Mike in the Wild

I turned my back on the second longest barrier reef in the world, my mind on toucans and monkeys instead of sharks and rays.  Three out of the four stops on my Western Caribbean cruise comprised snorkeling adventures so I decided to head into the jungle on my Belize outing.  I wanted to appreciate the flora and fauna, not to mention the history and culture, of a country I barely knew.  Cruise ships don't dock in Belize City, where tenders shuttle tourists between the megaships and the main port.  On that half-hour ride I got a preview of some local bird life in the form of gulls, terns, and pelicans.  But those birds were a far cry from the exotic animal life that consumed me as I boarded a tour bus to Lamanai Archaeological Reserve.  The partially excavated structures at Lamanai were located an hour's drive from the port affording me a chance to see a portion of Belize's northern countryside.   Flat and historically forested, the tropical landsca...