...is finished.

The Worst Vacation Ever or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Belize (Day 1)

In a series of parts I will now attempt to do justice to a vacation I spent, last spring, in a little country called Belize. Bear in mind that everything I will relate is absolutely true, give or take some minor embellishments for narrative emphasis. Anyone who suffers through the entire story will realize that this epic tale of travel failure is one for the ages - but enough preface.

DAY 1

My girlfriend Jeanine and I arrived in Belize City sans my favorite ballcap - I left it at JFK Airport. No matter, I could buy something here - but it's really a harbinger of things to come. A sign that things had started out amiss and could only get amisser.

We made it through customs only to have the travel agency person, who was supposed to meet us, go completely AWOL. We eventually found someone who directed us to another part of the airport where we had to schedule a short puddle jumper flight from the mainland out to the island of Ambergris Caye where we were staying.

Worst Vacation Ever (Day 2) : The Police Shack and the Door to Nowhere

When you lose your passport in a foreign country - it's typically a bad thing. To get our temporary passports we were going to have to go back to the mainland to Belize City (the capital). There was a US embassy there. But we were informed by the Mata Rocks staff members that we needed to file an official police report and get a copy of that report before we went to the embassy. The only problem was that we had already scheduled and paid in advance for a day long excursion trip to some Mayan ruins. So the police and the embassy were going to have to wait.

A boat picked us up from the dock outside our room and took us to a bus which took us to some ruins which were nice and all, but of course we were a little stressed about the whole passport situation. We were dropped off at our hotel around 4 and promptly hopped on our bicycles and rode to the downtown police station.


Now, I can't even begin to do justice to this police station. It was a wood hut set up on stilts about 3 feet off the ground and no bigger than 10X10 ft. The stairs had all rotted completely through so you had to jump up into the doorway, which, of course, had no actual door. There was a desk and a few chairs plus one telephone. There were two police officers and probably six or seven people sitting or standing around in this tiny room.

I saw one of the policemen was the fellow I had spoken with the night before and I asked if I could file a formal report. He sat me down with the older officer who preceded to ask me all of the same questions from the night before. He then spent around 5 minutes looking for a blank piece of paper in the shelves of the desk. As I watched, I realized the police filing system apparently consisted of sticking crumpled wads of papers into the shelves and stacking everything on top of each other.

I looked around a bit. Sitting beside me was a woman handcuffed with a child on her lap. They gave her a plea statement to sign which I read over her shoulder. She was pleading to theft for the child on her lap. Further in the corner was a door that led to what I could only assume (from looking at the outside of the building) outside in the back. It was labeled "jail." Talk about prisons being revolving doors.

Anyway, after spending about an hour trying to explain my situation to the police and writing down everything in a formal record, I asked for a copy. I was told that I need to come back tomorrow and get the copy. The copy machine was in the other police station and they couldn't do it here. Frustrated, we left. The saga was just beginning.

That night, Erica from the Mata Rocks staff, told us that we needed to get to the embassy as early as possible - 5am if we could handle it. But the guy who makes copies at the police station (I know it's mind-boggling that they only have one person allowed to operate the copy machine), didn't arrive at the station until 8am. Therefore, the earliest we could get a water-taxi back to Belize City was 8:30. And then that boat ride was about an hour and a half. So we already knew that we'd have to wait in a long line at the embassy. But we were resigned to it. At least we could get it over with and go back to enjoying the rest of our vacation. At least that was the idea.

Worst Vacation Ever (Day 3) : The Fire Station, The Embassy, and Jeanine Shuts Down Belize

We woke up early this morning to get breakfast before we went looking for the "other" police station. Let me just add, at this point, another creeping concern. A lot of places accepted credit cards, but there were certain things that you couldn't do unless you had cash. Unfortunately the only cash machine on the island which accepted American ATMs was broken (of course). Therefore, we were running dangerously low on our cash reserves.

Anyway, we jumped on our bikes around 7 to go look for some food and the station. Once we got into town and ate we asked around for directions. We were pointed down several sketchy allies and had to turn around a number of times. Apparently no one had any idea where this new station was located. Eventually we found ourselves in a very run-down neighborhood with mostly ripped-up buildings. One of them looked to be an abandoned fire station, missing the garage door. This was actually the police station. It was essentially a large room with 3 walls, a desk and some rooms in the back (i can only imagine).

I went up to the woman behind the desk and asked if I could get a copy of the police report I had filed yesterday. Here's an approximation of the dialogue - I kid you not.

Me: I'd like to pick up a copy of a police report I filed yesterday at the other police station. I need it to bring to the embassy so that we can replace our passports which were stolen.
Woman: That will cost $8.
Me: Are you kidding me? Fine. Whatever, here (reaching for my wallet).
Woman: Oh, I'm sorry. I can't take the money. The person who takes the money isn't here.
Me: You have to be joking. Why do you need a person who takes the money?
Woman: Because he has the key to the cashbox. We can't take the money unless we can put it in the cashbox.
Me: Well, when will this guy arrive who takes the money? We're in a hurry.
Woman: I dunno. I haven't seen him for a few days.
Me: WHAT??? (Frustration setting in)
(This argument continues for some time before I finally convince her to take the money)
Me: Okay, you'll take the money. Now can I get a copy of my report?
(She disappears into the back and returns empty-handed. About 25 minutes have elapsed since we arrived.)
Woman: The guy who makes copies is not here. I can't give you that report.
Me: WHAT? I need that report! Last night, I called the police station and they told me that he would be here at 8 this morning. Can you just go make the copy? Hell, give me the original and I WILL MAKE THE COPY! (Frustration reaching a crescendo - I am actually yelling now)
Woman: I'm sorry only he can make the copies. And he's at court all day today and won't be back until Friday. He is also the court stenographer. (It was Wednesday).
Me: We need the report today because we're going to the embassy today. I don't know how else to explain this.
Woman: I'm sorry. I don't know how else to help you.
Me: How about making a copy and giving it to me?
(This goes on for another 10 minutes before I extract a promise to fax a copy to the embassy upon request. I copied down the phone number of the "new" station and we left extremely frustrated.)

I mean, come on, what is the actual likelihood that they are going to be able to fax a copy of the report to the embassy when they can't even make a copy? I sure as hell didn't see a fax machine. I didn't see a copy machine either. Hell, I didn't see a telephone. I didn't even see another person. There was a door. I could only hope that it led to a copy room and at least one competent human being.

Worst Vacation Ever (Day 3) : Continued...

We had already missed the 8:30 water taxi and the next one left at 9:30. The only other way back to Belize City was taking the small little propeller planes that ran every hour. However, they were much more expensive and as I mentioned, our cash flow was running dangerously low. Anyway, we headed over to the water taxi. We paid and boarded the boat and began - what would become a hated ritual - the trip to the mainland.

We arrived in Belize City 90 minutes later and found a cab driver. He took us to the embassy, driving through what he described as the "bad part of town." It was only about an 8 minute drive. We got out of the taxi expecting to wait at the back of a huge line. It was 11:30ish. Mata Rocks staff had told us to get there at 5:30am. The security guard informed us that it didn't open for US citizens until 1:30pm. After being assured that there was nothing we could fill out or do in preparation for our appointment, we extracted a promise that we would be first in line (after all the place was empty and we were the only ones there) and then went to find some lunch.

