After an incredible week in Belize, I returned home this past Sunday, feeling both fulfilled and exhausted. The journey back was not without its hiccups, as my flight from Houston was delayed. With little choice, I opted for a last-minute, budget-friendly hotel and finally checked in around 1 a.m. Despite the inconvenience, having dry bedding and a hot shower was a welcome relief after a long day of travel.

I allowed myself the luxury of sleeping in the next morning before embarking on the final leg of my journey home. The bright sunshine streaming through my car windows lifted my spirits, making the 2.5-hour drive feel almost effortless. With a compelling audiobook playing in the background, the miles flew by quickly, allowing me to unwind and reflect on the incredible experiences from my trip.

Belize was everything I had hoped for and more. The conservation work, particularly the effort to control the invasive lionfish population, was both rewarding and impactful. Spearing lionfish and contributing to the health of the reef ecosystem gave me a profound sense of purpose. The beauty of the underwater world, teeming with vibrant marine life, was an unforgettable sight that I will carry with me for a long time.

I did complete my deep diver certification and dove three times over 100 feet, with a maximum dive of 133 feet. I also did a course on fish identification, but I will not say that I am great at it yet. When I was not doing coursework, I was lion fishing. I got several, and the team had well over 60. At their rapid reproduction rate and appetites, that will make quite a bit of difference.

Oh yeah. The water temperature was 81°F, and the air temperature ranged from 68°F to 70°F. While that sounds great, it rained every day. Every night. There was no heat on the island. No hot water for showers. Diving two to four times a day with nothing dry in between, I was soon out of dry clothes. And my bedding was wet. I borrowed an extra towel and tried to sleep with that, but soon all was wet. I was cold unless I was in the water. So, the diving was great, but the island was cold and wet.

One of the primary tools for lionfish hunting is the bungy spear, also known as a pole spear. This consists of a long shaft with a rubber sling or elastic band attached at one end. To use it, the diver pulls the band back and holds it under tension, then releases it to propel the spear forward with force. This method provides a quiet and efficient way to hunt fish underwater, especially for invasive species like lionfish. The spear allows for precise targeting while minimizing damage to the surrounding coral reefs.

On my second-to-last dive, I missed a lionfish and it swam off. I hurried after it and grabbed it in midwater. I was elated. It was a good save.

Worm, my instructor (his mom called him that), shot the next one on one side of a barrel coral. I saw one on the other side that was straight up and down. I didn’t want to hurt the coral, so I shot away from the coral. I hit the fish and broke off the venomous dorsal spines. 

This apparently annoyed the fish greatly because before I could realize what was happening, the lionfish hit my mask. Hard. All I saw was a flurry of fins across my mask. Worm grabbed me and pulled me out of the way, and the lionfish went to his neck/chest area. It hung out there for a few minutes and then swam away. It was scary. I could have made it much worse by helping. Worm hunted it down and got it killed, although we could not retrieve it from under another barrel coral.

Now back home, I am adjusting to the colder weather and catching up on the responsibilities I temporarily left behind. Though my body is tired, my mind is refreshed and inspired by the work we accomplished. The transition from warm Caribbean waters to the winter chill is stark, but the memories and lessons from Belize remain as a warm reminder of the meaningful conservation efforts I was fortunate to be a part of.

As I settle back into routine, I find myself already thinking about the nextadventure. Whether it involves conservation, diving, or simply exploring new places, the experience in Belize has reaffirmed my passion for travel and making a difference in the natural world. For now, though, I’ll enjoy the comforts of home, a good book, and perhaps start planning the next trip.

MJ Wixsom, DVM MS is a best-selling Amazon author who practices at Guardian Animal Medical Center in Flatwoods, Ky. GuardianAnimal.com 606-928-6566