The End

well we are back and the blog seemed unfinished so here is the final post (there will be one more just for team members about where to put you photos so they can be accessed by everyone)

but we would all like to once again like to say a big thank you to Neil, Rob and Sonia

i hope i speak for everyone when i say we had an amazing time and experiances that could probly never be relived in the same way.

Also thanks to all the parents and sponcers who helped make this trip happen

Our last day in the jungle was dominated by this river walk. The water levels had been so high earlier in the summer that previous groups had not been able to make it and had had to go around. This is why we had expected to be in the jungle for 4 days, but we pushed on and completed it in 3.

This was quite a challenge, possibly more so when we actually emerged from the jungle, because we still had a long way to got to get to the main road and the bus back to Monkey Bay. We were all extremely tired and we were now in full sun. Our guide, Mitch, was brilliant, but not so good at estimating time or distance. As a result, some of the group were running out of water, but we passed through a citrus orchard where we were able to pick the fruit straight from the trees. We ate Washington Navel oranges that were the size of grapefruit and grapefruit that were the size of melons. They were so delicious! They almost rivaled the mangos we ate on the first day in the jungle, but not quite.

We went a little further and were able to cool off in the river, as you were able to see in the photo previously published.

The following day we set off early for our R&R. We decided to go to the island of Cuay Caulker, a tiny place that you can walk around in about 30mins. I have only seen one pick up truck on the whole island. All other vehicles are golf trolleys or bikes.

There was a problem with our accommodation when we got there so we spent much of the remaining part of the afternoon finding somewhere to sleep, but we were glad of that pick-up as it belonged to the China Town Hotel, where we finally booked for the first 2 nights of our stay.

We arranged to go snorkeling the following day and had a fantastic time. We swam with sharks, rays, sea turtles and moray eels, but the manatees were not to be found. Later we went to a deserted beach for a bbq.

Yesterday we had a quiet day. We chilled. We shopped. We ate. It was tough!

Today was our last day and a great way to finish. We went fishing and then cooked what we caught. Emily caught the most. Haris caught the biggest, a barracuda. Neil caught the greatest weight, 4 snappers and 3 barracuda.

We are signing out now as the video has finally uploaded and everyone is at the restaurant for our last evening meal – except me!

Leaving the island by water taxi at 6.30 am tomorrow (that’s 1.30pm your time). See you all at Alderbrook lunchtime on Monday.

Monday 19th - Day 25

All up between 5 and 5.30. Porridge for breakfast, made with unfiltered river water. Stuck to the bottom of the pan too. Not a good start to the day, but a dose of local 'jungle' honey helped the medicine go down.

Set off about 8. Have to say that one bit of jungle looks pretty much like any other and, as previously mentioned, disappointing wildlife. None of us were, or are complaining, however, as this was what we came for and I think we all enjoyed the challenge. Having said that, 2 of the macho boys tried to tell the rest that it wasn't a challenge at all! Irritating little bleeders.

I think we should all be really proud of the team, because this WAS difficult. We had previously been told that the river levels were quite high, so we had extended the trek to 4 days, but the level had fallen again, just enough for us to make it in 3 if we pushed hard. This is what we decided to do so we committed ourselves by ignoring the first campsite.

Despite the limited sightings of critters, there were some memorable moments. At one point Emily spotted a snake next to the trail. Mitch confirmed that it was a furdilance snake, one of the most dangerous in Central America. As he moved it to one side we spotted a scorpion. Everyone was so calm. We were all careful, but relaxed at the same time. We were curious rather than scared.

Later, some of the group saw monkeys, but they generally avoided us. Possibly the most thrilling event, though, wasnt a sighting at all really, but we found fresh jaguar tracks in the soft mud. It was using the same trail as us and we all hoped to see the real thing, but it wasnt to be.

Generally, the walking itself was relatively straightforward at this time. The ground was relatively level and the trees provided some shade. The problem, apart from the weight of the packs, was that you didn't know whether to look down for the creepy crawlies and tree roots, or up to ensure you didnt bang your head. If you stumble you have to watch where you grab cos there are bastard palms and give and take palms. The spines of both can be very painful for up to 36 hours.

I said that the heat wasnt so bad, but everything is relative. It was still so sticky that our clothes were soaking wet and the smell was getting worse. We had to trudge through muddy creeks that oozed over our boots and filled them so that we squelched as we walked.

Arrived at our second and last camp. As we had bought supplies for 4 days we decided to pig out and get rid of some weight. We also had marshmallows toasted over the campfire. It all seamed so surreal.

Final wildlife report: saw a spider with a 12inch leg span on our cave wall and the place is alive with tiny frogs. Poor Britney!

Britney's question of the day:

'Why don't mosquitos bite you on your teeth?'

Sunday 17 - Day 24

We were all up at 5 on Sunday, looking forward, but also a little apprehensive about our day ahead. Rucksacks were the heaviest they have been all trip as we had to carry the tents and all the food for 4 days in the jungle.

The centre's chicken bus dropped us off and we started walking at about 8.30. It was already blazing hot and the first hour of the trek was in the open as we followed an old logging trail. It was hard going and the sweat literally pored off us. The mozzies weren't too much of a problem at this stage, but the sand-flies were.