We found a little hot dog stand fairly close by and were approached by a local taxi driver named Jimmy. He told us that he did private exursions trips for $150 US dollars where he'd drive us out to the jungle and hire a guide and take us cave tubing. We told him that sounded fantastic, but we were staying in San Pedro and had to catch the last water taxi back to the island at 4:30. He said that would be no problem as long as we left before 2:30.

Well, that was exciting for us, because we thought today was going to be a total bust spent dealing with the passports. We got really hyped about the prospect of this cave tubing extravaganza. Big Mistake.

After lunch we sat in the courtyard of the embassy waiting for 1:30. But this was "Belize time." 1:30 came to mean 2:00 before they opened the doors to us.

We went in and explained the situation. The first thing the woman did was give us a ton of forms to fill out and told us to go to the back of the line (which had formed since 11:30). I complained that we had been waiting there for almost 3 hours and we had asked if we could fill out any forms in the interim and were told no. She frowned and ignored me. We filled out the forms and then cut in line. There were some evil eyes that WE ignored.

The woman looked over our forms for a few minutes and then asked for our passport photos.

What??? What passport photos? She told us that we needed to bring some passport photos. Well why didn't she tell me that the first time we were at this window? Sorry. She gave us a map to the nearest photo shop.

It wasn't close. We took off on foot and followed the map back into the "bad part of town" and were offered weed about 25 times. I think they may have been offering other things as well. Anyway, we finally arrived at the photo shop pretty much giving up on our tubing trip as this whole process had taken quite some time. We took the photos - the angriest passport photographs you'll ever see, and returned to the embassy. Another 20 minute walk. Tubing was out for sure.

We cut back in line, again, and gave the woman our photos. She took them and told us to wait outside for them to call our names. We went back outdoors and waited for another half hour before they called our names. We went to a different window with a different woman who asked us a few questions and then told us that we needed to pay $175 (or $350 Belize). I pulled out my credit card and she shook her head. Cash only.

Are you &$!%ing kidding me???? I don't have $175 in cash. For god's sake we've been walking in Drugtown, Belize. I'd have to be a total moron to carry that kinda cash on me. Shrugs her shoulders.

Where's the closest ATM that takes US bank cards? Other side of town. Back by the water taxi.

Great.

At this point we don't have enough cash to pay for a taxi. So we walk all the way back to the ATM - about 40 minutes. Back by all the same shady individuals. More weed offered. No thanks. I get the money out of the ATM and we grab a taxi. Back to the embassy. Again.

We get there and pay for the passport replacements.

"Come back tomorrow," she says, "they'll be ready around 1:30pm."

&*#%!

We had to really hurry back to catch the last water taxi back to San Pedro that night. Getting stuck in Belize City would have probably meant death or worse.

So we rode the water taxi back to San Pedro that night, arriving back around 6pm. We grabbed a nice dinner, but it was tainted by the knowledge that we would have to waste another day going back to Belize City to pick up the passports. But I had come up with, what I thought, was a way to save the last full day of our trip. We were going to schedule a snorkling trip for the morning off San Pedro and then we'd grab a water taxi to Belize City, pick up our passports, find Jimmy and go on that tubing trip, coming back in time to catch the last water taxi back to San Pedro. Well.... that was the plan anyway.

That night we were exhausted. After dinner we came home to crash. We decided at dinner that we were just going to crawl in bed, turn on the A/C, and watch whatever was playing on HBO. Well... I jumped in bed and turned on the TV. Jeanine went to wash up. On her way to the bathroom, she stopped by to flip on the A/C. She turned the knob and I heard a weird noise and simultaneously the lights and TV went out.

Great.

We went outside and the entire island all along the coastline was dark. Nothing. We learned the next day that the entire country had lost power for over 8 hours. JEANINE HAD SHUT DOWN THE POWER TO THE ENTIRE COUNTRY OF BELIZE!

That night we slept in the stultifying humid air sweating ferociously. I finally got to sleep only to be awoken when the lights came back on in the wee hours of the morning. Well, at least it couldn't get any worse, right? Wrong.

P.S. We didn't end up needing the police report at all. In fact all of that time with the police, where we might have been actually enjoying our vacation, was wasted. Another time where the Mata Rocks staff's information was amazingly useless and wasteful.

Worst Vacation Ever (Supplement) : Why Mata Doesn't Rock

I want to just interpose, for a moment, a few words about my disappointment with the staff at Mata Rocks. Let me also offer the countervailing caveat that the owners were not present at any point during these events. They were on "vacation." I don't understand where you go for vacation when you live in Belize, but maybe somewhere cold. Maybe Newfoundland.

A list of complaints in short:

1. The bag was stolen on their premises, under the nose of their security guard and they were not only not helpful, and not only actually hurtful (as you will know if you read my account), but they were down-right mean about it.
2. One of the staff members actually told me something to the effect, "Well you shouldn't leave your bag out on the balcony." I felt like saying, "Well, you shouldn't be such an $#!hole about it." Of course I know that, there's no reason to say that to someone you should be helping.
3. They repeatedly gave us misinformation about how to get our passports replaced and didn't apologize when we told them about their mistakes. It would have been easy to look up the answer on their internet connection but they refused.
4. The rooms were dirty and filled with ants - and we stayed in 3 different rooms over the course of our trip.
5. When the power went out - they refused to leave the bar to light a candle in our room, yet they did it for other guests. They were mad at us because we had been complaining about the disrespectful service.
6. Several times they scheduled events for us that fell through and they didn't even apologize.
7. They refused to refund any of the over $2500 we spent there despite all of these problems.
8. They are now refusing to cooperate in getting us the police report that we need to get our insurance claim on the lost items.
9. Read the account if you want to get a better sense of what exactly happened.

Worst Vacation Ever (Day 4) : Out of the Embassy, Into the Jungle

If you're keeping up with the saga you'll recall that today was to be the last full day of our trip. The plan we had orchestrated for the day involved a morning snorkeling trip which we had scheduled through a private friend of one of the Mata Rocks staff members. He was to pick us up at 7am. We wanted to get in a nice long snorkel at Hol Chan Reserve, pet the sharks, kiss the rays, etc...

We woke up early and got our stuff together and then went out to wait at the dock. 7am. No one shows up. 715am. Still nothing. 730. I know island time is slower, but this is beginning to try our patience. 745. We go inquire with one of the staffers. She calls the guy. His wife answers. Boat broke down. He's not coming. Well, nice of him to let us know. Too late to schedule a replacement.

We make the best of it. There was a kayak rental place down the beach a spell which we took advantage of and had a nice little time.

At this point in our trip the endless parade of horribles had just become funny. Really, there was nothing left to do but laugh at the situation. It wasn't life threatening. It was just a vacation. And hey, if you can get through this with a girlfriend/boyfriend, you can get through anything.

So we hopped on the water taxi back to Belize City around 11:30. We then took the now familiar stroll down the lane past the drug dealers and snake picture guy on our way to the embassy. Once we arrived, thankfully, we only had to wait about 15 minutes before they hooked us up with our temporary passports. No problems! Too good to be true. So we were all set. All we needed to do was go back to where we had lunch, find Jimmy and go tubing.

Jimmy was nowhere to be found. There was another man, however, another tax driver he said. Jimmy was not here today but he knew Jimmy and he could help us out. I asked him if we could go tubing. He said sure, but not today if we wanted to catch the last taxi back to San Pedro. What if we left right now I asked him.

"No way. Couldn't do it."

But, I told him, Jimmy told us it could be done easily, just yesterday. You could see the mental calculations churning in his forehead. He was thinking: Hey, I haven't made any money today and here are two Americans offering me $150. Why not?

