Amandala
Kiemar "Bewee" Nicholas, 19, paralyzed from neck down
A young and once healthy teenager now lies in a hospital bed unable to move because he is paralyzed from his neck down.
Kiemar "Bewee" Nicholas, 19, was on a basketball court in Lindo's Alley with two other friends on the night of Monday, January 23, when a gunman ambushed them and shot him in the neck.
Nicholas was immediately rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) for treatment.
After the shooting, word had quickly circulated that he had died, but when we later spoke with his father, Troydon Nicholas, he told us that his son had a 50-50 chance of survival and was in the intensive care unit at the KHMH.
However, things took a turn for the worse and we were told today, Tuesday, by Troydon Nicholas, that his eldest son Kiemar, was paralyzed.
Activist Felix Ayuso, 43, stabbed to death
Popular San Pedro hair dresser and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) activist, Felix Ayuso, 43, was found dead in his home tonight.
According to Police Press Officer Fitzroy Yearwood, he was found with multiple stab wounds across his body inside his home at the corner of Jew Fish and Seaweed Streets in San Pedro.
His murder has triggered an outpour of sympathy on social media, especially from the gay community to which the executive director of the United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM), Caleb Orosco, said he belonged.
Orosco told our newspaper, "I knew Felix for over a decade. He was a committed activist who shared concerns about the system's slow response in the area of HIV prevention for men who have sex with men. He and I spent many years distributing prevention commodities or health information to the specific and general population on the island of San Pedro."
"His death was unnecessarily brutal," Caleb added, but said he has to wait for police to conduct their own investigations before saying more.
Gordon Wade blames Elvin Penner and Ruth Meighan for 2012 irregularities
A whopping 2,110 immigrants, mostly Guatemalan nationals, received Belizean nationality certificates between October 2011 and February 2012.
According to former Immigration Director, Ruth Meighan, as a result these persons were able to register and vote in the 2012 General Elections which the Opposition People's United Party (PUP) lost by a total of 812 votes according to Opposition Leader, John Brice�o.
According to Meighan, those persons did not satisfy requirements for nationality and should not have been granted nationality certificates.
Senior Immigration Officer, Gordon Wade, on Wednesday told the Senate Select Committee that the issuance of nationality to those individuals was largely the decision of the Director and/or the Minister, who, according to him, may have held a different interpretation of Section 10 of the Nationality Act.
"Between the devil and the deep blue sea"
A succession of litigation wars between the unrelenting Michael Ashcroft Alliance and the Government of Belize, spanning a decade and a half, enters a new round this week, with an announcement from Caribbean Investment Holdings Limited (CIHL), formerly BCB Holdings, that it will mount a constitutional challenge to two pieces of legislation recently signed into law, in what Government says is an effort to stop Belize's foreign reserves from being siphoned to pay $100 million in arbitration awards to the Ashcroft group.
At the same time, the Government of Belize is seeking an anti-enforcement injunction in Belizean courts against the Belize Bank and CIHL to stop them from going after the Central Bank's foreign reserves in the United States and/or elsewhere. We understand that a filing may be made sometime tomorrow, after the Caribbean Court of Justice pointed counsel for the Government of Belize back to the Belize Supreme Court.
Other high-ranking UDP officials all "frequently visited" Immigration Department
To serve as an elected Cabinet minister with responsibility for one or more government ministries is a time-consuming task.
However, several ranking UDP Cabinet ministers took it upon themselves to deliver applications for immigration documents to the Immigration Department on behalf of their "constituents."
In their testimonies to the Senate Select Committee, former Immigration Director, Ruth Meighan and her successor, Maria Marin, have both confirmed the frequent visits to the Immigration Department by government ministers, mayors and other high-ranking officials of the Dean Barrow administration.
At Wednesday's Senate hearing, Immigration officer of twenty-seven years, Gordon Wade, would also confirm the same occurrence to the Senate Select Committee.
Pen Cayetano reflects on Evan X Hyde and the Black Power movement
No wait 'til di man dead fi tell ahn 'e good." This is a well-known Creole adage that underscores that if a man is to be honored, it is best to do so while he is still alive! According to renowned Garifuna painter and musician Pen Cayetano, that is why he has chosen to put off a special tribute this Sunday to honor Amandala's publisher, Evan X Hyde, and the movement which he helped to lead in the 60s - the United Black Association for Development (UBAD).
