Belize

There was a tv program on Discovery and it featured Belize. It was depicted so beautiful, cultural, and full of rich, unpolluted land. The animals, plants, and sea experiences, including the amazing colors, were all a part of the draw of Belize in this special. They interviewed several people from other countries originally, who had moved to Belize to have such an inspiring environment. Several of the people interviewed were artists. I feel like a jam packed trip to Belize would be better than winning the lottery & you don’t have to win the lottery to be able to afford this trip.

Belize was an enduring and enchanting country. The people are interesting and inviting to learn their culture. The rain forests are a spectacular site that no one should miss. You will see spider monkeys in the trees and some of the most beautiful and colorful birds that exist. If you have a chance to eat some of their fresh mango, try it!! I will never forget this delicious fruit’s taste. Snorkeling in Caye Caulker is a must. Close to the blue hole, you will see an underwater world of beauty one cannot describe in words.

Ok, so I was expecting paradise, I didn’t find it on Ambergris Caye, I found it in the ocean.

My friend went to Belize (Caye Caulker, Ambergris Caye, inland to the temples, etc) and the pics he brought back and the stories were incredible. It was off-season so I thought, what the heck, I’ll give it a try! I was excited to get to the reefs!

Well, I Ambergris Caye wasn’t for me. It was too touristy and EXPENSIVE, (try $50 for a lunch for two at a little place on the beach, couple sandwiches and iced teas). I stayed on the north end and found it difficult to get to the small downtown area, no road, you’ve got to go on the narrow beach in places and walk/bike or take the $15 water taxi. So I rode a bike, no lights, over 5 miles each way…it sucked when you wanted to relax with some cocktails and then try to maneuver your way back up the unkept beach (watertaxi stopped around 10:00pm).

The worst part was there was really no swimming off the beaches, it’s all sea grass and speed boats are allowed to cruise inside the reef, which is where you’d want to swim/snorkel/etc, so forget that, I just wasn’t comfortable, I’d have to work to get out there…oh well…

Now, all that said, the most incredible thing was obviously, the reef. You have to take a tour or a boat of some kind to get out to it. (Which, if I ever go back, I will be staying on a boat versus the land.) INCREDIBLE! Huge 6’+ moray eel, schools of Blue Tang/Surgeonfish, baracuda, sharks, rays, all kinds of coral, just gorgeous!

I’m glad I went, even though I was disappointed. I’ve learned to research everywhere now to make sure it’s somewere that more matches what I’m looking for – laid back, less touristy, close reefs.

I’m off to Bonaire next and couldn’t be more exited, snorkeling and diving to the reefs just off the beaches in a protected marine park, yahoo!

Ummm we had a bad day there… so i dont kno I dont havea good look toward it.

Scuba dive the Great Blue Hole! Well, maybe not this trip, but certainly at some point.

It’s looking like August now.

Belize City has very high crime which is ugly compared to the rest of the country. While I was there I rode a horse through the rain forest and picked oranges on horse back. I found Belize very laid back and cheap.

My family and I spent a little time in Belize.. During our stay we had half our luggage stolen from our rental car while visiting a small ruin. Still had a fun time, regardless.

I spent 2 weeks in Belize, mostly in an orphanage between Belmopan and San Ignacio. It was life-changing to, for a short time, become a part of the culture and help out kids in need. The locals were living in what the West would consider poverty, but they were some of the happiest people I ever met. Life for them is about friends and family, not getting the latest iPod or watching the season finale of Heroes. I did get to spend some time exploring the Mayan ruins at Xunantunich and Cahal Pech. Also enjoyed tubing down the Mopan and snorkeling off the reef. I was surprised at the large Chinese population as well as several Menonite communities. Cuban cigars were plentiful and inexpensive. Don’t drink the water, though! I was careful to filter, but still somehow contracted amoebic dysentary. I had a 104F temperature the night I returned home and spent 2 weeks living on the toilet. I ate nothing but white rice, jello, and bananas for a month!

I visited Belize City in the summer of 2005. It was actually one of the port stops on our Western Caribbean cruise. Because of this, we were only able to visit the tourist area of the city, which is heavily populated with the most poor and disadvantaged members. My partner and I spent the early part of the day with a local tour guide who took us (along with two other shipmates) around in his small (read: tiny) vehicle. We saw most of Belize City in a few hours. In the afternoon, we were approached by a young female who took us around the city and eventually asked us to help her out (since she helped us out). She told us about the educational system and lack of jobs for graduates who are of the darker skin tone variety. Sure, I understand that most of her story was meant to bring about sympathy, but it was hard to miss the impoverished environment in which she dwelled.

After returning from my trip, I vowed to no longer take for granted the common day conveniences that I am fortunate enough to possess. I also vowed to discontinue shopping for unnecessary clothing and shoes simply because “I want it.” Americans need to spend more time focusing on needs instead of wants, for everything that is wanted is not also needed; and there is an outstanding difference.

It was the last stop on a cruise I went on with my boyfriend. It was 105 degrees out but it was so beautiful!!!

Of course for dinner we went to Senior Frogs and enjoyed a few daiquiris and margaritas (in the yard of course!!) I think we went home with six free bottles!! Needless to say all around it was a lot of fun. I just wish I had more time there and I intend on returning!