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Belize... A Cultural Odyssey!Belize is an ancient land, in many ways a land that time forgot. It is an empty land, haunted by the "bones" of a vanished Mayan Empire. Less than 300,000 mostly English-speaking people occupy this sparsely populated country. Like the delicate strands of a spider’s web, the Maya, Creole and mysterious Garifuna/Carib Indians; are all connected in some way by the entangling threads of myth, magic and mysticism. Many of these archaic superstitions and folk beliefs have been passed down from mother to daughter----father to son, for generations or even centuries. It is against this fabric of Human Sacrifice, Herbal Medicine, Obeah Magic (and much more) that we begin our journey of discovery and understanding."Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" Yes, Belize is a land of many mysteries….a land with far more questions than answers. Where did the great and proud Maya go? Why (and how) did such and powerful and intellectually advanced society simply vanish? We can only speculate. But their ghostly voices call to us from every corner of Belize. The cold stone of countless Ancient Temples (many yet to be found) speak volumes….if only we will listen. Each City-State of this once vast Empire, has it’s own story to tell; but none more compelling than mysterious Lubaantun. Located in the south of Belize; the "Place of Fallen Stones" has been an enduring mystery and enigma to all of Anthropological Science, for decades. For there is an elegant beauty and overwhelming sense of peace and tranquility, as you walk among the plazas and avenues of this ancient city. Lubaantun is indeed a special place... a place of strong spiritual significance to the Maya, and perhaps even today. For it was here in some secret grotto... among the fallen stones, that the famous "Crystal Skull" is reputed to have been found. Reportedly some 13 Crystal Skulls of ancient origin, and varying sizes, colors and craftsmanship have been discovered at archaeological sites throughout Central and South America. But none as fascinating, beautiful and technologically IMPOSSIBLE, as the infamous "Skull of Doom"! Widely believed to have been found in 1924 by British Explorer, F.A. Mitchell-Hedges; this enigmatic artifact is shrouded in clouds of mystery. Was it really found in Belize, or was the true origin somewhere else? No one knows for sure. But exact origin aside, there are some amazing facts to consider: This improbable 11.7 pound artifact, carved from a single piece of flawless Quartz Crystal, is an anatomically correct replica of a real Human Skull…..complete with a movable jawbone! Tested in 1970 by Hewlett-Packard Laboratories; it was found to have been carved against the molecular symmetry of the stone. In other words, it should have shattered while being carved. To compound the strangeness of it all, it was found to have no microscopic tool marks of any kind! By our current understanding of stone carving and lapidary arts, it simply could not have been made!! "Ancient Echoes of Africa" But the Maya are not alone in Mysteries of the Mind. It is believed by many, that an even older culture was the original source of civilization in the Americas... a culture from Africa! No one knows if the Olmec civilization was truly African in origin; but thousands of years later (during the colonial period) the Garifuna People established a rich and vibrant Afro-Indian Culture in the Caribbean islands, and eventually here in Belize. Even though as a people, they are half "Native American" (Maya, Arawak and Carib), they have chosen to cling to their African roots. With their own unique language, voodoo-like West African religion and complicated magical, mystical beliefs, they have set themselves apart from the rest of Belizean society. Dangriga is the cultural heart of the Garifuna Nation. So on any warm and balmy night, at Spirit Wind Resort; you may hear the sounds of ceremonial drums and echoes of joyful singing carried upon the wind. If you close your eyes and listen, it is easy to imagine dark heart of Africa, beating in your soul! Sights and Culture |
  The Famous Crystal Skull of Belize  Beautiful and Mysterious Lubaantun  These Ancient "Prayer Grottos" of Lubaantun may have been the origin of the "Crystal Skull."  Lubaantun is a "Must See" Belize Adventure! 
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Mundo Maya Expeditions Virtual TourBelize is the Heart of the "Mundo Maya"... the Ancient Mayan World. And Spirit Wind Resort is in the Cultural Heart of Belize, surrounded by the remnants of a once powerful Empire... the Mysterious Vanished Maya. From the small enigmatic ruins at "Mayflower" to the Huge and Sprawling Metropolis of "Caracol" the unfolding mystery never ends. Every Discovery, every "Answer" only leads to new "Questions."So we offer our MUNDO MAYA EXPEDITIONS: Explore Six Ancient Maya Cities in only Seven Days! Day One... Arrival Day. Relax by the riverside in your waterfront Casita. Day Two you begin your adventure in the deep south of Toledo. We will leave early in the morning to travel into beautiful southern Belize, stopping first at small but amazing "Nim-Li-Punit." This is a remarkable site, perched high upon a hilltop, with Dramatic Views of the surrounding Toledo Plains. A small ceremonial center of the Late classic Period; it is most outstanding for the Dozens of Carved Stelae (Standing Stones) which were found at the site. The second half of the day will find us farther south at "Lubaantun," a major "City State," with commercial influence over an area of at least 625 square miles. This Ancient Mayan City has been a mystery since it’s discovery in 1903. To add more to the list of questions about this incredible place, we only need to mention the beautiful and famous "CRYSTAL SKULL," for it is here at Lubaantun that the mysterious, unfathomable artifact is alleged to have been found. Day Three we travel to "Mayflower." Discovered by accident in 1975, this site poses many questions for Archaeologists. It is considered to be too small to be a "Ceremonial Center" of any kind. Yet the foundations of some large and elaborate structures still remain. Why it was built and for what purpose, remains a great mystery. Surrounded by several Waterfalls, perhaps the site held some spiritual or religious significance. A visit to Beautiful Boccawina Falls is included. Day Four, you visit the mighty "Caracol," once the home of (at least) 150,000 Rich and Prosperous Maya. This was a Great and Powerful City... perhaps the largest in the entire Maya World. The city center consists of some 20 Plazas, surrounded by Great Temples; the largest of which ("Caana") soars 145 feet above the forest floor! Impressive causeways radiate from the center of the city, for more than a mile in every direction. Lining the causeways are the remains of other Great Buildings and "Palatial Homes" of Caracol’s Elite Ruling Class. Day Five we travel to "Altun Ha," one of the great Ceremonial and Commercial Cities of the Clasical Period. Located in the coastal forests of northern Belize, it was a conduit for both Sea Trade and Cultural Exchange with the (Non-Mayan) Caribbean, as well as Mexico, and possibly farther. It was here at Altun Ha that the "Great Jade head"... a jade carving of the Sun God, "Kinich Ahau," was found. This impressive (10 Pound) carving, is still the largest Jade Artifact ever found in Mesoamerica. Nearby, we will visit a Mayan Burial Ground, where the graves mounds dot the jungle landscape. Time permitting, a Nature Tour of the famous Belize Zoo will be included, to see up close the "Sacred Animals" of the Mayan World. Day Six, we take a ferry across the Macal River to visit Impressive and Beautiful "Xunantunich." From it's hilltop position, "El Castillo" (the tallest temple in the complex), rises 130 feet above the plaza and commands a broad view of both the Guatemala Highlands to the West and the Lowland Plains of Belize to the East. This elegant and beautiful city was built very near the end of Mayan Civilization. Why it was built at this location, when it’s nearby neighboring city (the Mighty Tikal) was Already Abandoned... remains a mystery. Day Seven, you visit the Quaint Villages of Maya Center, San Juan and others, to see present day Maya, living in the traditional way. At Maya Center, you may even see Maya Women washing their clothes on rocks in the stream, as their ancestors have done for more than 1,000 years. You will also have opportunities here to see and purchase the beautiful Art and Handicrafts of the Mundo Maya. |    | |
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