30th January 2016
Today we arrived early at a container port, a contrast to the purpose made port yesterday in Roatan. Geoffrey went on an excursion on his own entitled Eco Hike at Hacienda Tijax (Doreen had decided it would be too strenuous for her).
The tour bus drove through the "town" and out into the beautiful countryside towards Lake Izabal, whilst the tour guide gave us a history lesson of Guatemala including its dispute with the UK regarding the ownership of Belize.
On arrival at an upmarket marina on the shores of Lake Izabal we boarded small boats for the twenty minute trip across the lake, stopping by an island fully of exotic birds, herons, egrets, cormorants and pelicans, before arriving at the Hacienda, which was a small hotel complex nestled on the side of the lake. Here we were greeted by the owner and given soft drinks.
We were split into two groups and started our walk UP through the rainforest via a number of rope bridges and very steeply inclined pathways. On route our guide explained all about rainforests and how they were formed. Although reasonably fit Geoffrey found the going tough at times and no way would Doreen have been able to cope, especially with the narrow suspension bridges. We eventually arrived at the top where an observation tower had been built to give panoramic view over the rainforest, lakes and rubber plantation.
After a brief stop to admire the views and take on liquid refreshments we started our trek back down through the rainforest to the side of the lake (this proved as difficult as climbing up the hill because of the slippery path). Unfortunately the time of year was not good for seeing wildlife and flowers, but we did spot a web made by a funnel web spider. We were encouraged to touch the web and I am told!! it felt like a 15 denier nylon stocking. We eventually arrived back at the Hacienda, which has a group of chalets hidden in the undergrowth, where there was a restaurant and we were treated to a very nice mixed grill lunch.
After relaxing around the pool we again crossed the lake for the hour and a half drive back to the ship including more history lessons from the tour guide. We arrived at the port just before it was due to sail with a local dance troupe wishing us farewell.
Doreen, meanwhile had a nice leisurely day on board the ship, only stepping off to go the the large local market inside the port, where you could buy lots of different bead work, pashminas, local flute like pipes, jade jewellery in up to 42 different colours, all very interesting. If Geoffrey had left me a hundred pounds I could so easily have spent it!!!!!!!
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