Belize, Part IV (Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve)

Blancaneaux Lodge is in a pretty remote area of the Maya Mountains, so during the day my wife and I took the opportunity to explore the area - which happens to be a massive forest reserve (Belize's oldest, in fact) known as Mountain Pine Ridge. We had quite a few adventures, so I thought for my final Belize post I'd share some photos from our activities. Thanks for taking the time to check out my honeymoon posts (Part I, Part II, Part III)! It was certainly the vacation of a lifetime. Belize, I love you. Until next time...

Caracol is the largest Mayan archeological site in Belize. It was fascinating to wander around the historic area.

Aside from telling us quite a bit about the history of Caracol, our tour guide also introduced us to regional trees and flora. These, known to the locals as "monkey balls," ooze a liquid that is sticky like glue. Our tour guide told us that he used it as glue for school projects when he was growing up.

Wandering Jew plant

I climbed to the top of the ruins, which is the highest point in all of Belize.

That's Guatemala!

Overlooking Belize from the top of Caracol.

Our next adventure was zip lining through the jungle. Here's my wife handling it like a pro. It was a lot of fun.

After zip lining we hoped in an inflatable tube and floated through a beautiful cave. This is the entrance of the cave. 

On our second to last night, the wonderful Melissa Pugh of Jet Set World Travel set up a dinner for us at Ka'ana, a stunning resort just outside the lovely town of San Ignacio. Little did we know that it would be the most special dinner ever! They made us feel like celebrities. Much thanks to Ka'ana and their wonderful staff.

On our final day in Belize, we took a nice walk to the Blancaneaux stables to take a horse ride to Big Rock Falls.

This is Magnum. He was my horse for the ride and he was quite the character. He would stop and eat various plants along the way and then, while still chewing, go into a full-on gallop to catch up with my wife's horse.

Part of the gorgeous trail through the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve.

After a steep hike down the mountain, we made it to beautiful Big Rock Falls, where we swam and had a picnic. A perfect ending to a perfect honeymoon.

In the clouds above Belize.

We caught a gorgeous sunset from the plane.

And made it safely back to sweet home Chicago.

Belize, Part I (Placencia)

I went to magical Belize with my beautiful wife for our honeymoon and it was pretty much the greatest ten days of our lives. My photos from the vacation should clarify why it was so difficult for us to get on the plane home. It was, hands down, the best vacation we've ever been on and we have Susan's (my wife's) maid of honor, Melissa Pugh (of Jet Set World Travel) to thank. Melissa planned the ENTIRE honeymoon for us and she is basically the greatest travel consultant and person out there so you should immediately book a vacation (because you know you need it) through her and fabulous Jet Set. I'll kick off my series of Belize posts (there will be four total) with a look around breathtaking Placencia. Enjoy!

So, yeah, this was our home for five nights. Our little cottage on the sea at Turtle Inn (a Coppola Resort). It was heaven. We have nothing but amazing things to say about our stay at Turtle Inn - it's a spectacular place. The staff is wonderful as is the management. Actually, I might just go ahead and apply for a job there.

This was our hammock... 

And this was our porch... 

And this was our ornate bathroom door...

And this was our "phone" (cutest intercom ever)... 

UGH TAKE ME BACK. 

 Paradise.

I spent a lot of time underneath this coconut tree. 

Sometimes I would pick a coconut off of it... 

And the staff taught me how to use a machete to crack it open... 

And then the beach bartender would make me a fresh coconut water mojito and I would slurp it down and stare at the Caribbean Sea.

Feeling stressed was virtually impossible for obvious reasons.

Placencia Village proved itself to be a darling, artistic little area packed with fun bars and delicious restaurants. 

The Placencia Village Council 

This is actually the narrowest main street in the world according to the Guinness World Records. 

We had our first meal in Belize here at Omar's. Absolutely incredible local food (and a laundromat and guided tour service to boot!). Our other favorite restaurants in Placencia included The Secret Garden and Rumfish. Turtle Inn (which boasts its own organic garden) also had an array of fantastic restaurants to choose from.

Yes, I totally purchased a "You Better Belize It" sticker from this man. Jah love.

Best way to make a reservation ever? I think so. 

Oh Belize I miss you so.