Relaxing at the Catamaran Island Hotel - Rio Dulce, Guatemala - 9 April 2007

Holidays is not just about seeing all the sights. It's also about relaxing. And that was what I was doing for a day. Near the pool, at the bar. Came to rest at the Catamaran Island hotel!

To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

At the pool

Relaxing at the pool of Catamaran Island Hotel in Rio Dulce.

Sitting at the bar 1

Relaxing at the Catamaran Island Hotel in Rio Dulce. Sitting at the bar and having a drink.

Sitting at the bar 2

Sitting at the bar 3

Sitting at the bar 4

Nightly encounter with a local cane toad

At night I was walking at the grass near the pool of the Catamaran Island Hotel and encountered a local cane toad. Nice fellow, a bit scared though. And he was not as puffy as most of his relatives.

Youssouf's boattrip from Livingston to Rio Dulce - Guatemala - 8 April 2007

On April 8th I went from Livingston at the Guatemalan Caribean coast inlands on the river Rio Dulce. Going by bus instead of boat to the town of Rio Dulce is just as easy as going by boat instead of bus through the Sahara desert. So I chose a touristy boat trip, to see more of the Guatemalan jungle.
The Guatemalan jungle has more hills and mountains than in Belize, so that was interesting to see as well.

I just love the jungle.

Legend:
Red = travel by bus
Green = travel by boat
Pink = travel by plane
Yellow = Daytrip / excursion (by bus or car)
Yellow with green dotting = Daytrip / excursion by boat

Youssouf's boattrip from Livingston to Rio Dulce - Guatemala - 8 April 2007.

In the jungle near a small creek. Lovely epifyts and flowers!
To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

Daytrip on the Monkey River - Belize, 5 April 2007

On April 5th I went from Placencia with a small boat (6 people and 1 sheep) through the mangroves to Monkey River town. This Monkey River Tour led up the Monkey river. In the mangroves there were lots of birds; pelicans, great egrids, magnificent frigatebirds. Up the river you could see bats, a fresh water turtle, big spiders, lots of jungle, birds of prey like the black vulture and much more. In the jungle there were lizards, howler monkeys and even a 12 foot boa!

To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

Click on the photo's for a larger version.

Map of the daytrip from Placencia up the Monkey River
Legend:
Yellow = daytrip
Green = travel by boat



In the Jungle near the Monkey River


In a Bamboo Forest near the Monkey River

Flight from Belize City to Placencia - Belize, 3 April 2007

April 3 I went from the island of Caye Caulker to the peninsula of Placencia, in the south of Belize. First with the watertaxi (speedboat) to Belize City, from there on with a 10 seater plane to Placencia.

Excellent view of the landscape, the coastline, the swamps and jungle of Belize from the plane!
Also fun to fly in a very small plane: you see everything and the landing on the Placencia airstrip was touch the ground and 3 seconds later you make a turn and you stand still.

To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

Click on the photo's for a larger version.

Map of the travelling from Caye Caulker to Placencia.
Legend:
Green = travel by boat
Pink = travel by plane


In the plane from Belize City to Placencia 1


In the plane from Belize City to Placencia 2


At the Placencia airstrip

Maya Ruins of Altun Ha - Belize, 2 April 2007

On April 2th I went from Caye Caulker by boat to Belize City, from there on by car to the Maya Ruins of Altun Ha. An excellent site. Very quiet, very green. No ball court or places for sacrifice out there, so the rulers of this ancient Maya City did not have to suppress the population. Quite a unique feature in the ancient Maya world.

To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

Click any of the images below for a larger version.

Map of the trip to Altun Ha in Belize.
Legend:
Yellow = daytrip
Green = travel by boat


At the Altun Ha sign


Overview of the plaza


On the steps of a temple


Strangler fig


On top of a temple

Trip to Belize, Honduras and Guatemala - 31 March till 19 April 2007

Currently I'm in Ohio, USA. But, no photo's from that trip yet.

I'm back for a month from my last trip. A trip through Belize, Honduras and Guatemala. Starting March 31st, ending April 19th. Central America is really great and beautiful.

The trip went from the island Caye Caulker to peninsula Placencia, both Belize. From there on via Punta Gorda to Guatemala; by boat to Puerto Barrios and on to Livingston. After a night in Livingston I went to Rio Dulce for some relaxing. And then on to Copán in Honduras, for the Maya ruines. And from Copán on to Antigua in Guatemala. Proceeding the trip to Lago de Atítlan. And everywhere in between I made some nice daytrips. You'll hear about them soon ;-)

Below you'll find the map of my route. Click on the map or the photo's below for a bigger version.

The legend of the map is in Dutch, so here's the translation:
Red = travel by bus
Green = travel by boat
Pink = travel by plane
Yellow = daytrip



Youssouf in coconut palm with bonsai mangrove at Caye Caulker - Belize - 2 April 2007


Youssouf at the beach of Caye Caulker - Belize - 2 April 2007


To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.