We took multimodal transportation from Birds Eye View to Chan Chich. A short ride in a car took us to a boat landing, where we started a boat ride of about 30 miles to the Lamanai Maya ruins. We were picked up there and went by car the rest of the way to Chan Chich. With stops for birds and other sightseeing along the way, the drive took us about four hours. We were told that others routinely make it in half the time. Chan Chich is expensive, but it's also exceptionally nice. We met a group who have been visiting annually for 8 years.

At odd hours of both day and night, we heard Howler Monkeys nearby. Often we could see them in the trees above the lodge area. It's a special experience be awakened by them at 3 AM.

Click on any thumbnail to see a larger picture, then use "back" to return to this page. All photos © George Oetzel, 2006.

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	No river trip is complete without a good look at a crocodile.
	Large-scale temple art at Lamanai.
	Many people climb the Temple of the Sun, highest at Lamanai. George did, too.
	Along the road, Leonard spotted some Jabiru storks. They were far away, but they're huge birds.
	Chan Chich looks fancy from the moment you arrive.
	Here's our cabana. They have been working on upgrading the cabanas. Ours was one of the improved ones, quite luxurious inside.
	Right outside our cabana at Chan Chich was a tree full of Oropendola nests, large hanging baskets. You can see one of the birds in the upper left. (One suspects the name derives from Oro = gold, for the tail, pendola, like pendulum, for the nest)
	Oscellated Turkeys are rare over most of Central America, because they have been extirpated by hunting. In the Gallon Jug reserve, where Chan Chich is located, they are common. There were often a dozen or so around the lodge dining area.
	The Crested Guan is another large bird that has been hunted almost to extinction. A pair was nesting in a tree on the lodge grounds.
	One heliconia among the many beautiful plants in the Chan Chich lodge area.
	The Violaceous Trogon is another gorgeous tropical bird.
	This is the front view of the Trogon. This picture was taken at duPlooys.
	The Lineated Woodpecker is a cousin of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker.

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