"Yeah. No problem. We can do it."

It was almost 2pm.

You may ask yourself how we could possibly be so stupid as to believe that this was going to work out. After everything we'd been through... you'd think we would have learned. You could ask yourself that. You could ask me that. And this is what I'd say:

"I don't know. I. Really. Don't. Know."

We got in the taxi and drove out of town. We made a brief stop at an ATM so that I could pick up some cash to pay him with, because I had a feeling we might feel a little rushed at the end of the trip.

The driver, I've forgotten his name, was very friendly. He told us about the history of the island as we drove into the jungle. One particularly interesting anecdote surfaced when we told him we were from New York. One of his children had moved to Brooklyn actually and been shot in the face. At the tender age of 18. He was returned to Belize where he was brought to the ocean and submerged with raw liver covering the wound in his head. And now the boy is the happy father of four children.

The trip to the tubing drop-off point took a long time. Too long. Around 45 minutes in I began to get very nervous. It was 245 and we hadn't even reached the destination yet. The driver kept smiling and telling us stories, while Jeanine and I merely exchanged knowing looks of desperation. Why did we put ourselves in this situation?

It was around that time that we turned off the highway. "This," explained our driver, "is why many taxi drivers don't make this trip." I couldn't imagine what he meant. But then I realized. We were on a gravel path. It must have done quite a job on his little van's shocks. From the feel of it, frankly, I was doubtful that there were any shocks left. We were driving excruciatingly slow. We had to. It was a very bumpy ride. And it was taking forever. We only had a few miles to go, he told us. But it took almost 20 minutes.

It was 310 when we arrived.

I did the math in my head. 310 now. Drive takes a little over an hour. Last water taxi leaves at 430. We have to leave to go back now. I mentioned this to the driver.

"You told us we'd be back for the last water taxi."
"Yeah, I guess not. But the last plane leaves at 5:30."

That was our only option left really. And even then it would be pushing it. We got out of the car and our driver went looking for a guide. He found one he knew and I tried to explain our situation.

"How long does the trip usually take?" I asked him.
"Hour and a half, give or take a little."

I did the math in my head. 3:15. Hour and a half. 4:45. Over an hour to drive back. 5:45. Last flight. 5:30. No good.

"Can we do it in under an hour?"

He pauses for a moment. Inspiration.

"Yeah. I think I can do that. I know a shortcut."

We grabbed our things, including our passports, which the driver insisted would be safe in his unlocked, windowless van. We'll take our chances with the river, thank you. Jeanine insisted on holding the water-tight bag with the passports. I had been officially deemed "irresponsible."

At this point, I should mention that I had recently torn my PCL - a ligament in my knee - only about a month before. I only say this because it becomes very relevant very quickly. Basically it meant that moving any faster than a brisk walk was quite painful.

We grabbed our tubes. Jeanine, our guide, our taxi driver and myself took off up the path. The nature of this tubing experience was that you carry large rubber tube up a steep jungle path to a point where you put the tube in a river and proceed to leisurely float down through a series of caves and small rapids, back to where you started. Unfortunately, the meaning of "leisure" had long since eluded us on this vacation.

Our guide insisted on doing his regular schtick but at an accelerated pace. We were basically jogging (in our sandals) and running along the path.

"This is a tree. This is where monkeys live. This is a bush. That's a rock. That's a hole. Look out for this. Look out for that," our guide spit out at a rapid pace as he jogged in front of me up the path. He was basically talking at an unintelligible speed between breaths as we hurried to keep pace. Our more than hefty taxi driver brought up the rear panting heavily, struggling mightily.

It would have been comical if it weren't so frenzied.

We did the 45 minute hike in 15 minutes.

We got in the water and sat in our tubes after a very frenetic tutorial on how to float properly. He had us hook our feet into the tube in front of us and face upstream. With our tubes all hooked in a line, our arms were free to paddle downstream. We paddled furiously down the river through the caves. Our arms were churning rapidly. Not leisurely.

I'm sure it was quite the image. Some sort of metaphor about people from the big city with an inability to "SLOW DOWN." But in any case, we were in a hurry. We did not want to be stuck away from our hotel and all of our things on the wrong landmass when we were leaving the next day. Plus, we had nowhere to sleep.

Whenever we got to shallow water and our butts began to drag on the bottom, our guide would jump up and literally drag us down the river. He would be half jogging as he took hold of our two tubes in either hand (the taxi driver would stand and walk as well) and pulled us heavily over the gravel bottom. It was quite painful really, but he was determined to show us the genuine experience I suppose. As if this was somehow more relaxing for us. But rest assured he was rewarded well for his effort to hurry things along.

At a certain point, I felt the charade was over and it would be best if we abandoned the whole "floating down the river" thing altogether. We grabbed our tubes and walked for the rest of the way.

As we returned to the taxi, our guide called out to his friends to inquire as to the time.

4:10.

Under an hour. The guide turned to me and gave me a one-hundred watt smile as he put up his hand.

"One hour! My new record!" He exclaimed, almost giddy with delight.

I gave him the high five. He deserved it.

We settled up and returned to the taxi. 4:20. We put our things together and climbed into the car. The driver didn't get in.

"I'm gonna take a quick shower."

Apparently he didn't recognize the nature of the situation. He walked toward the showers and returned about 5 minutes later. Jeanine and I were trying to ignore the obvious. That we were quite likely to be royally screwed.

The ride back was the probably the most nerve-racking taxi ride I'm likely to ever take. And that's saying something if you've ever ridden around in a nyc cab. Of course the trip back down the gravel path seemed to take longer and minutes have never gone by so quickly as when I so resolutely stared down that clock face.

Our driver was almost deathly silent the whole ride back. I think he may have finally caught a whiff of our desperation. Finally the clock began its inevitable ascent toward 530. No civilization in sight.

He insisted that the airport was nearby. I began contemplating my options. There didn't seem to be any good ones.

5:27. Still nothing and from what I understood about airports, it's generally better to be earlier than later.

Worst Vacation Ever (Day 5) : The Epilogue

I feel a few words are necessary to bring this memory to a faithful conclusion. For a majority of this recollection I have been rather causticly harping on the unfortunate events of my trip. But I think those events are the ones that make my particular experience interesting.

It is at this point that I probably should "give Belize its due." The country itself is beautiful. The ocean and its wildlife are sublime. The people are genuinely friendly - particularly our taxi driver when he wasn't lying to us and our tubing guide, who was the man.

There were, no doubt, many frustrations along the way, but we actually enjoyed our trip nonetheless. Okay... maybe sometheless. But our trip to the Mayan ruins at Altun Ha and the jungle spa was wonderful. We enjoyed our sea kayaking and exploring the beaches and town of San Pedro. And yes - we finally did go snorkeling on the morning of our last day - Day 5. It was great.

To end the suspense, though you may have guessed it, we caught that plane back to San Pedro. Maybe the only big thing that had gone right all vacation. We arrived at the airport at 5:37 and "Belize time" saved us. We left the ground at 5:40.

Would I go back to Belize? Certainly. Our trip would have been very different had I not left that backpack out on the balcony. My account merely underscores the nature of the obstacles you might come across in any developing country. But, hey, it's an interesting story and one I thought appropriate to share.

http://www.afoolish.blogspot.com

it seems you went through hell on that trip, next time you should stay longer like two weeks to really see Belize , and have time to relax, and plan for those inevitable challenges, but anyways at least you have got a story to tell.

