Loaded up and ready to leave Tulum, I start the bike, vrooooom! Pull the clutch lever and SNAP! Broken clutch cable. Oh the joy… Fortunately, I had a spare cable and was able to make the swap easily and hit the road about an hour later than planned. Once on the road I thought about how lucky I was to have a spare cable and for it to snap while I parked in a safe location. This could have easily happened on the road in the middle of nowhere with no spare…

I rode south to Laguna Bacalar, a beautiful freshwater lake near the Belize border, and camped at what might be considered a campground. Although it was more like a grassy patch next to a local’s shack. Nevertheless, the setting was beautiful.

The lake is crystal clear with a white sandy bottom and a few limestone “lilly pads”– absolutely stunning. A swim felt mighty good!

A view from the tent door:

I met back up with Justin that night and the next day we headed for the Belize border. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect at the border after hearing so many Central American border crossing horror stories, but the cross was quite simple and were in and out in about an hour.

First, we went to the migration shack office to cancel our tourist visas and then about 50 meters later to cancel our temporary vehicle import permits. Then as we crossed the bridge we stopped traffic to take a photo. (Oh god, I hope my kickstand doesn’t fall through the grates…)

After the bridge we were flagged down by a few guys in a shack to have our bikes “fumigated” or sprayed with water for about 2.5 seconds for $3USD. OK????

Now in Belize the culture is very different, very Caribbean, and not Latin. No more Spanish, we’re back to English. It’s not a standard English though, we’re talkin’ very Caribbean mon! It’s getting late in the day and Justin and I went fast down the Old Northern Highway (single lane dirt road) dodging pot holes until we reach the Mayan Wells Restaurant (and campground). We roll in just as night sets in and set up shop for the night. The owner, Simon, is very friendly and we cooked some dinner under the palapa right next to a train of army ants. These little buggers are straight out of an Indiana Jones movie. We painfully learned the next morning not to step in their path. Turns out their path moved right through our tents and within seconds of standing there Justin’s legs were covered with nasty biting army ants!

Early the next morning we awoke to the wild sounds of jungle birds. We the visited the ruins of Altun Ha about a mile down the road. Images of these ruins are on the Belize currency and beer labels. The site was beautifully manicured but tragically restored with concrete work over all the steps.

Justin left afterwards and headed for Guatemala (he spent less than 22 hours in Belize).

The next afternoon the owner of the restaurant tells me they have crocodiles and jaguars in the area. Cooking dinner in the dark under the palapa later that night had my senses on high alert when I heard a deep purring coming from the jungle… I lived through the night and the next morning took a few pictures of the beautiful flowers around the grounds.

Oh, and I’m not sure who Bob is or what he stands for but every telephone poll in the town tells me to vote for him.

I spent another night waiting to hear from Charles. No luck the next morning (Christmas Eve) either. I wanted to see more of Belize but I’m also shocked at the sticker prices in this country. I made the executive decision to move onto Guatemala to meet back up with Justin. I left Mayan Wells on the small one lane road. Tour buses were speeding towards me on way to the ruins without slowing down or moving aside. Each time I had to jump onto the dirt shoulder 4 inches below the level of the road. Riding for a few hours I passed through most of northern and western Belize admiring the architecture and culture that was quite different from what I’d grown accustom to over the past 6 weeks in Mexico.

I feel a bit sad though that I stayed less than 48 hours in Belize. I didn’t try any food or even the beer. Although, I did try to buy a can of beer at a grocery store near the border but they were sold out… Oh well… Next time I’m in Belize I’ll have to explore more and certainly make it to the famous islands and ATM cave.

I crossed the border into Guatemala with ease. So far the tales of heinous Central American border crossings haven’t lived up to the hype. Bienvenidos a Guatemala! 

Instantly life changed across the border. The people are no longer of Caribbean and African decent, they are Mayan and Spanish. English was forgotten immediately and I was back in Latin culture. The road turned to dirt for a few miles and then to spectacular pavement. Green forested rolling hills lay in the background and several herds of cattle and a few random pigs crossed the street every now and again. A short ride later and I’m in El Remate, a beautiful town that sits on the lake’s edge. Justin and I spent the afternoon out on the dock, swimming in the crystal clear water, diving off the dock, drinking liters of beer, and taking photos and GoPro videos.

Here’s a short video from the afternoon. (If you can’t see the video below in the email, click this link: http://www.vimeo.com/8382683)

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/8382683]

The Mon Ami Hotel advertised a delicious Christmas dinner. A bit pricey at $9 USD but we figured it would be well worth it to celebrate considering we’d both been cooking our own meals for a few days now. Unfortunately, the cold mashed potatoes, few vegetables, and turkey bones weren’t quite the meal we had envisioned. Oh well, so is part of the journey… At least the homemade hot chocolate was tasty!

Charles’ Update:

Charles trucked his bike out of Colorado and then continued riding south. In Texas his bike basically ate itself (ya, that’s technical talk) but luckily he noticed the problem moments before his engine would have completely died. Fortunately, he met up with another motorcyclist and got together with a mechanic who got him back on the road with only a day lost. He cruised through Mexico pulling 12 hour days just rolling out the kilometers until he cut across the Yucatan peninsula when his bike broke down again. I don’t have the full story but he was able to find a mechanic in Chetumal who will be able to fix the bike. However, parts need to be shipped in from Cancun and with the Christmas holiday it’ll take a few days before he’s back on the road. A few days rest will do his body good and he’ll be here shortly. Charles, I can’t wait to ride with you finally!!!

Merry Christmas from Guatemala! Enjoy the snow at home!

CLICCARE SULLA FOTO PER INFORMAZIONI

Sally and I got back late last night from a four-day trip to Ambergris Caye, Belize.  We accomplished our primary objective of scuba diving the beautiful coral reefs, and had several unexpected pleasures in addition.

Travel consumes a lot of physical and emotional resources.  Even when things are going well, they may at any moment suddenly stop going well and require swift and decisive action.  There are many ups and downs. I’ve gradually refined by baseline holiday travel model, so I usually remember to bring the essentials, anticipate the common annoyances, avoid the greatest risk of infectious diseases, and leave reasonable space for some relaxation and reflection.  Especially when travelling, I love my iPod and noise-canceling headphones.  Lately on the road, I’ve been listening to Mozart operas, which I find at once nourishing, comforting, and exhilarating, and I’m happy to have the time to listen.  I always carry at least a couple of books, and appreciate a chunk of uninterrupted time for reading.  But it isn’t completely relaxing; there’s always some residual vigilance.  I generally notice if the plane, or another passenger, starts making strange noises.  I always note the location of the nearest exit.

