Day 1 - Belize City to Cayo Region
Each day I reached out to parents through WhatsApp to share a bit about our tour, and some pictures of their children engaged in Belizean culture and the environment. Typically I did this with a cup of morning beverage and the quiet of our current housing...
Day 1 - We flew from Raleigh, through Houston TX, to Belize City. From there we met up with our Tour Director Herbie. Herbie is amazing. He's been a tour director for 20 years. He's so knowledgeable, friendly, and fun. Herbie brought us to a local place for lunch while we waited for the 2 other groups that were joining my Broughton crew on our Belizean adventure. After lunch, Albert, our bus driver drove our group to the Cayo region to our first accommodations at Juntos Cottages. We checked in, had a wonderful dinner and an evening of relaxing at the pool. We tried to get to bed early because day 2 was going to be our longest and most active day.
"Good morning parents. I’m having a cup of tea at the conference center right now listening to the birds and sitting next to dozens of gorgeous tropical plants lining the gravel trails and river that runs through Juntos Cottages in the Cayo region. It’s beautiful!
On my walk from my cottage to the coffee bar this morning I saw/photographed plumeria trees, papayas, coconuts, passion fruit, ginger, bougainvillea, and many I couldn’t identify (go science!) The only bird I’ve successfully identified is a hummingbird… but I’m keeping my eyes peeled for the national bird, toucans!"
Plumeria
Plumeria
One of the number of unique statues on the grounds at Juntos Cottages
Ginger
"It’s hot and humid here! After our dinner of traditional baked chicken with rice and beans and plantains, we all hung out in the pool (really it was as warm as a bath but the kids didn’t care)… there were some hearty games of sharks and minnows and our old time fave Marco Polo… The pool has a basketball court and darts as well as plenty of lounge chairs."
Beans and Rice, with chicken is a common meal in Belize
The pool was fun, though very warm!
Juntos cottages has unique and fun statues throughout their facilities
A view of one of the cottages.
"This morning we will have breakfast and leave for a day in the rainforest. Hiking (walking), and zip lining along with some science activities. It’s a long day today… so I don’t suspect I will be in touch again. We will eat both lunch and dinner at TREES (Toucan Ridge Ecology & Education Society) a non profit organization. I promise … I’ll take photos!"