Jeff Litton, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
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Daily Expedition
Reports
06 Feb 2022
Monkey River and Placencia, Belize, 2/6/2022, National Geographic Sea Lion
Aboard the
National Geographic Sea Lion
Belize & Guatemala
Mother Nature smiled on our group today and showed us everything from howler monkeys, birds, iguanas, flowers, and crocodiles to the tiny sac-wing bats clinging to a tree trunk overhanging the riverbank. The group was able to get up close and personal with the jungle when we took a hike which culminated with the spotting of an entire troop of howler monkeys that were not shy about making their whereabouts known! If you’ve seen Jurassic Park, you will have heard that sound before! After that delightful river safari, it was back to National Geographic Sea Lion for brunch.
In the afternoon, we were treated to the drumming and energetic singing of one of the most popular bands in Belize: The Garifuna Collective! Since we were at anchor in the Placencia Harbor, it was just a short Zodiac ride to the Placencia Yacht Club where the performance took place. This dynamic group of musicians had everyone swaying to the rhythm of the music and many even dancing and singing along.
As the sun sank towards the underworld, we headed back to National Geographic Sea Lion, and thus ended another beautiful day in Belize.
Randy Jones hails from Northern Belize near the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, where his family lives. His childhood visits to CTWS instilled in him a deep love for birding, nature, culture and the environment.
Jeff is an environmental filmmaker and adventure cinematographer. His passion for adventure has led him through rural Kenyan villages, atop erupting Guatemalan volcanoes and to the enchanted Galápagos Islands to film Hammerhead Sharks. Being an exped...
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Today was our last full day of activities before saying adios! We spent the day visiting a Maya site, and we immersed ourselves in culture while listening and dancing to the music of the Garifuna Collective at night. First up in the morning was an hour and a half drive from Big Creek to Mayflower Bocawina National Park. We split into groups according to people’s preferences, and the three groups set off with their respective guides. The emphasis in one group was birding, and guests saw several of the over 600 species of birds found in Belize. The other groups took different trails, and they learned about the medicinal uses of plants, what roots and fruits are edible, and, of course, what to avoid! Black poisonwood and the spiny pokonobwai palm are on the list of plants to avoid. Some guests got lucky and spotted howler monkeys frolicking in the canopy! After hiking, everyone was treated to a delicious Belizean lunch in Maya Center Village accompanied by Maya marimba music and dance. Later in the evening, guests moved from the ship to The Placencia Yacht Club for a show by the world famous punta rock band, The Garifuna Collective. They put on a dock-shaking performance that motivated everyone to leave their seats and move to the groove of this homegrown genre of music! It was the icing on the cake of an amazing day. Thus ended the first voyage of 2023 for National Geographic Sea Lion .
Our day on National Geographic Sea Lion started with an early morning. The weather looked a bit rainy while the ship was en route to our anchorage. As we pulled up and dropped the anchor, we got our gear ready to hit the beach on Ranguana Caye for a full day in the sun. Splash Tour organized our snorkeling and diving activities in the world’s second largest barrier reef. The beauty of the Belize reef is evident in the corals and fish populations. Fly anglers, snorkelers, and divers emerged from our ship and from the mainland. Everyone was eager to learn about and enjoy the area’s natural wonders. On the island, kayaks and paddleboards were ready for guests who wanted an adventure. Despite a little rain here and there, the weather was great in the morning. Our guide from Splash was ready to make the day an amazing experience. We enjoyed our time on the beach and diving and snorkeling in the water. After lunch, a bar was set up on the beach for an afternoon of fun in the sun. Our day ended with the sun shining on us from the west while we packed up our toys and transported guests back to National Geographic Sea Lion before heading to Placencia, where we will stay for the night. Life on National Geographic Sea Lion is the best, and we cannot wait for our next adventure.
We began our morning as the sun broke the horizon off the coast of Monkey River Village. Our objective with this early wakeup call: visit the wildlife that call this river home with local guides. Zane, born and raised in Monkey River Village, is working as a guide and raising his four children in the town of 150 people. No matter the distance, he can spot each lizard, every camouflaged bunch of bats, and each bird no matter how big or small. It’s incredible. There is a story to tell behind each animal, each flower, and each bend along the way. Just as we approached our turnaround point, we spotted a troop of howler monkeys hanging in a Cecropia, or a trumpet tree. What first appeared to be four individuals turned into five as a baby monkey curled out of its mother’s arms. It dangled from the branches and from momma’s tail before returning to the safety of her side. Grateful for our wildlife sightings, we headed towards the ship and encountered a short rainfall. Knowing It wouldn’t be the tropical rainforest without the rain, we continued, smiles and all. After a gorgeous brunch put on by our galley and hotel department, we had a talk on Reef Fish Identification by undersea specialist Katie M.O. We learned how to best describe fish to identify them: body shape, swimming style, and least importantly, color, as fish commonly change colors to camouflage. Post talk and geared with new knowledge, we sailed to Laughing Bird Caye National Park. On shore, we met with local guides from SPLASH, a local dive company, to snorkel through the healthy coral habitat surrounding the island. Some of the highlights included colorful parrotfish, butterflyfish, barracudas, brain coral with Christmas tree wrasse, and more. Some of us snorkeled for hours while others gave paddleboarding and kayaking a try. How could a day get any better? The answer: rum on the sundeck. That’s right, our hotel and bar department wowed us with a Belizean-themed cocktail hour and locally inspired meal to celebrate the spectacular country we are visiting. Hearts full and bellies fuller, we finished the evening with a nightcap of locally crafted rum presented to us from the southern district town Punta Gorda. Another day in paradise here aboard National Geographic Sea Lion .
