Belize for Winter Break

Oh how lucky we are to be able to leave the beautiful snow-filled corners of Maine and fly to the warm beautiful country of Belize. What a treat this Valentine's Day truly was. I will admit I am not particularly adventurous and that for these adventures I must put on my bravest armor for this sweet little family of mine. I will also admit that as a mama I do feel like these "vacations" are really "trips" filled with so much to do and fortify for that I am quite exhausted by it all. But I wouldn't change it for the world. I am so grateful we have each other and these adventures together. There is nothing like seeing our three kids bonding and playing together in the sand free from there snowsuits and boots.

 

 

 Our home for the next 10 days.

The view from our beautiful spot in Hopkins. 

Lucky kids drinking straight from a coconut at one of our dinner spots.

There were so many beautiful hikes and waterfalls. My favorite experience was gentle tubing down the river. Everyone else preferred ziplining over the rainforest. I survived.

 

Our favorite spot to eat every morning was Kat's Cafe. Kasper loved that we could ride bikes there each morning and eat the freshest fruit. Magnus loved the waffles.

The owners of the citrus plantations allowed companies to lease the rainforest for low impact eco-tours and hiking. We were the only family there to zipline, tube and swim in the waterfalls. It was incredible to see the diversity of wildlife. I never imagined I would be floating down a river and see a flock of scarlet macaws fly overhead.

 

We visited the Belize Zoo which was started by my Dad's boss many years ago and is still a place where veterinary students from Cornell come each year and train in wildlife care.

 

To wake up each morning and explore the surf at sunrise was such a gift after the long winter.

 To love and be loved is a gift I try to be thankful for every day.

More swimming and hiking... Until next time.