N ever slashed and burned for agriculture, the past and present Maya applied their forestry to the jungle groves of Punta Laguna to extract the gums and resins of beneficial trees to not only preserve a seed base for their regeneration, but also the ground cover required by rare medicinal herbs -gleaned frequently by neighboring and distant shamans.

Thus allowed to reach its natural height, its jungle's canopy is home to a large community of spider monkeys, and, in September, marauding howler monkeys. Crocodiles are in its large lake. Rare birds and air-plants are also sighted. Miniature ruins are interspersed along nature trails co-guided by another attraction in itself: 'Serapio'. Steeped in its traditions, including a shrine of three crosses to the Rain God Chaac this Mayan community is a rare experience for visitors of all ages.

Punta Laguna first became a lone stop some 20 years ago with Venture-Out's first Definitive Excursion #1. The rapport developed since has resulted in my being called "Poppy" (I'm not as old as they are young -by the time I was on my second date: the kids there were having kids!); and the site has mercifully been developing for conscientious visitors only ever-so slowly since.

"A teepee is a pyramid, isn't it?"