We flew from Belize City to Ambergris Caye in a single-engine plane in which I was able to read the pilot’s instruments (we flew at 2100 feet).  We stayed at the Mayan Princess, a clean, unfancy, and convenient hotel in San Pedro, a bustling little town with hotels, restaurants and bars along a narrow beach.  San Pedro has an interesting stew of cultures — Hispanic, English, Indian, West Indian, creole, and of course tourists from all over.  At first, I thought that everyone who greeted us in a friendly manner was hustling to sell something, but I soon figured out that that many people were just being friendly (though others were hustling).  The streets were narrow with few sidewalks, and at times we had to dodge heavy traffic of golf carts and minivan cabs.  We saw more people who seemed to be working for a living than we did tourists.  As Sally observed, the local vibe was very casual.  All the men’s shirt  tails were out.  The buildings were bright but many could have used a new coat of paint.  Over all, it seemed a little down at the heels, but full of life.

We did all our diving with Amigos del Mar, which was located about 50 yards from our room.  On the first and last diving days, we did short boat trips to local reef hot spots.  They did not disappoint.  The coral was abundant and varied, and the wall and canyon topography was fascinating.  We saw several nurse sharks at close hand, and at one point were in the midst of a dozen of them in a feeding frenzy.  Like many people, from long socialization I’ve inherited some fear of sharks, but very quickly I felt comfortable with the sharks swimming close enough to touch.  They seemed curious about us.  I suspect part of the explanation is that some dive operators feed them.   At least these particular sharks seemed a lot like our cats, except much bigger and with more teeth.  We also saw swimming green moray eels, sting rays, barricudas, a scorpion fish, and many gorgeous smaller species.  We also encountered a couple of lionfish, which are poisonous and highly destructive, and which our guide captured.

Our biggest adventure was a trip to the Blue Hole, a circular reef formation that is about 60 miles from Ambergris Caye.  On the trip out, it was drizzly and windy, and the seas were very choppy.  It was even choppier coming back, and we were wet.  All told, we had around 8 tough hours on the water.   We did not get sick, though others were not so fortunate.

The main draw of the Blue Hole is stalactite formations, which are about 130 feet down.  There was not much except the divers swimming at that depth.  We had better luck seeing fish at 60-80 feet at Half Moon Caye and West Point Wall at Long Caye.  At lunch time, we also visited an observation deck at tree top level where there were hundreds of roosting magnificent frigatebird pairs, with males displaying enormous bright red inflatable throats.  There were also many roosting red-footed boobies.

At dinner after the Blue Hole trip, I asked Sally to explain how it is possible that some people do not care for scuba diving.  Her theory was that it does not suffice simply to have a love of nature, the absence of certain phobias, and a modicum of courage.  As she said, you have to be a trooper.  Put another way, you must have some fortitude.  I suddenly realized that fortitude is a necessary but seldom discussed virtue that makes scuba, and other adventures, possible, and makes them richer.  WIthout fortitude, a significant part of the experience could be counted as unfun.  But developing and exercising fortitude is part of the satisfaction of the thing.

By Perry Livingston

BELLA MAYA RESORT IN BELIZE-Once upon a time Belize (BELLA MAYA RESORT IN BELIZE) was hidden, Belize (BELLA MAYA RESORT IN BELIZE) was unknown, Belize (BELLA MAYA RESORT IN BELIZE) was a mystery. Other vacation spots maybe partially or wholly manmade, however, Belize (BELLA MAYA RESORT IN BELIZE) is 100% natural: made by Mother Nature herself. In the minds of newlyweds Belize (BELLA MAYA RESORT IN BELIZE) conjures up visions of romance and idyllic locations: in the minds of back-packers (adventure seekers) Belize conjures up visions of verdant jungle and lush bush. What most people find attractive about Belize is the ease of accessibility by air, land and sea. One of the most encouraging aspects of a Belize trip is its easy accessibility by air, land and sea. As a result it is easy to organise short trips and weekend excursions.

Getting to Belize (BELLA MAYA RESORT IN BELIZE) from anywhere in North America is fast, easy and convenient with scheduled services for buses, flight and cruise ships. Let me ask you how you would get to Belize (BELLA MAYA RESORT IN BELIZE) if you had your own boat, had a friend who had a boat or you decided to charter a seafaring vessel? Well you would sail down the Caribbean Sea, gracefully glide past uninhabited islands and luxuriate in the bonanza of Belize. Some people like to travel by road, if that be you, then hire a car or take a luxury bus from anywhere in North and Central America and point your compass toward Belize. Flights from major cities like Miami, Dallas, Houston and Charlotte are operated by American Airlines, Continental Airlines and US Airways.

Fail to plan, plan to fail. Going to a wonderful country like Belize (BELLA MAYA RESORT IN BELIZE) without a plan of attack is like jumping out of an airplane without a parachute. You reach your destination quicker but you don’t enjoy the view. Wouldn’t it be better to float down to earth, enjoy the sun, enjoy the sea, and drink the view of this beautiful country? Here are the top three things you should do for an extraordinary trip. If you, yourself, like a drink and a good spot at a corner table in a Mexican restaurant, head to Placencia village, San Pedro or San Ignacio. If you want serenity and peace of mind head over to Light Reef Atoll or Long Caye. If you like a spa setting (steam, sauna, and massage) what you need is a jungle lodge in Caye.

Belize (BELLA MAYA RESORT IN BELIZE) has a multitude of transport options. Among the many options are you can hire a car, take a bus, or take a taxi. You might want to consider taking a plane or a bus if the trip is longer. For the more adventurous kind, rental bikes can also be availed of at very reasonable prices. Imagine you’ve arrived in Belize and you want to have a quick tour around the country and you don’t have a lot of time. So what can you do? You can take the local airlines and fly around the country. The water ferries and taxis are very popular with frequent visitors as it allows them to get closer to the heart of Belize (BELLA MAYA RESORT IN BELIZE) especially the waterways and inlets.

The tourists start to arrive between December and June. It rains the most between June and November. If you want to be around when the weather is nicer the best time of the year is between December and May. The abundance of emotion that Belizeans feel for visitors envelopes you at any time of the day you arrive in Belize (BELLA MAYA RESORT IN BELIZE). Many visitors to Belize buy real estate because they just fall in love with the place. There is a place in Belize (BELLA MAYA RESORT IN BELIZE) called Long Caye. Long Caye has pristine, white beaches and unbelievable fishing spots Long Caye is also one of the most popular places where foreigners are buying real estate. Regardless of their visit to Belize returnees have a longing to return and always wish they could have stayed longer. Come on down to the BELLA MAYA RESORT IN BELIZE.

