AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Belize Life News Daily news prior to today Today's Belize News: March 19, 2017

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

SPTC renovates Central Park Beach for Easter Holidays
To make Easter festivities extra special and fun, The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) has embarked on a beach renovation project in front of the Central Park. About 15 truck-loads of sand will be used to enhance the beach, which will be the epicentre of most of the activities during the Holy week in April. SPTC's Jorge Aldana believes that such refurbishment of the beach will accommodate better spacing for more activities during the festive periods throughout the year. "Easter season is coming and the beach by Central Park will be used for beach volleyball and other events," said Aldana. "The DJ Association will also be using that area to host the official Easter events." Compared to other years, the SPTC, along with the DJ Association, have agreed to have everyone at one area (Central Park) for a massive beach party. According to Aldana, after this beach renovation, the local authorities plan to start their beach reclamation project. "For us to do some beach reclamation we need to complete a series of scientific tests before we go and alter the environment," said Aldana. He also stated that such a project is aimed to stop the rapid erosion the island's eastern shores are experiencing.

Misc Belizean Sources

SPHS Male Softball Team wins National Tournament
Congratulations to the San Pedro High School Male Softball Team on winning the 2017 National Softball Tournament!

R.I.P. to Caye Caulker resident, Rob Allan
The entire community is saddened by his passing. May his soul rest in peace.

St Martins Crocodile Rescue
Another croc rescue in Belize City. A really sad one this time as the croc was found with a rope around it's mouth, was easily caught by members of the public and it has obviously been starving for months, hence it's incredibly emaciated state. The croc was rushed to the Wildlife Vet in Cayo for immediate attention. They were so rough with this crocodile. Real sad. Let the experts do their job.

Belizean killed in Melchor, Guatemala
At 8:50 p.m. on Friday 17th March, 2017 near the Western border at the Larios establishment "Champon", Carlos "Botty" Manzanero, a Belizean Tourguide of San Jose Succotz received 1 gunshot to the right knee, 2 to the left hand and 5 shots to his abdomen. Manzanero was murdered in front of his wife. The police in Belize is aware of the murder. It will be investigated by Guatemala's police force and any official comments will come from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since it occurred in a neighboring country which has an unfounded claim on Belize. Melchor is popular for Belizeans to buy cheap goods and to consume even cheaper beverages.

Benque Sawdust Tapestries
The Benque Sawdust Tapestries is a Good Friday tradition that encourages families,youths and children to work together to showcase something very symbolic for the Santo Entiero funeral procession, a solemn procession in the community of Benque Viejo. They invite anyone who wishes to sacrifice some time under the sun to create these beautiful tapestries on March 25th at 9 a.m. at the Benque House of Culture. For more information call 823-2697

Deforestation in the Vaca Forest Reserve
Located north of Chiquibul has been prominent and relatively unchecked for many years.

Skidding Tapir
During the last trip with visitors at the Chalillo Lake we were impressed to see a tapir skidding down a ledge a mere 30 feet away. True wilderness.

Breaking Belize News

Two injured in motorcycle accident in Valley of Peace
Reports reaching our newsroom indicate that two men were injured in a motorcycle accident shortly after 6:00 p.m. today in Valley of Peace village, Cayo District. The residents of the village went to aid the men as the ambulance was called but it did not show up.

Man drowns in Biscayne
Reports reaching our newsroom indicate that shortly after 5:00 p.m. today, a man drowned in Biscayne village, Belize. Hipolito Mai, 22, of Lake Gardens, Ladyville is reportedly the victim.

OAS SecGen completes orientation tour
Secretary General pf the Organization of American States (OAS), H.E. Louis Almagro, completed a two day tour in Belize this week, as the Government of Belize continues its push to hold a referendum on taking the Guatemalan territorial claim to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). During his brief visit, Almagro held meetings with numerous government officials, the Leader of the Opposition, took a helicopter ride over the Chuquibul National Park, including Belize's side of the Adjacency Zone, and held a press briefing.

Two Belizeans killed in Guatemala in less than a week
Two Belizeans have been killed in the neighboring Town of Melchor de Mencos, Peten, Guatemala in less than a week. Last Sunday, Amadeos Teck of Bullet Tree Village in the Cayo District was shot multiple times while socializing in Melchor. Teck died on the spot. Last night, bus driver, Carlos Manzanero of San Jose Succotz, Cayo District was also shot multiple times while socializing at a popular bar in the neighboring town. Manzanero also died as a result.

Still no Guatemalan Ambassdor to Belize
Relations between Belize and Guatemala continue to be strained and uncertain.A statement was previously released informing the nation that the Guatemalan ambassador to Belize would be returned on March 1. However, Manuel Estuardo Roldan Barillas, has not returned after being recalled 11 months by Guatemala for consultation amidst increased border tensions.

Foreign Affairs minister says Belize has no borders
According to Foreign Affairs Minister, Wilfred Elrington, Belize still does not have internationally recognized borders. Even though the international community voted for Belize to gain her independence, Elrington told the media that the international community does not recognize Belize's borders. According to Elrington, our maritime borders have never been agreed upon. "Boundaries have to be agreed upon by countries who are neighboring countries. In 1893 we got our northern boundaries agreed with Mexico and part of our sea, 1859 we had the Western border agreed with Guatemala but they resided on that in 1939 but we never did have with Guatemala any agreement with respect to the Maritime boundaries neither with Guatemala nor with Honduras which is very close to us. That is work undone," he said.

