Belize part 3: Martz Farm

April 22, 2015

Part 3 of the Belize trip is when we headed into the jungle. See previous 2 posts for part 1 and 2. We left Caye Caulker on the water taxi and met our driver in Belize City. He drove us the 2 hours inland to Martz Farm where we would be staying for the next 4 days. Once we settled in we got to go our a horseback ride around the property. The “property” turned out to be the jungle where the trees are close together, the ground is very muddy, and there are pokey plants that are not meant to be touched. I got to ride Peanut-she was small like me and we got along well. I especially liked that she snacked on grass the entire time. We rode to an overlook and also to the top of a large hill just as a rainbow was emerging. The ride was way more advanced than any I’d ever been on but it was really fun and the horses knew just what to do.

The next day we went on a private pontoon ride along the river. On the walk there we got a bit of a nature talk which was super interesting. When we got to the river the sun was shining and it was the perfect day for exploring. We rode along the peaceful river looking for birds and animals before doing a bit of exploring. We saw a few waterfalls (one of which everyone jumped off but me) and then we pulled over to explore a bit of a lagoon. That was probably my hightlight of the day. We were essentially climbing up a series of waterfalls and pools. I loved all the little pockets of water and seriously I could have stayed there all day long.

One of the best things about staying at Martz Farm is that it’s such a family affair. Joe, one of the owners, took us horseback riding and his brother was the one who took us on the river and Miriam, Joe’s wife, made sure we all had everything we needed and made us the most delicious meals. For both breakfast and dinner we would all gather in the cooking hut and sit around a large table talking about the day to come or the adventures we had been on. It was so cozy and peaceful in there. I especially loved that no one was on their phone and we were all just so present with each other.

On our last full day at the farm Joe took us on a cave adventure. The coolest thing about the cave was that it was not a tourist attraction so once again it was just the 4 of us plus Joe. We also got to ride the horses again on our way to the mouth of the cave. It was pretty cool exploring the cave. The first room we entered was so much larger than I would have thought from the outside. It as pretty incredible. We looked at pieces of pottery, mineral deposits, rock formations and even silk worms-super cool. We continued on into the cave through small crevices and every time I was surprised with the size of the room on the other side. We spent a few hours in the cave before making our way out. We had a very late lunch and then headed back to the farm.

On the day we left the farm we took some time to explore the farm and the river running through it. We then said our goodbyes before Miriam took us into town to do a bit of shopping and eating. The place she recommended for lunch was super good. It was a little taco stand that seemed pretty popular. Also the fresh juice was incredible. After lunch she took us to the tiny airport so we could head off on our next adventure.

Belize part 2: ambergris caye

April 8, 2015

A couple of weeks ago I shared the first part of our Belize trip (it’s the previous post if you want to take a look) about our time on Caye Caulker. During our stay we look a day trip to Ambergris Caye and I was even more glad we decided not to stay longer. It was fun but I much preferred the laid back atmosphere on Caye Caulker.

We walked around the main area near where the ferry lets off but the day was heating up and we really wanted to be near or in the water. I had heard of a bar that’s at the end of a dock called Palapa Bar and Grill that had inner tubes you could lay in and drink beer. It was pretty much all I wanted to do. After discovering it was a few miles away we chose to rent a golf cart. It was well worth it because we had so much fun riding around the island on it.

I was super excited when we pulled up to the bar because it was exactly what I had imagined from what I had seen, inner tubes and all!

We sat on the upper deck and ordered fancy tropical drinks and lunch. The water and sky and breeze were perfect and we got a bit of relief from the sun. It’s such a great moment when the things you’ve been dreaming about and planning are finally happening. I was pretty pumped.

