Breast Feeding:
I guess word got out that I had a camera. The Man of this house biked up to see me and asked if I would take a photo of his house and family and send him the photos. They invite me inside so I could write out the names of everyone in the family on a tablet so they will have a record of how to spell their names. Wow. The hut was noticeably cooler inside than out, it had a tall roof with dirt floor. There was one large bed near the middle side with no mattress. The cooking stuff in the far corner and a few chairs near the bed. He was very proud of his house and his yard with garden. While I'm having everyone repeat their names so I could guess how to spell them his wife is topless breast feeding a baby in a chair across from me. OK now I'm waiting for National Geographic to call, I can't believe what I'm witnessing. People are so friendly and real!

blz11_2

Jaguar Sanctuary:
I still had five days before Heidi arrives at Belize City. I've heard a lot about the Jaguar sanctuary up in the mountains, I had to go check it out.

I had plans to cruise to western Belize the next day but after backpacking the sanctuary for one day, that was it. Man! If your into the Gilligan's Island scene complete with Howler monkeys, 100 foot canopy rain forest, real swinging vines, water falls with idyllic swimming holes, THIS IS IT! About 10 miles off the main road is a base camp area complete with Tiki roof shelters, just enough room to pitch a tent and park the bike, high and dry. The base camp area is filled with tropical fruit trees and tons of birds. The sounds are unreal, that is if you're into that kind of thing.

Going up.

The end of one of the trails in the Jaguar sanctuary on top of a mountain peak. The trails include semi-technical climbing and a lot of good swimming spots.

A great swimming hole only 1/2 hour hike from the base camp area.

Belize 121

Belize 131

Native Girls:
OK, I'm hanging out at this swimming hole eating lunch and reading a book. I haven't seen anyone up on the trails for over two days. All of a sudden I start hearing female voices coming closer and closer. Before I know it I'm surrounded, all native girls. My mind racing a mile a minute, already visualizing shirts and paints flying while the girls all jump in........BUT NOOOO. I guess they were more conservative then I had hoped.. They just posed for me and hung out. It was all good anyway. I said " The boys back in WiscOnsin ain't gonna believe this!" then I took the photo.
They were on a school outing. Belize, with help from the British have done a great job with education, having one of the highest literacy rates of the third world.

Heidi meets me at the Belize city casino, right on the Caribbean. We have a fun night living it up before our 2-up ride through the jungle tomorrow.