Beaches & Belikan Beer: A recap of our Belize vacation

We've been so busy getting ready for our next 2 trips (we're leaving for the Fiesta Bowl today and then Puerto Vallarta on Wednesday) that we haven't yet had time to recap our wonderful Belize vacation!

Here are some memories...

First, it was amazing and beautiful and totally relaxing. I came back 100% refreshed and ready to conquer my everyday life again, which rarely happens.

We spent 8 days total in Belize - 4 at the beach and 4 in the rainforest.

Our first stop was Placencia in Southern Belize. We took a TINY plane there from Belize City - it was a little scary but the view was breath-taking so I'd definitely do it again. I loved where we stayed so much (Chabil Mar) that I want to buy a place there as soon as possible! It was this really small, quiet, luxury beachfront place with new beach villas and an infinity pool. Highlights here included a candlelight dinner on the water looking out on a night sky full of stars under our private thatched hut, bike rides to town, lots of rum punch and a great dinner at one of Francis Coppola's restaurants and an amazing day trip on Monkey River.

During this excursion, a small boat held the 5 of us and took us to a small local village. Then we traveled up the river with Percy (a.k.a Rambo), our local guide. We saw lots of manatees, birds, crocodiles, iguana and healing (medicinal) plants. One highlight was our rainforest walk and hearing the howler monkeys (they make sounds that make you feel like you are walking through a haunted house - totally bizarre). It was a really amazing experience.

Christmas Eve we headed to a resort called Blancaneux, which was truly unbelievable and also owned by Francis Ford Coppola. The 4 hr drive there was over pretty dreadful dirt roads- but it was totally worth it! The small resort is located on Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Preserve it is stunning. There are about 14 teak, eco-friendly units by the river. We were in a villa right by the natural pool and falls and surrounded by palms, pines and numerous lush plants. It was complete relaxation - highlighted by a lot of time spent reading by the pool or on a hammock. During the days we'd hike to the falls or enjoy a bird watching tour at daybreak (LOTS of birdwatchers and divers in Belize). Each evening at sunset we'd sit in the hot pool and enjoy cocktails (basil mojitos and caipirinas).

On our last day we made a trip to the Belize Zoo, which was wonderful. It is really a wild animal park with jaguars, spider and howler monkeys, tapir, crocs, ocelot, parrots, macaw, harpy eagles, jabiru stork, jaguarundi, peccari, coati mundi, deer, short-eared rabbits, . . . very cool.

It was definitely a trip we'll remember and treasure for life!