The tribute is planned for 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 5, at Pen Cayetano's Studio Gallery in Dangriga.
"I am deeply honored by Pen's invitation. Very much honored," Hyde told Amandala today.
"All is set to go. I think we will have a big crowd," Cayetano said in anticipation of the upcoming event, the very first he is organizing to mark Black History Month, observed every February.
Week 3 in NEBL
On Friday night, Dangriga Dream Ballers hosted their first home game for this season. The Ecumenical High School Auditorium was pulsating with the Garifuna drums and the Sweet Pain Band, while approximately 800 fans had the stadium packed to capacity. The home team jumped out to an early 33-19 lead, which they were able to extend to 16 pts in the second quarter with their great defense and fluid ball movement. Cayo Western Ballaz was plagued by turnovers in the first half, with limited chemistry and offensive rhythm, while the home squad was fueling on all cylinders on both ends of the court. Darwin "Puppy" Leslie of Cayo Western Ballaz led a short one-man surge to end the first half, to keep the lead manageable at 12 pts, 43-31. With the home team maintaining a comfortable double digit lead, and feeding off the loud stadium, Dangriga Dream Ballers were in control of the game. However, in the third quarter, the visiting team mounted an 11-0 run in the third quarter to grab a 59-58 lead, going into the fourth and final quarter of the game, outscoring the home squad 28-15 in the third quarter. With 3 minutes remaining, the game was tied at 67, but Cayo Western Ballaz went on a 15-3 run to seal the 82-70 victory over Dangriga Dream Ballers.
CSSSA high school football semifinals end Friday for females, and Saturday for males at MCC
The best-of-two games semifinal series is half-way completed for both females and males in the Central Secondary Schools Sports Association (CSSSA) 2016-2017 football competition being played at the MCC Grounds. The female semifinals started yesterday, Wednesday, and will end tomorrow, Friday; while the male semifinals started today, Thursday, and will be completed on Saturday.
Eight (8) male high school teams started this week with knockout quarterfinal games on Monday and Tuesday.
In the opener on Monday, January 30, it was SJC, 2-1, over E.P. Yorke with a goal each from Eric Rodriguez and Carlos Guerra, while Kevin Najera scored for E.P. Yorke. And in the nightcap, it was Wesley, 5-0, over Sadie Vernon Tech with 2 goals from Kermit Sutherland and 1 apiece from Godwin Neal, Bernard Bailey and Jaylyn Thomas.
Belize National Volleyball Championship, Jaguars and Lady Jaguars repeat
The Belize Volleyball National Championship was held this past weekend with 15 matches on Saturday and 6 matches on Sunday at the Belize Elementary gym. A total of 11 teams participated, with teams coming from Corozal, Orange Walk, Cayo, Spanish Lookout, Toledo, and Belize City. The team names were: Lady Jaguars, SQ Stars, SQ Junior Stars, Jaguars, Toledo Scorpions, Corozal Massives, SQ Dragons, Alpha Warriors, Orange Walk, Rednecks, and Scorpions.
Scorpions and Jaguars survived the pool of death, 1st and 2nd, while Toledo and Corozal Massives came out of pool B. In the female division, SQ Stars completed the preliminary round undefeated as #1 ranked females. Lady Jaguars was 2nd ranked, and Junior Stars 3rd ranked.
Dangriga sports stats
In last week Friday's do-or-die game from the Dangriga Zone between the males of Ecumenical and Delille Academy, after 60 minutes of serious, hard, competitive action, the match ended in a 3 to 3 draw. It was a must-win for Delille Academy males. Ecumenical males only needed a draw, since both schools were tied in points, but Ecumenical was up by a 1-goal difference.
That draw sent Ecumenical males to the District Regional Finals along with Delille Academy females from the Dangriga Zone this Saturday, February 4, hosted by George Town Technical High at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium in Independence. From the Independence Zone will be George Town Technical High males and females, along with Independence High males and females. From the Toledo Zone will be Julian Cho males and females.
Editorial: Roots, respectables, and rogues
Lately at this editorial desk, we have found ourselves being drawn into a discourse we felt we had moved beyond in 1977, the year when we explicitly committed to Belizean nationalism as opposed to black nationalism. Post-1977, we maintained a special concern for the black community, of course, but the circumstances which had caused the division in, and dissolution of, the UBAD Party in 1973 and 1974, respectively, made it so that we were marginalized in the Southside.
