Blogs from Belize, Central America Caribbean - page 9

Geo: 17.8651, -88.017Mexico & Belize 27th February - 21st March 2016We were happy to fly out of Cuba but we had not realised just how depressing it had been there until we drove away from the airport in Cancun and experienced the joy of seeing decorative flowers and bushes planted along the roads, the cleanliness and the care that had been taken to make the area look pretty, and the SHOPS! Jim had booked us into the Ibis Hotel in Cancun which is basic but welcoming, clean and comfortable. To us at that moment it seemed like 5 star luxury. Even better, next door is a huge supermarket. Jim kept thinking up excuses to go and visit, it was such a novelty after Cuba. We relaxed, caught up with emails and planned our onward journey. It ... read more

Lazy days and fun filled nights in Caye Caulker a Belize Island, were I can finally catch up with our blog. After arriving in Los Mochas very late in the evening we checked into a hotel and slept, ready for our early morning rise to catch the train El Chappie up the Copper Canyon to Creel. 6am and to be sure we got tickets ( second class) choice to get, as the views from the rear of the carriages were the best views and quite a price difference or just a dining coach the difference. We had the best time, the views were spectacular and El Chappy stopped so you could get off and sample foods, Tacos, Burritos, etc, from locals selling on the side of the tracks. Pristine blue sky's and fantastic backdrops I felt ... read more

Placencia is a long peninsula in southern Belize with a seaside beach on the Caribbean side and marina studded, mangrove shore on the inside (lot’s of 40 footers; catamarans and single keelers). Located at its southern tip is Placentia village. Running through this village is a 3km-long concrete boardwalk; it runs from a fishing wharf and marina through the tourist end of town, and all through all the hotels, shops, beach paths, restaurant/bars – carrying names like “The Pickled Parrot”, “Tipsy Tuna”, “Barefoot Bar”, “D’Tatch Bar”…. sort of captures the feeling of, “A little drinking village with a fishing problem”. Actually fishing is not a problem – all sorts of lobster, Wahoo, Tuna, Snapper, Conch and ‘Cuda are available fresh at wharfside O’Mars or at any of the restaurants, especially as luncheon promotional treats -- “If ... read more

The Egyptians built Pyramids, Christians/Muslims built daunting castles and Mayans built Temple/Pyramids… all of them, inevitably to influence and rule respective populations. Over the past week I visited three progressively bigger Mayan ruins. Staring with Cahel Pech, dating from 800 to 400 BC; it’s small but beautifully mossed over. Then Xunanunich bigger and taller built from 700 to 850 AD, impressive and dauntingly grey. Finally, giant Tikal which was occupied and progressively built from 400BC through 800AD – all six of Tikal’s massive temple/pyramids were built in the latter Classical Period – all six are higher than their surrounding jungle forest. Around 800AD Tikal spread over 10 square miles, had a population well over 100,000, a hieroglyphic historical script, big enemies and no horses, steel, nor wheels. Finally when the Spanish arrived they contributed European germs ... read more

The Belize TEC/Zoo is of pride to Belizeans and increasingly integral to their primary education and national multi-ethnic culture. Unique in many ways: As a zoo, it exclusively supports and cares for indigenous Belizean widlife in their natural habitat: this of course includes all their national icons, as in the Keel-billed Toucan and Baird’s TapirAs a touristic experience it’s a beautiful, 2-hour walk “amongst-anima-life” and a fun educational experience; targeting kids but entertaining adults. Cleverly landscaped and meticulously maintained.... read more