Tanya's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN: BELIZE
Monkeys and more
Greetings from Belize!
Wow can you believe that I’m in Belize?
Well for starters I’ve gotta say that Belize did not quite look as I expected… At least not from a distance.
Actually Belize and Roatan both looked like I expected the other to look. One was hilly, green, and lush and the other flat and with plenty of green but not quite as lush.
Roatan (Honduras) was hilly and lush one. And then arriving at Belize City, Belize - it was very flat looking and though still plenty green, but just not quite as tropical and lush as I was expecting.
Heck what did I know?!
What I do know is that we’ve been having a lovely time. Seeing and doing lots.
Let me tell you about yesterday:
My sleepyhead Dominic who hates waking up early and who has been complaining every morning has admitted that he is glad that he has been getting up and sticking with my schedule so that he has been able to experience all that we have had the opportunity to experience.
Beautiful and lush (c)travelincousins.com
The West End of Rotan (c)travelincousins.com
Rather than being at home and having a BBQ and watching fireworks this year we spent our July 4th exploring Isla Roatan which is one of the bay islands located 36 miles off of the mainland of Honduras.
It was spent checking out the Macaws and hanging out with the monkey’s - which is something that I always love doing! They are just so darn cute!
And we even got to spend some time with a mamma and her baby on our shoulders. Awwwwwww!
Beautiful Macaws (c)travelincousins.com
Talking to the Macaws (c)travelincousins.com
Cosette made a new friend (c)travelincousins.com
Being tickled (c)travelincousins.com
Hello there (c)travelincousins.com
Looking down from the trees (c)travelincousins.com
Hey there little guy (c)travelincousins.com
Hey Ma, I've got a monkey on my head! (c)travelincousins.com
Look at that smile! (c)travelincousins.com
I think I'm in love (c)travelincousins.com
Now look at THAT smile! (c)travelincousins.com
Snuggles (c)travelincousins.com
Precious (c)travelincousins.com
Be still my heart (c)travelincousins.com
As we ventured to the West End of the island we were heading to West Bay and an Eco-Park where we'd spend the day exploring along side the wildlife.
The tour we were signed up for also took us past Coxen Cove.
Did you know that back in the 17th Century that there were around 5,000 pirates that lived on Isla Roatan?
And there we were about to explore the cave.
Well for starters exploring caves on a hot day would usually be a refreshing treat, as the temperature in caves seem to always be quite a bit cooler. Apparently not this one.
This one was actually warmer and do you know what lives in caves?
If you guessed BATS than you hit the jackpot and are absolutely correct.
Now if you know me then you also know that as much as I have a love for animals, some just scare the heck out of me and bats happen to be amongst those that share the heck out of me!
You also would know that I’ve been known to go out of my way to go and see bats flying the coop - or whatever they call what they do in masses.
What I didn’t happen to think about and instead got surprised, scared and shocked about were the bats flying right above my head (well at least it was right above my head, until I screamed and dropped down to the floor) only to duck walk through the rest of the cave!
All whilst other tourists and the tour guide looked at me like I was crazy! And my own kids were cracking up with laughter.
The tour we were signed up for also took us past Coxen Cove.
Did you know that back in the 17th Century that there were around 5,000 pirates that lived on Isla Roatan?
And there we were about to explore the cave.
Well for starters exploring caves on a hot day would usually be a refreshing treat, as the temperature in caves seem to always be quite a bit cooler. Apparently not this one.
This one was actually warmer and do you know what lives in caves?
If you guessed BATS than you hit the jackpot and are absolutely correct.
Now if you know me then you also know that as much as I have a love for animals, some just scare the heck out of me and bats happen to be amongst those that share the heck out of me!
You also would know that I’ve been known to go out of my way to go and see bats flying the coop - or whatever they call what they do in masses.
What I didn’t happen to think about and instead got surprised, scared and shocked about were the bats flying right above my head (well at least it was right above my head, until I screamed and dropped down to the floor) only to duck walk through the rest of the cave!
All whilst other tourists and the tour guide looked at me like I was crazy! And my own kids were cracking up with laughter.
Once the tour had come to an end it was time to enjoy the beach and for Dominic, Cosette, and Dave to go and play in the surf while I watched from the shore.
Before heading back to the ship I had met an extraordinary amazing woman that I really couldn't wait to tell you all about...
Olivia Munteanu RAS Founder
Originally from Italy, Olivia moved to the third world country of Honduras to help strays. Using her own money and that of donations, she opened the Roatan Animal Shelter.
She aids finding these poor stray pooches loving adopted homes. Which she has shared with me is a much more difficult task then it might sound.
Luckily she has been successful at times and it was a blessing that she found assistance in a few boys (young men) with equally big hearts who genuinely want to help.
She aids finding these poor stray pooches loving adopted homes. Which she has shared with me is a much more difficult task then it might sound.
Luckily she has been successful at times and it was a blessing that she found assistance in a few boys (young men) with equally big hearts who genuinely want to help.
The Team
Their desire is "to see changed hearts, people taking responsability for their animals and this way create a better life on this island. It is about animals and people."
Their mission: Roatan Animal Shelter rescues animals in need, gives them proper care and promote their adoption once they are healed with the help of the community.
"NEVER, NEVER BE AFRAID TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT, ESPECIALLY IF THE WELL-BEING OF A PERSON OR ANIMAL IS AT STAKE. SOCIETY'S PUNISHMENTS ARE SMALL COMPARED TO WOUNDS WE INFLICT ON OUR SOUL WHEN WE LOOK THE OTHER WAY."
Amongst her assistants she also found a young man that she has been mentoring and paying for his education and training to become the first and only veterinarian on the island!
Their mission: Roatan Animal Shelter rescues animals in need, gives them proper care and promote their adoption once they are healed with the help of the community.
"NEVER, NEVER BE AFRAID TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT, ESPECIALLY IF THE WELL-BEING OF A PERSON OR ANIMAL IS AT STAKE. SOCIETY'S PUNISHMENTS ARE SMALL COMPARED TO WOUNDS WE INFLICT ON OUR SOUL WHEN WE LOOK THE OTHER WAY."
Amongst her assistants she also found a young man that she has been mentoring and paying for his education and training to become the first and only veterinarian on the island!
Kevin Antunez studies veterinary medicine at UFRJ in Brasil
What these folks are doing in very admirable, but they can't do it on their own and every little bit helps. They need our help!
For more information and to DONATE please go to the Roatan Animal Shelter website
You can also visit them and DONATE on their FaceBook page
For more information and to DONATE please go to the Roatan Animal Shelter website
You can also visit them and DONATE on their FaceBook page
Well it was definitely not your typical way to spend the forth of July, but it will certainly be one of the most memorable!
Happy July 4th! (c)travelincousins.com
And today if you still recall we are in Belize and heading to an eco park to go on a cycling adventure!
Check back tomorrow to find out exactly how it goes…
Until then,
-T
Check back tomorrow to find out exactly how it goes…
Until then,
-T
Music of Roatan (c)travelincousins.com
