 Sun
and sand
by
Mike Bell
Calgary Sun
Nov.4,
2004
The
term adventure holiday is an intimidating one. The word “adventure”
immediately conjures images of ’chuteless skydiving,
undersea shark dentistry and naked jungle boar-hunting.
A-O-CAYE
… Sea kayak trips go along the coral island on the barrier
reef.
You might as well just call it x-treme vacationing for all
the preconceptions.
They
are fears, by the way, that are entirely unfounded.
Especially
when you’re talking about adventure holidays in the
Central American nation of Belize, hosted by Canadian-based
company Island Expeditions.
It’s
an adventure holiday in the sense it’s a once-in-lifetime
and up-close experience in one of the most beautiful and pristine
places on the planet.
Sure,
you have to be in relatively good health — and able
to swim, snorkel, kayak, hike, etc. — but the particular
package I was on also featured every shape and size of vacationer,
including families with teens and preteens, as well as seniors
in their late ’60s.
The
attraction really isn’t difficult to understand, especially
considering Belize itself, which is bordered on the north
by Mexico, south and west by Guatemala, with the Caribbean
Sea on its 280-km coastline to the east.
Surprisingly,
it’s not a difficult destination to get to.
Flights
can be booked through many companies, including Martour Travel
by phone at 1-800-661-8772 (or online at www.martour.com).
Once
you’re there, the best way to experience the land and
the culture is by one of the incredible and diverse packages
Island
Expeditions
has to offer.
The
company has been specializing in Belize reef and rain forest
adventures since 1987, and as a result they’ve forged
important and lasting relationships with the country’s
government and its people.
It
allows you to see and explore parts of the nation you’d
otherwise never get to.
Case
in point, the Lighthouse Reef package that IE offers, which
is operated in partnership with the Belize Audubon Society.
The
main part of the eight-day, nine-night vacation takes you
to the Half-Moon Caye Natural Monument and Lighthouse Reef
Atoll, located 80 km offshore of the Belize mainland.
Here,
housed in sturdy stand-up tents on the beach, you’re
given the opportunity to live 24 hours in a setting that any
castaway would think twice about leaving.
The
food, supplied as part of the package, is all natural —
plenty of fruits, fish and meats — and cooked and served
by the small staff IE keeps on the island to maintain it and
serve as guides.
Nourishment
is the first thing I bring up because it’s an important
part of the trip — you’re kept busy and kept active.
Number
one on the activity list is the opportunity to experience
marine life in its environment — the crystal-clear waters
surrounding the caye.
The
mind boggles at all of the creatures floating within touching
distance, including nurse sharks, which may cause some palpitations
in the heart of a first-time snorkler unaware of its harmless
nature.
One
of the afternoons is also spent at the famous Blue Hole, a
circular limestone sinkhole that’s considered a natural
wonder by scuba divers from all over the world.
On
top of the water, there are opportunities throughout the seven-day
stay to do some kayaking, including to a shipwreck within
view of the shore.
Once
on land, there’s still plenty to amuse you — especially
if you’re a bird-watcher.
Nesting
on the island is a red-footed booby colony of 4,000, which
you can get a close look at thanks to platforms built high
in the trees.
The
only real downside with the stay on the island — as
with any outdoor holiday — is that you’re at the
mercy of the weather, which is normally gorgeous during the
season, but can sometimes get wet and nasty.
In
that case, a good group, a good book and a good bottle of
Belikin beer help pass the time until the sky clears —
which it invariably does.
•
• • • •
SEASON
IN THE SUN
•
Island Expeditions’ Belize season runs from December
to late April, with more than a half-dozen packages to choose
from.
•
For more info, visit www.islandexpeditions.com
or call toll free 1-800-667-1630, and get ready for an adventure.
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