Our guide to the site was Professor Jaime Awe, director of the Belize Institute of Archaeology and the man responsible for much of the recent research and preservation work at the site. His in-depth knowledge of Mayan culture in general and these ruins in particular helped turn these mute piles of stone into a fascinating history lesson. Afterward, we found our Land Rover driving instructors donning their tall rubber boots and getting tow straps, winches, and other recovery gear in order. Clearly, things were about to get even more interesting.