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Monday, March 25, 2013

Western Caribbean Cruise: Belize City

You better belize it.... we had an unbelizable time in Belize on January 2nd! Don't worry I think I just exhausted all my corny Belize puns... the cruise ship totally played up the belize puns too.

Belize City is a port you tender into meaning the boat is too big to get close to the shore to a dock so you board a smaller boat of like 50 people that takes you ashore. The only downside is if you need to leave first thing in the morning you have to wait until your tender ticket number is called (priority is given to the Carnival excursions leaving first thing). Although we saw some people who were getting into our tender boat even with a much higher number. You know.... those people... the ones who think the rules don't apply to them. I wish they had thrown them overboard sent them to the end of the line but alas they weren't looking at every single person's ticket.

after tendering- cruise ships in the distance

We booked a tour for our family to get a brief tour around of the city and then a tour of Altun Ha, the Mayan ruins.

We met our tour guide by the lighthouse after the tender ride around 10am. It was just the 4 of us plus a marine biology teacher from Maryland who had spent the previous week with students on a field trip and this was his last day before returning home. It was an extremely affordable tour especially for almost being a personal tour just for us.




We rode around in a one of those air conditioned (key!) 12 passenger vans. First we were taken around the city hearing about all the buildings and history and current event info. Our guide, Allen, was extremely knowledgeable and very easy to talk to. Then we drove out to Altun Ha which was about a 45 minute drive.




The ruins were such an experience to see up close and to walk (and climb) on something so ancient. It was believe to be first settled sometime around 250 BC. It was super sunny and hot that day hence all the sun protection.



 



The tallest ruin is the Temple of Masonry Altars.




This was a breadnut that Allen cracked open with a rock to show us.


And there were avocado trees. Mmmm what I would give to have one of these babies in my backyard.

 
There were some pretty flowers that I just had to do a low aperture shot on. I mean you know that feeling right?
 



We had a great time and it was easy to book online and they were very prompt in replying to emails. And Allen rocked! Would definitely recommend to anyone.

We were dropped off near the port around 2:30pm and took the tender boat back to the ship for a late lunch.

That afternoon we attended a hilarious Newlywed Game. You know the one where they have 3 couples (one newlywed, one married for the longest and then one in between) and they ask the man or woman questions- some quite embarrassing questions on stage and then see if the spouse answered similarly and whatnot. I think the old couple who had been married for like 50 years was the funniest. Some of the husband's answers were such a hoot! If you go on a cruise, do not miss the Newlywed Game unless you are easily offended and not open minded... then maybe you should skip it.

We had a wonderful dinner that night per usual so you know what's next... seeing what was on our plates!


I think this is the appetizer Eric got and they were stuffed with shrimp and some other stuff... I don't remember what they were called... maybe you could call them shrimp balls but that doesn't sound as appetizing. Guess that's what I get for waiting too long to write these posts. Next time I'll take pictures of the menu each night so I can remember the names.


 
The pork chop with veggies was delicious.
 

 
 
 
 
Mom had tiramisu for dessert and loved it. I dislike coffee so tiramisu is not for me.
 


And don't ask me why but they brought Eric a birthday cake slice and sang to him - his birthday (and mine) was not for another 4 weeks. We thought my dad had something to do with it as he is a jokester and had just come back from the bathroom a few minutes before but turned out he had nothing to do with it. Regardless we didn't correct them of their error.




After dinner we watched the UF vs. Louisville bowl game in the sports bar. Dear Gators, I am still disappointed in you. I even made sure to wear my royal blue dress to support you.

Our towel animal that night was a frog. I love our chosen poses with the frog. Eric decides to become a frog and I decide to change the frog to a prince.




Our next stop is Honduras!

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