It’s been a whirlwind 24 hours in Belize – and about 24 of those without Internet. So forgive the speedy download I’m doing here in the 10 minutes before we eat dinner at the absolutely lovely Inn at Robert’s Grove in Placencia.
1. I can handle small planes. Yep, we flew in a tiny 14-seater from Belize City to the Placencia Peninsula. And I didn’t freak out. My buddy Melanie over at TravelsWithTwo.com can attest.
2. English is the official language in Belize, but everyone speaks some version of Creole. Can you guess what these phrases are: ” Weh we gwein,” “Da weh dis?” “Weh hee deh?” (If anyone can translate these, I’ll send you something from Belize. Well, not FROM Belize. But some Belizean tchotcke I’ll pick up here and mail from home next week.)
3. Rock sliding in the river is fun. We had no idea what we signed up for during our tour of the Cockscomb Wildlife Reserve until it actually happened. Our 3.5-hour trek from Toadal Adventure included hiking through the “tropical moist forest” (home to jaguars; unfortunately we didn’t see any – they’re nocturnal and all…), tubing down South Stann Creek, swimming under a waterfall (see photo below) and then rock sliding. The signs that said, “No Rock Sliding” didn’t put us off. Oh, no. We were in the excellent hands of our guide (and outfitter owner) David, who 
said he’d taken hundreds of clients down the river, with nary an accident. He advised us to get down on all fours and crab-like crawl over mossy rocks. At various junctures, he’d take our hand and literally fling us down a natural water slide. At some points we jumped (also against the posted signs) into deep sections. Our little group of travel bloggers giggled and slipped and groped our way downriver — having a total blast along the way. (Well, except the part where I slid into Melanie and nearly took her out.)
I’m in Belize with four other travel bloggers courtesy of the Belize Tourism Board. Can’t wait for the next three days of adventures!
Loved your article. I love Belize!
” Weh we gwein,”
Where are we going?
“Da weh dis?”
Either What is this? or Where is this?
“Weh hee deh?”
Where is he or Where is it?
Looks like you had a great 24 hours. Can’t wait to hear about what other fun you will have in Belize.
Wow! Sounds like you all are having a blast! Can’t wait to hear more.
I’m going to try to guess the phrases, although a Minnesotan trying to interpret Creole could be pretty humorous–
1) Where are we going?
2) That way or this?
3) (Are) we here then?
Oh, fun! Except for the little plane, which (to me) is very not fun. I’ve forsworn small aerial transport. Ziplines on the other hand…
Jamie – Call me crazy, but this 14 seater plane ride (and we’ve now done it twice on this trip) is smoother than many big ol’ 747 turbulent plane rides I’ve been on. I detest bumps, and these Tropic Air flights were as smooth as silk. Blessed w/ good weather, too, so that helps.
Those small plane rides are good practice if you ever go on safari in Africa. Your trip sounds like fun although I can’t imagine the rock sliding. Thanks for telling us about it.
1. Where are we going?
2. Where is this?
3. I give up.
What a great adventure. Cool–in more ways than one.
Vera
I have been dreaming of Belize since reading Hope Edelman’s The Possibility of Everything. How fortunate you are to have been invited on this trip!
But how is the shopping, is the pressing question? I would be interested to hear what you’ve bought from the area.
Sounds like you are having a great trip. I hate small planes. You are much less fearful than I…
Lillian – You win the translation contest! You got it perfectly. (It’s “What is this?” and “Where is he?” I’ll email you to get your snail mail address to get your little treat from Belize.
MarthaAndMe – I am the *worst* person to ask about shopping! I just don’t do it when I travel. In Belize I just picked up a T-shirt and hair-ties for my kids. I’d sooner spend my money on “experiences,” like the adventures I had in Belize — parasailing, hiking tours, zipline…
Sounds like a wonderful trip. What an adventure – lucky you!
Swimming under the waterfall looks like a blast!! Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip.
Enjoyable reading! But it made me realize what a physically unadventurous traveler I am. I always prefer the cities.
Incredibly fun! I learned a lot from you learning a lot in Belize…thanks!
Rock sliding down a river sounds like a blast. Thanks for the info. Belize is one country I’ve wanted to visit–this gives me some great ideas about what to do!
Weh we gwein” = where are we going
“Da weh dis?” what’s this?
“Weh hee deh?” what is he doing?