Journey to Punta Gorda, Belize

This trip was going to be different in that I would be traveling with a small group of people, some of whom I knew, some of whom I have never met before. However, we were all connected through Blue Morpho and Ayahuasca, and it was safe to assume they would be my kind of people. This trip was not about going to various Mayan ruins and having some guide regurgitate the information in the brochure, but rather a personal exploration to understand how the Mayans viewed the universe. To connect with it in a way that resonates with me and take that knowledge forward with me, there was no right or wrong question to the answer I would discover. And what the hell was that whole Mayan 2012 thing about, nothing really happened?

Executing my signature move I was at the airport with hours to spare. I had a brief laugh when I saw this sign as I’m not sure they are the words I would use to describe this group of people, but then who was I to judge.


I then found this lady who had the right idea in bringing her rocking chair, but how did she get that through security, and I hope it somehow folds up to fit in the overhead bin.


I then setup my GoPro to capture some time-lapse footage for my video and got to meet a fella from the TSA. I guess they have concerns about little black boxes with flashing red lights on them when no one is around. I thought it would be cool to walk through my shot, kind of like a hidden Easter egg, but lesson learned, I should not leave my camera unattended.


It was a great sign to see the God rays just as I was about to board, and an even better sign that the flight attendants were ready with preflight cocktails. I was on a red-eye from Seattle to Atlanta so a few drinks helped me get to sleep before we took off.


It was now the next day and after three short hours in Atlanta I was on my flight to Belize City. I cleared customs and got my bag, then headed to check in on Maya Island Air for my flight to Punta Gorda. Here is my pilot/fellow passenger.


We didn't get too far before we had to make a refueling stop.


It was a beautiful flight though.


We landed in Punta Gorda and I meet fellow Blue Morpho guests, Brian and Rhona, and Nina. We all climbed into the lodge’s pickup truck and were on our way. At the lodge it was wonderful to see Malcolm and Loretta again, they are truly two of the most beautiful people I know. It was also great to see Scott again outside of the Ayahuasca ceremony room. I met the rest of the group, Karen, Fay, and Sergio, and then went to check out my bungalow.


My bed was very comfortable and my clothes really enjoyed the bunk beds. This was the first trip with my new pack and I was amazed at how far technology has come. My last pack lasted ten years and it was like saying goodbye to an old friend, but my new pack was a joy to carry, almost effortless, and I look forward to the many journeys ahead with it.


Always a favorite, the open air shower.


My deck which included fire ants at sunset.


And of course I had to try the local brew, Belikin, which I enjoyed so much that I went back for seconds. And why not, U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere with a constant exchange rate of one U.S. dollar to two Belize dollars. Belikin comes from the Mayan language meaning "Road to the East". Why it was named for that I have no idea. It was also nice that the official language was English so no hablo espanol.


We ate dinner together and it was great to begin to get to know each other. I didn't know it at the time but each would provide insight to myself. Providing me with new knowledge and allowing me to integrate it in my own personal way. We were briefed on tomorrow and then headed off to bed as we were all tried from the travels that brought us together.

VIDEO: Mayan Cosmology - Day 1