Today started with on and off showers, but we were determined regardless to visit the Lamanai ruins just down the river. Lamanai means "submerged crocodile", and the Maya culture in Lamanai was one of the longest lasting and most successful, from approximately 1500 B.C. to about 1500 AD. It continued to be cloudy with short sprinkles, but it didn't matter - our proximity to the ruins relative to other visitors from Belize City meant we had the entire area and temples all to ourselves until the very end!

The highlights were the Mask Temple (obviously named by the photo below), the Jaguar Temple and the High Temple. The High Temple was my favourite, at 33 metres tall with very steep stairs which are assisted with a rope. Just as we arrived at the High Temple the sun came out, giving us some interesting photos and a 360-degree panoramic view of the New River on one side and the jungle on the other. Here are a few shots:

Elizabeth climbing High Temple, Lamanai

climbing High Temple, Lamanai

Mask Temple, Lamanai Mayan civilization

When we returned, we had a quick lunch, then relaxed to our rooms in preparation for our evening excursion. However, while trying to read a book in our hammock, another guest noticed some howler monkeys on the tree branches right next to our cabana. A female black howler monkey and 3 of her youngsters were feeding on the leaves, so we watched for some time and marveled at their dexterity with their hands, feet and tails, and their apparent fearlessness of people. Here are some of the more candid moments:

juvenile Black Howler Monkey, Belize

juvenile Black Howler Monkey, Lamanai

female Black Howler Monkey, Belize

Once they left, we continued our easy afternoon, had a lovely spanish-style vegan dinner, then went out at 8:00pm for our crocodile encounter. This is a research program that is done in association with the University of Florida, and involves taking an airboat and assisting in the capture of a crocodile along the lagoon and swamps. We were lucky enough to find one fairly early on in the trip so were able to spend nearly an hour watching and assisting as the researchers captured, subdued and hoisted a 4 1/2 foot male croc onto the boat. We were able to generously touch the crocodile and also hold him steady while the researchers took various measurements and since it was a new catch, insert an electronic chip to monitor future growth and movement; we also had the chance to give him his official name, which is now "Guy". His skin was incredibly soft almost all over, and also very smooth - very unexpected. Finally, as an added bonus we were able to hold him on our laps just before releasing him back into the water. Here's the photo, which is also the end of today's post. I'm now going to try to sleep with the male howler crying throughout the night...

"Guy" the crocodile, Lamanai, Belize

03/03/08 by visitEarth
Tags: Lamanai, Belize, Maya, Mayan, ruins, monkey, crocodile