The Southside of Belize City became a stronghold of the United Democratic Party (UDP), but that same Southside has become a bloody battleground over the last quarter century and more, a period during which the UDP has won four different terms of office. Since 2008, in fact, the UDP has won three consecutive general elections. How does one explain the continuing carnage involving our young men murdering each other at civil war levels, while the most powerful of Cabinet politicians are theoretically representing them in government?
Please be assured that this essay is not about simplistic, name-calling UDP and PUP party politics. The UDP as such is not to blame for the Southside tragedies. There is a historical landscape which is responsible for the fact that we Belizeans have not been able to achieve national liberation. We have not even come close to doing so. Let us now consider that historical landscape.
From the Publisher
It is many, many years that I am to write a column like the following, which is about sailboats and how it used to be here when I was a child. But I have always, always put the subject aside and dealt with other material. One of the reasons I have always put the subject of sailing and boat racing aside is I have considered the subject an intricate, technical, difficult one to explore adequately for those who are landlubbers, as they say.
I finally decided to take the bull by the horns and attack the subject after I read of how important speed was in the sailing craft which the British were using to intercept slave ships from other nations after the British themselves had abolished the slave trade in 1807, while other European nations persisted. (At the end of this column, I will reproduce the passage in question from the David Olusaga book which I have been quoting from recently.)
When I was a child growing up in Belize in the 1950s, sailboats were still the dominant feature where fishing, travel, and transportation were concerned along the coastline of the colony. There were boats with inboard motors which had been around for some time, such as the Heron H, the Maya Prince, the Africola, and others, in addition to the tugboats which the mahogany contractors, most prominently BEC, used to tow mahogany logs chained together down the Belize Old River and the Haulover Creek to the Belize City harbor for loading in steamships.
On the Passing of their Great Leader Fidel Castro
"A revolution is not a bed of roses. It is a battle between the future and the past," said Fidel Castro. Exquisite words of wisdom from the mouth of an experienced leader and revolutionary figure. That quote consummately embodied his life, a life which in the not so distant past of imperial oppression and the hope for a more sovereign and productive future, fueled the fire that drove the resilient and charismatic leader of the Cuban revolution and champion of his people.
It is with heartfelt solidarity that we, the students of St. John's College, offer our condolences to the people of Cuba. We celebrate the life and legacy of El Comandante, Fidel Castro. It is fitting that we pay our heartfelt gratitude to one of the greatest supporters of humanity, to one of the greatest leaders in liberation, to a man who held the economic, social and cultural development of all humanity as of significant importance to a revolution.
DEVIN DALY'S "TEAM FOG NAESTVED" CELEBRATES BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Last week Saturday Belizean basketballer Devin Daly and his Team Fog Naestved of Liga - Basket Liagen won their first ever basketball championship in remarkable fashion, on the road, against the defending champions Denmark Horsens IC,and by the final score of 81-80.
According to the team's Fog website, Phillip Nolan was huge in the clutch, sinking one of two free-throws with 0.8 seconds remaining in regulation to give the triumphant Team Fog the long awaited championship; something which had evaded them since entering the league in 2001, and after three third place finishes in 2011, 2014 and 2015.
The win, according to the team website marked the first time that a sports team from Naestved has won a major sporting championship in Denmark. The win, however, was no walk in the park, but instead required Team Fog to overcome a seemingly unsurmountable 10-point deficit with just about 3 minutes remaining in regulation, something they did, on their way to their first ever pro-basketball championship.
PUP leader John Brice�o on skullduggery in the Immigration Department in 2012
Leader of the Opposition People's United Party (PUP), John Brice�o, is calling for a criminal investigation into what he considers voter fraud.
At the end of last year, Brice�o had received leaked documents revealing that over 2,000 immigrants had received their Belizean nationality in an expedited fashion within two months prior to the 2012 General and Municipal Elections.
The nationalization of those persons, according to Brice�o, was facilitated so that they could vote in an election in which the PUP lost by a total of 812 votes.
During last week's Senate hearing, former Immigration Director, Ruth Meighan confirmed that a large number of immigrants had received their Belizean papers right before the election.
However, she revealed that in many cases they did not meet legal requirements for those Immigration documents issued to them.