We followed the sometimes muddy trail until finally we turned into the trees and blessed shade. After about 20 mins we came to a creek. This needed wading and we had to use our poles to support us in the slippery rocked water. It was quite cool, however, and gave us much needed respite from the heat of the sun.

We reached the other side and continued on for a little longer before stopping for 11'ses. Anna, from the centre, had picked us some mangos. These were the most beautiful of fruits that many of us had ever tasted. They were absolutely fantastic!

We moved on through the trees. This was real jungle, though the trail was well trodden. There was little wildlife as most of it comes out at night, but Mitch, our guide, found a snake and moved it to one side.

We walked through some fantastic limestone caverns, stopping in one of them for lunch. Some were so dark that you couldn't see the way out the other side, but again, Mitch guided our every step. Mitch is brilliant: a wonderfully gentle and warm Rasta who knows the trails so well.

The afternoon session was not so long and we reached our campsite under another deep overhanging limestone outcrop. The site bordered a fairly fast flowing creek and this provided welcome fresh(ish) water for refilling bottles, cooking and washing, but also for just soaking in. We were all beginning to smell (worse than usual) so many of us simply got in with our clothes on and tried to wash away the sweat and grime. I can't say it really helped, but it felt good.

The staff cooked stew followed by walmed pineapple with sugar. Not a bad effort for a trio so out of practice!

Retired early as another early start the following day.

We have placed some photos on a seperate entry. These cover several days in the jungle, but we shall try to add some others, plus another video. Images are taking a long time to upload and we have a busy day tomorrow.

Jungle Photos

Nat and Vinita Chilling on the rocks on a much needed break.












Lunch stop on the first day us chilling on the rocks again














Grace H, Nat and Grace J chilling out in the stream after a hard days work











Water Fight on the final day which was really refeshing for all of us!!

Day 18 - Travel Day

Hi all it me again Grace H no one else wants to write the blog.

Well we woke up andit was anothers day to travel and this time it was to Florence from Coban.
It was an early wake up call at 7:30 and their was the usually fight for the ceral never be last otherwise you end up getting the disicusting fruit loops which thankfull rob agrees with me thankfully you can not get them in England. We then started rushing around trying to leave the road asap so Pedro our driver could get us their for 3pm, but while packing the bus we had pre-made tuna sandwichs but unlucky i dropped the pot with the tuna in on the floor of the bus and ended up cleaning the mess up, thank god all of it did not go on the floor. Well i had to improvise seeing as Gutamala do not have wet clothes at quick action.

Once i cleaned up the mess on the bus floor, Pedro our driver set off for the road to Florence we all chilled our on the bus listing to the i-pod speakings blearing out the music while reading when the driver showed us a picture of a female we had saw in advance one of the previous world challge groups the one who lost their passport. Which creeped Miss Woodbridge out because she was often getting lots of hugs off Pedro. We think he likes any think that is a young female. We then got a random phone call saying someone called Grace had left their passport back to the hotel well it gave me a heart attack literally because they are 2 grace which is not funny. Only to find out it was the other one. We then got back on the road and carried on chilling to the music.

While watching the beautiful scenery of the roads passing by and other things we then had lunch on the back of the bus. Thank god their was still anought tuna for all of us lot to have 3rds. Then Rob asked what the name of the company that made the tuna was it was "Fannys" which made Rob crack up loads of joke and him laugh like hell. The only time we stopped was to cross the stream which was on a very unique because it did not look very safe and i am pretty sure it would not pass as heath and safty in the U.K.

We then had a little bit futher to go on the bus journey, when we final reached florence we planned to go over to the ARCUS centre for prepartion for our community project. While waiting for the orthers to get back from the island to see weather we could or not stay their, we cleaned out Pedro bus, when they final arrived back about an hour later Ant cracked up a joke about us not being allowed to go to the island because it had an outbreak of Malira and unlukly Britney belived him.

Once we got to the island from a long boat journey we had to get all the bags up to the accomidation block, which took a while we then all had to sign in and had quite an uneventful night having dinner and going to bed final.

since the travel day to now

we sadly we have not been updating the blog for a while. But even sadder is the fact we still arent for another 4 days. currently we are sat at the only computer in monkey bay packing bags ready to start our rainfo0rest trek at 7 tommorrow morning.

since the travel day to flores from coban we have done a variety of things as some of the pictures will show. we did 2 days at ARCAS the wildlife rescue centre and everyone had a great time and got to see the animals and even better we saw a actual jaguar.

we left there for tikal were we spent 2 days veiwing the lovely mayan ruins. we got up at 4 for on the second morning to watch the sunrise from the biggest temple there it was an amazing sight and we are all glad we got to do this to.

we then crossed the border into belize this was eventful as you had to sign out of guatemala to be able to sign into belize. but luckily none of the bags were searched which most people were worried about due to it taking a little while to repack them.

from tikal we have travelled to monkey bay were we trek with our bouynacy aid and helmets due to high rivers as it is rainy season.

everyone is looking forward to doing this and it will be one of the best experiances of the whole trip.