The sun has just risen and the day is not hot. A crew of seven headed out for the fishing spot. On the way there, we caught bait and saw a stingray during the wait. Under the great leadership of Jema, we were able to catch and identify five fish. Huge improvements and efforts were seen from the crew, alongside friendship and kindness. We were able to take constructive criticism and apply it to real practice. Overall, this morning’s fishing trip showcased the spirit of growth and jumping out of our comfort zones, especially for beginners.
Next, we headed off to a turtle nesting site to do a beach clean-up. Upon arrival, we immediately saw overwhelming amounts of garbage and felt worried for the health of the turtles. We started our beach clean-up and were able to fill over 10 bags with garbage. We felt very accomplished. This showed us how much pollution can affect ecosystems, and led us to reflect on how much trash we produce. We will now be more mindful of our waste, as we can see where it is ending up. This led us to ask questions about the turtle nesting. We learned that turtles naturally come to the beach where they were born to lay their eggs. If the temperature of the sand is warmer, the eggs will all be males. As temperatures continue to rise, we see an increase in male turtles. This is a problem for the population, as there are not enough female turtles.
Afterwards, we headed to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-longest barrier reef in the world. As we approached the site, we cleansed our snorkels and prepared for the wonders yet to come. We entered the sodium-abundant body of water (according to the detection of our taste system) and immediately began to observe the marine life it inhabited. We were able to identify a myriad of fish and creatures, including lobsters, grunts, and snappers, all while being granted the privilege of observing our SACD guides hunt for lionfish. This was our final snorkelling session of the trip and we were able to practice the skills we gained while enjoying the beauty of truly being able to see what lies beneath the sea.
After lunch, we had the opportunity to engage in an educational lionfish dissection. Before, we got a tour of the museum at Bacalar Chico, where we learned about the animals as well as the history of Mayans in Belize. Darling demonstrated how to dissect the lionfish. She located the gills, stomach, and swimbladder, and highlighted the importance of these organs. We learned that gills are essential for gas exchange in fish and the swimbladder is full of air and helps the fish stay afloat. If either of these is damaged, the fish will not survive.
When we arrived back at Belizima after a long, wet boat ride, we were able to enjoy some time together, take pictures on the dock and watch the sunset. We snapped a group photo right as the sun was dipping under the horizon.
We entered Belizma’s main lodge, ecstatic to enjoy a traditional Garifuna meal presented to us by Princess, a local from Sartenja and a wonderful cook. She prepared fried fish, plantain, fruit, cassava, rice, and coconut soup with hot peppers. Princess shared stories about Mayan and Garifuna mythology.
Then, the most exciting part of the evening commenced as we cleared plates and dishes, moved tables and chairs aside, and prepared a dance floor. Princess taught us how to dance in traditional Spanish fashion. Everyone started slow at first, as they were learning the ropes, but eventually everyone joined and tore up the dance floor. It was great to see people being able to show off their individuality and dance moves, and come alive on the floor.
It is said by many that people will forget most of what they have been through, but this trip will definitely stay in our memory forever. The experience today deeply showcased how a small behaviour of a single person can cause so much damage and so much trouble for people who are trying to make Earth a better place. From the past seven days, the concept of cultural respect and protecting the environment has been deeply rooted in us. After this trip, after all the mosquito bites have vanished and the sunburns have faded, the concept of “a sea of health is a sea of wealth” will forever become a guideline of our life and behaviours.
