We arrived a Barton Creek Cave. It is an ancient Mayan site that can only be explored by canoe.
The entrance to Barton Creek Cave. You can see why the Mayans believed it may be one of the entrance to the 9 levels of the underworld.
The cave and our canoe
The before selfie. Is Kari nervous?? Warning to all my young readers, sometime after you become a father you will begin to look dorky in all your photos. Father Time is undefeated.
The paddle in. How much courage would it take to go in here with some torches and a dugout canoe.
Stalactites !!!!!!
These look like a chandelier. Formed as the water drips down on you. The river decided it was easier to cut through the limestone then to flow around it. This allowed for the creation of this massive cave which is 50 meters tall at points.
This rock bridge allowed Mayans to cross back and forth over the river within the cave. The cave was a source of mystical power for the Mayans. The Mayans performed blood letting rituals, human sacrifices and fertility rituals here. Just your typical family fun night in 800 AD.
This is the remnant of a Mayan skull the teeth are facing at us like if someone had there mouth open the zygomatic are is on the right. Interesting and Creepy all at the same time.
A perfectly preserved Mayan clay pot
Paddling out of the cave. We had to back track the water was so high from the rain that the cave was impassible at one point. How relieved you you be to see the jungle again. I was very relieved because I thought Kari was going to capsize us at least once. Kari had a slight freak out over some bats and nearly sent us all for a bath. We manage to right the ship and continue on our adventure dry and happy.
Andee, Kari and my right ear leaving the cave.
I survived and my wife is smiling. Whoa, how did that happen.
From Barton Creek we head back to San Ignacio to learn about chocolate. (This one is for you Katie). Adrian and Elida discussed the history of Chocolate in Belize. Kari and I then grounded our own chocolate beans and enjoyed traditional Mayan chocolate drinks.
Chocolate has been enjoyed by Mayan kings and commoners for centuries. There are pieces of pottery over 2600 years old that contain chocolate residue.
The chocolate bean actually comes from the Cacao fruit. (Peter that little piece of trivia is fro your crew) Cacao are grown in southern Belize but there is also a small area along the river by San Ignacio. Adrian and his wife Elida receive the Cacao fruit, remove the beans, ferment and dry them and then roast the beans in iron pots over slow heat.
Dried seeds. on top, Roasted seeds on the right. Ground seeds on the left. Now we must use a traditional Mayan press to grind the Cacao seeds into a chocolate paste.
Adrian grinding the seeds.
Kari grinding Cacao seeds to chocolate paste. I think we might need a little more sweat equity here.
Elida bailed us out. It was almost mesmerizing watching her work this dished piece of carved volcanic rock with the straight crushing piece.
The chocolate paste
Add hot water, honey and your choice of cinnamon, pepper or all spice, your choice Stir it up and enjoy the same drink that Mayan kings enjoyed. It was great.
Cheers!!! Cacao on the table. My dork factor is high in this picture. I miss Ashely and Katie telling me to fix myself up so I don't look like a fool in my pictures.
The chocolate shop. Natural chocolate is suppose to help fight depression, atherosclerosis, hypertension and Alzheimer's disease. The B vitamins are suppose to be good for your skin and some claim it is an aphrodisiac, so I got that going for me.
We then we headed to one of the favorite local restaurants,
Cenaida's
Before I could eat, Andee and I had to help one of the locals push start his Isuzu Trooper. Unfortunately he was parked on a slight hill and the driver had a little trouble telling theclutch from break. We did get it moving and I am writing this blog so you know it didn't roll back and crush me.
After that hard work we had an amazing lunch. Kari enjoyed stewed chicken, beans & rice. I had chilantro grilled chicken, beans & rice and s couple of well deserved Belikins. Local restaurants like this give you the vibe of the people, the city and their food. No matter where I am at, I love to find a local hangout. This one certainly fit the bill.
A final selfie after lunch with our main man, Andee. We returned to the resort. Kari decided to take in the spa and I decide to chill by the pool. The rest of our day should be quiet, but who knows. Maybe I will wander off into the jungle to look for a jaguar, I never did find a leopard.
Not much happened after this. We ate dinner. I enjoyed then native beer of Belize, again. Kari read the Trip Advisor reviews of our cave tour tomorrow and became anxious and we settled into bed.
We find this in our room every night. Tonight we enjoyed a lemon merinage treat.
Nitey Night, tomorrow may be epic. Epic failure, epic adventure, epic couple fight. Jesus better take the wheel and drive.
No comments:
Post a Comment