December 7, 2010
Paula, Caitlyn and I took a river trip tour to Lamanai maya ruins on a boat. Lamania is about 24 miles from Orange Walk Town. I was advised to go by boat rather than by road because it is a long bumpy dirt/rocky road.
Our tour guide was great he was an expert in both archeology and the areas wildlife. We saw many different kinds of birds, iguanas, and crocodiles. Also, during the trip we pass Mennonite community and shipyards.
Lamanai Ruins are known for their impressive architecture and beautiful setting, surrounded by dense jungle looking over the New River Lagoon.
History of Lamanai (this information was taken from our Tour Guide and Belize Lonely Planet book):
Lamanai not only spans all phases of ancient Maya civilization but also tells tale of ongoing Maya occupation and resistance for centuries after the Europeans arrived. This adds up to the longest known unbroken occupation in the Maya world. Lamanai was inhabited at least as early as 1500 BC, and was already a major ceremonial center, with large temples, in late Preclassic times.
It seems to have surged in importance (perhaps to the location) around 200 or 100 BC, and its major buildings were mostly constructed between then and AD 700, until the at least the 15th century. At its peak it is estimated to have had a population of around 35,000.
When the Spanish invaded northern Belize from the Yucatan Maya in 1544, one of the most important of the mission they set up was Lamanai, where they had found a thriving Maya community.
The Maya never really readily accepted the Spanish overload ship, and a rebellion in 1640 left the Lamanai mission burned and deserted. Maya continued to live there until late 17th and 18th century until they were decimated by an epidemic, probably small pox. However, Maya are not extinct…. For example, I live with the K’ekchi Maya people!
Lamanai tours were great we saw many huge fascinating structures!
We ate lunch right on the Lamanai site and then headed back to Orange Walk Town. The ride back was the coolest part of the trip. We got to see, feed, and touch the spider monkeys. The monkeys loved Caitlyn and Paula’s rum punch drink. I felt the monkey’s hand and it was really warm and he had long fingers… I screamed and then the monkey didn’t like me anymore. The monkeys were just walking in the boat just like little men… they are very tamed and love people! This was one of my top 3 moments in Belize.
After the tour we packed our bags and set off to San Ignacio, Cayo.
Disclaimer This website expresses the views of Grace Boswell, who is entirely responsible for its content. It does not express the views of the United States government, the Belize government, the Peace Corps or any other institutions named or linked to on these pages.