Good reporting.....did you ever get off NY time

I look forward to you next year report

casa, I hope he doesn't have too many more "inevitable challenges" and he's certainly learned more than a few lessons.

Dan, great writing and I sure hope your next trip isn't anywhere near as eventful and that you get a chance to sllllloooooooowwwwwww down.

Dan, you're a great story teller.

Sorry the trip wasn't more enjoyable but seems as though you and the grfriend will have this, now funny, story to tell in your future.

Not to knock Belize City but... it coulda been A LOT worst there!

Same post as on Belize Forums. I skimmed Dan's weblog this morning - couldn't access it before - and whilst I'm sympathetic I can't help feeling that Dan had an exceptionally naive approach to travelling. I would not leave valuables and important documents inside a locked hotel room without taking other precautions. To leave it all in a backpack on a balcony right next to a public beach (I know Mata Rocks) AND THEN LEAVE THE PREMISES is absolutely incredible. How can you possibly ascribe any blame to Mata Rocks?

That said, your experiences with San Pedro police are about par for the course. They are, or perhaps I should say "have been" as they are allegedly now doing something about it, the most ineffectual police force I have ever come across anywhere. And I have travelled and lived widely throughout the third world.

I think the real irony was that the safe in our first room was broken.

Oh man, insult to injury.

DAN: How did you manage to spend $2500 at Mata Rocks?

It includes 5 days for 2 people plus the trips they organized and whatever other incidentals.

That figure is probably in Belize dollars though - so figure about $1250 US.

ouch mobunny, we all make bad choices in our lives.

double ouch!

Yeah. Whoo. You really got me. Boy, I'm such an idiot.

Hm... Nope. that was just vicious.

I'm sure Mata Rocks was a great place for you. My only contention was that it wasn't great if you had a problem. I'm sure many people can be wonderful when nothing goes wrong.

The issue here, however, is that something went wrong. And when it went wrong - the staff at Mata Rocks were rude and worse than not helpful. That was my experience. And incidentally, I'm not looking for sympathy. I was just sharing my story.

I am kicking myself for allowing myself to get involved in this type of discussion (which I hardly ever do) and am deleting my earlier posts.

I've tried to keep my dog outta this fight but afraid I gotta come down on the side of Mobunny. I have known the owners and staff at Mata Rocks for 7-8 years and have found them to be curtious, friendly and helpful in every respect. Had they not been, they would not be able to compete and grow in a very competative business in SP. Anyone, especially someone from NY, knows better that to leave valuables just laying around, period! When I first read his initial report, I thought he was related to the honeymooners and the "coke buy on the pier". Thats how funny I thought it was. Oh well, I know I'm gonna catch hell, just couldn't help putting my dime's worth in. :p

Dan, sorry you had such a negative experience. Everyone does spontaneous or somewhat ill-advised things while just trying to relax and let loose a little. I could have just as easily been burned on my trip. You have a better attitude about it all than I would have. Thanks for sharing.

Sure, you disagree, you explain why. Or, you can just call the person stupid.

But Dan seems pretty cool about it, so there you go. Maybe he'll go on to become a brilliant prosecuting attorney, beating the daylights out of defense attorneys who dare to suggest the victim is to blame. :-)

Or perhaps he'll sell out and work at a big NY law firm...

The only real antipathy I still hold against the Mata Rocks staff and owners is their refusal, at this point, to mediate with the police and obtain a copy of our police report. Obviously it would be rather ridiculous for one of us to fly down to Belize to get a copy. And we've already wasted over $30 in futile phone calls to the station.

I would honestly give them 5 stars or whatever if they just did me that small favor. After all, it's around $800 in insurance we're talking about - and all they need is a police report to finish processing the claim.

This is tooo funny. You should write for a travel magazine. And I thought stuff like this only happened to my hubby and me. Glad to know we aren't the only ones who can find humor in an otherwise frustrating event. Please give San Pedro and the mainland another try. I promise you will love it.

Working with resorts here in Belize for over fifteen years, there is always that one guest(s) that everything goes wrong, EVERYTHING. No matter how hard you try, it's just bad.

So unfortunate MR didn't come through for you. Perhaps someone can pick-up the PR and FedEx it to you?

Now, if you are to "just report" your story, leave out the exagerations. For one, you didn't walk through the "bad part" of Belize City, trust me on that one (I know - the good part looks bad). It is not "drug town" and staying in Belize does not equate to "death or worse". Well, most folks make it through the night at the Raddisson.

One the bright side!.....next trip can only be better!

SIN

Ripped up shacks and a fire station without a garage door - vs- Manhattan.

anyone?

have stayed at mr several times, as well as stopping at the bar there many times with nary a problem. my question is; why didn't security do something about these shady characters that were hanging around? did you ever get an explanation for that?

Mr. Newton.

You are right. I took artistic license. First lesson of writing - think about the intended audience. I hadn't intended this to be a "just a report." More of a compelling narrative.

Let me state that for the record.

why would their be doors on the fire station? they are there 24 hr a day.

regarding police. I have had 3 encounters with the police here and they were FAR more responsive and FASTER than the 2 police encounters I had in the US.

Agree, Manhattan would not be a good vacation for Dan, far worse. You admited you left your bag on the balcony for anyone to take walking by. I guaruntee this would have happened in the 2 states I lived in and has nothing to do with "obstacles you might come across in any developing country." unless Minnesota and Nevada are developing countries.

The story I got from the Mata Rocks guard was that the security guard who noticed the two "shady characters" was working at the next resort over - Banana something I think.

She apparently didn't feel she was responsible for anything over the imaginary line between the two resorts. She only informed the MR security guard about the characters later. He never saw them himself.

Three things for ke:

1. I don't need or want to take a vacation to Manhattan. I live already live there.

2. It wasn't the fire station that had no doors. It was the police station that looked like a fire station with no garage door.

3. I wasn't referring to the theft as an "obstacle," but rather the run-around at the embassy and the police stations.

lol!!!!!!!!!!! the police station has doors, they do not use them because it is 24 hours a day, of course, and makes more sense to have the doors open...fresh air because it is hot here! VS using an a/c.

It was really not intended to be a put-down, but rather a description of what the building looked like, as in:

"It looked like a fire station with no garage door."

thanks for the clarifications. It is nfortunate your run arounds. I can tell you from the 2 experiences I had in our own country it is just as much of a run around and takes even longer. I love our country, don't get me wrong.

However, anything the police depts and often many things gov't related, or business in general will make it as much of a headache as possible. I don't want to complain but could make you a long list of issues I had when I was there. The worst being with the police.

I wonder what your fire station looks like where you live, cause the police station here is brand new, looks like a police station to me.

Some of my closest friends have had the privledge of visiting for a night describe it just like the police stations we know.

the old police station does not look like any police station i ever saw.

TIMO, what about the old police station? He was talking about the new one! he was here since the new one was built!

The picture he posted was of the Fire Station, not the Police Station. Which incidentally for those who don't know is right next to the Fire Station.

a 10'x 10' hut on stilts sounds like the old one, but since i have never seen the new one, i could be wrong.

LOL so no wonder the "police station looke like a fire station!" It WAS the fire station.

yep, #2 you are wrong. sorry. the new police station is concrete, 2 story yellow building, several times the size of the old one. Just like the ones we know back in the states.

Yeah I fudged on the picture for the same reasons as before - the intended audience was not specifically "frequenters of Belize."

