New Year’s Caribbean Cruise: Lamanai Mayan Ruins in Belize

Today, I wanted to switch gears a bit and share more about our day in Belize. Chris and I have always wanted to see (and climb on) Mayan ruins, so it was a priority for us to find an excursion with a ruins visit. We picked the Belize river cruise and Lamanai Mayan Ruins because it seemed like a great way to see as much of Belize as possible.

The minute we stopped off the boat (which was a huge relief after that crazy ride!), I knew I was going to like this tour. The whole area was lush, and our tour guide was both interesting and informative. One of my favorite facts was that the name Lamanai means “submerged crocodile,” which makes sense since there are crocodiles in the river by the ruins! The hardest part was that they told us to wear long sleeves and bug spray because of all the bugs, but it was super hot…and I still got a massive bite on my toe.

We visited the Mask Temple, Jaguar Temple, and High Temple. We learned about Mayan life, and the boys climbed to the top of the High Temple. I really wanted to do it, but my toe was killing me at that point…and I’m glad I didn’t because it started pouring as soon as they got halfway up (and I was on the ground under cover).

Other than the temples, it was interesting to walk through an area that was once a sprawling city but is now covered in forest. Our guide pointed out that the majority of the ruins were still unexcavated, and we walked by several places we didn’t know were building until our guide pointed them out.

At one stop we were shown a court where the Mayan’s played a game like a cross of basketball and soccer. Though legend has it that the losing team was executed, our guide assured us that the Mayans at this complex did not follow this practice. While at the court we got to see some of the local “wildlife”— the boat driver snuck up on the group with a five-inch hairy tarantula in his palm!

Our trip to the Lamanai Ruins made us eager to explore more Mayan ruins in the future. We are definitely hoping to book a similar excursion on our next cruise!

Catch up on our New Year's Caribbean Cruise:

Quick Thoughts

Emerald Princess Review

Maya Key in Roatan, Honduras
Belize River Cruise

 

Friday Favorites: First Chicago Trip (+Giveaway)

Phew, we made it to Friday, friends. It’s been a busy week, so I am excited for this weekend. We are headed to a wedding on Saturday and celebrating a birthday on Sunday. On to my Friday Favorites this week:

/ / One:
We started off this week looking for a place to live in Chicago. It was super frustrating, but I think we found a great place! We put in an application, so hopefully we will find out soon if we are approved.

/ / Two:
I know no one really cares about weather, but it is supposed to be sunny tomorrow for the first time in I-don’t-know-when, and I am excited to be outside. It’s perfect timing too because we are going to an outdoor wedding. Also, it would be really cool not to worry about hail or tornadoes for a day.

/ / Three:
Skyler sheds a lot twice a year, so I was really excited when Chewy sent me the FURminator Dual Brush for Dogs. I paired it with the FURminator deShedding Edge, and it worked really well! I got about two gallon bags of fur, but now she isn’t shedding anymore.

Disclosure: Chewy.com sent me the FURminator Dual Brush for Dogs to review. No further compensation was received, and all opinions are my own.

/ / Four:
On another Chicago note, I am so glad we were able to see our new city a bit! It definitely made me feel better about our move.

/ / Five:
Today, I am partnering with my friends at Chewy to give you a “Pamper Yourself and Your Dog” Giveaway. Skyler loves Hill’s Science Diet Jerky Snacks with Real Chicken, so when Chewy suggested giving them away, I was eager to share them with a winner.

I decided to add some beauty items to the giveaway, so both you and your dog can have a fun treat! The beauty pack includes: City Color Creamy Lip Stain, Cover Girl Eye Enhancers in Blushing Nudes, Figs & Rouge Hand Cream, Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask, and Julep Nail Polish in Bea.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Have a wonderful weekend!

Linking up with Amanda, Karli, and the High Five for Friday girls.

 

My Spring Texas Bucket List

Now that we are moving away from Texas for a year, I am eager to do as many fun activities as we can fit in for the next month. Here’s what I am hoping to get done this month:

Go to a baseball game. 
Chris and I went to a baseball game with my job last week, and we had so much fun! Even though the game we went to was terrible, we loved hanging out with friends and enjoying the beautiful weather.

