On the way to Lamanai
On the second full day in Belize we boated out to investigate the Mayan Ruins at Lamanai. After waking up for a 6am bird-watch, breakfast, and boat ride through the lagoon, we were greeted by howler monkeys in a tree at Lamanai. We watched the 5 or 6 monkeys feed for a while then Peter, our guide, gave some background information about the Maya and the city center.
Howler monkey!
Lamanai, meaning “Submerged Crocodile” in the Mayan language, was a large city during the Pre-Classic period, thriving from 1500 BC through 1500 AD. The city was a prosperous center for trade, particularly due to its location on the lagoon. Archaeologists believe Lamanai was more of an administrative center than a ceremonial location, though there are 4 temples that the group visited. During the Spanish Conquest two churches were erected, but a Mayan revolt soon drove the Spanish out. Lamanai then became a part of British Honduras, which passed to Belize with independence.
On our tour of the site, we saw the Mask Temple, High Temple, Stela 9, and finally the Jaguar Temple. Modern day restoration efforts were particularly evident in these temples, in particular, the Mask Temple, in which faces engraved into the original stone had been restored to allow visitors to view and appreciate them as they would have looked in the Pre-classic period of their history.
Atop the highest temple in Lamanai
The temples were all breathtaking, the rolling lawn in front of the Jaguar Temple did not disappoint, nor did the ball courts before it, in which the Mayans played a sacred game often ending in sacrifice. Everyone eagerly climbed up each temple, so by lunchtime the group had worked up quite the appetite.
Lunch in Indian Church
After lunch at a restaurant near Lamanai, we passed through a Mennonite village, hoping to stop at their store. Though the store was closed because it was Sunday, there still was a fair amount of excitement during the trip. Our parents have told us the timeless warning to never get into a car with a stranger. Luckily for Janice, Hannah, and Maravilla, a horse-drawn carriage was never mentioned anywhere in that warning.
Buggy antics with the Mennonites
As we stopped to survey the country-side, a carriage of four Mennonites rolled up along beside us. The adventurous Maravilla asked for a ride; thus the three girls were swept away by one of Mennonite teens. Eventually they made it back to the bus, and we headed back to Hill Bank for dinner. What tomorrow may bring is still a mystery, but we shall prepare for a Mennonite kidnap at any moment.
-Sam and Tom