Enjoying Nature -- as Intended

I'm so happy we decided to stay at Chaa Creek, as there is so much to do here! We spend our days exploring the 300+ acres by horseback riding, hiking, canoeing, and walking along the medicine trail. This place is truly delightful.

• Horseback riding in the jungle. My horse -- Al Capone -- and I got along beatiful. He is a gem. Whenever we weren't in the thick of the jungle we would run -- and it was a blast! Our guide, Roberto, did a great job educating us about the natural surroundings. He was also fun to talk with -- in Spanish. Boy, do I need to practice when I return home.
• Walking on a medicine trail. I continue to be amazed that nature provides us with everything we need to survive. From food to water, from medicine to shelter. I find it perplexing that we opt to spend millions developing drugs that provide the same treatment as, say, the bark of a tree in the jungle. Spanish elder treats insomnia and anxiety, and the gumbolimbo provides the antidote to the posionous blackwood tree that tends to grow near the gumbolimbo.
• Canoeing up the Macal River. A little before sunset we paddled up the Macal River (it was a little more challenging that I would have thought), but it was well worth it. In addition to seeing some great birdlife -- such as a family of toucans -- the ride downstream during sunset was sublime.

All-in-all, our time at Chaa Creek has been fantastic and I'm sad to leave, but happy I had the chance to stay.