I am making a decent dent in the books and articles I need to read for Belize. Spending eight hours in airports and on planes does wonders for catching on reading. The book that I nearly finished on the flight to Ohio Rising Up: Life Stories of Belizean Women focuses on a series of stories from women who either work in the house, community, or are professionals.  It is a striking book that makes you analyze your own life and the lives of others. It’s an enlightening read in many ways. I was especially interested to learn about Belizean healing and…..child-birth (who knew?!). Without labeling a specific group, I did find the stories about most of the house-working women especially harrowing. All of the their stories were about them living in poverty, having ten or more children, and barely any food. They were stories of women getting beat by their husbands, then their husbands cheating on them, leaving them or impregnating their daughters. I started to cry on the plane when one story finally focused a nice husband and then he DIED from cancer. He was the one husband who hugged the woman after she gave birth to a still-born baby and thought about buying Christmas gifts for his children. Sniff, sniff. I had to stop reading before I got too depressed and made weeping noises on the plane. It was a book that I had to put down.

Which got me thinking about the pleasure reading I have been able to indulge in this year and the many discoveries of Books-I-Can’t-Put-Down. I have rediscovered my library card and have been reading whatever strikes my fancy – like science fiction or fantasy or young adult books. It has been a joy to read purely to escape into magical, fantastical literary worlds. A few made me want to live in them by the way. And, I could judge books solely on how late I stayed up to read them. Good books made me not want to go to bed before 2 a.m. I finished the Harry Potter series. I have been shouting praises for literary goddess Suzanne Collins and her books The Hunger Games & Catching Fire. However, I also read a gem of a book a few months ago, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, and haven’t been able to properly sing its praise .

First, let me explain how I discovered Graceling. [I appreciate learning how people discover a good book to read because, well, that is half of the battle. A lot of times, one has to sort though a lot of what my sister calls "lemons" (duds), before finding a Book-I-Can't-Put-Down. It's a process.] I had finished The Hunger Games and in the woe-be-gone process of finding the next Book-I-Can’t-Put-Down. People on Library Thing recommended Graceling as the number one choice for those who enjoyed The Hunger Games. It also had a waiting list to read at my local library, which is always a good sign. When I finally got my turn to read Graceling, I soon discovered it was not a lemon but a Book-I-Can’t-Put-Down, and finished it in less than two days.

The book is set in the land of seven kingdoms and centers around Katsa. She is the niece of the King of the Middluns, has lost both of her parents, and is one of the few to call themselves a Graceling - a rare individual who has two different colored eyes and is ‘graced’ with an extreme talent in a specific area. While there are many different graces (cooking, juggling, singing, etc), most all of them live an isolated life and are exploited for their gifts. To make her situation even more dire, Katsa is a graced killer. She is indestructible in battle. She has very few friends and no one looks her in the eye because of her grace. At a very young age, she becomes her uncle’s personal assassin and brute messenger. While Katsa is on a rescue mission for the top-secret council in the land that is helping to bring justice to the kingdoms, she meets Po. With unusual gold and silver eyes, Po is graced with combat skills and is Lienid prince. He also is the only one who can actually fight with Katsa and look her in the eyes. A first for her. Without divulging too many details, Katsa struggles as she tries to stand up to her evil uncle, manage her deadly grace, and figure out a puzzling mystery happening in the seven kingdoms.

It’s a serious page-turner and I’m not the only one singing its praise. Kristin, the author, is a clear, evocative writer with a true knack for character development. I mean, is it possible to get literary crushes on characters? Read it and you will know who I mean. Currently, she just finished her second book, Fire (also a page-turner), and is working on a sequel to Graceling that will take place in the future and focus on another character you meet later in the book. I can’t wait to read it. Hurry up Kristin! You can see what Kristin is up to at her witty and adorable blog. I dig that she incorporates book recommendations, great videos, baby pictures, Buffy polls, and Beethoven on her site. She also writes candidly about her writing process and her words are what inspired me to start playing with my blog again. [Despite the fact that my mom and sister just told me last night that they rarely read my blog....wha-what?....thanks a lot you two.] She essentially says that writing is hard, write as much as you can, and get good at ignoring the voices that say your writing sucks. My favorite line comes at the very end when she says,

“Writing is a strange activity, but humans are weird, right? A writer is an extremely human thing to be.”

Can I be her friend?

Would love any good book recommendations for me to read after Belize. Moi – thanks for the earlier comment.…Ender’s Game is definitely next on my to-read list.

Annita Devi Gerald, aka Annita Rampersad, 52 (from Guyana), has been indicted on charges of conspiracy and alien smuggling in connection with her role in the smuggling of four Indian nationals to the United States via Belize.

The U.S. Department of Justice reports that, according to the indictment, from approximately April to November, 2009, Gerald and others conspired to smuggle four Indian nationals into the United States. Allegedly, Gerald and her co-conspirators fraudulently obtained Belizean visas for the Indian nationals and escorted them from India to Belize, moving through various countries in Central, South, and North America. Gerald allegedly provided lodging for all four Indian nationals in Belize while further arrangements were made. Apparently, Gerald arranged transportation for one of the travelers to cross the border from Belize into Mexico. The individual was escorted through Mexico and arrangements were made to illegally cross the Mexico-U.S. border to Houston. There is no information about the three other travelers.

If convicted, Gerald faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for conspiracy, and 10 years in prison for each of the four counts of encouraging and inducing aliens to come to the United States for profit. The investigation was conducted by ICE’s Office of Investigations in Miami and Houston, with the critical assistance of the ICE Attaché offices in El Salvador, Ecuador, Brazil, Singapore, and Panama, as well as the ICE Office of Intelligence in Washington, and the Alien Smuggling Interdiction Unit of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Washington.

For full article, see http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/December/09-crm-1360.html

No, this time it’s not my belly I’m speaking of.  I am taking about my suitcase!  After 2 hours, I am ready to leave for Christmas tomorrow.  Our flight to Seattle isn’t until 4:30 tomorrow, but packing is such a production for me, that I can’t wait until tomorrow to pack.  We want to be able to avoid the check-in line at Christmas, so I was trying to get everything into my carry-on and my backpack.  Given that my sister-in-law is forced to do a couple loads of laundry a day with her twin boys, I figure I’ll be able to wash and rewear a lot.

All this packing got me thinking about our next trip….  I was hoping to go to the Fitbloggin’ Conference in March that some of my favorite Boston bloggers will be attending.  But the conference falls the same week as my spring break from school.  That makes it the perfect time for our annual trip to Belize.  Dave has been going to Belize for years and loved it so much that he even bought some land on an uninhabited island (yep, that’s my guy!)!  He introduced me to the country a few years ago and we’ve gone each year since (except for the year of our honeymoon when we went to Maui instead!).

