Belize City & San Pedro, Belize

[Diplomat]

Re: Belize City & San Pedro, Belize

For whatever reason, I really liked this ceramic 'dog'



For those interested in deep sea fishing, this boat can be rented for US $600 per day.



On the roof of one of the buildings closest to the sea. One of the things we noticed was that the majority of buildings we saw were in dire need of a coat or two of paint.



A beautiful building otherwise...



Churchgirl playing the part of a tourist; in Belize with a bag from the Dominican Republic, and insisting on a pic while sitting on the wall.

[Diplomat]

Re: Belize City & San Pedro, Belize

Still walking to downtown...



This building stood out because it was one of the better ones, apart from the hotels, that we saw.



And there was Harry. We still talk about this guy - extremely articulate and knowledgeable, he says he knows the capital of all the countries in the world. CG tested him on a few, and sure enough, he knew them. They had themselves quite the chat while I was taking pics. Harry exaggerates quite a bit too. Here he has given her a book that supposedly would tell her "all she needed to know". It turned out to be a publication from the Belizean Health ministry [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img] This was the first, but not the last time we would be speaking with this guy. He may be homeless, but he's a real hoot.



This sure doesn't look like a place of business, but sure enough, it offered Massage and Acupuncture services. If I hadn't seen a few people coming and going, I wouldn't believe it myself. Remember what I said about the buildings needing a coat or two of paint?

[Diplomat]

Re: Belize City & San Pedro, Belize

Monument honoring Belizean soldiers who lost their lives in World War I



The local library...



The Post Office building. I really want to believe that it is not being used. Kevin had told us that there was some 'stuff' going on there and one of the persons involved tried to burn the building down.



We were now at one of the major intersections leading to the downtown core. The sun was mercilessly hot, but there was this Traffic Warden directing traffic at this major intersection which had no stoplights. There were quite a number of them working at different intersections; all of which had no stoplights.



The guy below intrigued us with what he was doing. He subsequently told us he makes and sells belts, wristbands, etc...

[Schuttzie]

Re: Belize City & San Pedro, Belize

Wonderful report! I love your writing style and I'm enjoying the beautiful pictures. My husband and I have been tossing the idea around for a couple of years now about visiting Belize. I bought books to learn Spanish.

One day we may make it there. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

[mo_fire]

Re: Belize City & San Pedro, Belize

Nice to see the lay of the town CEW, and our Churchgirl... always nice to put a face to a name! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

Schuttzie... I was looking a Belize for Likkle Mo & me, and from what I understand, you can speak english there... no need for the spanish books... am I right CEW??

Please advise.

[Diplomat]

Re: Belize City & San Pedro, Belize

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Schuttzie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Wonderful report! I love your writing style and I'm enjoying the beautiful pictures. My husband and I have been tossing the idea around for a couple of years now about visiting Belize. I bought books to learn Spanish.

One day we may make it there. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img] </div></div>
Thanks for dropping in, and I'm gald you're enjoying the report. As mo_fire noted above, it is not necessary to know Spanish to visit Belize. It is the only official English speaking country in Central America, and even in the northern parts closest to Mexico, English is the main language spoken.

[Diplomat]

Re: Belize City & San Pedro, Belize

Strolling down one of downtown's side streets close to the sea...

Fishing is big business here



Probably the Central Bank

[Diplomat]

Re: Belize City &amp; San Pedro, Belize

Despite our being close to the sea, the heat and humidity on this day was terrible...

The Institute of Creative Arts...



From the other side of the roadway - lots of color.





The streets are not wide, and very congested.



We did walk around some more until the heat finally got the better of us and we decided to return to the hotel, but not before stopping into the local supermarket to get bottled water (drinking tap water is not advisable), juices, and other stuff. Crowed sidewalks, people trying to sell us things, beggars - the not so lovely side of this city. Prices in the supermarket were high by local standards, though at BZ $2 to US $1, it didn't seem that bad for us. Several hours after we first left out, and about $60 lighter, we hailed a taxi and headed back to The Great House.

[Diplomat]

Re: Belize City &amp; San Pedro, Belize

Later in the evening, it was supper time and we decided again on The Smoky Mermaid. There was ONE star in the sky so CG decided we should sit under the skies in the courtyard [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif[/img]

From where we were seated, the view inside.



I don't remember what we had, but the food was excellent, and the service first class [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

We were done for the day. Tomorrow we would go to Old Belize, the Cultural & Historical Center, recommended to us by the Great House's Receptionist.

[churchgirl]

Re: Belize City & San Pedro, Belize

Thanks Mo-Fire.