"He is a machine from fifteen"
Lehman's College Belizean Vince Young has been turning heads of late with his great play, most notably being that of his Head Coach, Steven Schulman. After hitting for a career high 21 points 7 rebounds 2 assist 1 stealand 1 block in their 91-81 win over Brooklyn College on January 20, 2017, Young immediately followed up that game with a 19 points performance, on 6 of 7 shooting from the field, against St. Joseph (Long Island). In his post-game press conference following the win against St Joseph, Coach Schulman, when asked to describe the recent play of Young, replied "He is a machine from fifteen, if he is left open he is going to knock it down". Young is dynamic and comes off the bench, and while he currently averages 5.2 ppg, he's obviously trending upward with his recent play of late scoring in double figures in 7 of his team's last 10 games; while averaging 12.6 ppg during that span.
Lehman's College competes in the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC). It is an NCAA Division III basketball program. It currently sits at second in the conference with a (13-8) record behind Staten Island (16-6). Vince Young Jr. is the son of Vince Young Sr. of Bird's Isle restaurant and Linda Hemsley, and the grandson of Henry Young, former Minister of Tourism. We at the desk continue to wish him much success.
A cruel prison sentence for one youthful indiscretion
Belize's criminal justice system suffers from a monumental flaw of insufficient legal representation. There are not sufficient attorneys at the Legal Aid office. In fact, the Legal Aid office, located near the end of Albert Street, in Belize City, has less than six attorneys to spread across the entire country.
With many of the laws of Belize in need of revision, the applications of some of the archaic laws are sometimes in conflict with some of the protection enshrined in the Constitution of Belize.
Due to the inadequacy of legal representation, many citizens who cannot afford an attorney appear in court on a wide range of indictable offences defenseless and have to face off with trained attorneys - experienced prosecutors.
That is what happened in February 2011, in the Southern Session of the Supreme Court where a minor, 15 years and 5 months old, who was a third form student at the time, was tried, convicted and sentenced to the mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years in prison for unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl who was 13 at the time of the sexual act.
The Reporter
Chinese businessmen face Belizean authorities
Two Chinese businessmen are in police detention this week pending drug and gun charges in two separate incidents. Zhubin Deng, 25, a Belmopan businessman, was found in possession of one pound of high grade marijuana after police busted him around 1:45 p.m., at his home […]
Bob Marley tribute set for Sunday
For the 15th consecutive year, the music of legendary Jamaican artist Bob Marley will, on Sunday, entertain patrons and supporters of Joel "Dara" Robinson's charity drive to feed hungry schoolchildren. Robinson shared with the Reporter that the event continues to grow each year, and more […]
Teenager says police keeping him from his home
With tension running high in the Conch Shell Bay community in Belize City in the wake of a slew of murders and shootings in the area, police have now engaged the community in an intervention attempt. Police and area representative Tracy Panton recently reached out […]
New law shielding Central Bank reserves approved unanimously
In an unprecedented show of bipartisan unity, both sides of the House of Representatives voted unanimously to approve two Bills to shield the Central Bank of Belize assets against foreign court judgments, which the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Dean Barrow introduced at a special sitting of the House in Belmopan […]
KHMH renovations will delay elective surgeries
The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) is delaying non-emergency (elective) surgeries for the next three to four weeks, to renovate its operating theaters. KHMH CEO, Dr, Adrian Coye explained this week that the hospital's four operating theaters will be receiving infrastructural upgrades such as new walls, floors […]
Bureau of Standards prosecute businesses for over-pricing
Four businesses in Independence Village, Toledo district have been prosecuted for selling merchandise at prices higher than the controlled price and have been fined for such, while three of them have also been penalized for not displaying the prices of the products. The Belize Bureau […]
Belize Chinese celebrate New Year of the Rooster
The Belizean Chinese community celebrated the start of the Year of the Rooster, with the New Year's festival beginning Saturday, January 8, the start of the lunar year. In China it's the start of the Spring Festival, the longest public holiday;a time when many Chinese workers take a week off […]
BFLA sends Valentine's Day message for youths
With the upcoming Valentine's Day celebration, and its significance to intimate relationships, the Belize Family Life Association (BFLA) is calling on Belizean youths to make smart sexual choices during the celebration. The BFLA emphasized that many youths will be motivated by Valentine's Day to engage in sexual […]
One-year-old drowns in well
A one-year-old toddler of the Maya Mopan area in Belmopan City drowned after he fell into a well located at the back of his home on Saturday. Around midday on January 28, Edwin Lorenzo Duartes of a La Mux Street, was playing outside his home in […]
Minor arrested for Monday night shooting in Conch Shell Bay
A minor was formally arrested and charged for a shooting incident that happened in the Conch Shell Bay area of Belize City on Monday night. The 16-year-old is accused of firing several shots and wounding 21-year-old Jaheel Goodger. The minor has been charged for attempted murder, […]
Cops find guns on Belize City’s southside
Police recovered two illegal firearms from the streets of southside Belize City this past weekend. On Friday January 27, the South Side Strike Team conducted a search on an abandoned lot on Santa Barbara Street in the St. Martins area where officers found a .9 mm […]
Editorial
Twelve years ago, in 2005 the then Prime Minister of Belize entered into a secret accommodation agreement with the owners of Belize Telemedia Limited. The Musa Government agreed to give the Ashcroft company a cast-iron guarantee that if the company did not make a 15 percent net profit on its […]
Gas prices up again!
