We started out heading to Lubaatun Archeological Reserve. It was amazing to wander around in a location that has been here for well over a thousand years. The site is vast. We wandered around, listening to Antonio (our guide, and now friend, for those new to this blog) and marveling at the stone work in the ruins, especially one unusual temple with rounded corners.
I went through a narrow passage between two ruins and came upon this long set of tall steps. It was quite impressive.
We headed up in to the hills to a small village to see the old way of making pottery — by hand without wheel or coil — simply taking a hunk of clay and forming it into a pot. Andrea, our hostess, learned this method from her grandmother shortly before she died. Her grandmother also showed her where to gather the clay on the river bank that was good so that the pots wouldn't crack when they were fired.
When we arrived in the village, we were surrounded by children. They are are so curious and energetic. One minute they want to be photographed; the next, they run off giggling or hiding behind the braver ones.
As I came around the corner of a building, I saw three of Andrea’s children by the door to their house. Continue Reading »
Cacao (ka-COW) is where we get chocolate. Here are the pods on the tree.
Another plant is the Waha, whose leaves are used to not only wrap presents, but to wrap fish in and bake it in a pit fire.
As you can see, Abelina puts an amazing about of energy into grinding the beans.
We put the metatl over on the table to we could photograph it with a more interesting background. Don’t you want to dip your fingers into the chocolate?
On the way out, I grabbed this quick portrait of them with their two children. As Juan and Abelina said, “Two’s enough.” Sustainable farming at its best!
…and sometimes, as here, a house set back from the road at the foot of the steep hills.
Some of commented on how the writing in this tablet reminded us of both Maori and Tlingit art.
Most of the girls were shy and ran away when we wanted to photograph them. Once we showed them what we had done with the boys, some of them gathered together for photographs, some still hiding, all with cute smiles. 
We flew over lots of agricultural land…
…and shrimp farms.
There were little islands set off by the amazing colors in the Gulf of Honduras. Remember, Belize used to be known as British Honduras.
Gomier is a wonderful cook. Apparently, the veggie lasagna was delicious, too. Out host made us feel most welcome, and his face was wonderful for photographing.
On the way, we crossed over one little creek where this cayuca was sitting in the dappled light. The cayucas are the traditional dugout canoes that have been used in these parts for centuries.
This was one of the first islands we flew over on our little puddle hopper that held all of 12 people, one of whom sat in the co-pilot’s seat. 
