by MRS Gleny

Don't let our sleek, toned physiques fool you; Gleny and I are not usually the adventure types. Spelunking, hiking, and swimming with the sharks is not typically what comes to mind when we think about what we like to do for fun. There's no WiFi in the caves and no HBO under water, and our treehouse has no link to modern civilization, but at Hamanasi, that doesn't seem to matter.
After a long string of flights, we arrived in Dangriga, Belize. Due to events that I'd rather not document here, we ended up being four hours late. Regardless of our changing plans and lack of communication with the resort, our transportation was there to pick us up only five minutes after our puddle jumper touched ground. I have had ground transportation before, but none of the drivers have ever been like Pedro. He didn't just sit there quietly and drive; he gave us a history lesson on Belize as we made our way to the resort. He told us all about how Belize gained its independence in 1981 and discussed the culture, people, and agriculture of Belize. I was quite thankful for the information because, although I had done reading on Belize in my field guide, it made me feel more comfortable in the country.
After our informative yet bumpy ride, we checked in and Domingo took us to our tree house. I knew that I had read wonderful reviews on the internet, and I had seen photos, but still…I was somewhat nervous. My anxieties sure were put to rest when I saw our room! It had beautiful hardwood floors, a massive four-poster bed with curtains, a Mexican tiled bathroom, and the highest ceilings I have ever seen. It was fantastic! Once we got settled in, we took a nice long nap and headed down to dinner.
Speaking of eating, the food at Hamanasi was always scrumptious. I still want to know what they put in the green peppers to bring such flavor to everything they touched! I suppose it's because everything was organic. The dinner menu was never duplicated the whole time we were there; there were always new and interesting dishes from which to choose. Lobster was a nightly menu item, and the other choices ranged from fish, shrimp, chicken, beef, pasta, and more. The beef is the one thing that I'll say was not that great, but when we drove past cows, we saw why. The cows in Belize are quite gaunt; their flanks just sort of hang there. Apparently the grass in Belize is not to their liking. Everything else was delicious, decadent, and delectable.
Though we did eat our fill, food was not the only adventure for us. We took advantage of the fact that our package came with five adventures. We went on the cave and jungle hike, the Mayan history tour, and we went scuba diving three times. On each trip, the tour guides were friendly, funny, and knowledgeable. Highlights include swimming in a pool in the middle of the rain forest, seeing turtles, lobster, sharks, and more while diving, and seeing a newly excavated tomb (including bones) in the Mayan ruins.
One of the most alluring details about Hamanasi is the balance between action and relaxation. With the exception of the Mayan ruins, which were three hours away, we were back at the resort in plenty of time to hang out by the pool, indulge in the daily drink special, and lounge around with a good book.
If you're looking for a unique and exciting vacation spot, consider Belize. If you are thinking about treating yourself by splurging on a luxury resort that offers a fun and relaxing environment, then Hamanasi is for you! See www.hamanasi.com to read all about it.