Drivers countrywide can expect to spend more on fuel, after a price hike in all types of gasoline took effect this week. The price change, which took effect as of Thursday, February 1, sent Premium gasoline up 44 cents, pushing up the price to an […]
Gapi’s brother got 17 acres for $800?
The “hotbed of corruption” that Prime Minister Dean Barrow has described the Lands Department to be is living up to its name. More documents surfacing this week, suggest the former minister’s brother purchased crown lands for next to nothing. The documents show that on September […]
Senior immigration officer plays "pass the blame"
The latest witness in the public inquiry into corruption at the Immigration and Nationality Department, blamed junior officers and Ministers of Government for the irregularities cited in the Auditor General's Special Audit Report. Former Officer in Charge of the Nationality Section of the Department, Gordon […]
Cops go to jail for grevious assault charge
Two policemen are in jail tonight on the orders of the Court for their role in beating up 19 year-old Michael Crawford. Crawford suffered a severe beating at the hands of three men. He has identified two of his attackers, Police Constable Kenrick Gamboa, 28, […]
Breaking Belize News
Westrac continues to give back
Westrac has developed a growing reputation for its continued support to communities across Belize.
Today Westrac presented a check in the sum of BZ$17,789.23 to the Rotaract Club of San Ignacio to fund a national project.
The Rotaract Club of Belmopan, the Rotaract Club of Dangriga and the Rotaract Club of Orange Walk will all be participating in a project to assist a total of seven schools in some way or another.
Paralyzed Conch Shell Bay youth dies
Kiemar Nicholas, 19, was paralyzed after he was shot to his neck last Monday.
His spinal cord was completely severed after he was shot in the Conch Shell Bay area of Belize City.
Today we received reports from his family that he has succumbed to his injuries. He reportedly died last night.
Funeral preparations are underway.
Why did NCL ship divert from Harvest Caye?
Over 6,000 cruise ship passengers visited Belize City this week, because their scheduled trip to the Harvest Caye port was canceled.
The Norwegian Gate Way and Norwegian Dawn, diverted to the Fort Street Tourism Village (FSTV) on Wednesday and Thursday.
The company's public relations officers in Miami had reported to local media that the ships diverted as a safety measure, because there was an obstruction in the channel leading to Harvest Caye. However the Belize Port Authority says that there was no such obstruction.
Efforts underway to gift Miss Belize Universe new car
Miss Belize Universe, Rebecca Rath represented Belize at the 65th edition of Miss Universe in Manila on January 29 and received massive support from Belizeans at home and abroad. Now there is an effort underway to try to gift her with a new car.
Many Belizeans were posting on social media requesting that the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) hold a rally for Rath since she highlighted Belize on the international platform.
Belizeans supported Rath throughout the entire pageant process, sharing different ways to vote for her and continued to express gratitude and appreciation because she represented Belize excellently.
A Belizean residing in Punta Gorda has made it to the cover of the United Kingdom’s popular, “Love” magazine.
Her name is Joyjah Estrada and she was photographed by Kendall Jenner, an American fashion model and television personality, originally known for appearing in the E! reality television show, "Keeping up with the Kardashians."
This is what Jenner had to say about the young woman who had studied at the Toledo Community College: "I loved how committed Joyjah was to the project. She flew in from Belize, had all these visa problems and then was a dream to shoot. She has that amazing face, all those freckles, and she seemed so genuinely excited to be there.
