And the decision makers at NICH are hoping no tourist will have to use that insurance while climbing any of Belize's Mayan temples. And that's precisely why the High Temple at Lamanai is strictly off limits. Yesterday we told you that the guardrails for the staircase leading up to the temple are missing, preventing tourists from climbing it, and thus resulting in some harsh reviews on cruise websites. These reviews are now hurting at least one tour operator's business, AyinHa Adventures, and the owner Larry Flowers hoping NICH will get those guardrails on, and fix the dock that boats use.
But today we found out that it's much more complicated than that. According to the interim president, Merilyn Young, the temple itself has structural damages caused by climate change that make it too dangerous for tourists to stand on. In fact, she said the uppermost part of the temple is actually leaning. But she explained that NICH has already begun to work on these issues.
And the owner of AyinHa, Larry Flowers, also told us that he offered his assistance in getting the rails and the docks repaired, but that NICH declined his help. We asked Young about this and she explained that they have tried to get in contact with Flowers but to no avail. She also said that Flowers would have to come with a comprehensive plan, vetted by archeologists and engineers.
Young emphasized that these sites must be preserved, and that climbing them should be seen as a privilege rather than a right, even for tourists. They're hoping to revamp Lamanai, and other Mayan temples, to diversify their attractions.