Everyone was pretty content to hang out on the dock but I was determined to get in the water and on those darn inner tubes! I headed out into the water and climbed in and enjoyed my beer. A few minutes later Walker decided he wanted to lower a bucket of beer down to me. He used the rope provided and once it was down he had me go get it. The water was kind of deep so it was a bit of a struggle and I just about got salt water in all the beers but I made it back to the inner tubes. Once I was back on I realized my side was stinging. Walker tried to convince me I was fine (which yes I was) but my side my stinging anyhow. We finally concluded that I was stung by my first jellyfish. It stung for a few hours on and off but no harm done. Apparently the little suckers hang out in the sea grasses that you can see floating around my tube. So, yes, do go here and get in the tubes but just watch out for the grasses and the jellies.

After Palapa we rode farther down the island in the opposite direction and went to anther bar on the water. We couldn’t stay for long though because the cart was due back. The golf cart ride in itself was an adventure so it was ok plus we got to finish our drinks on the ride (except the driver of course). We returned the cart and water taxied it back to Caye Caulker.

I mentioned in my last post that I wore a Belize necklace on our trip and it was a great reminder of the fun we had and my first tropical vacation when I returned. If you are looking for a great way to remember a special time or place head over to the shop.

Belize: Caye Caulker

March 25, 2015

I’m finally sharing my Belize pictures! We traveled there at the end of December but we took so many great pictures it was hard to decide which ones to share and how to break them up so I don’t overwhelm you. We left late at night on the 30th of December so we arrived in Belize City on New Year’s Eve (also the eve of my birthday). We rode the water taxi over to Caye Caulker. It was a pretty rough ride but luckily I didn’t get motion sick.

It was so incredible to be finally seeing the island we had researched so much about. The warm air felt so amazing and I got really excited seeing all the pretty blue water and coconut trees.

We found our taxi driver (golf cart driver) and got quickly settled into our cabana before finding something to eat. Our driver/caretaker for the week recommended Rosa’s for lunch. It’s one of the more touristy restaurants but the food was good and finally I was sipping on a tropical beverage. Ah…

After lunch we all agreed a nap was in order if we were going to party like the locals for New Year’s Eve. We rested up and later in the evening got all dressed up to go out. We found a fun place to have dinner and then made our way to The Split where just about everyone on the island was dancing and drinking and having a great time. We got some tropical drinks and hit the dance floor. It had been far too long since I just let loose and danced and it felt great.

After a while we realized it was almost midnight. We made our way closer to the water and everyone began to countdown. Walker had stepped into the water and I wanted to join but I was wearing strappy sandals (and not the water kind). I was frantically taking them off and trying to get to the water before the countdown ended. 3…2…1 I made it just in time! We yelled happy New Year and happy birthday to me and stood there arm in arm watching the fireworks display. It was pretty magical. There we were, we had just arrived in Belize that very day, we were standing with our feet in the Caribbean Sea, it was New Year’s Day, and fireworks were going off. Not to mention it was my first birthday ever to not have to wear a coat of any kind.

The next day, or rather later that day, for my birthday we had brunch, went and hung out by The Split, did a bit of exploring, and then had a bit of a strange dinner with a very pleasant ending. We had finished our meal and were getting ready to pay and leave when most of the lights went out. We all assumed it was just some sort of power failure until we saw a very lovely looking dessert with a candle on it headed our way. Everyone sang happy birthday and it was really special. Also the chocolate torte or whatever it was was so good.

Over the next couple of days we enjoyed the pool at our Cabana, we tried a lot of the island foods, we shopped around town, we went to a local basketball tournament (that was so much fun), and enjoyed the sun. Walker and I also went snorkeling one day but I think I’ll save that for another post.

On another day we decided we would just bike around the island and see what we could find. I think that was one of my favorite days. We biked around the less frequented part of the island so it was very relaxing. We also found the public dock which was pretty scary to walk on as you can see. But how beautiful is that water! I swam around for a little while and it felt so warm yet refreshing.

Oh my gosh the cutest puppy in a basket.

On our last night on Caye Caulker Walker and I discovered a little local restaurant really close to our Cabanas where we had one of the best meals on the island. We were a bit sad that we found it so late in our trip but at least we found it. It was the perfect way to end our time on the island.

I also made a custom gold Belize charm to wear while we were there which was really fun and when I got back it was a nice conversation piece.

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