What an amazing place!  We’ve spent each trip on an island called Caye Caulker.  It’s a snorkelers paradise!  We weren’t snorkelers before, but we are now.  We even got our own gear!

With the exception of the snorkel, fins, and mask, there not a whole lot of complicated packing when it comes to traveling to Belize.  Warm weather clothes don’t take up any room at all.  This is pretty much our wardrobe for the entire week:;

Packing for Christmas, however,  is requiring bulky sweaters, gloves, hats, lots of running layers, and of course… Christmas presents!  Much more space required!  But I think I’ve made it work and will have everything I need.

This will be a great trip.  I can’t wait to meet my baby nephews!  We’ve had a few web cam meetings, but it’s not the same.  I will try to blog a bit while I’m there, but I’ll have to put down a baby in order to do that.  That will be tough to do!  In case I am MIA for a few days, I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!  I’ll leave you with a few more pictures of heaven before I go!!

In March I’ll be able to show you some pictures of the rainforest and the Mayan Ruins.  I love the island so much, Dave hasn’t been able to show me the interior of the country yet.  It will be adventure, that’s for sure….as most of our travel tends to be!

Belize – The Jolliest Place in the Caribbean

International Living Postcards—your daily escape

Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009

In the past couple of months, IL readers have shown more interest in Belize than almost any other destination we cover. An affordable second home in the English-speaking Caribbean is a big draw. But what would it be like to live here?

The people of Belize love any excuse for a party, festival, or celebration. This time of year, when the rest of the world becomes more festive—what can little Belize possibly do to increase its already-good cheer?

Suzan Haskins finds out, below.

Len Galvin

Managing Editor, IL Postcards

There’s no worry about the separation of church and state in Belize—you’ll find religious crèches and mangers of all shapes and sizes in both private and public areas. Stores aren’t the least bit discriminate either. They overflow with toys, gadgets, trinkets, items both religious and sacrilegious. Wear your sunglasses should you enter, as the displays of twinkling lights are more than dazzling.

In San Pedro town on the little island of Ambergris Caye, hotels, restaurants, bars and businesses have been spiffed—palm trees wrapped with colorful lights, wreaths and greenery (mostly plastic) haphazardly strung just about everywhere, mistletoe hidden in clapboard eaves.

The boats carrying visiting fishermen, divers, and snorkelers to the world’s second-longest barrier reef have also been merrily adorned. (The Holiday Boat Parade took place the first weekend of December—putting a unique twist on the word ‘float.’) Even the conch shells, sold as souvenirs in the seashore park, have been decorated for Christmas.

Elsewhere in the country, especially Garifuna towns like Dangriga, Hopkins, and Seine Bight, Jonkunu dancers are practicing for their raucous Christmas day Charikanari dance, with percussionists banging on drums and anything else that makes noise… like pots, plastic pickle buckets, spoons, and coconut graters. It’s a celebration of heritage and…well…an excuse to knock back some rum and knock up the partying a notch or two. (As if Belizeans need any excuse!)

Mayan villages get in on the act with the Deer Dance, about the relationship between people and nature. Mestizo groups celebrate with traditional posadas on each of the 10 days before Christmas.

Come Christmas Eve, of course, pots will be simmering on stoves everywhere. Traditional Belizean coconut-flavored rice and beans will be on the menu, along with potato salad, ham, turkey and stuffing. Plates will be heaped with plenty of white relleno (soup with pork-stuffed chicken and raisins), pebre (roasted pork and gravy), and tamales in abundance. And for dessert, a rich black fruitcake served with plenty of Rompopo, Belize’s own potent version of eggnog.

The truth is that the party really never stops in Belize. As a former British colony, Belizeans go all out in the celebration of Boxing Day on December 26, with more singing, dancing, and drumming in the streets. And then comes New Year’s Eve…and then the next day…and the next day…

Christine the conference coordinator e-mailed me 10 x 25 pages and synopsis for 10 of the 11 other participants in my Narrative group. Sent them to Kinko’s via e-mail so as to not put a strain on my old printer…it works fine but someday soon it will probably see its last print.  I need to ready the 10 and finally the 11th submission…and give a critique on each one before the conference starts January 16th. I’ve already read a few and there are some very good writers in my group…it will be a pleasure to work with them.

With the holidays almost here time will go really quickly I’m sure…I can’t wait until the 16th…..and to meet the keynote speaker…Anita Shreve.

Vi borjade narma oss gransen till Belize och detta blev sista stoppet, en stad vid namn Chetumal. Staden i sig var inget som fick oss stanna langre an over natten for att ta nasta buss till Belize, fick dock ett kort fran en park.

Det var tankt att vi skulle stanna pa ett stalle som hette Corozal, vi kom dit och efter att ha gatt runt 2 timmar och sett halva stan, bestamde vi oss for att ta oss ner till Belize City. Vi hoppades pa att vi sa snabbt som mojligt skulle kunna ta vattentaxi over till Caye Caulker.

Bussen blev sen men vi kom till belize, dock 5 minuter efter sista vattentaxin gatt, pa busstationen mitt i den smatt otrevliga stan nar morkret var ett faktum. Det vi hort fran en man, ursprungligen fran Texas, i Corozal ringde i vara oron; “Belize city man, that place is no fucking joke, when it gets dark, get the fuck off the streets, they will rob you of everything you’ve got, they’ve got no mercy”.

Sa det blev snabbast mojliga taxi fran busstationen till ett hotell nara vattentaxin. Sent pa kvallen blev vi hungriga och gick ut runt kvarteret for att ata lite mat. Vi traffade en man som guidade runt oss lite grann och berattade historian bakom landet, men framst av allt, han holl oss nagorlunda sakra, aven fran de som brukade och ville salja oss droger, vilket han sedan pastod, tillhorde ganget crips. Bilder gick knappt att ta pa kvallen da det stod mindre folkgrupper vid alla gator och gatuhorn, hade en kansla av att de inte ville bli fotograferade. Dock kommer nagra bilder i dagsljus i senare inlagg.

Vattentaxin nasta dag tog oss till Caye Caulker tidigt pa morgonen.

Pa denna o finns varken asfalt eller bilar, det ar sand och golfbilar som galler.

