Today we all woke up in our hammocks with our respective host families, to some very audible rooster calls and dog fights. Walking back along the path to Blue Creek through the heavy morning fog, we feverishly discussed the previous nights storytelling with our Mopan Mayan friends. After breakfast, we set out on our morning bird watching expedition, which we elongated with a futile attempt to find the elusive roaring howler monkeys. Our sadness due to lack of monkeys was alleviated by the rays of sun, that hadn’t graced our supple young faces in ages.
When we returned we enjoyed the brief hour of sun by tanning and swimming in the creek amongst the numerous tetra and cichlid, which call it home. But of course, the clouds soon returned, as should be expected in the depths of the rain forest.
Our afternoon activity commenced after lunch. Most of the crew trekked off with Geraldo to explore the formations of a dry cave. A few of us, who were eager to scale a mountain, went off with Eusebio to rise above the clouds! Those who ventured into the cave crawled through tight corridors and crawl spaces to reveal huge rooms with fantastic calcium carbonate formations. Bruce enlightened us all with the science behind the incredible formations, while Geraldo regaled us with their significance to the ancient Mayans. We also were lucky to encounter some evidence of cave life, including a small cave worm, which made its home suspended in a corner of the cave by sticky silk threads that hang from the ceiling. Those who bagged the peak, climbed a near vertical face, and were rewarded with a breathtaking view of the Belizean canopy.
After we returned from the cave, Alex, Erika, and Cam, three of the scrappiest young lads and lasses, ventured off to find a serene swimming hole, of which we had spied earlier that week. It had been dubbed the “Special Spot”. We trekked back towards the first cave we visited and pulled ourselves across the creek, boulder by boulder. Finally, the spot was revealed to us in all its glory! It was a calm pool of pure blue water, springing from the side of the mountain. Behind it, a sheer 150-foot cliff rose high above, covered in a thick layer of lianas and epiphytes. It was certainly one of the most beautiful places we had ever seen.
To conclude an invigorating final day at Blue Creek, we walked down to Eusebio’s house, where he and his two brothers showed off their musical skills on their marimba. This instrument was made completely from the forest surrounding Blue Creek. The wood was of mahogany so rich even Ron Burgundy would be proud! 
The rubber on the mallets came directly from the rubber trees on Eusebio’s land. It was even tuned using fibers from cohune trees and peccary intestines. Once the music filled the small home, the whole Colby crew was dancing the traditional dance with a crowd of locals. The glee was palpable. It was a perfect way to end our journey in the deep Central American jungle.
Sincerely yours,
Mr. Cameron and Mr. Alex