On day 3 of our expedition in Belize, we visited Bocawina National Park. After some pre-breakfast snacks, we headed out on Zodiacs to the beach at Hopkins Village, where we boarded buses that would take us to Bocawina National Park. Here, we enjoyed nature walks at the foot of Maya Mountain, which also marks this area as a ceremonial site of the Mayan culture. Although the site is unexcavated, it is a place to learn about the wonders of the ancient Maya at an educational center, where we also have lunch. We are introduced to Mayans living here now. We appreciated Mayan dances while eating traditional foods, including some Mayan chocolate ice-cream called yam-yam. Then it was off to Placencia Village, followed by a performance by the Garifuna collective back on board National Geographic Sea Lion.
2/4/2024
Read
National Geographic Quest
Monkey River and Laughingbird Caye, Belize
The sun eased above the horizon and gently kissed the calm, mirrorlike sea, greeting National Geographic Quest as she lay at anchor just east of the mouth of Monkey River. This is the largest estuary in southern Belize, and our destination for this morning’s adventure. This winding waterway did not disappoint, as guests enjoyed great views of egrets and herons on the edges of the river, parrots and toucans overhead, while “garobos” — male green iguanas sporting their orange and black breeding colors — sunned themselves on the treetops. After returning to the ship and enjoying a delicious brunch, it was soon time to gear up for a final afternoon of snorkeling and diving off Laughing Bird Caye. Some guests snorkeled among the beautiful coral reefs that surround this small island, while others floated above the corals in kayaks. Everyone savored the tropical flavors of fruit punch and snacks from the hotel department. We finished the day with a slideshow of guest and staff photo memories from our Belize adventure.