I'm quite cognizant that the picture was of the fire station - as I had to photo shop the words "fire station" out and replace them with my own typeface. Again it was for effect rather than complete accuracy.

Finally, I suppose that our differences of opinion may stem from the fact that I visited the station during its early days of construction when they were just starting to move in. That may account for its appearance, at least to me.

who is #2

Well it was Rob Lowe at one point.

no one is #2, "a 10'x 10' hut on stilts sounds like the old one, but since i have never seen the new one, i could be wrong."

I wrote, yep, it is option 2. it is not a hut on stilts. I was saying that option 2 ("I could be wrong") is correct.

[QUOTE] Ripped up shacks and a fire station without a garage door - vs- Manhattan.

anyone? [QUOTE]

As much as I like San Pedro. I'll take Manhattan every time....

I agree, don't get me wrong I'd rather be in SP then where I am now, it's just in my mind there is very little that compares to NYC

Marty is #2

Nah Marty - You're #1!!!

Thanks for the tale Dan! Artistic license or not, I'm now going to get some travel documents copied and kept apart from the originals, so sorry for your bad luck, but your amusing tale serves as caution to others.

The only place I've ever been where you actually COULD leave anything outside your room, and that was because there were no LOCKS to your room, was on Eleuthera, one of the Bahamas islands. Beautiful place - 110 miles long by maybe 2 miles wide at the widest point and three policemen! You didn't need keys - couldn't have met more honest, decent people. Beautiful place, but then again, I daresay there's someone out there who's got a horror story to tell, just as you did with Belize!

We're off to AC on Friday for the first time, so hope to experience the holiday that you didn't!! Want a postcard.....? Oops, sorry!

Dan, Sorry about your trip. You clearly win the prize for worst vacation to Belize. As someone mentioned earlier, come back ,it's gotta be better!! Also, I'm sure you've realized that a few people on this site are a little sensitive about ANY negative critique of Belize. Thanks for posting.

Photocopying yopur travel docs & keeping them in a separate safe place is ALWAYS a good idea and one of the first things people should learn if they are going to travel.

I always make two sets, if I have a travel companion and we trade, each of us having at least one complete set of copies.

Not sure they would have helped in this situation, though, One set would probably have been set on fire by spontaneous combustion, the other soaked by a spilled bottle or two of Belikin.


Have fun Moon. Send the postcards as soon as you get there, they might be here by Xmas

Police Station? Fire Station? How long ago was your trip? Police station #1 you described is torn down. The picture you show is the fire station. Did you Photoshop the word police station into the photo?
You did a fine job of writing a story. It makes a very good story – kinda like “Don’t Stop the Carnival.” I only wish you had just made it a story and left out names. I hope you can begin to see your part in this. There is a saying here, “You think the service is slow, complain and see how slow it can get.” I don’t understand why you didn’t call the embassy and get the straight scoop before you trotted off. And, why did both of you have to go. And, with your limited amount of time why did you waste time on the water taxi to and from Belize City instead of the plane to the muni airport. It would have cost the same for one of you to go on the plane as it did for two of you to go together. AND, speaking of Belize City, it must have been awhile ago as the embassy has moved to Belmopan which is the capital, not Belize City. Did the US government leave an office in Belize City just for getting passports?
Here’s a hint: Belizeans answer the question you ask – they don’t give out information. I know as I have lost it a number of times here trying to get things like cable TV, telephone and golf cart permit. Pushing people here has never gotten me what I wanted.
I hope your next adventure is a little more leisurely.

when I travel, I photocopy twice my passport, drivers license, and travelers checks, and ticket, keep a copy seperate in my room and and have someone in the US keep a copy. that way in an extreme emergency you can call that person in the states and they can fax the copy to you or read you what you need to know.

I only wish that I could have called the embassy. I asked the Mata Rocks staff to get me the phone number. Again, they couldn't get me the number. And really we only started complaining after we had been screwed by their negligent misinformation several times, not to mention their callous attitude toward what happened, after all, on their property under the nose of their own security guard (regardless of my own contributory negligence).

I suppose I could leave the names out, but there were no exaggerations as to their part in the story.

And as for separating - well, we didn't come on our short vacation to spend the time apart - so that wasn't even an option. We don't go on vacation often and we're not wealthy - so spending the vacation apart seemed ridiculous.

Obviously, it was cheaper to take the water taxi then pay for two flights.

I laughed so hard at your Cave tubing adventure, but OMG how stupid to leave anything of value out in plain sight. I felt sorry for your misfortune. But really, it was self induced. We travel extensively, and always keep valuables and/or important documents under lock and key or at least under our noses. It's too bad Erica didn't use a little more of a consoling attitude, but come on. On a first floor balcony. It was only a matter of time!

I've heard that one before. It's apparent from the responses I've received on this board that no one has ever made a mistake.

I think I've said it before, but I'll say it again. I don't blame Mata Rocks for the theft. I blame them for their poor response during a mini crisis. I'm sure I would have nothing but good things to say about them had this not happened.

But it did. And they failed. When in the crucible - they crumbled.

Hey Dan...anything negative you say on this board will be chewed and spit out at you.

But, I think you have seen this already, over and over

Good reporting...

i think one can say negative things on the board without it being chewed and spit out at them. there are negative things posted which are not dont have negative responces, but when someone leaves there items out for anyone to grab it that is when they get ripped on.

I take no offense to being virtually "chewed and spit upon." If it were done to my face it might be a different story, certainly.

I think it's quite an interesting phenomenon, however, that we are so quick to "blame the victim," as it were.

I admit my contributory negligence. I admit what I did was foolish. The question is why are there so many, so quick to "rip on me."

Perhaps they take umbrage at my "naming names." But I really was just reporting facts as to that part of my account. I don't really owe Mata Rocks any loyalty. I paid them a lot of money which isn't exactly flowing through my student bank account. I think I can dish a little truth.

Oh man. I actually got a stomach ache reading this. Memories of the time immigration stamped my passport with the wrong date, and I had to get that corrected at the office in San Pedro. Wish I had kept a blog of that week-long experience. Hint: Tears don't help.

KC

Part of the problem Dan, may be that you admit to "literary embellishments" or editorial license for the sake of the reader, or mis-represent certain details - such as WHICH guard supposedly noticed suspicious activity - I see two distinct references to two different individuals. Once you do that,you forgo credibility in reportage and fall into the semi-fiction area, foregoing credibility of fact.

I'm certainly not calling you out to be a prevaricator ( and love the writing style), just making an observation as to why you may be getting SOME of the responses you are.

Gotta' say that I must have read your account in the right frame of mind, DC. I found it darned entertaining and pretty much believeable--a mostly factual account of a comedy of errors, committed by a crowd. The embellishments were obvious and acceptable, based on normal operations in BZ.

As you've found, humor's not in high regard on this forum.

Thanks for your effort. Good, enjoyable prose. We can all use more of that.

In the times we live in treating the security of U.S. passports with such admitted gross negligence should perhaps be an offense punishable by non-issuance of a new passport for a period of 1 year.

Dan, in a previous post you say "The question is why are there so many, so quick to "rip on me.""

Perhaps it's the bit in your blog where you say:

"This was the first time (and there would be many more times to come) where it occurred to me that Belize sucks."

Anyone care to comment as to who really sucks here?

