In May, my mom took us all to Belize as a gift. It was the most amazing, most epic trip ever. We started in New Orleans for my neice's wedding. Then we flew from New Orleans to the mountains of Belize. OUr desitination? Blancaneaux Lodge, a Francis Ford Coppola Resort. https://www.thefamilycoppolahideaways.com/en/blancaneaux-lodge
Here is their blurb about it:
"A dramatic hideaway in a rainforest wonderland In the early 1980s, Francis Ford Coppola visited Belize, immediately fell in love with the location, and purchased the abandoned Blancaneaux Lodge. For more than a decade the hideaway was used as a family retreat before Francis opened his tropical paradise to the public in 1993.
Blancaneaux Lodge is a 20-room luxury hideaway where waterfalls tumble into turquoise pools above the jungle canopy. Its remote mountain setting allows guests to explore the ancient civilization of the Maya and to return to their own thatched roof dwelling, rich with Guatemalan décor and nestled in the foliage of the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve."
We took a flight to the Belize Airport and then a very long, vomit inducing van ride to the resort. (the road was fine, the driver was not). We had our welcome drink in the bar, unpacked, and met Tiff, Keith and Kade in the organic garden for a vegetarian dinner after a tour of their gardens.
The next morning we had our morning routine of breakfast and yoga on our living room deck and then went off to the waterfall. Tiff and I hiked the 2 miles there (and not an easy hike either!) and the boys all rode bikes. They all jumped and swam and we spent the morning in happiness.
After the waterfall, we had lunch at the pool, swam, rested at our villa and spent the afternoon being leisurely.
That evening we ate at the Guatamalan restaurant on property. It was our favorite food- so delicious!
The next morning everyone except for Mom and me went to the ATM Cave. https://belizing.com/ATM-Cave-Belize/
"Recently deemed as the #1 Sacred Cave destination in the world by National Geographic, the ATM cave is not only geologically beautiful with its crystalline stalactites and stalagmites, but also historically as it is a natural museum of ancient Mayan artifacts and a sacred burial place. This is known as the final resting place of the "Crystal Maiden", who is believed to be an ancient Mayan Ceremonial victim along with 13 other skeletal remains which includes men, women and children."
Mom's back went out on the trip, and I was just happy to stay with her. We each got a massage and spent time lying around the pool and exploring. That afternoon, we went toobing on our own little river. We spent the late afternoon playing dominoes in the bar until the rest of our group came home.
That evening we ate in the main restaurant on the patio and had a marvelous time!
The next morning, Mom and Paul and I walked down the Orchid Trail and then I did a solo hike to the Waterfall, had a swim and a little communion with the waterfall gods before hiking back to climb in the pool with my Belikin.
Tiffany, Keith, Kade, Michael, Sam and Davis went ziplining in the morning. Then the Walter boys rejoined us and the Carnes kept on with a canoe trip in a cave!
That afternoon, the kids spent flipping off of cliffs, lunching by the pool, and tubing down the river.
That evening, after drinks in the bar, we ate one last time in our favorite Guatamalan restaurant and headed to bed.
The next morning we had our breakfast on the porch, packed up and headed to the Blue Hole and Caves and to go Cave Tubing on our way to Turtle Inn. We hiked a short trail and then descended into the cave to tube in the darkness. It was such an amazing experience! After our tubing adventure, we had a lovely packed picnic lunch and then continued our long van ride to the Turtle Inn!
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