On September 24th and 25th 2009, TIDE’s Community Stewards along with three TIDE support staff and representatives from two of our donors, PACT and COMPACT; traveled to Puerto Barrios, Guatemala.
Day One
The group got to Puerto Barrios at 10:00a.m and was immediately transported by taxis to Las Escobas, a protected area managed by FUNDAECO jointly with the community of Santa Thomas. Las Escobas is tucked within the hills behind Santo Thomas, and it took us about 35 minutes to get there. Upon arriving, Ms. Sussi Ramirez, a representative from FUNDAECO presented on the history of Las Escobas and its importance to buffer communities. It is important to note that Las Escobas provides Puerto Barrios with 90% of its water supply for domestic use. After having lunch, the group was divided into two groups and began a tour of Las Escobas.
Community Stewards at Fundaeco
The stewards were taken on a tour of the protected area, on very well constructed trails through the forest. You could have seen the glow in Mr. Balderamos and Liberato’s eyes when they started hearing and identifying the different bird calls from the wild. Even though we had a bilingual guide, Mr. Leonel Requena from PACT assisted greatly in translating. The trails took us under the canopy of trees which were hundreds of years old and down into the clear blue water of the river. We also had two local guides from the community, a 16-year-old young lady and another young gentleman, both looking professional and smart in their uniforms. After walking the trails, swimming in the cool waters, listening to the history of the area, and learning about how the communities play a vital role in the management of the protected area, it was time to say goodbye to Las Escobas. We got back in our separate taxis and went down the narrow road back to our boat, which was safely waiting for us at the dock. While traveling over to Livingston by boat, where stayed for the night; the group started reminiscing about their recent experience. It was a day well spent.
Day two
After having breakfast at our hotel (Hotel Gil) the group was all ready and energetic for our second day activities--our visit to Eco-Village Lagunita Salvador and Aqua Caliente up the Rio Dulce River.
Upon arriving at Lagunita Salvador, the group was welcomed by Mr. Luis Xol, the manager. He welcomed us and took us on a wooden path through a thick mangrove ecosystem, which opened up a unique world. Far away from civilization were properly constructed cabanas tucked neatly among the trees. After a brief tour of the facility, he then took us deeper into this thick mangrove forest. It was like an Indiana Jones Movie. At the end of the path was a massive building, housing a restaurant on the ground level and a guest house on the upper flat. There were people living in the trees. The building was properly electrified with the use of solar energy. It was time to have a cold one. The group sat at the tables while three musicians played the marimba, it was ecotourism at its best.
After intoxicating ourselves with the fresh air, we then continued our adventure in Aquas Caliente. The meaning of Aquas Caliente in English is hot water; this was what the few of us were swimming in, hot water. The sulfur from within the rocks is what heats up the water, creating Aqua Caliente.
Overall, it was a very informative and eye-opening trip and we enjoyed our time in Guatemala
