An Outing Down the New River to Lamanai

Monday, May 23, 2011 (Commonwealth Day)--Orange Walk, Belize

Our purpose in stopping in Orange Walk was to take the tour down the New River to see the ruins at Lamanai.  We scheduled ourselves for it yesterday and were up early to be ready.  We stopped at the bakery.  Then we waited to be picked up at 8:45.

We departed from a pier two blocks from the hotel--the two of us and a woman from Germany.  We went part of the way down the river where we stopped to pick up the food for the outing and a group of others who had come from Ambergris Caye for the trip today.

The New River is a beautiful, still waterway with various branches that makes it seem a bit like a bayou system.  As we progressed up the river, we stopped to see birds, animals, etc.  We saw at least 12 kinds of birds I had never seen before.  A group of fishermen held up a group of bass with red stripes.  A couple of spider monkeys actually came onto the boat trying to poach from us.  The only thing we missed seeing that is normally encountered on the trip was a crocodile.

The ruins in Lamanai are interesting, because the settlement there did not die out before the arrival of the Spaniards.  This was one place where the invaders found active temples and a large city of people.  The pyramids were more impressive than I expected, and the sight was well worth visiting.

We had a guide who probably would love to be a professor.  He has immersed himself in Mayan history, language, etc.  He studied in Moscow and in Cuba, and he has worked with Pendergast, the scientist who has explored and helped restore the ruins at Laminai.  He knew the name of every bird and animal along the river.

The tour included a nice lunch under a palapa at the ruints--rice and beans, chicken, potato salad, vegetable salad, and colas.  As we left to return to town, it also included a glass of rum punch.

Normally, I do not care for tours.  This one was quite nice.  The people were friendly, everyone participated and kept up, including climbing to the top of the highest pyramid which involved holding a rope due to the steepness.

Returning to town, the boat driver went fast!  It was fun making the curves on the river.  He slowed down only when we encountered other boats or people in the river.  We passed a Mennonite extended family swimming and fishing.  We passed several boats of fishermen.  And as we got closer to town, we passed many groups of young people swimming in the river as a part of their plans for enjoying the holiday.