Updates?

Anyone hear how Herm is doing?

Anyone have a progress report on the restaurant?

Tikal News

Information for Travelers and Residents Warden Message U.S. Embassy Belmopan, Belize May 17, 2011 SECURITY IN PETÉN REGION OF NORTHERN GUATEMALAThe U.S. Embassy in Belmopan, Belize, strongly recommends against travel to the Petén region of northern Guatemala by U.S. citizens traveling and residing in Belize. The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City, Guatemala, recently published a warden message on the increased level of violence in areas of the Petén, characterized by murders on a ranch in the municipality of La Libertad and shootings and bombings in Flores and Santa Elena. U.S. Embassy Belmopan official personnel are prohibited from travel to the Petén region of Guatemala for the next 30 days, and the Embassy strongly recommends that U.S. citizens in Belize also forego travel to that area, including tourist destination Tikal, Guatemala. Travel information is also available at www.travel.state.gov. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and health information resources can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada or, for inquirers in other areas, by calling a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00am to 8:00pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs' page on Facebook as well. Americans living in or traveling to Belize are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (SMART) at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/.The U.S. Embassy is located at #4 Floral Park Road, Belmopan City, Belize; Tel: 501-822-4011 8:00am to 5:00pm—or for emergencies after hours, weekends, and holidays at 501-610-5030, Fax: 501-822-4050; E-mail: ACSBelize@state.gov; Website: https://Belize.usembassy.state.govConsular SectionU.S. Embassy Belmopan4 Floral Park RoadBelmopan CityBelizeTel: 501-822-4011Fax: 501-822-4050Belize.usembassy.govACSBelize@state.gov

New Administrator?

Anyone interested in being the Administrator? It's time for someone to speak up or I will go ahead take the blog down.

Cell Phone information for visits

Belize now has both GSM and CDMA cell phone systems nationwide. If you have an unlocked multiband cell phone, or buy one on eBay, and your service provider uses the GSM 1900 digital system (AT&T and T-Mobile phones do) you can use your GSM phone in Belize on the Belize Telemedia Ltd. DigiCell network. (In late 2010 BTL also introduced a CDMA system, mostly for internet services and voice service in areas not currently served by its GSM system, but I won't get into that.)You’ll need a new SIM card, which costs US$25 plus 12.5% tax. The SIM card comes with a prepaid card with US$5 worth of time and a local phone number. You’ll pay US 30 cents per minute for the first five minutes of outgoing cell calls within Belize, and then US 12.5 cents after that. (Rates subject to change.) Incoming calls are free. If you don’t have an unlocked GSM phone, you can rent one from BTL for US$5 per day. The same outgoing call rates apply. Both rental cell phones and prepaid phone are available at the BTL office at the international airport, near the rental car offices across the airport parking lot. BTL prepaid phone cards and SIM cards also are sold at some other BTL offices around Belize and at private shops and stores in the country.Another option is Smart, which operates a cell phone system using CDMA technology (like Verizon in the U.S.). At any of the Smart offices—in Belize City, Corozal Town, Orange Walk Town, Belmopan City, San Ignacio, San Pedro or Benque Viejo—you can have your CDMA phone reprogrammed for use in Belize. There’s an activation fee of US$20, and you’ll need to purchase a prepaid plan with per-minute rates for outgoing calls of US 22 1/2 cents to US 35 cents (incoming calls, text messages and voice mail are free).Depending on what carrier you use back home and what plan you have, you may be able to use international roaming in Belize on your existing cell phone without buying a SIM card for your GSM phone or having your CDMA phone reprogrammed, but be prepared to pay dearly for it – you may have to pay up to US$2-$3 a minute.--Lan Sluder

Anyone interested in being the Administrator of this blog, please let me know. Not much to do as long as everyone posts and keeps it active.

Let the other owners hear from you and talk about your visits to Coco Beach

Coco Beach Visit

Another great Coco Beach visit!

