Belize It Or Not: Sushi and the Submerged Crocodile

Sushi, the submerged crocodile and learning standard covers our weekend's adventure. With only a month left here in Belize, Michael and I are starting to feel pressure. We figure we have to pack as many adventures into our few remaining weekends as we can. So this weekend we set out to have fun with friends, hang out in the jungle and of course to learn something new.

We started the weekend here in Belize City. Friday, we headed out with some friends to Chon Saan Palace. This Chinese food restaurant is a local favourite. If you know us you might be thinking 'Chinese food, you guys never eat that', but we were there to try something much riskier, sushi in Belize. In a country where you can't buy fresh salmon at the grocery store, we were getting ready to eat it raw.

Remarkably enough, the food was just fine or maybe it was all the sake I drank. I'm still not entirely sure. Food aside, hanging out with friends was fantastic. We enjoyed the evening with Mirna, our pilates instructor, Maria and Marta, from our pilates class and Gastone, Marta's husband and my new produce shopping buddy. The evening was a great kick off for the next couple of days to come.

On Saturday, after our usual trip to the gym, we relaxed for a bit before heading out in the bank's pick up truck to Lamanai. Lamanai, Mayan for the 'submerged crocodile', is one of the largest and most picturesque Mayan ruin sites in Belize. Set on the New River Lagoon, the site has three temples with unique carvings and an unusual ball court, where the Mayans used to play games reenacting their battles. After seeing other Mayan ruins in the Mundo Maya, we were drawn to Lamanai for it's unique characteristics. We were also excited for our overnight stay at Lamanai Outpost resort.

Along the way to Lamanai you get to drive through one of Belize's Mennonite communities. The experience is quite surreal. Being surrounded by Carribean Kriol and Central American Spanish for so long the sight of blond hair and blue eyes seems strange. The Mennonite's drive these low-to-the-ground horse and carriages and they all wear the same kind of uniform. Men in black overalls, collar shirt and straw hat and women in puffy armed full skirted dresses with bonnets on their heads. They were very friendly. Always moving to the side of the road and waving as we passed. We are happy we got the chance to see one of the Mennonite communities, but with dirt path being one of the worst 'roads' we have ever been on, we were happy to arrive at Lamanai Outpost resort.

As you enter the resort, you are first taken a back by the amazing view through the trees of the lagoon below. The open air thatched roof dining area cleverly takes advantage of the view. We were graciously welcomed and taken to out thatched roof villa. The interior was simple and elegant, with a comfy ultra suede couch, sink into softness bed and emacualte bathroom. With some time before dinner we set out to explore the well maintained grounds of the resort.

We ended up at the dock on the lagoon. It had that very familiar feeling of being on the lake by the cottage. We immediately relaxed on the dock enjoying the view. The familiarity brought a sense of serenity with it. After some time by the water, we headed up to the main building for dinner.

I finally tried a Belizean dish called fish sere. It's white fish and vegetables cooked in coconut milk. Although I only ate the fish, it was very good. The dining area was beautiful at sunset. With candle light, jazz music and a breeze from the lagoon below we were thrilled to be there.

Mark, the owner of Lamanai Outpost, is an Australian Michael met through the bank. Over the years Mark has built Lamanai Outpost as it's own little city. They sanitize their own water, create their own electricity and have their own satellite, providing phone, television and wireless internet. Mark has also hired great people to help run the resort. The dining manager, Lou, who we met over dinner was remarkably attentive. Ken, our tour guide, was knowledgeable and fun. He was like one of those great camp counselors from your childhood that you never forget.

On Sunday morning, we joined the resort's tour to Lamani's ruins. We were with an entire family, made up of grandparents, their two children and spouses with the grandkids. They were an adventurous family from the States, travelling all together every two years to different spots on the globe. We were also joined by a friendly couple from Amsterdam. They took a very long flight to be in Belize for a week of vacation. We realized very quickly why these travellers chose Lamanai Outpost.

Beyond the amazing grounds and luxury accomodations, the resort has a variety of activities to take advantage of. Every night you stay entitles you to two activites. Some of the favourites include: the tour of Lamanai's ruins, 'New River at Dawn' sunrise boat ride and breakfast on the river, 'Howler Monkey Trek' through the jungle to meet some of Central America's favourite monkey, the 'Sunset Cocktail Cruise' on the New River and the after dark, the 'Crocodile Encounter' where you get to meet an endangered Morelet crocodile. If you want to just relax you can go for a swim in the lagoon or just take the resort's canoes out on the calm waters. If time permitted we would definitely return.

Our tour of the ruins were informative and fun. Ken, our guide, explained the story of Lamani's ruler Lord Smoking Shell and the importance of the pre-Classic Mayan trading city to the region. Of course, Michael and I climbed the steep incline of El Castillo, High Temple. With lots of practice ascending and descending Mayan Temples over the last five months we realized we were quite good at it. There really is a technique to coming down those scary stairs. The faces on the temple walls made them different from the structures at Altun Ha and Tikal. Besides the mounting attack of mosquitos as the day progressed the tour was perfect.

Upon our return from the tour we sat down to a tasty lunch at the resort. Michael managed to entertain Lou and others with his signature 'dirty' napkin tricks. We chatted with Mark, the owner, and we finally found a little something Belizean to take home with us. The Lamanai Outpost gift shop had some of the best art pieces we've seen since our arrival in Belize. We settle on two 'rubbings' of Mayan stone carvings, known as stelae. After collecting our belongings and some 'good byes' we headed off on our return to the city.

The bumpy, an partially desserted, road heading back afforded the perfect opportunity for Michael to teach me how to drive a standard vehicle. Driving standard wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it would be. I did let Michael take over again after some practice. I was focussing on the gears and did not feel confident enough amongst the maze of innocent Mennonite families in horse drawn carriages.

From start to finish the weekend was great. As we count down our weekends left in Belize, this past weekend of friends and adventure reminded us of all that we will miss.

The Pics to Prove It