Ambergris Caye – Belize
Ambergris Caye Stay 4Nts $849*
Orange Walk – Ambergris Caye 7Nts $1,325*
Hopkins – Turneffe Islands – Ambergris Caye 10Nts $2,205*

Roatan – Honduras
Roatan Island Stay 4Nts $925*
Copan Mayan Site – Roatan Island 7Nts $1,319*
Copan Mayan Site – La Ceiba – Roatan Island 9Nts $1,449*

Bocas del Toro – Panama
Gamboa – Bocas del Toro – Panama City 7Nts $965*
Bocas del Toro Archipelago – San Blas Islands 9Nts $1,409*
Bocas del Toro – Gamboa – Playa Blanca 10Nts $1,389*

Belize is bounded on the North by Mexico, South and West by Guatemala and the beautiful Caribbean Sea wash its 174 mile coastline to the East.

Belize is a country of various cultures, languages, and ethnic groups. Approximately 270,000 people in Belize consist of Creole, Garifuna, Mestizo, Spanish, Maya, English, Mennonite, Lebanese, Chinese, and East Indian. Due to racial harmony and religious tolerance, all of these different elements have mixed and blended successfully, and Belize has gained a widespread reputation for its friendly peoples.

One of the most prominent ethnic groups is the Creoles, which formed 30 percent of the population in 2001. Creoles are descendants of the intermingling of the early British settlers with African slaves.

More than 40 percent of the population is Mestizo. They are descendants of mixed blood Mexicans and Yucatec Mayans who fled from the Yucatan in the mid 1800s. Another 6 percent of Belizes population are the Garifuna. The Garifuna have their own language and culture. The Yucatec, Mopan, and Kekchi are three Amerindian groups which also make up Belizes population. The Chinese, with a population of 6,000 have made distinct communities, as well as the East Indians and the Mennonites.

English remains the most common language spoken followed closely by Creole, but Spanish is becoming more widely spoken. The Garifuna, Mayas, and Mennonites each speak their own language.

The cayes, the offshore atolls, and the barrier reef are on of the main attraction to Belize. The barrier reef, which is 185 miles long, is the longest in the Western Hemisphere. The cayes are islands that are located between the mainland and the barrier reef, on the barrier reef and on or within the barrier reef perimeters of the offshore atolls.

Although the mangrove cayes are normally uninhabitable by humans, they do provide a superior habitat for birds and marine life. Many birds, fish, shellfish, and marine organisms begin their lives within the protection of the mangrove. On the other hand, the island cayes, which are distinguishable by their palm trees, have provided the foundation for the development of many fine resorts to serve the water sports enthusiasts and the marine naturalists.

The cayes and atolls provide superior opportunities for SCUBA diving, snorkelling, fishing, boating, sailing, kite boarding, and sea kayaking, as well as habitat for both nesting birds and turtles.

The northern half of the mainland of Belize is a plain that was once the bed of the sea. The land is covered with a thin layer of soil that supports scrub vegetation and dense hardwood tropical forest.

The coastal area is neither land nor sea, but a sodden, swampy transition between the two. It consists of mangrove and grasses, and is bordered by tussock grasses, cypress, and sycamore where the land separates the water.

The central part of Belize consists of sandy soil that supports large savannas.

Ambergris Caye is the most popular spot in Belize for scuba diving. It offers a variety of diving such as reefs, walls, blue holes and more. If you’ve never been to Belize before, Ambergris Caye is a great place to start.

Geography

Ambergris Caye is the largest island of Belize and is about 25 miles long and 1 mile wide. So it’s a small island and easy to explore. The main town on Ambergris Caye is San Pedro and lies near the southern tip.

San Pedro has 3 main roads that run parallel to the beach and reef. They have more tourist oriented names now but many of the locals still call them by their old names. The 3 main streets are Barrier Reef Drive (Front Street), Pescador Drive (Middle Street) and Angel Coral Drive (Back Street).

The barrier reef lies just offshore from Ambergris. It is about a half mile east from the shore so boat rides to most dive sites are short.

Location

Belize itself is situated on the Caribbean coast. It is bordered by Mexico in the north, Guatemala to the south and west and the Caribbean on the east.

Ambergris Caye is located about 35 miles northeast of Belize City and 11 miles north of it’s sister island Caye Caulker.

There is airport on the island with several flights a day from Belize City (Maya Island Air and Tropic Air). The flight is short, about 20 minutes, but beautiful. You can also reach Ambergris via water taxi from Belize City (or Caye Caulker). The ride from Belize City is about 75 minutes and is a fun way to get the island.

Weather

The average daytime temperature during the summer months is typically around the mid to high 80’s F with temperatures in the 90’s F not that uncommon. Things cool off a bit in the winter months with average temperatures closer to around 80F.

Belize and Ambergris Caye have a rainy season from June to November with the most rainfall occurring in the September-November timeframe. The island does get hit by hurricanes during the hurricane season (June-November also).

Reefs and Rides

Ambergris Caye Belize sits right off the second largest barrier reef in the world (the reef runs for 185 miles). The reef is only about a half mile offshore from the island so boat rides can be short. The visibility is typically in the 50-100 foot range.

If you go out to the reef, some dive sights are less than a 10 minute ride away. One of the most popular spots for diving is within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve which lies less than 5 miles from San Pedro. This is also the area where the popular Shark Ray Alley is located. Although it is a snorkel spot, it is fun and worth doing.

There is a lot of variety in Ambergris Caye diving. You can do canyons, tunnels, wrecks, blue hole, etc. Since it is the most popular tourist spot and dive destination in Belize, there are a lot of dive operators to choose from. Most hotels usually have or are affiliated with/recommend a particular outfit.

So if you’re looking for a spot with great diving and interesting topside attractions, Belize and Ambergris Caye may be for you.

Have a great time! Dianne Rein from www.scuba-diving-smiles.com

I’ve had a winter break ticket booked to the Caribbean planned for months.  However, all it took was one phone call to derail to whole trip!  My friend Francesco called from Cancún and told me all flights to meet me were booked AND that he got robbed leaving him without cash of credit cards for the rest of his trip!  I immediately called the airline company and managed to change my flight to meet him in Cancún.  No sense in being stuck in the Bahamas alone for three weeks!  His family is over-nighting me some stuff to bring to him to get him through the rest of hist trip.

I was extremely lucky to get a reasonable deal on a last minute flight, but of course it comes with a catch!  I’m spending the night in the airport both on the way there and the way back!  I’m not worried though, it won’t be the first cheap flight that leaves me sleeping on an airport bench!

Now I’m leaving Monday to spend two and a half weeks in the Yucatán Peninsula and Belize!  Not a bad change of plans really!  I still get out of Wisconsin and head to a place where I can run and spend time in the sun!

This little bump in the road is just one more reason I don’t make a detailed itinerary for any of my travels!  It’s much more fun to plan as you go!

Stay tuned for updates from paradise!