Restaurant

Good news!!!!!!!!!!!!
Workers began working on installing the roof of the restaurant at Coco Beach on Monday. Completion estimated in the spring. Mario Cervoni is going to be the manager. He also has taken over management of the "Green Iguana Restaurant" at Belizean Shores. He held an open house last night with drinks and appetisers at the Blue Iguana. A great time was had by all who attended.

SICA Meeting

The SICA meeting went well. High security and many heads of State attended. The staff did a good job of getting ready and hosting the dignataries.

Casitas 2 is up for sale!We would like to move to a larger unit at Coco Beach and am excited to make the big move.There is a $1000 (USD) reward for anyone who finds us a buyer at our asking price of $359K (USD). All the furnishings go with the Casitas (except paintings and personals). Great rental income and only 5 a like it on the Island. If interested please contact me at Dietel8@aol.com or you can call at 360-687-4876 (this is a Washington phone number)

thanks Steve

SICA Meeting at Coco Beach

A series of meetings have started both at the technical and vice-ministerial levels, in preparation for the visit of the Heads of State of all Central American countries. The visit by the leaders is part of the Central American Integrated System conference which will end on Thursday when all leaders are expected to discuss a number of issues related to the region before participating in a joint press conference on Thursday afternoon.
The meetings at the technical level started on Monday evening while the vice-ministers met behind closed doors inside the conference room at Coco Beach Resort on Ambergris Caye. The meetings continued on Wednesday with senior officials, including the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the various countries. The 36th Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and the Government of SICA will see the participation of six Heads of State including the Prime Minister of Belize, the Honorable Dean Barrow.

Most of the Ministers are staying at Coco Beach. Lots of BDF soldiers, Coast Guard and Police are here with snipers on the rooftops. Lots of work has gotten done to spruce up the resort.

HOA Meeting

For those of you who don't know, the HOA Meeting is scheduled for January 15, 2011 at 10:00 AM. Location to be determined.

Tanya and Fernando

Tanya and Fernando are getting married here in Belize on 1/22/2011. They have asked that we contact all the owners to extend and invitation to their wedding if you plan on being in Belize at that time.

Janine Mosness of D2 has tried to reach many of you through email, but since we do not have a current list of everyone's email, we are also posting this announcement on the blog.

If you have not already been contacted by email, would you please email Janine at http://www.alscuba@msn.com/ or reply to the blog letting us know if you will attend and how many. Please give your full names. We will pass on this information to the happy couple.

Thank you.

Condo For Sale

Unit B1

Oceanfront - 2 Bedrooms - 2 full baths with walk-in glass wall showers
1566 sq feet - living room, dining room, laundry room with washer and dryer, central air
Full size kitchen with granite count tops, Belizean hard wood cabinets, stainless appliances, dish washer

Fully furnished - we have lived here for five years

This luxury resort includes a pool bar, onsite activities center, and two sculptured swimming pools with natural waterfalls and islands.

Cullen Walker

Coco Beach Resort PO Box 1

Unit B1

San Pedro, Ambergris CayeBelize, Central America
scubawalk@aol.com

Belize Cell 011-501-622-8201

U.S. SKYPE Toll Free to Belize 804-212-3163

Asking price includes “Paradise” a 23 foot Belizean skiff with 100 HP Yahama 4-stroke outboard motor, fully equipped
$500,000.00 US Dollars

Hurricane Richard

I haven't heard anything official from Doug Penland but other residents that live around the Coco Beach area have reported that the storm did little damage. The local weather station on Ambergris Caye reported less than 2" of rain and winds of 40 MPH. Seems that all is well.

The storm center hit just South of Belize City causing heavy flooding and wind damage in that area. Check out the message board for pictures and damage report.
http://ambergriscaye.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/391035/Re_Hurricane_Richard.html#Post391035

Kath and I have been in the States. Kath's Dad had bypass surgery on November 13 and he just returned from the hospital.