Continued.... The Life of a Sea Kayak Guide - by Jack Wilde

The first day is always busy. You have a new group of people, a little unsure of what to expect, and a lot of logistics to take care of at camp. We have to make sure everyone gets a tent, and the right kind of bed (single or double) and the right partner (if double). The luggage and supplies have to be unloaded, and not mixed up with the luggage of the group that is just leaving. The dining hall has to be reset (we do two lunches back-to-back) and everything looking shipshape for our new arrivals. And of course, while you are doing that, some people have to pee right away (long boat ride, remember?) the outgoing group suddenly decides to pose for group pictures right in the way, and someone from the mainland is calling on the radio. but it soon sorts itself out, everyone has a place to call home for the next six days, food is in bellies and the turquoise water is calling us out to explore and get wet.

And getting wet is what we have in mind. The first thing you learn out at Glover's Reef base camp is how to paddle a kayak, how to tip it over, and how to climb back in., while in water over your head. There are a few struggles but everyone soon learns the skills necessary, and after that we are ready for our paddling and snorkeling adventure.

You would think that after going to the same reefs, seeing the same fish and other marine life week after week would make a guide jaded. Well yes and no. Once you learn the names of all the more common reef fishes, corals, tube worms and sponges, you are still surprised with every snorkel. It could be the sighting of a rare or especially beautiful fish, or just that now you notice their quirky and often entertaining behaviour. The more time you spend staring at the activity of a reef, the more it makes sense to you, and the more you get out of it. Also the people change every week, so you get different group dynamics, and different levels of interest in various components of the week's activities. And I have to say I never get tired of arriving at the atoll when the sun is shining and that first line of pale, watery green reveals the shallow, sandy-bottomed lagoon, while we are still driving over water half a kilometre deep. Or even before then, when we pass through the cut in the barrier reef, from shallow, reef-sheltered water to the rolling deep blue of the open Caribbean. The first half-kilometre outside the reef is where we meet the biggest waves, and everyone cheers as we rise over the crest of one wave and slide down into the trough of the next one

Labels: belize, belize guides, belize vacation packages, day in belize

A recent client returns home, with some wonderful photos. Please visit their link, below:

Hi Sam,
Just writing to let you know I had an amazing time on our recent trip with Island Expeditions so thank you for your help in planning my trip.

Here is a link to my photographs from the Maya World & Ultimate Adventure trips. They are on my flickr photo website.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16036846@N00/sets/72157603499524262/

if you'd like to create a link from your website for future Island Expeditions customers to view then that is fine.

Thanks again & Happy New Year!!!!
Lynne
Ultimate Adventure
December, 2007

Labels: belize, belize adventures, belize vacation packages, islandexpeditions.com, maya world, ultimate adventure

Here we continue our discussion of gear for active travel in Belize. There are two other posts where we cover other parts of the body, but here we will discuss socks and footwear for travel in Belize.

Socks
Although socks aren't necessary most of the time in Belize..... sport sandals and flip-flops are more common than socks and shoes. They can be awfully helpful while snorkeling and diving. I know, this sounds funny! However, it is quite practical when it comes to chafing from sand, that can get into your fins. This is also true when doing water-based activities, such as . Socks can save your feet from chafing with water-shoes, and also sport sandals when wearing them in and out of the water. Also, when conditions are calm, and the bugs come out to play, socks can be essential in preventing bug bites. They fit well in most sport sandals that people wear these days, too.

Footwear
Most people that travel to Belize want to wear sandals or walk around bare-foot. However, when being active in Belize, appropriate footwear is incredibly important to enjoying your surroundings. Sport-sandals, like the ubiquitous Teva brand sandal, are great for sea kayaking and beach combing, as well as river rafting through the rainforest. Recently, companies such as Keen, Chota, Chako, have all come up with product designs that are ideal for these types of activities, and make great sandals that should last for years to come. Generally, a sandal made of webbing or nylon, as apposed to leather, is better for amphibious activities. Some models that come with fastex clips or buckles which clip together tend to last longer if you intend to use them a lot in the water. Velcro is also very popular, but if your sandals are a few years old, the velcro tends to be less tacky. Rubber bands can help make sure they stay on properly.

For caving and for walking, you will need a sturdy walking shoe. These shoes should have a good tread, and should be lower to the ground than runners to avoid ankle roll on uneven surfaces. Something with ankle support is ideal, but full leather hiking boots are generally too much for the tropics. Something with a more breathable fabric is more appropriate in Belize. When descending underground into the caves of Belize, a closed toe shoe is essential. This way you aren't stubbing your toe every time you place your foot in dark places.

Flip flops have had a bit of resurgence in the last few years. These are practicle in Belize, when lounging around camp, or walking short distances in town, but they are not ideal for being active.

Labels: adventure footwear, belize adventures, belize vacation packing tips

Island Expeditions Company is announcing our brand new online gear store, where you can now shop for gear hand picked for your experience in Belize. Our partners at New Headings, have selected great gear from quality manufacturers to match each of our adventures. Click here to access the Island Expeditions Gear Store

Online Gear Stores associated with each of our Belize trips are as follows:

Glovers Reef & River of Caves
Coral Islands & Mayan Caves
Lighthouse Reef Adventure
Ultimate Adventure
Coral Jaguar Expedition
Paradise Islands

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office at 1-800-667-1630 or by email info@islandexpeditions.com

Labels: belize outdoor gear active travel clothes

When you are planning an active holiday in the tropics, your clothes are incredibly important. Here, we continue tips for active travel in Belize with Island Expeditions, but also for people traveling to Belize on their own.


