My much-awaited honeymoon to Banana Beach the week after Labor Day was absolutely wonderful! We arrived Sunday afternoon 9/2 to the most beautiful place I've ever been in my life! As we sat down to dinner at the Tropica resort, the sun was down, the air was so warm, the breeze was just right, and the waves lapping on the shore (along with my beautiful wife sitting across from me), seemed all too unreal!
Monday: we got started early and wanted to explore the island. Since it was already hot, we bought some bottled water (the only way to go) drank all we could hold, and set off on a bike ride. The weather was probably somewhere in the mid-90's and the humidity was way up there as well. After riding around for a couple of hours in the heat, we came back to the hotel, swam in the water, jumped in the pool and, being completely tired out, collapsed in our room for a nap. I awoke a couple of hours later with a monster headache and that dull feeling of nausea. After throwing up in the bathroom and having visions of a completely ruined honeymoon, I felt completely better.
Tuesday morning: we took off for Lamanai! What a trip! Coming from Seattle, we don't have alot of jungles or crocodiles (none to be exact), so this was way cool! The boat ride up the rivers, Bomba, the Mayan Ruins, the rogue crocodile that got us all excited, it was all such an experience! The hariest part of the trip was the van ride from Bomba to the New River. If you've been that way, you probably know what I'm talking about. Arrived home aboug 5:00 exhausted.
Wednesday: Took it easy around the hotel, slept in, rented a golf-cart and explored some more without the worry of getting heat exhaustion from too much exercise in the wrong climate, and had a great time shopping. Lots to see, lots to do.
Thursday: The trip I'd been waiting for: Husler's Caye Caulker sail with snorkle stops at Hol Chan Marine Reserve and then at Shark Ray Alley! The weather was incredible as were the fish and the sailing! As this was my first time snorkling in tropical waters, I was in awe of the fish and the coral. What a beautiful place! About 4-5 HUGE grouper were hiding in the shade underneath the boat while we snorkled. It's kind of crazy to be that close to such a big fish! Lunch at Caye Caulker was great, but the heat was unbearable! We did manage to snag a nice hammock for something like $30 US, though.
The return sail was way fun because we rode the waves alongside the reef. The last stop was at Shark Ray Alley where a good 5-6 nurse sharks materialized out of nowhere all of a sudden when the guides started throwing macarole into the water. Where I once thought I'd have the guts to jump into the water with these non-aggressive sharks the mere sight of them gave me the shivers! Sure they're non-aggressive, but they're still SHARKS!! I did jump in the water with the Manta Ray, but looking back I feel like a big sissy... Oh, well. Arrived back home at something like 6:00 completely exhausted.
Friday: Stayed around the hotel a bit and relaxed for once. It felt nice after tiring ourselves out so much. Since we were so tired and since my wife got some heat exhaustion the day before, and since I had to work early on Monday morning and we weren't supposed to actually arrive home until something like 1:30 on Monday morning, we decided to come home a day early.
Saturday: Packed our bags, took a few last longing looks at the beautiful ocean that lay before us, and jumped in the plane for the ride home.
All-in-all, it was a wonderful vacation and I'd recommend you all at least try it once, if not twice. We have a whole bunch of wonderful memories and wouldn't trade 'em for the world!
AmbergrisCaye.com 
