As many have heard, the ancient Mayan calendar was constructed and interpreted by ancient astronomers more than 5000 years ago. It all runs out on the winter solstice, December 21st, 2012. We decided to look and see for ourselves what this might mean to the world and check out a beautiful corner of Central America in the process. Belize is a beautiful and wild country with over 40% of the country under protection as forest or park. We visited the site of a Mayan City of 40,000 inhabitants that slipped into decay and history more than 1000 years ago. The site of La Milpa now is a sanctuary for the wilderness birds and animals as well as 300 year old mahogany trees, ferns and butterflies. Situated close to both Mexico and Guatemala Parks this area of Central America is home to the largest parcel of protected forest land in the Western Hemisphere north of the Amazon. An admirable example for other conservation minded countries and regions the local citizens are fiercely protecting their land and resources even while geologists are exploring the region for oil.