I've gotta say that I love this message board and it's been helpful and interesting, BUT, I have noticed that any time anyone has the least bit unflattering remark or negative thing to say about Belize and most specifically AC, they get completely skewered by the regulars here. I don't get it, San Pedro by all accounts is a fabulous place as I'm soon to find out, so why be soooo sensitive to other people’s negative remarks. It won't tarnish the island, this is just their opinions and their experiences. Even the most amazing places, resorts etc can have problems or times where things just go wrong. Yes, Dan made an error leaving his bag out which he freely admits, after all we were all new to traveling once. And, maybe many of you have had great experiences with Mata, but most people do have a good time when nothing amiss happens. It's when the going gets tough that people show their true strengths or in this case MR's weaknesses. Streetchie & NY Gal, I'm with ya all the way. Let's be open to people’s accounts, good or bad; it lets the rest of us learn from their experience.

Well, Chris. Rest assured that my passport was promptly cancelled. No worries on that account. Wouldn't want a Belize terrorist to make his way into our wonderful country, right?

But I admit - you do have a point as to the line about how Belize "sucks." I think I'll edit that. It was a frame of mind born of frustration. I think I relived the moment in a narrative fugue.

Anyway - this is all very interesting to me.

klcman - I think you may have a point. And I'll grant you that my reliability would be better served by a bland, purely factual account. But I'll stake a possible libel claim on the facts that do count - I wouldn't name names lightly. I may not have lived through the McCarthy Hearings, but I've read about them.

As for my previous observation - the tendency to "blame the victim"... I think that may warrant its own topic... a new idea for my blog.

And finally, as to the tendency of the forum to silence the negative comments, let me leave you with some words of the famed Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.:

"We should be eternally vigilant against attempts to check the expression of opinions that we loathe and believe to be fraught with death..." (Abrams, dissenting)

After all, "time has upset many fighting faiths." (Holmes, again).

Geez, I guess not.

I'm surprised by the level of vituperativeness directed against Dan here. Afterall, he was the victim of a crime. This would seem to support the wacko theory that we commonly blame the victim because it assauges our fear of being victimized ourselves by engaging in the fantasy that the victim must have had it coming...?

But then you wouldn't expect the people on this board who have reacted with callous indifference to the fact that Dan was the victim of a crime to understand why Dan was upset that his predicament was met with callous indifference by the people at his hotel.

Dan is to be commended for responding to the abuse with humor and civility. Maybe he could give everyone here lessons on responding to criticism without being defensive and abusive.

I also think he has been more magnanimous towards Mata Rocks than the rest of us would have been had we gone through the same thing. But of course, none of us would ever have been so stupid...

And Hopper2, I've noticed the same thing and I agree with you.

Seems to me if people had have paid more attention to the title of Dan's story (and the name of his blog), they wouldn't have their knickers in such a twist.

BTW, Dan, I really enjoyed your story, despite being able to detect some literary licence and what appeared to be a few factual errors. As for factual errors, I just put down to you had been under a lot of stress at the time and weren't there that long in any event. No biggie.

I decided I wanted to go back and read it again. I can no longer access it. Is that because you took it down for editing? Or because it's had too many hits?

Hey Dan,
I loved your story! You write very well. I am concerned your gifts will go to waste in the legal profession, as there can be a lack of a sense of humor in the profession. I believe I am entitled to this opinion, as I have practiced law longer than you have been alive...yikes, that is too long! Anyway, thank you for making me laugh very hard and please visit Belize again. As you know, it is a pretty amazing place.

Thank you Dan, hopper2 and Fengshui

Let's look on the bright side said the blind man.
He who cannot see only speaks.

Humor keeps the world revolving as well as negativity. Now, if we can all put it together we would have some equality

Holiday rational by NyGal...poetry in motion!

Guess I've stayed out too long enough.

Dan has legitimate complaints but I'll admit when I read his story I thought he was full of sh.t. The reason being that, having such a passion for this place, I was P.O'd about the inaccuracies in the story. Personally if you have a beef I don't have a problem with it being posted and in most cases it's helpful to hear them. When you cross the line and embellish, omit important information or just plain old make things up you should be prepared for an onslaught. If you aren't factual or omit important information then the rest of your post comes into question.

As a local (gringo) I know I tend to jump on anything inflammatory because, in general, that's what it's meant to be, inflammatory. Not a piece of writing intended to be informative or helpful. I will continue to be that way because in the end when the truth comes out about a lot of the more inflammatory articles about Belize it's rarely reported and only the bad taste of the original report remains. "Gringo Killed in Central America", you never hear that the person was a) involved in the drug trade, b) screwing some guys 13 year old daughter or c) in some other way given his due. Of course bad things do happen here that are worthy of reporting but only in a factual or balanced way. Why bother having this forum in the first place if not.

On the practice of jumping on people's stupidity and flogging them to death over and over again; while some may take some pleasure in it, it’s a total waste of time and dilutes the message so much as to make any comments on the post worthless.

My Wednesday morning 2 cents. Oh, and I did love the Cave Tubing part.

sea... change and shell -

Feel free to correct any factual errors (that don't subtract from the story) and I will promptly correct them. I attribute any errors of this sort to the 9 month delay in putting the story "to paper." It was all written in a frenzy a few days ago - it may have been easier had the thieves not stolen my journal.

And as for my chosen profession - well, all I can say is that a sense of humor couldn't possibly hurt. And I've thrown a bit too much money down the administration's way to give them the satisfaction of dropping out in my last semester.

Where I go in the long run - well hopefully it's somewhere that prizes my particular talents. Right?

I wanted to go to Law School, but my Dad said someone in the family must have a honorable profession.

Dan, I like your style and charm. You'll go far in this wonderful world.

Heads up...."traveler beware, once they get your money you are on your own, victim."....Chloe

Ernie,
I feel I need to make a comment about your post of 12/6 @ 03:04pm. I do not question your like and respect for the owners of MR. What I'd like to bring to your attention is that the OP noted that the owners were not on island. I believe the OP said something like the owners were off on their own vacation.

Ever heard the expression...while the cat's away the mice will play. By that I would surmise that despite how respected you are of the staff of MR, it is possible that since the owners were not there that some lax in customer service might have taken place.

In this next comment, I'm not bashing the OP but it seems to me that trying to fit in a cave tubing trip in the afternoon knowing the time restraints of the water taxi and the last plane back to AC was a bit naieve (sp).

Hope Dan and his GF don't write off AC after this first trip. I'd suggest try it again and learn and remember things from your first trip.

yat

Dan, thank you for sharing your story. I am exhausted from reading it - I can almost imagine how you and your girlfriend felt from the whole experience.

I have experienced minor inconveniences on vacations - nothing like what you went through, and I now feel very fortunate and won't complain so much in the future.

As I read about your backpack - I thought - ouch. I have left my purse places - but remembered quickly and recovered it. When I first arrive somewhere new, I am out of it, without a routine, etc. so I can understand how this could happen.

I can also relate to being misinformed. I have stayed at many places on AC and have been told inacurate information. Knowing the steps you have to take if you lose your passport in Belize is very important information. I think we all benefited from your experience here on this message board.

Other thoughts:

If you chose to return to Belize, consider not prearranging day trips and scope out/ask around before booking. There are so many reliable outfits/guides on the island and mainland.

I did the cave tubing thing - wasn't impressed - water was low, a very long walk they really don't tell you about prior to entering the water. To me, the best day trip I've taken in my 7 trips to AC and Belize mainland was the Lamanai trip.

