Belize 2013: Coconut Tarts and Leapin' Lizards

Our days on Ambergris Caye finally came to an end. The overcast skies and impending rain made it a bit easier to depart. Dani mixed up some celebratory smoothies complete with local yogurt, lime, prunes, papaya, and the last apple. For good measure she threw in some of our granola and the coconut filling from our favorite coconut tarts. Never to be imitated, I am sure!

Before heading to the water taxi, we picked up the painting Dani had commissioned from a local artist - Kirt Jason Cruz. He caught our attention the evening before as we were coming out of a local gallery. He used a photo from Dani's phone to paint one of the piers in front of the beach house. He added his own sparkly paint on the coconuts to help "bring the painting alive". It had been 5 years since he was stabbed in the spine and he proudly showed us his new mobility. Painting helped him keep his spirits up and motivate him to walk again.

The water taxi took us past the small island of Caye Caulker full of brightly painted buildings and tiny beaches. I was tempted to hop off the boat right there, but we carried on to Belize City. Friends and travel logs had the same thing to say about Belize City - don't bother spending too much time there. I have to agree. The narrow river of murky water led us to the water taxi terminal by the Swing Bridge. We were glad to have arranged for a pick up from our hotel so we didn't have to navigate the taxi and bus system just yet. Our driver, Alfredo, stopped by a local fast food stand for a bit of lunch - garnachas (like mini tostadas on soft corn tortillas) and Orange Fanta.

The Orchid Eco-Garden Village Hotel is located about 15 miles from Belize City. We were greeted by Christine, the hotel owner and doting hostess. Only 4 other guests were at the hotel that day, so we pretty much had the place to ourselves.


Dani took a nap in the hammock hut - complete with mushrooms growing up from the log floor - and I wandered the grounds in search of exotic sites to photograph. I especially enjoyed the flaming orange Flamboyant tree and the orchids growing from tree stumps and in between the limbs high above.

 

I felt like I was transported to the Land of the Lost with all the giant sized plants and palms and exotic sounds echoing from the jungle and plenty of leaping lizards scampering around the pathways. We took the Eco-tour with Alfredo to learn which plants we could eat and which we could use as sand paper. We also toured the "museum" set up on the first floor of Christine's home. Dinner was 5 courses of tasty dishes, many from their own garden. Great first day in the jungle.