I've got to say that Harry was very close to being the highlight of this trip for me. As CEW said, a very knowledgeable man; was up on his current events and history. I chatted with Harry for a bit and tried to find out why the Belizean dollar was so strong ($2BZD to $1USD) and he said it was the tourism and the produce they export (sugar cane, papaya etc.) He then tell me that "Lady, Lady, everyting yuh need to know in da book". I'm thinking to myself, "Harry, this book is about health in Belize. How on earth am I going to find out about the strength of the Belizean dollar in this book?" [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img] Well, that was all Harry told me whenever I tried to find out more stuff about the country. That was one powerful book I tell you.

I think it was Sunday evening we went walking downtown again and we saw Harry again. He was sitting at the same place where CEW had taken the pic of he and I. He shouted out to us as we passed "who said the empire strikes back?" Well, I know I'd heard that from some one of those Star Trek movies and so I told him. "I say dat lady", which followed by the heartiest laugh I had heard in a long time. I totally cracked up, not for the corny joke but because he found it so funny and just had quite the laugh at it. Ahh (((((Harry)))). You'll forever be etched in my memory. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]

[mo_fire]

Re: Belize City & San Pedro, Belize

CG - It's always great when you can make a special connection with a person that you know many others would just pass on by. Good for you. You are likely as etched in his memory as he is in yours.

I always tell my daughter, if you are genuinely "nice" and "caring" to people, it opens up a whole world that many never take the time to know, and comes back to you twofold. I honestly believe (especially in all of my off the beaten path travels), that just by being open and kind, you can experience so much more. People just crave the opportunity for a kind exchange with a person from "farrin". It is nice that you gave that to Harry, and it is just as special that he gave you memories in return! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70458-applaud.gif[/img]

[Serenity82]

Re: Belize City & San Pedro, Belize

nice nice nice nice! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

[Diplomat]

Re: Belize City & San Pedro, Belize

The day stated early as Kevin was scheduled to pick us up at 9:00 for the drive to Old Belize. He would drop us there, and we would call him when we were ready.

Behind me is the air-conditioned section of The Smoky Mermaid.



The Old Belize adventure prides itself in being able to rekindle the flavor of the past while providing an atmosphere where history, fun and great food makes for an unforgettable experience.

From the information sheet: Old Belize offers an unforgettable experience that will surely provide an excellent orientation and appreciation for the country and people of Belize. The 45-minute tour begins inside a rainforest exhibit that showcases giant tropical trees that tower the path you walk. Inside this display a waterfall and limestone cave depicts the magnificent stalactite and stalagmite formations that scientist say grows about an inch every 100 years!

The Old Belize adventure prides itself in being able to rekindle the flavor of the past while providing an atmosphere where history, fun and great food makes for an unforgettable experience. Frankly, it did not disappoint. Another favor we experienced was paying local rates for entry instead of the usual tourist rates.

The first thing that caught my attention though, as we drove onto the property, was this huge vat, used for collecting rainwater.



and the 'low tech' signage [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img]



Caves are inextricably bound up with the history of Belize, having been fundamental to the religion of the Maya. Vapor clouds forming at the mouth of caves suggested to the Maya that these were the places where wind and clouds were born. Here dwelled the gods of nature and caves were the portal between the tangible human world and the invisible world of gods - a place called Xibalba. It was here at the mouth of caves as well as deep within the recesses that the Maya performed their most sacred rituals.

[Diplomat]

Re: Belize City &amp; San Pedro, Belize

Glistening stalactites and stalagmites populate the many secret caves of Belize, places where the ancient Maya found refuge from their enemies during times of danger. Again, these formations grow at the rate of one inch every 100 years.



Rainforest exhibit. In Belize approximately 40% of the country is under protected status, making it one of the few nations in the world to give such national attention to its ecology.



Typical sleeping area in a Maya hut. A simple life interrupted by ceremonial games, and from time to time, war.



Closeup of a Maya musical instrument.



Inside a Maya kitchen.

[churchgirl]

Re: Belize City & San Pedro, Belize

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mo_fire</div><div class="ubbcode-body">CG - It's always great when you can make a special connection with a person that you know many others would just pass on by. Good for you. You are likely as etched in his memory as he is in yours.

I always tell my daughter, if you are genuinely "nice" and "caring" to people, it opens up a whole world that many never take the time to know, and comes back to you twofold. I honestly believe (especially in all of my off the beaten path travels), that just by being open and kind, you can experience so much more. People just crave the opportunity for a kind exchange with a person from "farrin". It is nice that you gave that to Harry, and it is just as special that he gave you memories in return! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70458-applaud.gif[/img] </div></div>

You are absolutely right Mo-Fire and a great lesson to teach your daughter. Harry certainly touched me more than he thought - moreso his laughter. I try to talk to the people that no one really care to talk to and Harry was one of them. One never know who they'll come in contact with so it's always best to be nice to everyone.



CEW, please to tell the people I was not giving you the finger but you caught me as I was about to scratch the side of my head. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img]