Ambergris Caye is the most popular spot in Belize for scuba diving. It offers a variety of diving such as reefs, walls, blue holes and more. If you’ve never been to Belize before, Ambergris Caye is a great place to start.

Geography

Ambergris Caye is the largest island of Belize and is about 25 miles long and 1 mile wide. So it’s a small island and easy to explore. The main town on Ambergris Caye is San Pedro and lies near the southern tip.

San Pedro has 3 main roads that run parallel to the beach and reef. They have more tourist oriented names now but many of the locals still call them by their old names. The 3 main streets are Barrier Reef Drive (Front Street), Pescador Drive (Middle Street) and Angel Coral Drive (Back Street).

The barrier reef lies just offshore from Ambergris. It is about a half mile east from the shore so boat rides to most dive sites are short.

Location

Belize itself is situated on the Caribbean coast. It is bordered by Mexico in the north, Guatemala to the south and west and the Caribbean on the east.

Ambergris Caye is located about 35 miles northeast of Belize City and 11 miles north of it’s sister island Caye Caulker.

There is airport on the island with several flights a day from Belize City (Maya Island Air and Tropic Air). The flight is short, about 20 minutes, but beautiful. You can also reach Ambergris via water taxi from Belize City (or Caye Caulker). The ride from Belize City is about 75 minutes and is a fun way to get the island.

Weather

The average daytime temperature during the summer months is typically around the mid to high 80’s F with temperatures in the 90’s F not that uncommon. Things cool off a bit in the winter months with average temperatures closer to around 80F.

Belize and Ambergris Caye have a rainy season from June to November with the most rainfall occurring in the September-November timeframe. The island does get hit by hurricanes during the hurricane season (June-November also).

Reefs and Rides

Ambergris Caye Belize sits right off the second largest barrier reef in the world (the reef runs for 185 miles). The reef is only about a half mile offshore from the island so boat rides can be short. The visibility is typically in the 50-100 foot range.

If you go out to the reef, some dive sights are less than a 10 minute ride away. One of the most popular spots for diving is within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve which lies less than 5 miles from San Pedro. This is also the area where the popular Shark Ray Alley is located. Although it is a snorkel spot, it is fun and worth doing.

There is a lot of variety in Ambergris Caye diving. You can do canyons, tunnels, wrecks, blue hole, etc. Since it is the most popular tourist spot and dive destination in Belize, there are a lot of dive operators to choose from. Most hotels usually have or are affiliated with/recommend a particular outfit.

So if you’re looking for a spot with great diving and interesting topside attractions, Belize and Ambergris Caye may be for you.

Have a great time! Dianne Rein from www.scuba-diving-smiles.com

By Lee Barber

Belize (BELLA MAYA RESORT) is no longer hidden; it’s now out in the open, so to speak. Compared to other destinations Belize (BELLA MAYA RESORT) is still a tropical wonderland; Mother Nature herself has crafted this land of contrasts. In the minds of newlyweds Belize (BELLA MAYA RESORT) conjures up visions of romance and idyllic locations: in the minds of back-packers (adventure seekers) Belize conjures up visions of verdant jungle and lush bush. What most people find attractive about Belize is the ease of accessibility by air, land and sea. As soon as you arrive in Belize you’ll find out that everything is cheap and close by. Once you get into the country you find out how cheap the country is and how close the country is – in terms of weekend trips and short excursions.

Arriving in Belize (BELLA MAYA RESORT) from anywhere in North America is fast and convenient – with the array of flights, cruises and bus lines entering the Belizean borders at regular intervals. If you own a boat or can borrow a boat you can come down the Caribbean Sea and enjoy the outlying islands before you reach the shores of Belize (BELLA MAYA RESORT). Some people like to travel by road, if that be you, then hire a car or take a luxury bus from anywhere in North and Central America and point your compass toward Belize. These are the some of the prominent cities; (Dallas, Miami, Charlotte, and Houston) where you can get a flight on American Airlines, US Airways and Continental Airlines straight into Belize.

Fail to plan, plan to fail. Going to a wonderful country like Belize (BELLA MAYA RESORT) without a plan of attack is like jumping out of an airplane without a parachute. You reach your destination quicker but you don’t enjoy the view. Wouldn’t it be better to float down to earth, enjoy the sun, enjoy the sea, and drink the view of this beautiful country? Here are the top three things you should do for an extraordinary trip. If you, yourself, like a drink and a good spot at a corner table in a Mexican restaurant, head to Placencia village, San Pedro or San Ignacio. The second tip is for those who like to be pampered in an exclusive and luxury spa. Head over to a jungle spa in Cayo. If you like a spa setting (steam, sauna, and massage) what you need is a jungle lodge in Caye.

The transport system is very good in Belize (BELLA MAYA RESORT). Now suppose you want to take a longer trip. What can you do? You can take a plane or take a bus. For the more adventurous kind, rental bikes can also be availed of at very reasonable prices. Sometimes time is short so you may choose to fly with the local airline: some people however prefer to take the bus because it allows you to see some of the cultural heritage. Belize (BELLA MAYA RESORT) is gifted with waterways and inlets so this will allow the intrepid vacationer to explore the country by water taxi and ferry.

The tourists start to arrive between December and June. It rains the most between June and November. If you want to be around when the weather is nicer the best time of the year is between December and May. The people in Belize (BELLA MAYA RESORT) are warm, friendly and will greet you with a smile on their face. When you arrive in Belize you will find out very quickly that Belizeans will welcome you with open arms and a warm heart. Now it’s easy to imagine why visitors end up buying real estate in Belize. There’s a place called Long Caye that has fantastic diving spots and the most beautiful beaches and it’s in these places that a lot of foreigners are buying real estate. A lot of people who visit Belize (BELLA MAYA RESORT) return home and always imagine what it would have been like if they could stay longer. Viva Belize!!

Additional Resources
An Introduction To Belize
beach house rental

Our investigation has shown that ‘The Belize Economic & Ecological Development Fund” and ACES have not completed the requirements for the claimed 501 (c)(3) status.

At time of this release the non-profit is promoting the idea of the donation’s for a new pen for one of the crocodiles they captured. The story is compelling with many photos and detailed from the director Biologist Cherie Chenot-Rose. The photos for the proposed pen are from funds previously donated for a similar claimed cause.

Belize as a country does not have per say non-profit status for a company or business, in most cases non-profits in Belize is considered NGO’s or non-government organizations. Aces American Crocodile Education Sanctuary is neither a non-profit, nor an NGO at this time.

