A Grand Success; You Betta Belize it!
Holistic Journeys 2019 was an UnBelizable adventure. We had an incredible time last winter as 12 adventuresome individuals joined Holistic Journeys for 12 days exploring, rain forests, archaeological sites, rivers, reefs, wellness, art expression!
Our adventure began at Crystal Paradise, a Belizean owned eco-hotel near the village of Crystal Rey on the Mcal River. Those folks really know how to make a group feel welcome. The food, the conviviality, the family and the guides were exceptional! I think every member, of my group, birder or not, fell under the birding spell and smile of Eric a member of the family and one of the lead bird and eco-guides at Crystal Paradise.
We took in the magic and history of Caracal in the Mountain Pine Ridge and 
enjoyed a cool dip in Rio On pools and a walk-a-bout in Rio Frio cave, a beautiful cave in a mature gallery forest.
Other adventures close to the western town of San Ignacio included a visit to the market, a paddle down river the Macal river and an tour about the Botanical Gardens, lead by one of my past San Pedro Columbia village friends, Miss Abidas Ash.
Abidas grew up in the Southern village of San Pedro Columbia and was a neighbor of BARC, Belize Agroforestry Research Station, a permaculture endeavor run by many Athenians up until about 2008.
Abidas has grown up to be amazing birder and conservationist, thank you Ms. Abidas, the group loved you and loved the coffee and cacao your mother sent from the village. You couldn’t ask for better neighbors.
We then transferred to the village of Crooked Tree, via lunch and a 
tour about the Best Little Zoo in Belize. I love that zoo and the work that Sharon Matalto and others have done to save animals and educate the population about the importance of conservation and living with wild creatures.
The Bird’seye View is a lovely hotel, perched only meters from the lagoon, it is comfortable respite for the tropical heat and offers incredible views, vistas and sounds, it’s almost surreal. It’s incredible to see the number of birds, hear the sounds and tour the many backwater inlets. We took time to tour the community of Crooked tree and its Cultural museum as well as the Audubon Center and surrounding trails. This is one of the last authentic Creole communities boasting a rich historical
tie to the settlement of Belize. a sunset tour of the pine ridge near crooked tree added even more birds to our growing list as did the our visit to nearby Altun Ha Maya archaeological site. What a birders paradise.
Our last but by far not least accommodation was IZE on Southwater Caye! Just incredible! Incredible…Birding, Birthdays, Sunrise, Sunsets, Snorkeling, Yoga and Creative Art Expressions! I can’t express enough gratitude to the staff and director of IZE for their exceptional hospitality and to their attention to detail and safety.
I so, so, so will miss their delicious meals, all made with love and a Caribbean flare and Oh yes, yoga on the most exquisite dock in the Caribbean!
Its always hard to end a trip and begin to plan for the next year. It takes time, risk, worry and excitement but it is so wonderful to share quality time with quality, caring people! I have to say heartfelt thanks to each and every participant and hope they will again join Holistic Journeys as we discover Nature’s many blessings and our nature as we slow down, take risks and enjoy!
So, I hope to see you in 2020 when we return to Costa Rica for Birds, Botanicals and Nature Adventures, February 21st – March 2nd!
Until next year, safe travels, Rebecca