Go on a picnic. 
Lately, it has been stormy and muddy (typical Texas spring weather), but every once in a while we have beautiful days. I would love to spend one of those days having a picnic in the park with my love.

Take a photo in bluebonnets.
Sadly, I’m not sure this will happen this year because they are all starting to die, but in all the years I have lived in Texas, I have never taken a photo in bluebonnets. If we don’t get to do it this year, it is definitely on my list for when we return from Chicago.

Have a barbecue. 
Memorial Day is right before we leave Texas, and I would love to have a nice Texas barbecue before we leave.

Spend as much time with Chris as possible. 
Have I mentioned that Chris will be working a ton of hours each week while we are in Chicago? I want to fit in as much time together as I can before we have to deal with his crazy schedule.

What’s on your spring bucket list?

April 2015 PopSugar Must Have Box

Hey friends! I am currently in Chicago looking for a place to live, so I thought today would be a good day for a PopSugar Must Have Box review. I love when PopSugar boxes are a mixture of practical items and fun items, so this box was another winner for me.

One Love Organics Gardenia + Tea Antioxidant Body Serum ($39): I have heard good things about the One Love brand, so I was excited to try this serum. I am particular about scent, and I loved that this has a nice, subtle smell. I also love that it is not heavy and absorbs into my skin quickly.

Dabney Lee Umbrella ($20): How could I not love a polka-dotted umbrella? Not only is it adorable, but it looks durable. I’ve been needing a new umbrella, so this was perfect for me!

Produce Candles Rhubarb Spring Candle ($20): I honestly wasn’t sure I would like a rhubarb-scented candle, but it actually smells amazing! Also, I can’t get over the cute packaging. It’s almost too adorable to burn. Produce Candles are made out of natural soy wax and burn for approximately 50-70 hours.

Potting Shed Creations, Ltd. Garden-in-a-bag Basil ($10): This is the only item in the box that I won’t use, but my mom is excited to try it. I honestly just have no desire to garden, even from a bag.

Flip + Tumble Reusable Bag ($12): I love that this bag folds easily into a tiny ball that I can stick in my purse. It will be great if I need to make a quick trip to the grocery store!

Special Extra: Mott 50 $25 Gift Card

I came up with a total of $101 for this box (excluding the gift card since it was an extra). I really liked the variety of items this month, though I am sad it doesn’t have a food item to try. Chris and I like to share PopSugar snacks, so it was a bummer it didn’t have one.

What do you think of the April 2015 PopSugar Must Have Box? What is your favorite item in the box?

Real Talk: A Thankful Heart

It’s no secret that Chris and I are in a hectic season of our lives. Finding a place to live in a city you don’t know is all sorts of frustrating, especially when every place you like seems to get rented the next day. I would be lying to y’all if I didn’t say we have been feeling discouraged.

It is easy to dwell on the negative, but Chris and I are also so thankful for this opportunity. Medical school was a long journey, and it is a huge relief to move on to the next step. Chris is headed to a fantastic program that will provide a great foundation for him before radiology residency. I am excited to explore a new city with my love…and to come home a short year later!

Claire from The Studio by Fashion + Feathers sent me a beautiful gold foil print with a message I am trying to remember daily: “Start each day with a thankful heart.” I can’t tell y’all how much a difference it makes in my day when I wake up with a thankful heart and remind myself of the many blessings in my life. I can’t wait to hang it in our new Chicago bedroom!

Not only does Claire’s shop feature several beautiful gold inspirational prints, she also designed a fun phone case and a great T-shirt! Claire and I started blogging around the same time, and I have really enjoyed getting to know her. When she told me she opened a shop, I was so impressed with the lovely items she created. One of my favorite things about blogging is supporting each other, and I can’t wait to watch Claire’s shop grow! Claire also kindly provided a code for my readers. Use THESIBERIANAMERICAN to receive 10 percent off your purchase, good for the next week.

I received the gold foil print courtesy of The Studio at Fashion + Feathers, but all opinions are my own.