Tuesday, September 27, 2011

IT’S SO NEW TO ME, WHAT YOU DO TO ME!

British Honduras, renamed Belize on September 21, 1981, the day they became independent and separate from Great Britain.

CRUISE FOR 7 days 110

(approaching Belize, the port is not deep enough to dock so must use tenders, I call them liberty launches)

I remember a Petty Officer Walker, I worked with  who was always working on a city layout for Belize. He wanted to go there and develop, Thus sitting up a small area for his church, the LDS. I don’t know if Walker ever achieved his dream or not, but he worked toward it.

(below is from the tender as we went ashore)

CRUISE FOR 7 days 113CRUISE FOR 7 days 114

Anyway that was the first I had heard of Belize. Belize is a poor country with a rich heritage. At one time it was famous for it’s Mahogany. Now the chief export is sugar and the main hiring industry is the banana industry.

Our main interest in Belize is the Mayan Ruins of xxxxx. This proved to be the first mistake of mine, on the tour. I prepaid a company called ‘portpromotions.com’ for an excursion to the ‘Ruins of Altun Ha’. Wewere supposed to meet under a sign ‘The Best of the Caribbean’. The sign was not there, we waited for 3 hours going on 4. In the mean time folks would call the tour company via phone for us and say they were on their way.

CRUISE FOR 7 days 115

This guy seemed to be the muscle around, he worked for  ‘Butts UP’ tours. He also called and said they would be there.

CRUISE FOR 7 days 118

We were the last to leave, but leave we did, with a sweet young lady and a driver who is kin to Richard Petty (LOL),

Our first stop in the van was a Gas station, read it and weep, less than 5 gallons is $49.61, $10.81 a gallon!!!

CRUISE FOR 7 days 123

This was my girl friend in the seat ahead of me. She kept making eyes at me. Her grandpa sat beside me.

CRUISE FOR 7 days 125

Today Sept 21 is their Independence Day, so a big parade and stores mostly closed, we were able to get out of town avoiding the parade.

CRUISE FOR 7 days 126

Shops closed along the way.

CRUISE FOR 7 days 129

I could not understand the tour guide (English is the official language of Belize, the only Central American country where this is true).  Sherry said there were 4 major highways in Belize and we were going to travel Two of them. WOW! Are you ready for this?? This horse is loose,

CRUISE FOR 7 days 206

And that bus ahead is on a two way highway. Richard Petty, our driver, drove on this 10 ft wide road, managing to pass busses, carts and cars. Approaching head on, just before an apparent collision, both would drop off on the shoulder and skin by. I loved it!!!

CRUISE FOR 7 days 209

Some sites along the road to Altun Ha.

CRUISE FOR 7 days 130

Shacks and huts along the way. And a scary looking tree with something akin to a parasite cactus. It looked like a tree full of snakes to me.

CRUISE FOR 7 days 133

Our first mound at the ruins was this very high altar. No human sacrifices were made at Altun Ha.

CRUISE FOR 7 days 153CRUISE FOR 7 days 158

Views of the ball field (the game a combo of Soccer and basket ball.) Bad news here. The winners of the game were beheaded. The Mayans believed they should sacrifice only the best to the gods.  (I betcha I would not have played too well!! lol)

CRUISE FOR 7 days 169

#83 is the lowest of the ruins and below is the highest of the temple ruins.

CRUISE FOR 7 days 170

She says I always take pictures of her hinny, You take pictures of what you like, and I like hers!!, besides I am usually behind. We are climbing the highest Temple now.

CRUISE FOR 7 days 171

A view from the top.

CRUISE FOR 7 days 172

This stop is going into extra innings, I will continue The Altun Ha ruins tomorrow!

Thanks for coming with us.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Did I read this sign right?

On a repair shop door:
WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. (PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR - THE BELL DOESN'T WORK).

??Car of the day??

This is a 1950’s Chrysler product, either a plymouth or a dodge. do you know? I have forgotten.

image034MA27431485-0038

9 comments:

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I give you folks lots of credit for climbing all those steps. Now I know you are in better shape than I for sure. It is beautiful and a part of history, which I love, but I'm not so sure I'd be willing to try that trip. Thanks for clearing up the name of the place. I had heard of it but didn't realize just what it had been. Lots of countries like that anymore it seems. I'll be waiting for the next installment.

TARYTERRE said...

This is quite an adventure you two were on. I find Belize and the Altun Ha Ruins fascinating. I can't imagine being spry enough to walk up all those steps, though. You are so lucky you could. Looking forward to the next batch of photos and your description of the rest of the trip.

betty said...

How fascinating, Jack and Sherry! The ride alone seems like an adventure. I can't imagine gas costing that much; guess we better stop complaining at it for just over four dollars a gallon here. Looks like a great trip you planned to see the ruins; can't wait to see part two the next time around!

betty

Paula said...

Tenders? All I know about is chicken tenders. Very interesting entry, thanks for sharing.

Fred Alton said...

Great trip, Jack! What an adventure. I loved the Beautiful sights you took with the camera. I've heard of Belize many times but have never visited there. I must keep that in mind for my second life. Haha. And can you imagine? Gas at over $10 per gallon? Awful!

~mel said...

I remember when I was in 9th grade I had to write a report on British Hondurus for a geography class. There was no middle class ~ you were either rich or poor. A few years back my cousin visited Belize with a church group building houses for the poor. She said that it was still that way. I'm glad you're back on native soil and have such fond memories again of another wonder anniversary with each other. Thanks for sharing with us less traveled :)

shirl72 said...

Beautiful pictures what a trip. I guess if
I had to pay that for gas I would stay home.
No shopping or visiting friends. WOW

Shirl

Lucy said...

What an amazing trip!!! Good thing your wife has a good looking hinney. If not she probably would have booted you off the climb. You have great pictures.

Ken Riches said...

Love the ruins, we did the ones in Cozamel.