ATM（アクトゥン　トゥニチル　ムクナル）

Assistant Staff: Sol

2017/02/10

This time we welcomed guests of individual tours applying for ATM cave exploration and blue hole exploration flight. We gathered early in the morning and made a lunch box for breakfast at the hotel (I could not make it even though I ordered it the day before, but I was able to pass only boxes and instead I could pack whatever I wanted), 1 Take a half hour to the junction to change to the Maya Walk bus. The Chinese supermarket is at junction, so you can procure sweets and drinks at the end here.

On the west side, Maya Walk bus arrived from San Ignacio is already full of white tourists, get on this and proceed for another 30 minutes. During the trip guide guys explained about ATM and Mayan culture and history. It is up to the parking lot which will be the start point of hiking that can be advanced by bus. There is a large east shop where you can eat public lavatories and showers (cold water) and lunch. Since bringing in the camera so far, the first river becomes so deep that you can not put your feet on, so we will put medicines and water etc. anything else you would like to take here in the bus here. Passengers who were a little twenty people were divided into three groups, a helmet with search light and a life jacket (for those who wanted) were paid, and the guides headed for the ATM cave exploration.

Hiking crossing three rivers and going through the jungle. While explaining about various trees and insects, we will proceed for about 45 minutes. Because the heavy rain had fallen several days ago, the river tended to rise and the hiking course also became conspicuous. The environment is different depending on the day, but it is a place where the wilderness is left as it is.

Once you have gone through the hiking course you will arrive at the open place, you can take a break in a small east shop or eat sweets and drink water lightly. There is also a small toilet for the time being, so let’s finish the last wash before the cave expedition for about 3 hours.

The entrance of the cave from the last resting place is a few seconds of things. First swim 6-7 meters deep swimming pools and occasionally shake in the water while soaked to the shoulder. While passing through the low part of the ceiling or passing the body through a very narrow road in order, proceed to the back of the cave. You can see the walls of transparent fish and bats, and the walls of the limestone cave glittering in the water, by turning the search light on your head in various directions.

On the way through the cave, a Canadian man who was the same team lighted up the search light and found a blue backpack overhead. Because the former group climbed the rocky place and went upward, it was the backpack that other guides left. It was as high a wall as possible to climb really, but I managed to get up somehow by putting my hands and feet as instructed by the guide.

From here it is the place that the Mayan people used for ceremonies, and there is almost no water. Take off your shoes here and proceed further with socks or bare feet. (Other guests were also half of those who are wearing socks, but it is highly recommended to wear socks personally, as there are gravel and feet are rocky, It is because the soles of the feet were easily injured.) Here are rolling stocks of massive vases used around the 9th century and human beings sacrificed, just like Indy Jones. On the way, the local guide explained the history of Maya and the ATM cave in English.

Late lunch after returning from the cave experience and taking a shift in public shower was a traditional homemade dish of Belize, rice (& beans) and salted boiled chicken and salad. Lunch after having moved the body very active is the highest. The return bus also takes about 30 minutes to the junction. My stomach became full and everyone was on board the ship soon.