Thursday, March 27, 2008

Owners Meeting

Several owners have suggested holding an owners meeting in mid January 2009. The meeting would include the Management of Coco Beach and Southwind Properties. The purpose of the meeting would be to discuss completion of the resort and conduct any business matters concerning operation of the resort.

Please advise if you could attend during that time period or if another time would work better.

Jim Henry

Sorry to report that Jim Henry has left as Manager of Belizean Shores. Jim was also going to serve as Manager of Coco Beach. He was a real asset and brought a positive management style to the resort. He will be missed.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

On the way (almost)

We (meaning myself, my son Greg, and his girlfriend Erica) will be coming down for a week starting next Monday. We are anxious to see the unit and meet the neighbors. We're planning on maybe 2 mainland trips, one to the caves/zoo and are open to ideas for the second.

We're in Unit C-2. If anyone needs anything small (we're only doing carry-ons), reading matter etc. let us know. We're looking forward to sharing a bottle of Chilean white wine (or Belizean white rum) on the porch that evening. Should we pick it up on our way through town or have these items made it North of the cut?

Mike Heller
heller.michael@yahoo.com
610 216 2919

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Action video of the March Winds

Lots of action this morning at the resort. We trust this will give you a flavor of the winds effect on the lagoons waves. Outside the reef the waves are 8 to 10 feet high. No excursions outside the reef today.

More on the March Winds




This morning the waves were as high as we have seen them in 3 months. Notice how far the waves have come up on the beach and that was one boat washed ashore at Essene Way.

The March Blow

The weather here has been really rough. The last two days it has been blowing. I clocked the wind at a steady 31 miles per hour last night. Water level at high tide this morning came up to the corner of both ocean front buildings and the construction dock was flooded. It is hard to walk on the beach without getting sand blasted.

On a brighter side, the workers began installing the pool tiles yesterday. I don't know how they can even see with all the sand blowing around.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Snake Cayes PG

A great day trip from PG!

SNAKE CAYES
The Snake Cayes consist of a group of four small islands - West Snake Caye, Middle Snake Caye, East Snake Caye, and South Snake Caye. The name was inherited from an abundance of boa constrictors that once lived on one of the islands. These cayes are not a part of the barrier reef system, but instead lie on an isolated coral ridge growing on a limestone ledge that extends several miles into the inner lagoon of the Belize Coastal Zone.

Most of these cayes are swampy mangrove ranges, but a few have enough high ground to support significant numbers of coconut trees and other vegetation. The endangered manatee and hundreds of sea birds live in this area. Great swimming, snorkeling and diving can be done off the islands as well. At least three diving sites have been established by tour guides.
South Snake Caye has no beach, but local fishermen dive the area for fresh lobster and troll for barracudas.
West Snake Caye is the most popular for swimming, picnicking and snorkeling. The south west side of the caye has a wide clean coral beach made of pure white sand. The beach tends to shift depending on the time of year. Just off the beach, a small thatch roof palapa is hidden among the tall mangroves. The island also has a small inland lagoon.
The Snake Cayes are only 17 miles northeast of Punta Gorda and 45 minutes by boat. Tour operators out of Punta Gorda and Monkey River Town offer day trips to these cayes. A picnic lunch can be arranged in advance.
'

PG

Punta Gorda - Two Hotels I'm looking at Sea Front Inn & Blue Creek Lodge (defined as "rustic")both are online
~PG~

