Chechem Ha Cave Part 2

Day 6 blog:Chechem Ha Caves, Belize – Entrance to the underworld

I have never been this lost in my life. We are now 2 hours into a drive that was supposed to take 1. We have been to the Guatemalan border twice now. Turns out it was the wrong direction both times. Dang. None of the roads have signs on them. When we ask for directions, people give directions to fictitious turns and intersections. Side note: I am not sure why, but people here are unable to give even the simplest directions. It’s strangely endearing. Our hotel receptionist could not give me directions to get to the cabin. “Go up the road and turn on the third turn and then park under the coconut tree.” Haha. Huh? Isn’t that it, right there? Pointing to a cabin about 40 yards away. “Yes, sir.” She says again, “Like I said, it is around the bend, past the lobby, take a right, then a left, and then do the hokey-pokey. You can’t miss it.” Ok. We drive in a straight line to the cabin. No problem. I digress. Back to today’s drive. We continue down a road (with no name) for another hour. We have to be lost again. As we think about turning around, we see a sign for Chechem Ha Cave! Success! We pull into the road. We have to unhinge two wooded fences to get to a small house on the side of a cliff. The lady greets us and tells us her son, William, does the tours and we will have to go to his house down the street. Its only ¼ mile. Can’t miss it. We drive and drive. We miss it. Finally, turning around and going the other direction, 6 miles away, we see his house.

We meet William, and head into the jungle. It is so cool. Like Indiana Jones cool. Down the mountain, through the jungle, and up the mountain again. We made it. The entrance of the cave is surreal. Hidden behind vines, there is a steel grate placed in the side of the limestone mountain. Like I said, Indian Jones cool. We enter into the Mayan underworld. We are greeted by a snake. Not poisonous. I ask if anyone has ever been attacked by an animal in here. Not yet, said William. I’m comforted. We explore artifacts dating back 3000 years. Pots and carved stones that were used to provide offerings to their Gods to help in times of trouble. No human sacrifices were performed here. Not yet, says William. I don’t find him funny. I put my money in my front pocket. Jake has an expensive camcorder. He should be worried. Only kidding. William was awesome. Best guide of the trip. After exploring for a couple hours in the underworld, we climb out of the cave and into the light again. What a day. I love adventure. I love Indiana Jones. Today, I am him.