What's new?

Posted on Wed 28 March, 2012

Now listen very carefully. A wrong move on your part could cause an injury; and you are far from proper medical facilities. The guide, at the front of our single-file line of roughly 10 spelunking museum goers, gave very clear, and very precise instructions. I was right behind him, so there could be no misunderstandings... "With your left hand, grasp this edge of rock," as our guide patted the protuberance. Then, "Place your left foot here on this rock..." he said as he pointed the beam from his headlamp at a rock shimmering about one foot beneath the surface of the crisp clear water. "Then with your right foot stretch across to here," indicating the rounded point on a rock perched upon a submerged boulder, a few feet away. "And then shift your weight to your right foot as you pull yourself forward and grasp that larger boulder over there... like this..." as he quickly demonstrated, the splashing water sounding eery in the hollow sounding chamber. He then moved along further up the stream, deep within a cave, deep within the remote western jungle of Belize. But wait! Before you can go, turn around and tell the person directly behind you the instructions, and then send off a silent prayer for that unlucky one at the back of the line. A mistake here, in this "whisper down the lane" real life game, can cost you some skin or worse.

Belize > Caracol

Posted on Sat 17 March, 2012

Victor preferred to drive on the left side of the road. This conclusion was distilled after five total hours in the back seat of a brand new Toyota pick-up truck. The vehicle was very comfortable, but the road was anything but. From Black Rock Lodge it would take 2 1/2 hours to reach the remote Mayan Ruins of Caracol. The majority of that time would be spent maneuvering along the pitted, pot-holed, washboard surface of an endless dirt road. We passed orange groves, jungles, dry land, and only the occasional habitation. At one point we stopped at a military site where a few other vehicles with tourists waited. Only at certain times in the day would a caravan of vehicles be escorted the final distance. During one especially steep stretch we were given a brief reprieve from the perpetual dips, swerves, and sudden application of brakes that gave the word "bobble head" a whole new meaning, because the British Government had graciously placed down some tarmac.

Belize > Belize Anyone?

Posted on Sun 11 March, 2012

It was warm and humid, and rather quickly I suspected we might need DEET bug repellant for this journey. But at this time of year, our destination in the western jungles of Belize was recorded to be balmy and not sweltering. The breeze was gentle, and as of yet we still didn't know about the tarantulas in our future. The smooth ride from the airport suggested that roads were paved and in good condition (later in the trip this promising idea popped like an overstuffed balloon). The several hour transport to the ecolodge allowed Kelli, our travel mate, and I to blather away about our lives since meeting in Peru, just 8 months ago.

Egypt > Experiencing The Nile

Posted on Sun 18 December, 2011

This commemorative film was a joy to make! Our time traveling up and down the Nile River brought so many surprises. Thankfully, on some of the best occasions, we remembered to have our video camera with us.

It is true that many have heard of the Nile River. There could never have been life there without it, not to mention a civilization which has endured thousands of years. To cruise in comfort, along only a portion of its length is surreal. Add to this the visits to ancient temple remains which still vibrate with wisdom, which still offer the engraved messages for you to interpret, which still welcome you to remember... OH, and we also had a lot of fun with our Egyptian hosts and our fellow travelers. This video nearly made itself.