I have learned that "island time" variance can be up to an hour. I've learned to relax and not worry about it. This seems to apply just about every tropical place I've been to but 1 - Panama. They are so prompt they are often early

I hope that your future adventures are stress free and enjoyable. You deserve a break and have learned many lessons from this experence.

Ciao

If anyone is still interested, I wrote a short analysis (back on my original link) of my take on the tendency of certain people to react a certain way to negative criticism of the island.

Personally I think a vacation should be an adventure from the normal, that's me. Under those terms there is no such thing as a bad vacation it's only a new experience in life.

I've stayed at some places in Belize that didn't even come close to meeting expectations but it was all part of the adventure. Sure I was unhappy at the time but I still came back, to stay. Hopefully you'll make you way back here again and have a much more enjoyable time (with plenty of adventure.)

I read the analysis you just posted, Dan. Guess what, I stupidly left an $800.00US digital camera in some check-in baggage on a flight to Cancun and, guess what, it got stolen.

I was a "victim" but I'll tell you right now, I asked for it, I was dumb for leaving the camera in the bag in the first place and I only blamed myself. I didn't even report the "crime" to the authorities at the airport I was so embarrassed.

(Of course, the loss of your passports would HAVE to be reported, no matter how much like stupid idiots it made you look to everyone who heard where you'd left them).

If stupd morons like ME didn't give opportunist thieves the chance to carry out impossible to solve crimes with such ease those crimes wouldn't happen as frequently, would they?

I wonder, when you first reported the theft of your backpack to the Mata Rocks staff what was your tone? When you really think about it was there not ANYTHING in your approach to them that might have made them feel threatened in any way?

And did the Mata Rocks staff REALLY tell you that you had to be at the U.S. Embassy at 5:00am? How would you have done that when the first flight doesn't leave the island until 7:00am and the first boat wouldn't reach Belize City until after 8:00am? And what use would 5:00am be when the U.S. embassy website http://usembassy.state.gov/belize/wwwhembassyinformation.html clearly states that office hours are " Monday through Friday, 8AM to 12PM and 1PM to 5PM"? It just took me 15 seconds to search Yahoo! for the embassy website AND to navigate to the information page. When you lost your passports did you temporarily lose your brains as well?

I personally think you're victims, yes, but you really don't take enough of the blame to justify your later analysis. The people who stole your backpack are obviously evil nasty thieving scum. But I don't see you blame them at all. You're too busy pointing fingers at everyone else but yourselves and the thieves.

I absolutely defend 100% your right to give your version of the events and your opinion of the people and their actions who you met during the subsequent days. But don't expect everyone living here on Ambergris to "take it on the chin" without some kind of comment. And don't imagine that there is "something wrong" with those of us who feel compelled to reply to your writings. Admit it, you love us really!

Yo! This guy is from NY (like I was). We eat insults for breakfast.

Obviusly his trip sucked and so will his report and everything in it, even though a little overly dramatized. We all agree that it could have been worse. And just think (you all knowing ones) how you felt at times when first arriving (recent for many of you) when you encountered problems.

I just wish he wouldn't spoil it for others when advising them of his woes.

And whoever said nothing compares to NYC (especially AC), you're absolutely right. :rolleyes: But you got it all wrong. I would rather have a ripped up shack on the beach than a townhouse on the upper end of CP. JMHO

SIN

I assure you that my tone wasn't the least bit antagonistic. As you say - it was an embarrassing moment and I felt like an idiot. So you can take that for what it's worth. I only became angry after repeated misinformation and a general apathetic attitude.

As for the 5am. That's what we were told. We were told that she had gone to the embassy for something in the past and had gotten there at 5 to be at the front of the line. We knew the earliest flight out wasn't until 7 but the thought was to get there as early as possible.

Obviously it is easy for you and I to do our yahoo searches sitting in the Starbucks with your WiFi connection - but we were told that the office was locked for the night and they couldn't get internet connection. No exceptions. And the next morning we just left assuming that the information we were given was accurate. More naivete I suppose.

FYI - Erica no longer works with MRR

It's pretty common knowledge among Belizeans that you have to get in line at 5-6am to obtain a US Visa. It does not apply to US citizens with passport emergencies. You will however get really dirty looks as you barge the line in front of people who have been waiting outside for 3 or 4 hours.

They stop administering to Belizeans around 12 though and only start serving Americans at 1. This is information that would have been useful as there is absolutely no reason to arrive in Belize City any time earlier than 1230.

I have sat back and watched this story unfold without comment. But after so long I have to say something. I am neither a resident or a newbie to AC since I have been returning for many years and now spend a month there each winter.
First, ask yourselves what your impressions of Belize were when you first arrived. My opinion of the country has changed a lot as the years have passed. Don't pick on someone from New York for commenting on how the neighborhood around the police station looked to him.The first time he saw it. It seems like we need a little middle ground here.
As for Dan's comments about the staff at MR, I wasn't there, but I can say that we have stayed at many places in San Pedro and I have always felt that the staff was friendlier than the property owners. I have, however, seen stressed out tourists treating staff in manner I would not wish to be treated.
Dan, as I said, I was not there, so I am not judging you. But to any wouldbe world travelers you can get much farther with a little kindness and a smile than you can with an impatient, I'm better than you attitude. Remember, you are a guest in their country.

The crockhunter speaks a whole lotta sense. I agree... and believe it or not, I'm sure all evidence to the contrary, I'm not actually a very confrontational person.

My real (secret) goal is to break any forum records for the longest thread. I have only read this board for two days but here's hoping I have beginner's luck.

Here's to Dan's goal:

As he says, American Services hours are different from the normal hours at the embassy. Check the 'Consular Information' page for AS hours. (I didn't know that, I showed up many hours early.)

My friend was raped on our vacation, and given the logic presented here, you would have blamed her. I am deeply thankful that she was treated so well. Our hotel and the police never once in the slightest way suggested that she did anything wrong. In fact, when they spoke to all of us, they could not have been more compassionate and helpful. It breaks my heart to read these insults, even though Dan seems impervious to them.

Here Here crockhunter! I can't believe how much Dan is getting slammed. He made a silly mistake & has admitted to that from the start-who out there hasn't lost or left something behind at some stage in life?! People get panicky when things go this wrong esp when you are in a foreign country. He's not saying never stay in Mata Rocks it sucks just saying that the staff could have handled it better & they did misinform him about the Embassy times. As a resort they should know this info & when you are a guest you assume they are knowledgeable. The police could have handled things better & certainly photocopying a sheet should not have been an ordeal & would have put most people over the age. Ditto for the Embassy, if long lines usually form at a certain time they should have informed Dan so they could have waited & been first in line. I think it's unfair how many people are taking this personally & putting so much blame on him. Any informed tourist reading this understands that this was a series of sucky events & that every country in the world, no matter how much it has to offer, has its faults.

I should add, this was not a case of 'her skirt was too short' or 'she led him on', she simply let down her guard, as Dan did.

That's a terrible thing to happen whitewater, v sad. There's a lot of sick bastards out there all over the world. If only the punishment would fit the crime.

Incidentally, and slightly backtracking, does anyone have any insight into my experience with the police and the "copy guy," the "cash guy" and the "stenographer guy" ... who all apparently seem to be the same person. Who is this magical man? He has far too much responsibility and power on that little island.

Does anyone know if there is such a thing as a police report here? Is that how things are handled? I'm just wondering if there's a communication issue. Maybe Dan should have asked for the 'Document of Criminal Activity' or... ? I often get the wrong info because I asked the wrong question.

