Cockscomb Reserve; Seine Bight, Belize
The Sea Lion quietly docked during the early morning hours outside of the small coastal community of Dangriga in central Belize. As the sun just started causing the eastern sky to lighten, we were gently awakened. As the last of breakfast was consumed our transportation for the morning arrived at the dock and we quickly boarded the vehicles for about an hour ride inland and down the coast. En route we had a chance to see some of the citrus groves and rural community life of this small country. A heavy rain had fallen during the night so as we traveled along the red dirt road leading to Cockscomb Basin Reserve, mist evaporated from the surface and the surrounding forest. All the vehicles quickly stopped to view a laughing falcon perched just above the side of the road.
After arriving at the headquarters of the reserve, we divided into different groups for a variety of activities. One group started on a long hike that would take them up hill to an elevation where the pine and oak forest grows and where there is a lovely view over much of the basin. On the return of this loop trail, people had a chance to plunge in a refreshing small pool below a tall waterfall. A second group explored a relatively flat trail through second growth forest and then into some much older stands of forest along a small stream. During this walk the group had a chance to see some old Kaway trees with their tremendous buttress trunks that help to stabilize them in shallow damp soil. These trees grow in depressions in the forest along some of the rivers so that during the wet season they are actually flooded with water that collects in these low areas of the ground. A small group including a couple of the younger members of the ship, decided to float down the river. Finally there was a group that wanted to spend time searching for birds in the trees and areas just around the headquarters. Once the walks and hikes were finished we gathered for a late morning snack before starting back to the ship. En route we stopped at a small handicraft cooperative organized by the women of Mayan Centre, which is a community of local Mayan people.
Having worked up an appetite during the morning, lunch was a bustle of talking and of eating. By mid-afternoon we had again anchored but this time off the community of Seine Bight. Before going ashore Vicki Showler gave us an excellent introduction to the Garifuna culture and people. Most people then went ashore to spend some time walking along the one street of Seine Bight before gathering for a demonstration and performance by a small local Garifuna dance and music group. The group was formed by one influential woman who has tried to keep the music and dance of this unique culture alive. Most of the dancers were young people from the community and of course most of the guests on the ship joined in a couple of times. The rhythm of the two drums was irresistible and made your feet and of course hips move. As the sun dropped behind the trees we returned to the Sea Lion for a marvelous Caribbean buffet dinner to finish off an exciting day.
The Sea Lion quietly docked during the early morning hours outside of the small coastal community of Dangriga in central Belize. As the sun just started causing the eastern sky to lighten, we were gently awakened. As the last of breakfast was consumed our transportation for the morning arrived at the dock and we quickly boarded the vehicles for about an hour ride inland and down the coast. En route we had a chance to see some of the citrus groves and rural community life of this small country. A heavy rain had fallen during the night so as we traveled along the red dirt road leading to Cockscomb Basin Reserve, mist evaporated from the surface and the surrounding forest. All the vehicles quickly stopped to view a laughing falcon perched just above the side of the road.
After arriving at the headquarters of the reserve, we divided into different groups for a variety of activities. One group started on a long hike that would take them up hill to an elevation where the pine and oak forest grows and where there is a lovely view over much of the basin. On the return of this loop trail, people had a chance to plunge in a refreshing small pool below a tall waterfall. A second group explored a relatively flat trail through second growth forest and then into some much older stands of forest along a small stream. During this walk the group had a chance to see some old Kaway trees with their tremendous buttress trunks that help to stabilize them in shallow damp soil. These trees grow in depressions in the forest along some of the rivers so that during the wet season they are actually flooded with water that collects in these low areas of the ground. A small group including a couple of the younger members of the ship, decided to float down the river. Finally there was a group that wanted to spend time searching for birds in the trees and areas just around the headquarters. Once the walks and hikes were finished we gathered for a late morning snack before starting back to the ship. En route we stopped at a small handicraft cooperative organized by the women of Mayan Centre, which is a community of local Mayan people.
Having worked up an appetite during the morning, lunch was a bustle of talking and of eating. By mid-afternoon we had again anchored but this time off the community of Seine Bight. Before going ashore Vicki Showler gave us an excellent introduction to the Garifuna culture and people. Most people then went ashore to spend some time walking along the one street of Seine Bight before gathering for a demonstration and performance by a small local Garifuna dance and music group. The group was formed by one influential woman who has tried to keep the music and dance of this unique culture alive. Most of the dancers were young people from the community and of course most of the guests on the ship joined in a couple of times. The rhythm of the two drums was irresistible and made your feet and of course hips move. As the sun dropped behind the trees we returned to the Sea Lion for a marvelous Caribbean buffet dinner to finish off an exciting day.
