Thank you Marty .. a pleasure to be here now that I have internet conection from the jungle.

To BelizeanBlue .. Hi .. perhaps I would know you if I knew who you were, however, I don't. I do disagree with your hypothesis. If you would like to visit, I could show you an average of 6 emails I receive each month from tourists to belize who had been sold an advertised "caves brach" adventure, who write to me complaining how poor both the trip and the guiding was an demanding a refund from me. In fact, they were never with us .. only another tour guide or operator selling "caves branch" trips.

Look around the country right now and see how many are advertising Jaguar Paw cave tubing. The only thing about Jaguar Paw about some of these promoted trips is usually that they are in the vacinity of Jaguar Paw.

There is no jaguar paw on the maps and many of these promoted cave trips are not Jaguar Paw trips.

A now defunct belizean tour operator spent 5 years advertising "jaguar Paw" cave tubing but not one of his trips was a "jaguar paw" operated trip because Jaguar Paw had a reputation of providing fine cave tubing trips. This former tour operator used that reputation to promote their own business.

Like our operation, Jaguar Paw received complaint after complaint about the quality of these trips, as the tourist were led to believe that it was a "Jaguar Paw" operated trip. And for the record, Jaguar Paw, as do some others, does provide a first class trip.

Unfortunately there are allot .. not all, but allot of people in belize (note: I am not saying Belizeans) that believe the easiest and fastest way to make a buck is to falsly promote names that are known and have a good reputation but not use those advertised operations to perform the trip. End result .. allot of times the clients are disatisfied and blame the operation whose name was used.

You are right .. shorter does not mean less quality and I appologize for that .. however .. we do receive allot of correspondance from people who were led to believe that they were going on a Caves Branch trip, when in fact, they were not .. and these people do complain of the very limited time they spent on their trip. Who criticize us, when no criticism is due.

You may hypothosize all you like but I am the one stuck applogizing for the mis representation of others on a regular basis.

If I have to appologize to tourists in Belize, I would rather appologize for something that 'I' am responsible for .. and I do from time to time. No one is perfect.


All the best to you Blue, and once again Marty, thank you.

Ian.

Ian,

We will be in Belize in June 2003 for 2 weeks. I want to do your Caves Branch cave tube tour. Can we wear sturdy tennis shoes instead of hiking boots? What do you recommend wearing and taking on the tour?

Thanks!

Hi ScubaDoo,

We do recommend hiking boots as they are best for foot support and tranction. Your safety is our main concern and the best footwear possible is a good place to start. We do, however, allow "well treaded" sneaker on all cave tubing trip as well. However, "well treaded" is the operative word and if your sneakers are well treaded, then no problem. As many have already said above, if you don't want to get your shoes wet, we do rent good quality hiking boots for a nominal cost of $5.00 us per day.

Looking forward to hearing from you. Our direct email address is info@cavesbranch.com

Cheers, Ian.

We're staying at Chaa Creek in late August and would like to do a cave trip with you that combines tubing, Mayan artifacts, exploring, etc. We have a 16 yr old and a 13 yr. old. Would this be the River Cave Expedition? Thanks.

Hi Carol,

The river cave expedition includes cave tubing through this river cave system as well as so much more, Exploration of the river cave itself, climbing through spectacular crystlal formations, millions of years in age, visiting ancient Mayan ceremonial sites, alter ares, pottery , artifact, a bit of floating in the dark, both historical and geological on the caves, how they were formed and how important they were to the basic beliefs of the ancient Maya.

This trip is excellent for kids as there is always activity to keep their attention. The ages of your kids, 16 and 13, are perfect for this trip.

My email is info@cavesbranch.com if you have any other questions.

Looking forward to personally meeting you in a couple of weeks.

All the best, Ian.

Ian, I can understand your POV now that you have expanded. I have sent you an email regarding this matter to your info email listed. The next time I am in the area, I may drop in for a visit.

- oops, Ian says he doesn't know what POV was. I guess I just invented it out of laziness and hoped for the best. Let it be know that I have christened that one and it means: point of view.

[This message has been edited by belizeanblue (edited 08-12-2002).]

BelizeanBlue,

Sorry to have to break it to you...you did not christen the term P.O.V.

Public television (PBS) has a wonderful, long-running, independent documentary series called P.O.V. (point of view). Check your local listings -- in the New York area it airs Tuesdays at 9pm (but not this week -it's pledge drive).

Best,
Effie



[This message has been edited by Effie (edited 08-12-2002).]

yes but do people use it as a message/chat board abbreviation yet? not trying to split hairs but that was all I was referring to. (and we don't get PBS in the UK)

Belizeanblue, yes people do use POV in message boards/chat. I knew exactly what you meant before you edited and explained it.