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The St Petersburg
Audubon Society is returning to Belize's Chan Chich and Hidden Valley lodges! This will be our second trip--as a group--to
a place most people swore they would never leave after the senses were attacked
during the first ten minutes. On our first
visit to Chan Chich, we got out of the airport van and were greeted by a
singing Red-capped Mannikan three feet from us at eye level. The bird remained long enough that everyone
got pictures. I was tempted to touch it
to make sure it was real!
I have put together a series of answers for the most
frequently asked questions. If you have
further questions, please feel free to contact me.
I cannot stress enough that there is great interest in
this trip. There are 12 spots left of the 14.
It takes only a $100 deposit per person to hold your spot. Make checks out to St Petersburg Audubon
Society and make a note "Belize trip." Send your check to: St. Petersburg Audubon ::
P.O. Box 49087 St. Petersburg, FL 33743-9087.
Click on the Read More... link for more information.
FAQs
1. First and
foremost, this trip is open to all.· You
don't have to be an Audubon member, a bird enthusiast or even a Floridian (real
or imagined).· A healthy curiosity and a
willingness to be awed are the only requirements.
2. January-February is prime time.· Temperatures are very much as they are here
in Florida.· Humidity is low.· The two areas we visit will require shorts
and tees in the jungle and a sweater at night in the mountains (see #11 for more clothing ideas).
3. In the past, those flying out of Tampa were all on the
same flight. There are also flights from Orlando. The national airport in Belize city is the
destination. I have made a quick search and found a Continental flight
out of Tampa.
From Tampa to Belize City:
January 28, 2009
Flight: CO1437 (transfer to CO1627 in Houston) Aircraft: Boeing 737-300
Fare Class: Economy (T) Meal: Snack No Special Meal Offered.
6:45-11:27 with
one stop in Houston
From Belize City to Tampa:
February 5, 2009
Flight: CO1650 (transfer to CO606 in Houston) Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
Fare Class: Economy (T) Meal: Snack
No Special Meal Offered.
12:20-8:25 with one stop in Houston
609.00/person RT
I am requesting that all participants arrive at the
airport in Belize City by 1 p.m. Belize time on the 28th of January. Do not book your departing flight any earlier
than 11:00 a.m. on February 5 to return to Tampa. If either of these parameters prove difficult
for you, please notify me immediately.
We will do our best to accommodate you.
4. The money should be paid as a DEPOSIT of $100 per
person by July 1 to hold the reservation.
All payments must be in by November 15.
DEPOSITS are 50% refundable until September 1, and non-refundable after
that. Prepayment is due and fully refundable 60 days prior to arrival (November 28) and is non-refundable after
that time.
5. Cash? Travelers checks are fine though I did
encounter some difficulty using them in the airport with most vendors asking
that you cash them at the airport bank first--which means converting the US
check to Belize money.
There is a fee for the cashing and the rates are not as
good as you might find elsewhere. AND
when you convert the money back to US, you pay another fee for conversion. Because everything is paid for at both of our
destinations, you probably won't need much cash. I carried $200 and spent all of that on
souvenirs. Finally, most places gladly
accept the lowly US dollar.
6. There is no
single supplement. All prices have been
created based on pairs. Therefore, if
you are a "single" and want to go, I will be pleased to give you the
names and contact information of others on that singles list. You may contact each other and agree to
room. There is plenty of space in each
room at both lodges. You will not be
crowding each other. We will also be
certain to give you separate beds.
7.
Photographers! If you aren't one
now, you may be when we return. Opportunities for great shots of wildlife abound. The scenery is exotic. The Maya history surrounds you with ruins and beautiful
smiles from the Maya people--yep, they are still there.
8. This tour has
no specific purpose. That is, we are not
there just to see the birds, though I am certain many of you will be looking in
that direction. Belize is a wonderful
and varied experience. You will be
offered multiple opportunities to go on guided tours (Caracol, the waterfalls
at HVI, horseback riding or canoeing at Chan Chich etc.)
9. Degree of
difficulty: On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being most difficult, this
trip could range from 2-5. The
difficulty is entirely your own. We have had people who wanted to climb the
Maya pyramids and did. I would rate that a 5.
Others were content to lay in their porch hammock and
watch the hummingbirds--that is a 2, watching hummers can cause whiplash.
10. As for
vaccinations etc. The CDC web site has all that information. I will tell you
that in the trips I have taken to the country, I have never had any
inoculations--nor did I use insect repellent. I would not discourage either.
That is a personal choice.
11. What to bring.
Yes, you need a passport. A comfortable
pair of hiking shoes or sneakers are great.
Depending on your enthusiasm they may get wet--bring two. As for clothing, Chan Chich is a jungle
habitat.
Lightweight pants are great.· Shorts are fine too.· Same with shirts--long and short.· A hat is a must.· Don't worry about a canteen etc. But you may
want a small day pack to carry a guide book, water bottles, extra socks,
pen/pencil and notepad, journal--whatever.
Hidden Valley Inn (HVI) is on the pine ridge.· The elevation, though not very far up, makes
it a cooler place.· The days will be
delightful enough for shorts.· The
evenings will probably be cooler.· You
will want to swim in the pools at the bases of the waterfalls--plan on a
purposeful, personally engineered, dunking.
12. Binoculars and
field guides. Check the ABA site.
(http://www.abasales.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=19_22_41)
for Birds of Belize. It is far more
expensive if purchased in Belize. Other
useful guides are: Birds of Mexico and
Central America--Davis, A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central
America--Howell et al., and The Birds of Mexico and Adjacent Areas--Edwards.
Checklists of the birds of Chan Chich will be in your
room. A checklist of Belizean birds is
also found at the HVI website--unfortunately, it is alphabetical !?).
(http://www.hiddenvalleyinn.com/pdf/belizebirdlist_0305.pdf). In all instances, be aware species may occur
there that aren't on your checklists.
On my first visit to Belize more than 10 years ago (on
the ride to Caracol) our party had a Wandering Tattler (photographed). It is still not found on any lists.
A butterfly guide should be considered but you can go
nuts with guides--orchids, plants, mammals, reptiles. Take your pick. You will find the local guides are incredibly
knowledgeable.
Any other questions?
Let me know (
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). I'll be sending updates and reminders as they
are needed. Thanks again for your
interest.
If there are further questions you may contact me at
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.
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