Two more landings and twenty minutes later you're landing in the small village of Punta Gorda, surrounded by spectacular vistas of private and protected rainforest. A secluded resort is nestled among the lightly treaded nature trails, wild bush, hidden caves, tropical waterways and centuries old archeological sites. Your professional guide will pick you up and whisk you to the resort for a fruity, refreshing beverage. At your leisure wander up the stone walkway, amid hummingbirds and tropical flora to your two-story, hand carved and built cabins, replete with verandas and mosquito netted beds.
Enjoy a morning bike ride along the nature trail with your guide and picnic lunches. Visit the Wildlife rehab center, Ballum Na, at Indian Creek where you can see a bright, beautiful toucan, a pair of jaguars and a black howler monkey, who will hold your hand with her soft, petite hands as she hangs by her tail.
Two archeological sites are nearby documented as far back as 790 B.C. Nim Li Punit (Big Hat) was discovered in the 198o's where 26 Stelas were unearthed. It is believed that these Stelas were monuments depicting their life. A religious quarter is at the top of rock formations. This pyramid style build-up was made without any mortar. A grassy area in the middle appeared to be a popular sport game with two men and a ball.
Later, step into a canoe or kayak then relish a quiet paddle on the Golden Stream river, through one of the world's few natural rainforests. Your guide will point out various, birds, flora, fauna and any animals you might encounter; the gold and white anteater, sea otters or a few bats sleeping on a tree trunk. Vines hang leisurely, draped over trees and across the narrow waterway, while nocturnal bats sleep on a ceiber tree on the bank. The riverbed is littered with debris of leaves and branches, recycling life. A sea otter suns himself on a rock up ahead as a snake bird dives for fish.
Welcome to Jungle Camp, the Belizean jungle. Tall, arthritic-looking redwood trees reach for the sky offering an ecosystem for some jungle habitants. A clear, unspoiled stream brings visitors from the uncivilized world into remote areas of the bush by canoe and kayak. Beautiful and unusual flowers and plants, as well as a few spiders and snakes quietly make this their home. An easy and rewarding paddle welcomes you into a private sanctuary where tropically colored toucans, dancing butterflies and black howler monkeys peacefully co-habitat.
A canopied labyrinth with about a dozen thatched-roofed cabanas sit 20 feet above ground, quietly tucked away in the jungle.
A damp, green, woodsy aroma wafts under your nostrils. A narrow ribbon of light is barely visible over the canopy of trees; ceiber, palm, and redwoods. Off in the distance morning songs from the kingfisher and hummingbirds are chirped across the river. The beam from your flashlight catches something on the ground. In the soft dirt are tracks. Fresh, after the rain, one after another heading down the trail. Upon closer inspection you can make out the definition of these heavy, but clear paw prints. A jaguar has been prowling near the camp. Other, smaller tracks are that of the Tapir, the national animal.
The jungle, or bush as locals refer to it, is home to almost 600 species of exotic birds, mammals and plants.
Paddle or ride a power boat out of the jungle to Moho Caye. Your private oasis awaits you. Watch the dolphins play nearby as you dock on the sandy beach. A few mangrove and pine trees offer shade to well camouflaged iguanas and visiting humans. Beautiful conch shells line the path to your thatched-roof, tent/cabana. Relax on your private veranda in an adirondack chair or at the handcrafted redwood dining facility. Respite for man and nature. Miles of teal-blue ocean east towards the sunrise and slumbering mountains to the west.
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