My happy place

The Caves Branch River is heavenly.  

For this adventure all you need is a swimsuit and some good water shoes.  A waterproof camera is also a great thing to have!

 First a hike through the jungle.

 You can take a shortcut and cross the river a few times, too.

 David is the best tour guide in Belize!

 You can stop at the termite nest for a tasty, minty snack.

 Then strap on a helmet and headlamp and climb into the tube!

The moment that you enter the first cave is absolutely visually stunning!

 Lots of cool cave formations.

 If you have all day, you can stop inside the last cave where there was at some point in history a sinkhole that gives you a window out into the jungle.  This is the best spot to stop and see stalactites and stalagmites up close.  Some people aren't as nerdy as I am, so that might not be as exciting to some people as it was to me.

 The mineral pool in this part is totally clear and warm, and perfect for swimming.  There is a great jumping rock here as well.

 Water pouring in like a shower from the cave ceiling above was considered by the Mayans to be The Fountain of Youth.  Mark and I decided to try it out.  If my wrinkles go away and my hair stops turning grey I will let you know.

 Leaving the last cave.

 We prefer to spend the last part of the river ride actually IN the river and not in the tubes.

 And then we had a delicious Belizean lunch of rice and beans and stewed chicken.

It was a perfect day.