Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and Cabbage Haul Creek, Sapodilla Lagoon, Belize
The Cockscomb Basin, known locally as “the Cockscomb” spreads over160 sq. miles of rugged gullies and steep slopes in the middle of Belize, all carpeted by rainforest. We boarded our bus at a leisurely 7:30am and arrived about an hour later at the worlds first jaguar reserve, the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. Our Expedition Leader had given our guests several different options to choose from today, including the strenuous hike to Ben’s Bluff and the Wari Loop Trail. Our group had smartly chosen the “strenuous tubing” activity. And so while the others were off in search of the elusive jaguar which mostly hunts at night, we would be looking at the rainforest from a different angle. We grabbed our inflated inner tubes and slipped and slid happily along the muddy path that led us to the river. And then we were off, plopping one by one like little ducklings, some of us more graceful than others, into the fast moving water. What a blast!
The green broadleaf forest hung its massive tangle of vines and branches at times literally in our faces as if to try to slow us down. Sac-winged bats hung lined up in a row in the shadow of a huge tree and a summer tanager flashed its red plumage at us as we raced by. Now this is the way to see the rainforest! And then it was over and we had so much fun that we had another go at it.
After a much needed recharge of a delicious lunch and a siesta, we boarded our Zodiacs and headed into the narrow mangrove lined-channel of the Sapodilla Lagoon. Our weather had improved greatly and a light but refreshing breeze kept us comfortable as we zigzagged our way through the waterways in search of wildlife.
As we headed back to the ship, an almost full moon graced us with its lunar presence as the sun sank behind the Maya Mountains casting light rays of pink, peach, and blue pastels to the east.
The Cockscomb Basin, known locally as “the Cockscomb” spreads over160 sq. miles of rugged gullies and steep slopes in the middle of Belize, all carpeted by rainforest. We boarded our bus at a leisurely 7:30am and arrived about an hour later at the worlds first jaguar reserve, the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. Our Expedition Leader had given our guests several different options to choose from today, including the strenuous hike to Ben’s Bluff and the Wari Loop Trail. Our group had smartly chosen the “strenuous tubing” activity. And so while the others were off in search of the elusive jaguar which mostly hunts at night, we would be looking at the rainforest from a different angle. We grabbed our inflated inner tubes and slipped and slid happily along the muddy path that led us to the river. And then we were off, plopping one by one like little ducklings, some of us more graceful than others, into the fast moving water. What a blast!
The green broadleaf forest hung its massive tangle of vines and branches at times literally in our faces as if to try to slow us down. Sac-winged bats hung lined up in a row in the shadow of a huge tree and a summer tanager flashed its red plumage at us as we raced by. Now this is the way to see the rainforest! And then it was over and we had so much fun that we had another go at it.
After a much needed recharge of a delicious lunch and a siesta, we boarded our Zodiacs and headed into the narrow mangrove lined-channel of the Sapodilla Lagoon. Our weather had improved greatly and a light but refreshing breeze kept us comfortable as we zigzagged our way through the waterways in search of wildlife.
As we headed back to the ship, an almost full moon graced us with its lunar presence as the sun sank behind the Maya Mountains casting light rays of pink, peach, and blue pastels to the east.
