Greetings:
Hello from the Calloway County Eco-Adventurers currently surveying the water quality of the rain forest in Belize. In addition to the water quality monitoring our group has also been involved in some very exciting activities.
On our first day (Friday, July 19) we flew from Nashville to
Houston and then into Belize City International Airport. A bus picked
us
up at the airport and took us to the shipyard landing where we boarded a
pontoon boat and traveled approximately 16 miles on a jungle cruise on
the
New River. During this sunset boat ride we saw species of plants and
animals including the rare white stork, White Egret, Snail Kites,
Limpkins, and Cut Apple Snails. We docked at the Lamanai Outpost. One
of
the managers of this outpost is from Russellville, Kentucky.(It's a
small
world!) We stayed at the outpost in thatched-roofed cabannas.
On our second day (Saturday, July 20) Dr. Herman Smith (an archeologist at the Lamanai Outpost Lodge) led us on an expedition to the Mayan ruins located in the area. The ruins included the Temple of the Rain God from which you could see into both Mexico and Guatemala, the Temple of the Sun God and the Temple of the Jaguar. We also encountered a troup of black howler monkeys while at the Temple of the Rain God. Later in the day we were able to catch tarantualas and help prepare a traditional Mayan lunch served in the Gonzales family household.
On our third and fourth days (Sunday, July 21 and Monday, July 22) we were involved in several activities. We went on a medicine walk to learn about traditional medicines used by the ancient Mayan indians. On this hike through the jungle we visited an abandoned sugar mill dating to the 1800s, visited a Spanish Church destroyed by the Mayans in the 1600s and took a canoe trip across the lagoon to the savannahs which are inhabited by wild horses. We also went on a safarai to spotlight crocodiles. We saw many crocodiles, but unfortunately, one of our boats was grounded on a mudbar for a prolonged period of time.
During the
fourth
day we performed our water tests at selected sampling sites on the
lagoon
and completed accompanying paperwork.
On day five (Tuesday, July23) we traveled by bus from Lamanai Outpost to Belize City. We shopped at the Biltmore and lunched at Cheers with a tropical twist. After passing the "sleeping giant" on the road to Dangriga, our team is resting at the Pelican Beach Resort which is approximately 40 yards from the Caribbean shoreline. While enroute from Belize City to Dandriga we stopped for a tour at the beautiful, Kentucky owned Cool Shade Resort a part of Barton Creek Citrus Farm nestled in the Mayan Mountains.
Tommorow morning we will be travelling to the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Reserve and visit the villages of Maya and Garifuna.
Greetings Fellow Water Watchers and Calloway Friends:
The Calloway County High School Eco-Adventurers have spent the
last
few days studying water quality in Belize. The first sites were around
the
community of San Carlos. The Belizeans requested that their water to be
monitored due to concerns of contamination by agricultural chemicals in
the water. The second location tested was near the Mayan Center
Village
and the Cockscomb River Basin. Their concern at these sites was the
drinking water quality for the inhabitants of the village.
While testing at the second group of sites our naturalist,
Claude
Norales, led us on many trails. These were the River Path, Currosow
Trail,
the Rubber Tree Trail, Waterfall Trail, and the Plain Wreck Trail. The
River Path led to scenic views of the South Sand Creek. The Currosow
Trail
has various types trees. They include trees such as the Cohoon Ridge
and
the Quamwoods.
The Rubber Tree Trail has many rubber trees on it. At the end of the Water Fall Trail were the waterfall was located we swam underneath and around the bottom of the waterfall. At the end of the Plane Wreck Trail there is a shell of a plane that wrecked 10 years ago, in 1986. The plane wreck involved Mr. Alan Rabinowitz, who was studying jaguars in order to create a reserve.
Yo Man!
Ceasar, the tropical storm is no problem! We are back in Dangriga at our beach front Caribbean resort waiting for the Garifuna dancers to entertain us. We have had a blast exploring the Great Barrier Reefs of Belize! The Calloway County Eco-Adventurers are back at the Pelican Beach Resort after three days snorkeling on SouthWater Caye. During this time we have received instruction on correct snorkeling procedures from Pastor and Manuel. We took skiffs to selected sites on the reef: directly on top of the reef, the site of a previous earthquake resulting in fissures in the reef bottom, the edge of the reef itself, a lagoon full of mangrove roots and a bird sanctuary. What did we see? Barracuda, Jacks, Trumpetfish, Angelfish, Snappers, Butterflyfish, Nurse sharks, Tuna, Grouper (even on our plates), Sea Stars, Sea Horses, Sea Urchins, Lobsters, Brain Coral, Elkhorn Coral, Sea Fans, Hermit Crabs, Spider Crabs, and Stingrays.
At South Water Caye we had our own little section of the island with a breathtaking view. Tomorrow we will tour the Belize Zoo and depart from the Belize City International Airport at approximately 2:20 pm. We should arrive in Nashville at approximately 9:00pm. Looking forward to sleeping in our own beds!
Environmentally yours,
Calloway County High School Eco-Adventurers
YO! See ya later and remember! NO PROBLEM!!
During our Eco-Adventure in Belize we have learned many things. The Mayan culture is very different from our own. They have a very simple lifestyle compared to Americans. The plants that we have seen are very diverse throughout the country. Many of the plants are antidotes to some of the worlds most common illnesses. We have encountered animals such as black howler monkeys, vine snakes, gecko lizards, tarantulas, and many species of birds.
We will be spending the next two nights at South Water Caye where we will be snorkeling in the coral reef. Therefore we will be unable to keep contact via internet. We are looking forward to the remainder of the trip, but also about returning to the U.S. Sailing off!
Calloway County High School Eco-Adventurers
Ps. Stories to share. Memories engraved!!!!!!
****************************************************************** *Terri Valentine Tel: 501-5-22004* *Pelican Beach Resort Fax: 501-5-22570* *Dangriga, Belize e-mail: pelicanbeach@alt.net* *Our website address: http://www.belizenet.com/pelican.html* Member of "Belize by Naturalight" at: http://www.belizenet.com ***************************************************************
Kentucky Water Watch
Program