Journalist's Fantasy Wins National Book Award

Journalist's Fantasy Wins National Book Award

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.