Spelunked and put away wet

What a day! Kim and I went on a tour of the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave outside of Belmopan. It was amazing. As if the great hike through the rain forest wasn't enough, then we swam, walked, climbed, crawled, and prayed our way through the cave, with great rewards. Once you reach the grand room, there are Mayan artifacts strewn everywhere. There are so many items in the cave that you must be careful where you step, so as not to crush anything. The last part of the tour required the climbing of an extended aluminum ladder (late Mayan classic period, I think) into a small room, where the calcified remains of an entire skeleton lie, just as they were left centuries ago. You can see where the spine had been broken, as well as the jaw, so I don't think it was a pleasant death. All the other skulls and bones we saw were partial, so this was a nice way to finish out the tour. Our guide, Carlos, was very good. He had a nice sense of humor and was very knowledgeable about Mayan history and archeology.

The tour was fantastic and probably one of the best adventure experiences ever. It was a great mix of nature and history, with some demanding physical requirements. We were gone from 0830 until arriving back in town at about 7pm. It was a long day and my feet will probably be pruned for a couple of days. We were able to take pictures in the cave, so we will have some photos to remember and share the experience. If you are planning to come to Belize some time, do not miss the ATM. It truly is amazing and may not be available for touring in the future due to some of the degradation the tours have brought.

Warning, if you go to ATM, don't do it after hiking the ruins. It stretches muscles in ways that are not normal. No mas spelunking for this sore and bruised chiquita anytime soon!Read more