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Storylines Curated Experience Trip to Belize: Part 1

Posted by Tim Roberts on Jul 8, 2024 11:56:13 AM
Storylines Curated Experience Trip to Belize: Part 1
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Storylines ambassadors posing in front of ancient Mayan archaeological site in curated trip to Belize

Today we’re getting a sneak peek of what the Storylines’ global lifestyle looks like. To complement our curated experience trips to the Philippines, and Andalusia Spain, this time our lucky brand ambassadors and resident relations advisor, Emma Conklin headed to Belize!

This is not your standard tourist-guide itinerary—we like to do things a little differently here at Storylines. This is just a glimpse into the type of experiences you can expect while traveling onboard MV Narrative. Our residents gained fascinating insights into Belizean culture, engaged in fun activities, and contributed to the local community.

 

A Snapshot on Belize

Ancient Mayan ruins and pyramids are a big drawcard for Belize tourism

Belize is a small country located on the northeastern coast of Central America, bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. It has a diverse population of around 400,000 people comprising various ethnic groups including Mestizo, Creole, Maya, Garifuna, and others.

The area now known as Belize was originally inhabited by indigenous Mayan civilizations, which thrived from around 1500 BCE until the decline in the 10th century CE. European contact began in the 16th century, and in 1862 the area officially became a crown colony under Great Britain known as British Honduras. Today, Belize is an independent parliamentary democracy with a stable political environment.

Many ancient Mayan ruins still exist today, along with the natural UNESCO-listed Belize Barrier Reef, which attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. Along with tourism, agriculture and aquaculture are the main contributors to Belize’s economy. Due to English being the official language and a relatively low cost of living, Belize has also become a popular destination for expats and retirees.

 

Day 1: Meet and Greet

Storylines ambassadors boarding a light airplane for a flight to the south of Belize

From the very beginning, the Storylines representatives wasted no time getting off the beaten track. After a quick meet and greet at the International airport in Belize City, they were ushered straight onto a single-engine propeller plane via Tropic Air, to take them to the Toledo region in the south of the country. It serves as a gateway to the Port Honduras Marine Reserve and inland Mayan ruins of Lubaantun. The region is rich in Mayan, Garifunan and East Indian Belizean cultures.

 

Copal Tree Lodge

The group was transferred to their host accommodation, Copal Tree Lodge, a sustainable jungle lodge. With its pioneering ideas in agritourism and practice of sustainable food production, Copal Tree fits the Storylines ethos perfectly. The staff were extremely welcoming and our resident ambassadors were impressed with the resort and its first-class hospitality. (You can view some incredible drone footage shot by our photographer Kenneth Grant and edited by Storylines Dan Gallienne above.)

Storylines ambassadors sharing their first dinner together at Copal Tree Lodge in Belize

After a welcome cocktail and exploring the property, it was a low-key first night that involved getting to know each other over a dinner of Belizean cuisine under a thatched roof surrounded by rainforest.

 

Day 2: Ancient History and Spicing it up

In true jungle style, the group was treated to one of the most unique alarm clocks in the world: howler monkeys. Every morning at 3-4 AM, they produce a sound that is less of a howl and more of a mix between a roar and a prolonged burp! That will definitely wake you up!

 

Belize Spice Farm

After a delicious fresh breakfast from the farm-to-table restaurant, the group headed to Belize Spice Farm & Botanical Garden renowned for its vanilla bean and black pepper production. It was a fascinating and informative tour learning about growing spices and tropical plantation life. The group enjoyed a delightful home-cooked Belizean meal and explored the property's new cabin accommodations before setting off for an important Mayan archaeological site.

 

Nim Li Punit Archeology site

The afternoon was centered around learning about the history of Belize, Mayan civilizations and modern life in Belize from the excellent and knowledgeable guide, Bruno Kuppinger of  Toledo Cave Adventures. The Nim Li Punit archaeological site is a small but important part of Mayan history. Our ambassadors loved immersing themselves in the rustic beauty of this rural part of the country with its thatched-roof cottages and surrounding jungle.