Gloves

Paddling gloves are a very good idea, even in the tropics. Although the neoprene gloves that are more popular in the northern temperate waters, they aren't necessary in Belize, something to protect your hands while paddling is incredibly important. The high salinity in the water, which evaporates quickly, and the hand position on the paddle make it important to have some sort of hand protection. Often a pair of bicycle gloves will suffice, or a pair of gardening gloves cut short in the fingers. More important than protecting your hands from the paddle is protecting the back of your hands from the sun. So, mesh-backed bike gloves are not as efficient as ones with a Lycra back, or some type of fabric that will protect your knuckles.


Pants
When traveling to Belize having a pair of long-pants is also essential. If the winds die down, or there is a change in the weather, being able to cover up from any potential bugs is essential to your sanity. Quick-dry fabrics are preferred to cotton, canvas, or denim because the humidity of Belize makes it very difficult to to dry them. And, when being active on the Caye's or in the jungle of Belize, getting wet is a distinct possibility. Most outdoor clothing manufacturers have a quick-dry pant with generous room in the legs for mobility. It is important to look for large pockets that can securely close, as well as cargo pockets which can be handy for extra gear. Another consideration is that quick-dry fabrics do not breathe, so some form of ventilation is essential. When looking to purchase these types of pants for Belize look for pockets made of mesh, allowing for some breath ability.

Shorts
Shorts are always important when traveling to the tropics, and are usually the apparel of choice for most people on a day to day basis. Again, much like pants, quick drying fabrics are preferred. Polyester-based fabrics do dry quicker, but they do not breathe well, so again some kind of ventilation is important. A higher cut short is preferable when being active, doing such activities as kayaking and snorkeling, as they give you the maximum mobility. If your shorts tend to double as a swimsuit, make sure pockets have mesh in them to allow water to pass through. This can also act as ventilation when worn on dry land.

Next, we talk of Socks and Shoes

Labels: belize adventures, belize outdoor gear active travel clothes, belize vacation packing tips, island expeditions

When you are planning an active holiday in the tropics, your clothes are incredibly important. Other than a good sunscreen and access to proper hydration, having good comfortable clothes, is the single most important thing you can do for yourself. Dressing casual goes without saying in a place like Belize, but loose fitting, quick-drying fabrics can go a long way to making your experience that much better. We’ll start from the head, and make our way down the body to describe some of the innovative fabrics, quick fixes, and things we’ve learned over the years to make getting ready for an active vacation in Belize a little easier.

Head
A good wide-brimmed sunhat is very important when sea kayaking on the ocean, and especially important on the Caribbean Sea. There are inexpensive woven hats that are popular because they breathe well, are lightweight, and can look quite stylish. However, after a couple of days of serious use, they will generally come undone. They are a little harder to store away, when you don’t need them, and generally don’t recover from being stuffed into your bag. The alternative is a canvas, or a fabric hat that has a wrap around brim. These have become very popular over the years; it seems that almost everyone has the ubiquitous Tilley Hat. There are a few different styles that do everything from repel water to hide goodies in secret pockets, however the most important feature is breathe-ability. Whether it is mesh walled, or a few holes in the side of the hat, it is important to have some ventillation. Make sure there is some air circulation going on up there!

Neck
A bandana is a great tool in the tropics. It can be used on the head, wrapped around your neck to protect you from the sun, or be used to cover up for bugs. It can also be incredibly useful for wiping your brow in the heat of the day, as well. It is almost as useful as duct tape! This is considered essential gear in Belize.

Shirt
There is an incredible array of clothes for the tropics, from quick-dry polyester fabrics to cotton blends. There are some great designs out there with ventilation, and airflow, which is important when wearing a non-breathing polyester shirt. All of the great outdoor gear manufacturers have quick-dry products designed with the tropics in mind. Some of the shirts that seem to work best come from Exofficio, Patagonia, and Mountain Hardwear, but their amazing technology comes with a hefty price tag.

The alternative is silk. Silk is one of those incredible naturally quick drying fabrics that allows your skin to breathe. Although, there aren’t many “technical” silk shirts out there, a regular long-sleeved shirt with a collar (to help with sun protection, when your bandana is still in your pocket) made of silk performs as well, even better than the fancy quick dry shirts. A great place to look for these types of shirts is at your local second-hand store, or you may have an old one lying around from the 80’s somewhere in the attic!

Next, we will talk about important things like gloves, pants, shorts, socks, and footwear.

It is surprising how a couple months, bundled-up under your winter clothes, any summer pigmentation in your skin will fade. One of the most important things that you can buy for your trip to the tropics is a good sunscreen. This is especially important on the first couple of days after your arrival. There is nothing worse than getting sun burned on the first day of your holiday!

Generally, when looking to purchase sunscreen I advise staying away from the spray-on type that has become more popular in recent years. Rarely do these types of sunscreens apply thick enough to actually protect your skin in the harsh UV environments of the tropics. They tend to be “spotty” in their coverage, and also tend to come off easier with perspiration. I generally suggest a thicker PABA-free sunscreen with SPF 30+ for Belize. “Banana Boat” is a brand name that seems to work very well in the Belize environment.

Also, for high exposure areas such as your nose, a higher SPF is recommended. I generally recommend a SPF 45-60+ for these areas. Also, if you want to block 100% of UV’s, a zinc oxide cream works wonders. There are products out there that have silly colors, so your nose is accentuated, but we have found a better alternative. This is an ingredient that is found in diaper rash cream. I am not kidding! It’s true, if you want to have the best protection for your high exposure areas, a little bit of “Destin” or other brands work great.

Labels: belize travel sunscreen advice tropics sun protection