BTL warns customers of scam alert
Belize Telemedia Limited issued a statement informing its customers that the company investigated the recently reported issue of random international calls to DigiCell Numbers.
In most instances customers would see a missed call registered on their call log. Most reported calls with number prefixes from +675.
Ashcroft Alliance will challenge new law that protect Belize's foreign assets
The Ashcroft Alliance is moving to have the Supreme Court of Belize strike down the recently passed law which protects Belize's foreign assets.
In a recent release issued by Caribbean Investment Holdings Limited (CIHL), the company is filing a constitutional challenge that "intends to bring a claim in the Belize Supreme Court to challenge the constitutionality of the Central Bank of Belize Act and the Crown Proceedings Act, which received the support of both the government and the opposition in the House of Representatives and the senate".
9mm and ammo found on Iguana Street this morning
According to police reports, a .9 mm Glock loaded with 10 live rounds was found by the GSU in the vicinity of Iguana Street this morning. It is believed to be the weapon used in the latest murder of Mark Jones.
Police issue official report on murder in San Pedro
According to police reports, last night around 7:15 p.m., police visited a residence at the corner of Jew Fish and Sea Weed Streets, where on the second floor of the wooden structure officers saw 44-year-old Jose Felix Ayuso, barber of the same address lying in his bed room with multiple stab wounds to his upper body.
Initial investigation reveals that Ayuso was last seen alive by his sister on Wednesday at about 4:30 p.m. at his Unisex beauty salon situated on Laguna Drive.
About 6:30 p.m. yesterday she decided to make checks on him at his residence when she discovered the body.
More than 2000 grams of weed found in Southside, Belize city
According to police reports, on Thursday morning at 6:45 a.m., the Southside Strike Team, Special Branch and K9 unit conducted a search in an abandoned lot in the Faber's Road area of Belize City, which led to the discovery of a black plastic bag containing 2,009.4 grams of cannabis.
Police find weed in Bullet tree village
Police on anti-drug operations in the Bullet Tree village, Cayo conducted a search in an abandoned lot where cops found two black plastic bags containing 545 grams of cannabis.
Belmopan Chinese businessman charged for weed
According to police reports, on Thursday February 2 at about 1:13 p.m., police searched a house situated on the George Price Boulevard, Belmopan where officers found a transparent plastic bag containing 461 grams of cannabis.
Zhubin Deng, a businessman of Trial Farm village, Cayo was present at the time of the search
Police issue report on Mark Jones murder
According to police reports, last night police visited the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where they saw the body of 29-year-old Mark Anthony Jones of #189 Pelican Street Extension, Belize City, with gunshot wounds to the hand, side and back.
Investigations reveale that Jones was walking inside his yard when a male person approached and fired several shots at him causing his injuries.
Traveling into Town on Ambergris Caye, Belize
There are a few ways to get to town these days. 1. A good long bike ride 2. Rent/own a golf cart and take the (sometimes very bumpy - sometimes very dusty - sometimes muddy) ride down to town. My ride is unpaved for about 4 miles and then a few miles paved as you get closer to the bridge. It takes about 30 minutes. 3. Own a boat or take the Coastal Xpress water taxi. Depending on the number of stops, it can take 10 to 30 minutes. Yesterday, for the first time in about a year, I took the water taxi. And was left wondering�why don't I do this more often?
The closest dock/pick-up is at the resort to our south, X'tan Ha Resort. It's easiest if you call ahead or have you hotel call to make sure they stop to pick you up. The boats run every two hours to and from town, up and down the coast.
Living la vida lobster
The Belizean fishing industry dates back to the time of the Maya when snappers and anchovies were the most important food from the sea. Over the years sleepy fishing villages prospered from the bounty of the sea, from the northern cayes of Ambergris and Caye Caulker, to the mainland coastal communities of Corozal, all the way south to Punta Gorda. For generations, fisher folk benefited from harvesting fish, but did you know it wasn't until the 1920's that they became lobster trappers as well? At that time lobster were so abundant many old-timers tell the stories of how you could simply catch them from the beach! Although the Caribbean Spiny Lobster were once regarded as 'trash fish' by the locals, that trash turned to treasure when the US market for the crustacean opened after North American lobster numbers declined. In the first years of exportation, Belizean fishermen sold their lobster tails for one cent a pound! Of course the industry was advancing with the times, and motorized boats, along with the availability of ice allowed the fishermen to thrive. By the late 1940's the lobster industry grew to be the most lucrative marine export product, with freezer boats coming from the US, and new processing and cold storage facilities in Belize City. For the fisher folk, this meant full-time, year-round lobster fishing, and they were now getting five to seven cents a pound!
