Our second port-of-call
by Carnival Conquest started with a
33-mile coach drive along main Highway and seamless viewing of roadside orchards. Miles and miles of cashew and guava, fruit
trees let out sweet ripening smell.
Soon, we arrive at Chhen Cave
entry where our river tubing trek would begin.
On foot, we head out first to explore the remarkable 700-foot canopy and
luscious rainforest. All team
participants couldn't be more thrilled to discover dense flora that the jungle
offered, including rare spices and medicinal plants/barks. We stopped next at one sacred Maya
underground cave worlds, and learn that long ago elites of the Mayans searched
for the best hidden places inside it to offer sacrifices and buy their safe
passage to heaven. We walked a few more
meters of what seemed a growing trail, exercised our almost jelly-forming legs;
soon after, the awaited water treat! We
grab a tube float, a safety vest, a headlight, and then our guides tied Mickey and
me to six other tube floats. All at the
ready, we then began to river-cruise down small rapids and through the
caves. We hand-paddled some while our
guide pulled us in into the river that formed from the hillside flowing spring water. We listened to stories of Mayan adventures in
the river-caves, spotted fruit and insect bats, hand-paddled more and played
with water until we beheld crystal-like and fossilized formations dripping from
the high walls: a sleeping woman, a turtle, a diamond pendant, and soon enough,
the prized jaguar-like formation guarding the only cave opening! We last made our way to a mini- waterfall
and got refreshingly tickled by the cool waters!
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