lo: 70