In review before donating to any non-profit check them out. Ask a few questions, use Google, and check with the IRS they offer a free search of registered 501(c) (3) just use the information supplied to conduct your own investigation. Before donating to any non-profit or NGO non government organization check this web site http://www.irs.gov/charities/index.html?navmenu=menu1

Via:Rap Radar

John Trivedi with Troy Weiler – Business Development Manager at Norwegian Cruise Line on the Norwegian Jewel PhD@Sea Program, 12/6/2009 – 12/13/2009

John Trivedi’s PhD@Sea Certificate

NEWS PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

JOHN TRIVEDI COMPLETES PhD@SEA PROGRAM

Norwegian Cruise Line University’s new program at sea promotes continuing education for its star students.

As the next generation of Freestyle Cruising® continues to evolve, NCL University – NCL’s CLIA-accredited online travel agent “college” – expands the higher education program for its travel partners from the computer to a real-life Freestyle Cruising experience at sea. This in-depth, on-board, weeklong event includes an NCL executive host, a 15-credit CLIA public relations seminar, behind-the-scenes ship tours, panel discussions and group activities. To qualify for this enhanced at-sea experience, travel partners must have completed, at a minimum, the Freestyle Specialist level at NCL U.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s online university opened its virtual doors in 2008 and is one of the most innovative and successful programs available to travel agents today. With thousands of registered students and growing, NCL U has enhanced its training from the interactive experience of its online program to a continuing educational experience that includes the PhD@Sea program aboard its ships.

“At NCL, we highly recommend the use of a travel professional when booking an NCL cruise,” says Andy Stuart, Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Passenger Services.  “With NCL U, we are investing in our travel partners’ product knowledge, marketing and sales skills so our guests will know they are relying on an expert who knows our product inside and out.”

By earning NCL U’s PhD@Sea certification, John Trivedi, who is Freestyle Certified, is considered among the most qualified and expert representatives for NCL’s cruise product. To reach John Trivedi, please contact him at (425) 205-9911 or john@worldtravelersunited.com. You may also visit his website to learn more about his specialized group cruise business at www.worldtravelersunited.com.

Ambergris Caye is the most popular spot in Belize for scuba diving. It offers a variety of diving such as reefs, walls, blue holes and more. If you’ve never been to Belize before, Ambergris Caye is a great place to start.

Geography

Ambergris Caye is the largest island of Belize and is about 25 miles long and 1 mile wide. So it’s a small island and easy to explore. The main town on Ambergris Caye is San Pedro and lies near the southern tip.

San Pedro has 3 main roads that run parallel to the beach and reef. They have more tourist oriented names now but many of the locals still call them by their old names. The 3 main streets are Barrier Reef Drive (Front Street), Pescador Drive (Middle Street) and Angel Coral Drive (Back Street).

The barrier reef lies just offshore from Ambergris. It is about a half mile east from the shore so boat rides to most dive sites are short.

Location

Belize itself is situated on the Caribbean coast. It is bordered by Mexico in the north, Guatemala to the south and west and the Caribbean on the east.

Ambergris Caye is located about 35 miles northeast of Belize City and 11 miles north of it’s sister island Caye Caulker.

There is airport on the island with several flights a day from Belize City (Maya Island Air and Tropic Air). The flight is short, about 20 minutes, but beautiful. You can also reach Ambergris via water taxi from Belize City (or Caye Caulker). The ride from Belize City is about 75 minutes and is a fun way to get the island.

Weather

The average daytime temperature during the summer months is typically around the mid to high 80’s F with temperatures in the 90’s F not that uncommon. Things cool off a bit in the winter months with average temperatures closer to around 80F.

Belize and Ambergris Caye have a rainy season from June to November with the most rainfall occurring in the September-November timeframe. The island does get hit by hurricanes during the hurricane season (June-November also).

Reefs and Rides

Ambergris Caye Belize sits right off the second largest barrier reef in the world (the reef runs for 185 miles). The reef is only about a half mile offshore from the island so boat rides can be short. The visibility is typically in the 50-100 foot range.

If you go out to the reef, some dive sights are less than a 10 minute ride away. One of the most popular spots for diving is within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve which lies less than 5 miles from San Pedro. This is also the area where the popular Shark Ray Alley is located. Although it is a snorkel spot, it is fun and worth doing.

There is a lot of variety in Ambergris Caye diving. You can do canyons, tunnels, wrecks, blue hole, etc. Since it is the most popular tourist spot and dive destination in Belize, there are a lot of dive operators to choose from. Most hotels usually have or are affiliated with/recommend a particular outfit.

So if you’re looking for a spot with great diving and interesting topside attractions, Belize and Ambergris Caye may be for you.

Have a great time! Dianne Rein from www.scuba-diving-smiles.com

The Cayes of Lighthouse Reef!

Belize boasts of three of the most unspoiled and pristine atoll reefs in the world – and the one which is farthest offshore is the teardrop shaped, Lighthouse Reef Atoll. A diving expedition to Lighthouse Reef starts from its northern shores, where the Sandbore Caye and Northern Two Cayes greet you at this gateway. Most of these Cayes have an internal lagoon, which also acts as a giant natural cooler.

For divers, the real action is in and around the “diving jewel” known as Long Caye, which is at southernmost tip of the Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Most divers travel by boat 2.5 hours in each direction, to and from Ambergis Caye to Long Caye – which is surrounded by eight of the finest diving sites in Belize….and perhaps even the Hemisphere. Long Caye is slowly becoming the most sought after diving destination in the Caribbean – leading to an unprecedented rush to get a piece of this Belize Real Estate.

It makes sense to have a modest beach house on Long Caye – particularly for seasoned divers who make frequent trips to and from Long Caye.

And, if you love the red footed booby bird, then you have Half Moon Caye, a natural monument of the Government of Belize awaiting you just less than three mile due east of Long Caye.

From Cayes to Diving Holes…

Black Corals, Orange Sponges, Frigates, White Pelican – It cannot get better than these, and particularly if you are a diver. One could not have asked for a better deal from Mother Nature – Almost 40 of the most untouched diving spots in the world…adorned and naturally manicured with 20 foot stalactites, coral reefs, mangroves and sublime internal lagoons. It’s no wonder that the Real Estate in Belize is lapped up by the nature lovers from around the world. So, let’s meander around some of the most famous diving spots in Belize and Lighthouse Reef Atoll…

The Great Blue Hole…

The Great Blue is 1,000 feet across 400 feet deep and the coral is visible right from the top. It is not only visited by diving aficionados but also by fish of every variety. And if you did not know, the Great Blue Hole is the largest ocean sinkhole in the world – large enough to be visible from outer space. This marine treasure boasts of red algae, hydroids and gorgonians cover most of the corals. You may also find sharing brush, mermaid’s fan algae, elkhorm, club finger, shallow-water starlet corals, giant green anemones and various urchins.