Travel Safe and Busy Planning
I recently read and replied to an interesting thread on Keeping possessions safe in Belize. While most hotels do offer safes in their rooms or in the lobby but there is always a possibility you may find yourself in need of some good stashing ideas.
I have listed a few simple tricks below should ever find yourself in a position when it is time to make like a squirrel and "stash your nuts."
While I recommend using your safest options first, do not forget the creative kind should you ever need them.
A pile of papers can easily hide a passport.
Under the TV is a good hiding spot (if it is not a wall-mount). A few dollars casually in plain view could keep light fingers from looking.
For carrying money on your person spread it around. Have a small amount handy in your pocket and and also a reason why that is all you have.
Photocopy and photograph all your ID.
Do not bring more than you need to when you go out at night.
Harley Davidson visiting Corozal Belize: Harley Davidson in Corozal?
If you ever wonder sometime's you see those Harley Davidson Motorcycle around Belize? They go around Belize riding motorcycles. A group of Black Pearl, Harley-Davidson, Belize goes around riding motorcycle and shows off their rides. First stop was at Corozal scotty's bar and grill. and will continue through Saturday.
Make sure to come out tonight for the concert at the The Ramada Belize City Princess Poolside that's only $10 for Entry. They stopped today for a lunch to mingle and meet Belizeans around Belize. When you see these kinds of Motorcycle you will never stop by and see this Motorcycle along the seaside.
Here are some photo's Below of the Belize Black Pearl, Harley Davidson Motor rally in Corozal. Yes, you will ask Harley DAvidson in Belize? Yes, Those guys wearing Black Jacket, Colored leather boots, Long leather with bright colors, Mask to cover their eyes while they are driving, Helmet, Some Hand Grip , While they are driving. And, this guys are well drivers and are known for their appearance around Belize. Their Motorcylce going 90mhp? They rock with their loud sound when they turn it on.
International Sources
The Must-Visit Caribbean Destination You've Never Heard Of
Just a short 30-minute flight on a puddle jumper from Belize City is Placencia, a burgeoning town that was once a sleepy fishing village. Sandwiched between a lagoon on the west and Caribbean Sea on the east, Placencia appears to be an unassuming destination. Modest storefronts line the only main road and verdant vegetation grows throughout. But dive in a little deeper and you'll find that its culturally diverse inhabitants-who range from those of Maya and mestizo descent to American expats-are genuinely friendly with a laid-back attitude inherent to such beach locales. The food, too, is unbelievable (or un-Belize-able if you really want to go there) and there's a little something for everyone-whether you want to explore by land or sea.
Nestled within 200 acres of private property is one of the newest kids on the block, Na�a Resort and Spa. A ritzy edifice is not what you come here for, but instead, a cozy and intimate hotel composed of 35 individual accommodations sitting on soft white sand. There's nothing quite like waking up to the sounds of waves crashing against the shoreline and the sight of palm trees swaying back and forth in the wind, which is exactly what you get from a beach-facing bed in a studio room with glass double doors. If the Caribbean waters aren't enough for you, opt for a one-bedroom beach house outfitted with a personal plunge pool.
Found: One (Relatively) Cute Shark And One Hideous Ghost Shark
There are so many small mysteries left in the world. Today's evidence-a hammerhead shark and a ghost shark, both new discoveries. One is small and, dare we say, cute? For a shark? The other is the largest species of ghost shark ever discovered and, to the human eye, really ugly.
The new species of hammerhead shark was discovered in Belize by a team studying bonnethead sharks. These smallish sharks are plentiful in the Caribbean Sea and were thought to be one big happy family of sharks.
But when a team of scientists analyzed the DNA of bonnethead sharks captured in Belize, they discovered that these sharks were a different species from the ones that live around Mexico, the U.S. and the Bahamas. Even though all the sharks look quite similar, the DNA of the Belize sharks showed they hadn't interbred with those other groups of sharks for several million years.
