Day 2 - Around Cotton Tree

We seemed to all sleep pretty well. Josh and I woke up at 6:00 am to the howler monkeys. They were so loud. Once they had moved on the birds started. It was quite peaceful. We were so suprised with how cool it was at night. We were actually cold and had to get down the blanket to add onto us during the night. Suprising since its about 90 during the day. We laid in bed for a while just enjoying the sounds and then headed over to the main lodge for an early breakfast around 7.

Breakfast was pretty yummy. Eggs, bacon, muffins, biscuits, homemade jelly, fresh fruit, cereal and watermelon juice. Never had watermelon juice. Very different.

Talk about service. Last night around 9pm after dinner, we asked the folks at the lodge if we could go horseback riding in the morning. Sure enough, at 9:30 am they had four horses at the lodge for us. We thought they only had time for a an hour and a half ride. We got to the hourses at 9:30 and the guide, Jose, tells us that he wants to take us to Armando's (gardener) land. It's an hour and a half ride each way. We told him we had to be back by 12:30 to eat before our massages. He said we had plenty of time.

These horses were a little funny. My horse, Penelope, was pregnant. Very fitting. It didn't occur to me that pregnant meant wider and my legs would be put into a strange position. I sure know now. The horses were really well trained. My horse listened completely to my voice. Josh was a trooper since he's not a big horse person. It took us quite a while to get to Armando's land. We went through Santa Ana village which was very cool. The kids were out front for recess at the school playing soccer. They all waved and said hi. We saw a ton of farm animals and folks in the streets. Jose showed us a lot of trees and plants. The sun started getting hotter and we regretted having no water. By the time we got to Armando's land I thought I would die. Jose asked if we wanted to get down. I had no clue where we were going but said yes. He took us back to the river and then showed us this area full of stones where they Mayans buried their treasures. Then we headed over the river and got to the bar. Luckily Randy had money so he bought us each a Belikin. It was $10 US bought the bar had no change - in either US or BZ. What else could we do but buy four more beers. The boys drank theirs, Becky and I managed to ride with ours all the way home and hand them off to the kitchen staff. The ride back was brutal. We got the horses to run a lot because we had been gone so long. It was a very cool (not temperature wise though) trip.

We made it back right in time for lunch. Rice with shrimp and fruit. I was still hungry but oh well. Time for massages!

The masseuse arrived and we were all exhausted. Josh ended up going first while the three of us changed into our suits and headed to the river. Becky and I were horrible at the rope swing and ended up dragging our bodies through the water. Randy was like a little Tom Sawyer. Becky and I traded in our rope for the kayaks and headed around the bend a bit. Going with the current is definitely easier.

After Josh, I was up. The masseuse somehow turned Josh's one hour massage into an hour and a half. Oops. She was supposed to be here from 1:30 to 5:30 (1 hour each). It's just now after 7 and Randy just finishes. It was like no massage I've ever experienced. I'd say it was a cross between a trip to the chiropractor, masseuse and spiritual healer. She talked to me about studying with the elders and medicine men here in Belize. She also studied the Chinese ancient practices and her Native American traditions. Whatever it was it was pretty good. She told Josh he would have a lot of dreams tonight. Not sure why...

Josh and I were very excited to get the Skype to work with Mom and Dad before dinner. A little bit of a delay but it was a lot cheaper than paying for international phone. Very cool. And we could see them. Now we are just waiting for our 4 course meal. Josh keeps drinking girly fruity drinks. He's a bit obsessed. Dinner is ready. Talk to everyone tomorrow!