Time to experience the Jungle

Trip Start Apr 05, 2008
1
45
102
Trip End Mar 20, 2009


Loading Map
Map your own trip!
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
shadow

Flag of Belize  , Cayo,
Thursday, July 31, 2008

The Belizian version of a chicken bus pulled into Maya beach bang on time and we piled in and bumped and rocked our way down the gravelly, potholed road to Belmopan where we would change buses to get to San Ignacio. Once we hit the Hummingbird highway the roads were tarmac and easy driving. The bus drivers were all so friendly and helpful (one kindly advising us to sit at the back so we could watch our bags;-) and we made all of our connections smoothly and with ease - honestly the buses run more efficiently here than they do in London and are a damn sight cheaper! The journey took only four hours and we arrived in San Ignacio well before lunchtime. Our first priority, or I should say my first priority, was to relieve my pack of about 6kgs (Mexican bowls and a rug) and send these back to London. We'd been told that the postal service was efficient and cheap so fingers crossed our box arrives with you soon Bec. We checked out San Ignacio before grabbing a cab and heading out to Table Rock, a luxury hideaway that we had recommended to us by Sarah B Welcome to Table Rock
Welcome to Table Rock
 . After the taxi driver got a little lost and finally got his bearings we soon arrived and were immediately impressed. Alan, one of the owners, was on sight to great us to his beautiful home and piece of paradise along with their three dogs, Toby, Morgan and The Great White (Toby quickly became my fav). Table Rock encompasses 105ha and has been a labour of love and a lot of sweat over the past six years. Alan and Colleen have transformed the jungle into an Eco luxury haven. With richly decorated cabanas with the finest linens it was definitely a luxury and one we would be sure to miss. After a welcome drink we soon set to settling in (doesn't't take much when it's so serene and there are hammocks on offer). We didn't't leave this haven over the three days we stayed and enjoyed exploring and making the most of what was on offer. We shared this experience with another couple, Vince and Linda, who had just gotten married and were there to enjoy their honeymoon. Alan gave us a guided tour round the farm where we learnt a lot about all the trees (the Allspice being my favourite, purely for the fragrance from it's leaves) and our natural surroundings and fortunately passed the pop quiz (team effort). The farm is working towards being fully self sufficient and they have planted limes, oranges, mangoes, avocados just to name a few. We spent our evenings leisurely with gourmet meals around candlelight and a fire with great company and conversation. On our final day we went on a trek to the pond and up the hill to where you could overlook the farm. We lost the path at times which Gareth relished as he was able to show his skills with a machete (I made sure I was standing a good distance behind him). The afternoon we spent down by the river in between the hammocks and paddling up the river in the canoe. It was hard to leave this jungle oasis and will make going back to backpacking hard work. I'm sure we'll be back in the future even if it's just to check out if The Great White has got his six pack and to see what's changed since our last visit.
Slideshow Print this entry