| If you loved the Indiana Jones or the "Romancing | | | | trip may not be for the squeamish: There is |
| the Stone" movies, you have probably imagined | | | | evidence that these ancient rites involved human |
| going on exotic expeditions of your own. When | | | | sacrifice of children and adults. These are |
| you're ready to take the plunge, one great place | | | | apparent at the Actun Tunichil Muknal karst where |
| for you to visit is Belize. | | | | the sacrifices were apparently made to appease |
| This Central American country has everything | | | | the gods. |
| you could ask for in an adventure vacation. Most | | | | Other karst that are interesting include the Caves |
| notable are karst. These are caves formed on | | | | Branch system which has a river with water that |
| limestone shelves. They were formed thousands | | | | remains at about 75 degrees F year round. There |
| of years ago and are believed to have been | | | | is also the Che Chem Ha cave. It is believed the |
| sacred places used by the ancient Maya in their | | | | Mayans lived in this cave around the year 800 |
| religious practices. | | | | A.D. There are signs everywhere of the |
| Archeologists estimate the karst were first used | | | | civilizations of Maya. |
| in about 1000 B.C. The Maya thought the karst | | | | If you like caves but are not particularly |
| were doorways to the world of the dead. | | | | interested in ancient civilizations, you can still enjoy |
| Although previously historians believed there was | | | | them for their sporting potential. You can enjoy |
| only one such portal, known as Xibalba, located in | | | | swimming, hiking, canoeing and tubing the beautiful |
| Guatamala, it now appears that Mayans believed | | | | wilderness. The Belize tourism office can tell you |
| all karst were Xibalba or sacred. There is still a | | | | where to find the best spots for these treks. |
| feel of the sacred when you visit them today. | | | | Of course, Belize has all the other things that |
| The people of Belize realize the importance of the | | | | make a destination special. The people are |
| treasures they have in the karst and are working | | | | wonderful. The food is tasty and the culture is |
| to preserve them. You can still see them up close | | | | fascinating. Belize offers the full range of tourist |
| but do remember to be careful so that future | | | | amenities. The nation may not be that well-known |
| generations can enjoy them as well. | | | | in the U.S. but it stills offer the full slate of |
| Many of these karst are featured in Belize travel | | | | amenities that travelers want. |
| guides. They have become quite popular stops for | | | | So, if you are looking for a vacation destination |
| visitors and great incentive to leave your hotels. It | | | | that has a bit of derring-do to it, you might do |
| is easy to see why: Where else can you find such | | | | worse than going to Belize. |
| ancient historic artifacts in their natural state. The | | | | |