Archaeological site
Inside museum
Local Crafts
Inside Museum
Ambassadors holding Belize flag at Nim Li Punit archaeological site

 

 

Day 3: Cacao Farm and Cave Swimming

 

Eladio’s Chocolate Adventure

The day's focus was learning about one of life’s simple pleasures… chocolate! The ambassadors explored Eladio’s Chocolate Adventure – a tour of a traditional organic cacao farm by Eladio Pop (what a great name), a Mayan man keeping up the old traditions passed down from his ancestors…a sustainable food forest. He has 30 acres that he is protecting in the Toledo region. Eladio is a fascinating and passionate man who lives close to the land - he did not attend traditional school or church - instead, he attended the school of nature, learning everything from the trees, plants, ants, termites, and birds. He had so much profound wisdom to share. You too can learn more about Eladio and his family in the documentary The Chocolate Farmer.

Eladio's chocolate adventure
Eladio in his element teaching the ways of the jungle
Chocolate making class
Resident grinding chocolate
Grinding cacao beans

The ambassadors learned how to make chocolate in the traditional way, by drying the cacao beans, roasting them, shelling them, then grinding them on a traditional volcanic grinding stone. They even got to drink hot brewed cacao - delicious and healthy! Eladio’s family also hosted the group for lunch–a sumptuous, traditional Belizean meal.

 

Ho-keb-Ha Cave Blue Creek

In the afternoon, the crew hiked to Ho-keb-Ha Cave Blue Creek, a 200-acre rainforest preserve and wildlife sanctuary, guided by Toledo Cave and Adventure Tours. The river runs out from the limestone caves full of pristine crystal-clear mineral pools and lagoons. It is a true jungle paradise and a quintessential hidden swimming hole reserved for those with local knowledge. This is a protected area that traverses private property and must be accessed with a knowledgeable guide.

Rock pool
Blue Cave Creek
Approaching the caves
Caves
Post swim

 

Day 4: Fun and Relaxation at Copal Tree Lodge

 

Copal Tree has such helpful, knowledgeable and friendly staff and the group enjoyed a whole day at this unique lodge. From trekking and rum tasting to cultural experiences and jungle adventure tours, Copal Tree has such a diverse array of activities that guests will always have something interesting to do

The day started with kayaking on the river enjoying the sights and sounds of the rainforest. That was followed by a tranquil (albeit hot) yoga class in the open-air yoga palapa overlooking the forest canopy, led by a member of the group who embraced Storylines’ ‘participation’ principle by donating his time and expertise to the community in exchange for a few watermelon smash cocktails. Seems like a fair trade.

Yoga in the jungle
Kayaking jungle river
Jungle river cruise
Sunset cruise couple
Cruising into the senset

The ambassadors enjoyed some R&R in the pool and some indulged in spa treatments. The evening was spent on a sunset river cruise with the amazing Copal Tree Lodge staff taking care of their every need which mostly involved wine glasses that were miraculously always full, which may have contributed to a breakout dance party with a spectacular sunset as a backdrop.

 

That’s a Wrap! (for part 1)

Storylines ambassadors in the Copal Tree Lodge safari jeep

And that’s only part one! Stay tuned next week for part two of our curated experience trip to Belize.

 

“If this is what we can expect as a taste of what life on the MV Narrative will be, then our future will be amazing.”


~ Roger, Future Storylines Resident and Brand Ambassador

 

A Special Shout Out

We couldn’t have done this trip without the help, guidance and hospitality of the Belize Tourism Board, Copal Tree Resort, Eladio Pop's Chocolate Adventure, Bruno Kuppinger of Toledo Cave and Adventure Tours, Tropic Air and our talented photographer Kenneth Grant of Knight and Day Photography. On behalf of Storylines, a huge thank you to you all! 



About Storylines

Storylines offers a unique travel lifestyle aboard the MV Narrative, a luxury residential ship that redefines the concept of a global travel itinerary. Our residents enjoy extended stays at each destination, allowing for immersive cultural experiences rather than rushed visits. To learn more about Storylines and the amazing itineraries we’re planning for our globetrotting residents, click here.

Topics: Principles, Experience, Residents, Itinerary, World-schooling

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