July 22, 2004 • Tropical Ecology Institute • NC Museum of Natural Sciences

Today we didn't have Internet access, so we called in our journal entry to our Electronic Connection Buddy via cell phone! Not only that, but we left it in poem form!

As we woke to our latest inspiring morning,
Leaving behind tarantulas and scorpion warnings,
It dampened our spirits to bid Lydia farewell
Her warmth and hospitality had fed our souls well.
On to the Zoo—a Belizean habitat
Where Nathan and Bill taught us this and that.
Filled with no elephants, giraffes, or foreign displays
Only native animals with habitats portrayed.
From scorpions, spider monkeys, coatis and deer
To peccaries, sea otters and water-logged tapir.
The most fascinating creature we have seen so far,
Was the surreal appearance of a sleeping jaguar.
Then it was off to Cheers Restaurant for lunch,
The open-air dining room fascinated this bunch.
"Hurry, hurry" our leader Mary Ann would scold,
"It's time to embark for the famous Blue Hole!"
What a fabulous magnificent view,
The sun reflecting its iridescent blue.
We peeled off our clothes, and prepared for the dip.
As our toes touched chilled water, we quivered our lip.
We dove in, and just as we were starting to have fun,
Mary Ann yelled, "Folks, it's time for us to run."
Now we find ourselves on the bus to the Cockscomb,
For yes, we have another jungle to roam.
So we must say good-bye from a cell phone we've borrowed,
And fill you in on a few more details tomorrow!

Photos added July 24, 2004:

2004 Daily Journals
Day 1: July 19 – Raleigh/Dallas/Belize/Belize River
Day 2: July 20 – Mountain Pine Ridge
Day 3: July 21 – Xunantunich/Macal River
Day 4: July 22 – Warrie Head/Belize Zoo/Cockscomb Basin
Day 5: July 23 – Cockscomb Basin/Placencia
Day 6: July 24 – Beach/Barrier Reef/Mangrove Ecology
Day 7: July 25 – Mangrove ecology/Reef snorkel/Bird Rookery
Day 8: July 26 – Monkey River Village School
Day 9: July 27 – Placencia/Dallas/Home!