Ep 2. Belize

Kevin McCloud's Escape to the Wild is a popular television series that focuses on the experiences of people who have chosen to leave the city behind and start a new life in remote and exotic locations. In season 1, episode 2, entitled Belize, we follow Kevin as he travels to Central America to meet with British expat Toby and his family, who have decided to live in the jungles of Belize.

The episode begins with Kevin flying into Belize City, where he then takes a small plane to Toby's remote plot of land in the middle of the jungle. He is immediately struck by how isolated Toby's home is, with no roads, electricity, or running water in the vicinity. The family's main source of power is a small solar panel, and they collect rainwater for drinking, cooking, and washing.

As Kevin explores Toby's home, he is impressed by the family's resourcefulness. They have built most of their structures themselves, using local materials like bamboo, thatch, and mud. Their house is a small, open-air structure with a thatched roof and walls made of bamboo leaves and mud. They also have a separate kitchen area, a compost toilet, and a shower made from a bucket and bamboo frame.

Toby and his family have chosen to live in the jungle primarily because of the abundance of natural resources and wildlife. They grow their own fruits and vegetables, raise chickens and ducks, and hunt and fish for food. Toby is also a skilled woodworker and creates beautiful wooden furniture from trees that have fallen in the jungle.

Kevin learns that life in the jungle is not without its challenges. Toby and his family have had to contend with venomous snakes, scorpions, and even jaguars, which sometimes prey on their chickens and ducks. They also have to be careful during the rainy season, when floods and mudslides can make travel impossible.

Despite these challenges, Toby and his family are clearly very happy with their choice to live in the jungle. They love being surrounded by nature and the sense of freedom it brings. They also value the strong community they have built with other expats in Belize, who help each other out with various tasks like building, farming, and childcare.

As the episode draws to a close, Kevin reflects on what he has learned from Toby and his family. He admires their resilience and resourcefulness, and their ability to adapt to the challenges of living in such a remote and wild environment. He also appreciates the sense of community and connection they have built with others in the jungle.

Overall, Kevin McCloud's Escape to the Wild season 1 episode 2 provides an insightful and inspiring look at one family's decision to leave the trappings of modern society behind and live in harmony with nature in the jungle of Belize. Viewers will come away with a greater appreciation for the challenges and rewards of living off the grid, as well as a renewed sense of wonder at the beauty and richness of the natural world.