World Cancer Day 2017: Key Panellists Share their Experience
Improving access to cancer treatment in developing countries requires strong political commitment and effective public-private strategic partnerships. This was the conclusion of a panel discussion at IAEA Headquarters in Vienna today to mark World Cancer Day 2017. During the discussion, Princess Dina Mired of Jordan, First Lady Kim Simplis Barrow of Belize, and Amadou Diarra of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) shared their perspectives.
Belize's First Lady Kim Simplis Barrow, a cancer survivor herself, called for more equitable access to cancer care in Central America and the Caribbean.
"We all share the same goal: to reduce the burden of cancer," Ms Simplis Barrow said. "But small countries face specific challenges, which is why regional partnerships may be one good way to advance jointly and share resources. We need a broad coalition of government and non-governmental organizations, high-level leadership and commitment. I strongly believe that political leaders can become champions in making a positive change."
Caribbean embraces fisheries collaboration with Norway
The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) and a team of Norwegian experts have concluded a successful two-week fact-finding mission in the Caribbean aimed at identifying critical ways in which Norway can support the sustainable development of Caribbean fisheries and aquaculture.
The team, comprised of Milton Haughton, CRFM executive director; Dr �ge H�ines, senior scientist, Institute of Marine Research, Norway; and Mr Joh�n Williams, specialist director, Norwegian ministry of fisheries and coastal affairs, met with senior executives of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat in Guyana, as well as ministers, permanent secretaries, chief fisheries officers and other stakeholders in sample countries, affording the team an opportunity to look at the spectrum of fisheries operations across the region in countries and communities with varying types of fisheries and levels of development.
Royal Marines Commandos En Belice, �Bienvenidos A La Jungla!
Monos, tar�ntulas, ara�as viuda negra, y serpientes. �stos son algunos de los residentes que han "dado la bienvenida" a los Royal Marines1 a la jungla de Belice esta semana.
40 Commando Royal Marines (del ej�rcito brit�nico), con sede cerca de Taunton en Somerset2, est�n poniendo a prueba todas sus habilidades b�sicas de soldado a medida que aprenden a luchar y sobrevivir en uno de los ambientes m�s hostiles del mundo.
Delta Company, los especialistas en Guerra En La Selva de 40 Commando Royal Marines, han estado en Belice impartiendo el entrenamiento vital bajo la atenta mirada de la Unidad del Ej�rcito brit�nico de Entrenamiento y Apoyo a Belice (BATSUB) y el equipo directivo de los Royal Marines.
La primera fase de entrenamiento, los Royal Marines efect�an simulacros militares de combate, reconocimiento cercano de objetivos, supervivencia, patrullaje y entrenamiento de navegaci�n en las profundidades de Sibun Gorge.
Videos
Wanderlust3, 6min. Can't stop adventuring! This time making my way around Portland, OR, Costa Rica, Belize, and Guatemala. The adventure runs on!
St. John's Cathedral, Belize Oral History, min.
Jumproping backwards while fly fishing in Belize., 17sec.
SIX YEARS IN BELIZE!, 10min.
Cormorant rescued by Belize Animal Rescue, 1.5min. It's just not all parrots you know. This cormorant was rescued by Belize Animal Rescue and transferred to BBR and was in a very poor shape. He had a fairly large parasite loading but also seemed to have injured one of his wings somehow.
After a few meds, and with some rest at BBR he soon got better and was able to be released not too far from where he was found.
Gordon and Gillian from BAR came to view the release which was a joy to see.
Belize - General shots, 3min.
Belize 2017 Snorkeling, 3min.
Belize Now Feb 3, 2017, 36min.
Lamanai Mayan Ruins Tour in Belize - Lorenzo's Flights, 3min. We took a 60 minute boat ride, 45 minute van ride, another 30 minute boat ride to finally reach the Lamanai Mayan Ruins in Belize! Truly an incredible experience.
Travel Vlog Carnival Dream Cruise BELIZE Excursion -AirBoat Nov 2016, 22min.
Harley Davidson In Belize, 2.5min.
Belize, 3min. I was fortunate enough to spend my winter break in Belize traveling and teaching. Here is a video capturing my travels with my new friends and students. It was truly an experience I will never forget.
Diving in Belize, 5min. Diving at San Pedro, Belize with Amigos Del Mar. Bottlenose dolphin, Spotted Eagle Rays...
#Chusey Snorkle Belize 2017, 7.5min.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