Red Cross thanks international community for help after Hurricane Earl
The International Federation of Red Crosses (IFRC) has issued an official report on Hurricane Earl, which made landfall in Belize last August. Earl had delivered wind gusts of up to 110 km/h, as estimated by the United States' National Hurricane Centre. According to NEMO, as a result of reported major infrastructural and building damage, 170 persons were forced to seek shelter in in Belize City, Cayo and Orange Walk, while a whopping 10,355 persons or 2,071 families were affected after Hurricane Earl ripped through Belize as a Category 1 hurricane.

Blogs

Eating Placencia, Belize and My Stay at the Newest Boutique Hotel
Placencia, like San Pedro, is a beach town that started as a very small fishing village. But Placencia Village is growing more slowly than Ambergris Caye and maintains that small village feel. At the tip of the peninsula, prices are a bit cheaper, rents and land values - though do not read CHEAP! Placencia is probably the second most expensive town in the country. I wouldn't live anywhere else but Ambergris Caye but man�I would love to have a vacation home in Placencia. If only just to eat� The sidewalk on a cloudy day, Placencia Belize �well�and to stroll the famous sidewalk. Here is a bit of my last 4 night trip to my favorite village and a few of the things I ate there. There are two pretty great coffee shops in Placencia - Above Grounds and this super cute, friendly spot, Brewed Awakenings. All they need is a "Thanks A Latte" or an "Espresso Yourself". (Sadly I did not think of those myself) Great coffee and all sorts of fun flavors of a southern Belize classic. The seaweed shake.

ISLAND HOPPING TO CAYE CAULKER, BELIZE�.DAY 1
When visiting Belize, Caye Caulker is a unique location that must be experienced. A short 30 minute water taxi ride from San Pedro, this quaint little island is the perfect place to spend a few extra days. It's easily accessible from both San Pedro and Belize City and well worth the trip. Leaving San Pedro, Ambergris Caye; a roundtrip ticket is $25 US, with several departures daily.http://belize express. As for accommodations, you will have numerous choices. From budget savvy hostels for $20 per night to high-end beach rentals for $200, finding the perfect fit should be easy. VRBO and Airbnb have lots of listings! I checked on-line before arriving but decided to "wing-it" and just find a room when I arrived on the island. Needless to say, traveling with Floyd, my 4lb Chihuahua tends to complicate things a little. However, I did find three "pet friendly" hotels. I settled on Popeyes Beach resort http://popeyesresort A great location directly on the beach with pool, air conditioning, tv and internet. Yes, this may seem basic to many people, but in Belize�..if you need air conditioning, internet and TV�.you should verify before booking!

CREPES & DREAMS�.A CAYE CAULKER FAVORITE! | CAYE CAULKER BELIZE RESTAURANT
Visiting this small Caribbean island for a few days you'll want to experience as much as possible without missing a single thing. The beaches, the shops, water sports, beach bars and island tours�.it's difficult to do it in such a short few days. So choices must be made! One of the most difficult choices is "Where do we eat?" For such a small quaint little island the food choices are unbelievable. I am a morning person. The first decision every morning is to reach for my coffee. After several cups, I may or may not choose to have breakfast. So when deciding where to go for breakfast on the island, I was pretty indecisive. As long as they serve coffee�..I'm good. As we walked down the sandy beach streets, passing several options for breakfast, nothing caught my eye. Then we passed a cozy little place with an awesome French ambiance�..ok�let's try this!

CAYE CAULKER, BELIZE
Caye Caulker is one of those places that it's very difficult to explain. At least in terms of a description that would do this wonderful little island, it's due justice. Visiting the island about a year ago, I'll admit, it was a great trip and I truly enjoyed our time here. However, anyone who is familiar with the country of Belize has heard the descriptions of the three top places. San Pedro�.Caye Caulker�.and Placencia. Most will describe San Pedro as active, vibrant, lots of tourist and tons of things to do. Placencia is a quiet little fishing village in the southern part of the country, much slower, quiet and peaceful. I have heard many times that Caye Caulker is the "little sister" to San Pedro. The same awesome beach atmosphere, beach bars, and fishing, just on a smaller scale, much less developed and definitely less tourist. Their motto is "Go Slow" and it definitely is appropriate for this little piece of paradise.

Lamanai Mayan Ruins: The Crocodiles Don't Bite at this Ancient Ceremonial Center
To understand how insightful the Mayans who built Lamanai were before the name Submerged Crocodile was bestowed upon this 958.5 acre spread by 17th century Franciscan missionaries, look at this ruin from the air. Doesn't it resemble that ferocious amphibian raising its head amid miles of jungle? Considered one of Belize's most spectacular ceremonial centers, much of Lamanai is obscured by forest, so only by making an in-person visit to this epicenter of folklore, superstition and history can you appreciate this splendid ruin. Located along the banks of the New River Lagoon, Lamanai's structural ruins include temples, a ball court, living quarters and commercial buildings constructed by generations of dwellers that range from indigenous Mayans to Spanish colonists. Coexisting on the complex are statues to pagan deities and the Spanish churches Mayans were forced to build when conquistadors instituted slave labor practices in the 1500s. The most recent building addition--all but destroyed--is a symbolic 19th Century sugar mill, making this one of the most continually inhabited Mayan ruins in Central America.

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