Half Moon Caye and Wall…

At the southeast corner of the atoll, nature opens its full panorama for mankind – A densely populated bird sanctuary to the west and coconut palms to the east. If you are an ornithologist, this might tickle your curiosity – 98 recorded species of birds including frigate, red footed booby birds, pelicans, ospreys, egrets, gulls, storks, terns – just to name a few. And to top it all, you have a treetop bird watching platform…Can it get better than this?

The Wall is located south of Half Moon Caye. Divers can experience a depth of 30 feet and a visibility of 100 feet. The nature’s aquarium at Half Moon contains garden eels, conch, rays, flounder, star-eye hermit crab, tilefish, manta rays, groupers, yellowtail snappers, razorfish, toadfish, spotted eagle rays, turtles and black groupers.

Hat Caye Drop

Visibility – 50 feet, Currents – minimal…This is for the beginners who come to Hat Caye Drop, very close to Long Caye. Marine life is exceptional and unique – basket sponge, coral shrimp with white antennas, giant yellow tube sponges and deep-water lace coral. The lack of current at Hat Caye makes it an absolute favorite for the beginners.

Tres Cocos

To the east on Long Caye stood a trio of tall palm trees – and that’s the origin of Tres Cocos. It is almost one mile from Hat Caye Drop and boasts of a diving visibility of 80 feet and 30 foot depth – minimal to medium currents.

What comes along with Tres Cocos is a feast for the eyes – coral shrimp, large spotted moray eels, lion’s paw sea cucumbers, urchins, arrow crabs and sea feathers, parrotfish, damselfish, blue tang, jacks, large black groupers and turtles.

Long Caye Ridge…

To the west of Long Caye is hidden the perfect diving spot for beginners – depths of 40 feet, 80 feet of visibility and minimal currents. For those of you who are itching for marine photography, you have – soft coral, vase and tube sponges, yellow pencil corals and you will also see coral niches for spotted crabs, lobsters, filefish and arrow blennies. West Point I & II is also a great diving spot for beginners.

Que Brada…

Que Brada means “broken reef” – and its ½ mile north of Long Caye – 40 plus feet, 80 feet of visibility. The marine vista continues with schools of yellow tail snappers tailing divers on the reefs, large black groupers, ocean triggerfish, spotted eagle rays and turtles.

Cathedral Reef…

With mild undercurrent and 50 feet of visibility, Cathedral Reef is a great diving destination for intermediate divers.

Silver Caves, Nurse Shark Lodge, Eagle Ray Wall, Southwest Cut are other favorite destinations for beginner divers who travel to Long Caye.

The Aquarium…

To the northwest of Long Caye is the Aquarium – aptly named because of the multitude of marine flora and fauna that adorns the ridges and reef. The variety of invertebrates and exotic fauna at Aquarium is mesmerizing to say the least. The sheer brilliance of colored fish is dazzling for the divers.

Dive Away…

The unforgettable mosaic of marine life and clusters of natural diving platforms entices the novice as well as professional divers time and again to Long Caye at Lighthouse Reef.

Sent off the files with my first 25 pages and the synopsis to Christine today (she’s the Conference coordinator). I tried to sneak in a few more pages so I could include my first impressions of Belize City….but not surprisingly she stopped me at the 25 pages. These pages will be send to the members of my Narrative group and to the leader Michael Koryta. Tonight I Said Goodbye; Sorrow’s Anthem; A Welcome Grave; Envy the Night; and the Silent Hour

Then I came across 3 letters from Colin stuck in filing cabinet I rarely go into…one written before we left Atlanta for Belize and two written when I’d taken our injured black lab Guerrero to Florida for a month see the vets at University of South Florida in Gainsville. Guerrero was Colin’s third and I think favourite son. It’s amazing how 20 years doesn’t dim the memories….

I really am as sure as I can be that I will allow myself to finish writing this story….and back to envisioning it becoming a movie…. though Charleze Theron will have to play me rather than my original pick…Sigorney Weaver…she’s gotten a bit too old! 

One and a half month ago I wrote a post on the southern section of the monumental part of El Pilar in western Belize where I worked in 1998, 2000 and 2001. This post describes the northern part of this monumental area.

Directly east of Plaza Faisan that unites Nohol Pilar to the south and Xaman Pilar to the north lies Plaza Escoba. It is has been cut through by the modern El Pilar dirt road. North of this plaza lies Plaza Rosa which has two small pyramids, partly constructed by chert nodules. From Escoba it was possible to enter the northeast corner of Plaza Faisan which is the second largest plaza at El Pilar. Faisan is surrounded by several low platforms. The plaza floor slanted to the west and drained water into a large aguada. It has been argued that Plaza Faisan was a public space due to its low lying topography and non-restricted access.

Xaman Pilar seen from the southwest

North of Plaza Faisan lies several small quadrangles which were groups of buildings enclosing a smaller plaza. Plaza Gumbolimbo is three meters higher than Plaza Faisan. From there is a stairway up to Plaza Ixim which resembles a pool, since its small plaza is surrounded by high platforms and range-structures. On the eastern side lie EP19, a 13 m high and heavily looted pyramidal temple. From the bottom of Plaza Imix there rose a stairway up to the acropolis called H’men Na.

The acropolis consists of several small enclosed plazas and from Faisan there was only one way to this restricted area,. There is an increasing enclosure, restriction and elevation as one proceeds from Faisan to H’men Na. There has been some suggestions that many sites gradually became more and more enclosed throughout the Classic period (von Falkenhausen 1985). The enclosed plazas are: Plaza Hatz (28 x 5m), Plaza Subin (17 x 40m), Plaza Jobo (18 x 7m), Plaza Kibix (4 x 24m) and Plaza Manax (14 x 55m). H’men Na rises 10 m above Plaza Imix. Plaza Jobo has been excavated and it has several rooms with benches and vaults. The highest structure is EP 20 which was 19 m above Plaza Imix and 9 m above Plaza Jobo. Plaza Manax is located at the northern end of the acropolis. North of this plaza it is a steep 10 m drop down to Plaza Lec but there is no visual access (Wernecke 1994:42-43).

Plaza Lec is the northern end of Xaman Pilar. The temple on its eastern side has three rooms. North of this area lies a heavily quarried hill with a major plazuela group on its top. On the west side of the acropolis lies smaller plazas with a rangestructure and a long platform.

The next post on El Pilar will concern the west sections of the site which are are located in Guatemala (Pilar Poniente and Kum). It will also deal with the household compound called Tzunu’un (hummingbird) where I excavated in 1998. The final post will be about the causeways/linear features at the site.