42! No, doesn't fit. :-)

Unless it starts to really get ugly here, on the thread, and the darn thing gets yanked... keep it clean folks, he's on a role!

Ok, Who's bored with this? Clearly, Dan's trip sucked and he has a right to be a little pissed off and blog about it. Those of us who travel to or live in Belize know that SP is not crime-free. In fact, we have a CRIME PROBLEM! Stop denying it and MOVE ON!

Dan, the bigger question is: now what have you learned from your experiences?

Learned? That an uneventful vacation is a memory. But add one drop theft, a sprinkle of bureaucratic mishaps, a pinch of misinformation, and a whole lot of naivete and you've got yourself a story for the ages (hyperboles notwithstanding).

How's that for a life lesson?

SIN that was me that wrote that nothing compares to NYC and if you read my post what I said was that as much as I like SP nothing compares to NYC in my mind.

I don't believe that you should advise me if I have it "all wrong". Maybe NYC is not for you doesn't make it necessarily wrong for me.

Again, another example of the local posters to this web,taking offense...Rolleyes

My contribution to the longest thread campaign -- gonna need some help to beat the "anti-social" gang!

I feel bad about my previous post. I didn't mean it to sound as if I was ragging on you. It sounded very humerous to me, all your mishaps. Not the theft itself, but everything that insued later.. It was definitely entertaining and I loved your blog style. Enough said? Keep writing and blogging.

Good luck Dan, ya only gota about 905 more posts to approach record status.....how much steam ya got reserved

( and someday I'll tell ya bout my capture by Cuban soldiers in Grenada, then we'll compare ineptness by those in the hospitality world )

Yeah. It looks like we ran out of steam. There's only so much something you can make out of nothing. No hard feelings - and believe me, this was a very rewarding look into a new community.

Especially considering that I'm currently in the midst of writing a long First Amendment paper on the nature of free speech and private censorship in the context of the internet. This was all helpful fodder for my mind.

The End ??

(and, perhaps, subliminally the real reason behind the post

Good one! Just have to give a comment on the following:

5. When the power went out - they refused to leave the bar to light a candle in our room, yet they did it for other guests. They were mad at us because we had been complaining about the disrespectful service.

Don't think they were mad with you; this is an example of the efficiency of the staff; let me explain:

After confusing an outside spot at a busy public road with a safe place to put your valuables, who knows what you might have done alone with a candle in your room!!

They were protecting you against yourselves! I hope this one helped to reach that posting record.

Good point. But then again, it wouldn't explain why she finally lent us a lighter so that we could light the candles ourselves.

I suppose she figured that if we burnt up our room, she wouldn't have to deal with us anymore, right?

:rolleyes: Yeek....put a fork in it!

Klc, I would like to hear about your Grenada experience.

AHA! The hidden agenda appears! And you wondered why some of us questioned you - your motives???
We have to hand it to you - you write well and reeled a lot of people in. You would fit right in here on the island. Chalk one up for you.
:p

I'll bet ole KLC dude also captured all the Cuban cigars when they were searched ! poemejesonemo

I didn't mean to imply that I wrote this on a lark to test my theory on free speech. That wasn't my motivation at all. I was just sharing my story.

It just worked out that something occurred which related to a topic I was researching.

And on another topic - I'd love to hear about Grenada as well. Was this part of a vacation or the illbegotten invasion?

Chirlin or Churnin?

"Incidentally, and slightly backtracking, does anyone have any insight into my experience with the police and the "copy guy," the "cash guy" and the "stenographer guy" ... who all apparently seem to be the same person. Who is this magical man? He has far too much responsibility and power on that little island."


...ummm...is Paisano still around?

story to follow at a later date..no time now. Remind me next year But it took place 7 months before Reagan decided to take the island and free the med students

and I do happen to have a few Cuban cigars lying around, actually, right next to the Havana Club

"free the med students" from what?

"May The Wind Be Always At Your Back", Blowing out of the south (from Cuba)

I nmy town the police carry a handgun, a shotgun on the dash and an m-16 in the trunk. That wouldn't be necessary if there wasn't a crime problem in this town in Northern California. I'm sure crime is also a problem in San Pedro. So everywhere I go I watch my back and expect the worst should I make a mistake.....like leaving Belize in Dec and putting my cell phone in my suitcase........it wasn't there when I got to California!

Ke, Your're so smart!! Thank God we have you!!

who cares!!Doesn't anyone want just a care free, peaceful feeling on this beautiful beach anymore? What's more important, winning battles and wars or having sunrise?

Depends on what you are facing down, lacy.

If you are just sitting at a picnic table under a palapa around 6 am, then you are absolutely right.

That is until, some guy comes along, says his name is Gary and proceeds to make those few moments extremely difficult.

clover... no matter where I travel, I always take a smaller suitcase onboard for things that I would be really upset if stolen.. oooppsss.. sorry, if "lost"

In the past,I placed magazines etc. in the outside zippers. I had seen my luggage before it went inside Goldson, zippers all closed and when I received it the zippers were all left wide open.
They like magazines, newwpapers, etc......

Sooooooo....fair warning to others.

Since I began to carry one carryon bag nothing was tampered with

OUCH, my hand hurts Denny!!

Well I've got to pop in here and say something.

SOMETHING.

I guess I am not the only one who has had some negative experiences in San Pedro. I love the island and the country of Belize. I will be back, much the wiser. But let's be realistic, no place is perfect, negative things DO happen, and we should do what we can to avoid them. BUT, anybody on this board who rips on another for their unfortunate circumstances will surely find themselves in a similar situation at some point in their lives...it just seems to work that way. Just because 9 out of 10 people have a great experience at MR, and the owners are personal friends and great people, DOES NOT mean that one person's negative experience is THEIR fault. The staff, managers, and owners at MR may have been rude this one time, but that is all that matters to that one person.

I want to publicly thank one of the kind forum members who will be good enough to try and pick up my police report on their upcoming trip to San Pedro.

And one random question - what is the water level at the deepest part of the island? We were looking for a swimming pool deeper than 3 or 4 feet. Does that exist on the island?

Belizean Shores has a pool deeper than 4 feet. Do you like to dive for coins? That is what my son did the entire time he was in the pool at the Belize Yacht Club. I just need a pool deep enough to cool me off!

I think there are lots of pools deeper than 4 feet. I know of several.

KC

PS - the police have since decided they lost the report. I suppose that concludes my history.

go back down & take a 60 Minutes crew with ya!

relax and chock it off to an experience you'll never forget. Enjoy your next trip and laugh about your last trip. Live the Dream as Capt. Jeff would say.

I'd like to say that I was at Mata Rocks when some of this was going on and my own observation was that the Mata Rocks owner was bending over backwards personally to try to get the police report. I was in the office while he was making the calls. As you know now, the police say it was lost, which is exactly the problem the owner was up against. I've never found Mata Rocks to be anything but super helpful. We were in exactly the same room and the balcony is at eye line on a public right of way. I can't imagine blaming anyone but myself (and being highly embarrassed by my stupidity) if I had left anything out there that had been stolen.

My pool is 6.5 ft deep and a friend of mine has a 10 ft deep pool.

4 ft is standard "hotel" safety depth since it is supposed to discourage folks diving in and breaking their necks.

However, many of the hotel pools on the island are deeper and can accomadate scuba training.

That story was hilarious. And I also like the short story you started - finish it, please!

frank

I am heading down to San Pedro in the very near future. Did you completely give up on your quest for that police report?