Adventures with BeeGee

The Secret World of Cahal Pech: Navigating Belize’s Oldest Mayan Maze For any traveler seeking a genuine sense of archaeological adventure, the Mayan sites of Belize are unparalleled. But not all ruins are created equal. My wife, Linda, and our friends, Eamon and Athena, and I dedicated our third day in Belize to exploring two very different ancient cities. This post details the second stop of that day: the ancient and mysterious Cahal Pech Mayan Ruins . Setting the Scene: Our Second Stop on Day Three After a busy morning at the majestic Xunantunich, we drove the short distance to Cahal Pech, Belize’s oldest known Mayan settlement . The adventure for the four of us—Linda, Eamon, Athena, and myself—began at the entrance, where we purchased our tickets and went through the museum together. This site, however, did not have any official tour guides available like Xunantunich, so we were left to explore the grounds on our own. Once we entered the ruin grounds, we naturally split up to follo...

The Maiden of the Rock: A Deep Dive into Xunantunich Mayan Ruins in Belize Belize is a land rich with history and adventure, and for those who love to explore, its ancient Mayan ruins offer a glimpse into a world both magnificent and mysterious. My wife, Linda, and our friends, Eamon and Athena, and I dedicated our third day in Belize to exploring one of the most magnificent of these sites: Xunantunich , or " The Maiden of the Rock ." This post will serve as your comprehensive guide to this breathtaking archaeological site, sharing our firsthand experience and helping you prepare for your own unforgettable journey. The grounds are well-kept, which we noticed the moment we walked into the central plaza, and the site is much bigger than we anticipated. The Journey Begins with a Hand-Cranked Ferry Getting to Xunantunich is a part of the adventure in itself, and it’s a detail that adds to the site's remote and timeless feel. The day of our visit was incredibly sunny, and th...

 Belize’s Subterranean Secrets: An Unforgettable Cave Tubing Adventure Our trip to Belize was full of surprises, but none quite as exhilarating and unique as our cave tubing adventure. This incredible journey took us deep into the heart of the earth, floating through a mysterious underworld that has been carved out by water over thousands of years. The adventure began with a ride on a jungle bus to the Caves Branch River. From the very beginning, the experience was a blend of awesome and a little bit freaky. Floating in water so dark that you couldn't see the bottom was a bit unnerving, but thankfully, we were equipped with life vests. The sense of adventure quickly took over, and once we were settled in, it was a lot of fun. There weren't any crazy rapids or dangerous sections; it was a peaceful, steady float through a truly spectacular setting. Our hotel was also the tour group that gave us the tour, so we didn't have to worry about driving. Instead, we were picked up in ...

  Belize’s Hidden Oasis: A Journey to St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park For the second part of our first day in Belize, we found ourselves deep in the Cayo District, just off the Hummingbird Highway, at an incredible natural wonder: St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park. This 500-acre protected area, managed by the Belize Audubon Society, is a true jungle oasis waiting to be explored. For my companions and me, my wife Linda and our friend Eamon, our adventure here was a perfect blend of peaceful hiking, a refreshing swim, and a thrilling cave expedition. It was refreshing to go for a swim after the long caving adventure at Crystal Cave. To learn more about this tour company, you can visit their  website . For more of our Belize adventures, be sure to check out our journey to Crystal Cave ! The Walk to the Blue Hole The journey began with a tranquil walk from the parking lot along one of the park’s many natural trails. As the three of us walked through the tropical fores...

Hidden deep within the heart of the Belizean jungle, a world of ancient mystery and breathtaking natural beauty awaits. My journey to Crystal Cave, known to the Maya as Actun Tunichil Muknal, was an adventure that I shared with my wife, Linda, and our friend, Eamon. It was a trip that combined a challenging hike with a surreal descent into the Mayan underworld. The expedition began with a trek through a vibrant tropical forest under a relentless sun. The air was thick with humidity, making every step feel heavy. The trail was narrow and winding, leading us through a tapestry of lush greenery and ancient trees. Rather than talking amongst ourselves, we listened intently as our guide shared fascinating stories of the native plants and the history of the local people and the ancient Maya. We were so engrossed in the journey that we almost missed a truly unique sight: a whip scorpion, a non-venomous creature of the jungle floor. After the challenging and humid hike, we arrived at the mouth...

A San Antonio Ghost Tour The first adventure following our South American excursion was the Spirits, Murderers & Prostitutes of San Antonio offered by Curious Twins Paranormal Tours. We did the tour on Saturday, July 6 at 10:00 p.m. I will try to provide a brief overview without giving away any spoilers which could ruin anyone else’s experience. The meetup location at the Alamo The tour begins with a chilling reminder of where you stand when you are at the Alamo Plaza, which is the site of at least three burial sites, a holy site for the local indigenous communities, and the center of Spanish San Antonio. Your guides then take you to the Menger Hotel Bar, where they introduce you to stories from San Antonio’s wild west days, tell you the sad story of a hard-working gal, and show you evidence of a cowboy gun-fight. The tour continues down to the San Fernando Cathedral, where your tour guides tell you the tragic stories of native American communities, ladies of the ni...

Tubing Down the San Marcos River Linda here for Adventures with BeeGee. We’ve been adventuring more aggressively since the Salkantay trek. My goal this August is to continue the adventuring while catching up on blog entries to ensure we preserve these great memories. On Saturday, July 20th, Jarrett, a friend of ours, and I went tubing down the San Marcos River. I realized I had been living in Austin for almost four years now and had not done this iconic Hill Country tourist activity. To be honest, we probably hadn't done it before because I only learned how to swim last year and am not the most comfortable in the water. The San Marcos River is relatively shallow, and the heat in Texas is unbearable, so if you want to enjoy the outdoors but are uncomfortable with water, this is a great option. The water is initially cold, but once the sun comes out, it starts feeling like a great relief from just lying on your tube. If you’re comfortable with water and swimming, I su...