PlacenciaPunta GordaMaya Villages

Other Info.
BooksRainforest herbslinks
Southern Belize
PG, as it's locally known, is the largest town in southern Belize. Capitol of the Toledo District, the 3,500 inhabitants are mostly English speaking Garifuna and East Indian.
The public dock, off Front Street, marks the center of town for most visitors. Immigration and Customs along with the post office are nearby.
The market is one block up the street. Along the way, Fajina Craft Center, where sales support a "self empowerment" organization of Mopan and Kechi Mayan women.
Dockside View
Market Day
Wednesdays and Saturdays are the big market days. Local produce, Guatemalan ware, and handcrafted items from local Mayan artists can be seen.
Visitor Information
Belize Tourist Board in Belize City and Natures Way in Punta Gorda can make arrangements for Village Guesthouse visits.
Toledo Visitors' Information Center is by the dock. Free message board, bus schedules, and information on the Indigenous Experience Program. Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday: 7 to 11:30 am.
Punta Gorda ~ Places To Stay
Punta Caliente Hotel & Restaurant: H/C water, private bath, ceiling fans, laundry service, TV, Restaurant,, Roof top view with hammocks. 1-2 persons double bed US$21.50. Near Z line bus station.
Travelers Inn: More upscale facility with AC/TV restaurant/bar, meeting facilities. Next to the Z-line bus terminal.
St Charles Inn has 10 rooms with H/C water, private bath, cable TV, fans. US$20 for 2 persons.
Tate's Guesthouse is in a residential neighborhood. H/C water, private bath, ceiling fans, cable TV. US$24 for a double; AC availableNatures Way Guest House: By the sea, popular with backpackers. They can arrange visits to nearby Mayan villages through their Village Guesthouse program.
Getting There . . .
Private Vehicle
From Belize City it's 200 miles.. Take the Manatee or Hummingbird highway to the Southern highway. Check Southern highway road conditions during the rainy season. Some areas of Toledo District receive up to 170 inches of rain annually. Best time to drive is during the dry season (February - June).
Bus
Z-line has twice daily runs from Belize City at 8am and 3pm, arriving in PG around 6pm and 1am. James buses depart Belize City at the Pound Yard at 7 am. The Ten hour trip cost US$11.
Air
Maya Air and Tropic Air: One way from Belize City around US$75.
Boat Services
Paco's Boat Service offers daily trips to Livingston, Isabel, and Rio Dulce. The most frequent run, Puerto Barrios, cost US$10 one way. Leaves PG 8:30 am with a 1pm. return.
Requena Boat Charters does fishing, snorkeling, and nature observation trips. They offers daily service to Puerto Barrios. Departures at 9 am. Returns at 2pm. On Front Street near customs in PG.
Please send your questions, comments or corrections to mailto:p_onca@hotmail.com©Jaguar 2000 ~ Central America
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Blue Creek

Maya VillagesBLUE CREEK VILLAGE
Blue Creek Village is a Mopan and Kekchi village of about 270 people. The community lies along flat roads, spanning both sides of Blue Creek. Clusters of thatch huts border both sides of Blue Creek, a beautiful, clear stream emerging from the surrounding thick jungle. Upstream of the bridge is a wide blue-green pool where Maya women beat their laundry on the smooth stones. The banks are lined with tall shady trees. The reflection of the thick jungle rainforest, which lines both sides, is clearly visible in the surface of the creek.

Telephone and electricity are still not available. A two story cement building stands out at the entrance of the village. This store sells basic goods.
A research center with accommodations is widely used by foreign students. Near the center, a wooden platform is built out over the creek. Tied to the branch of a large tree, a thick rope is used to swing from the high bank into the blue-green pool. Large schools of fish and river otters live in the creek. At night, Kinkajous are plentiful atop the trees across from the research center. You will need a strong flashlight to see the shine of their eyes.
Blue Creek offers hiking in the rainforest, exploration of the popular Hokeb Ha Cave and a Canopy Walk.
Blue Creek Canyon from Santa Cruz Village

Use the links below to visit the other villages
San Antonio
Laguna
San Miguel
San Pedro Columbia
Santa Cruz/Santa Elena
Pueblo Viejo
San Jose
Barranco
Blue Creek <- Punta Gorda
Monkey River
> Maya Villages < HOME - Location/Map - History&Culture - Economy - Towns&Villages - Places to See - Things to DoServices - Transportation - Multimedia - Travel Tips - Site Map - About this Site - Contact Us
For information about other destinations in Belize visit the award winning website Belize by Naturalight

Punta Gorda Trip

Hi to all, I have received some requests regarding the PG trip. The dates are July 8th thru 10th. Dates are somewhat flexible on the return. Anyone who wishes to stay longer can fly back from PG. Every Wednesday there is a "street market" with local wares. "Belizean Mark" :) will show us around the various sites. I am working with him now to get a final cost. He has a 15 passenger van that he would be willing to drive down and show us the area (pick up would be at international) Right now I have 5 people (not including your group Carl). There are two lodge options, one in the forest (Blue Creek Lodge) "rustic" the other is Sea Front Inn (both online). Please confirm your interest and I will go forward with the necessary arrangements. I will send some websites for your review as well (if I can figure out how to do this on the blog).....see you all soon....Gloria

Sunday, March 16, 2008

USA Today Article

I returned home from my recent visit to Coco Beach to find a great article on Belize in the Friday, March 14, 2008 USA Today. It is the Cover story (The devil in the deep blue sea) in the Life Section D Destinations & Diversions. Those of you in the States can still pick up a copy on the news stands and those of you still in residence in paradise can pull it up on USA Today's Web Site. A lot of reference to familiar names, places and history of Belize. The story line references the natural beauty of Belize and the perils of it's increasing popularity and global warming.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Blog

Cullen, great job! This would have taken me months to figure out. I will be in Belize June 30th thru July 15th. Maybe we can all get together and have a 4th of July beach party? Let me know your thoughts. I am planning on a P.G. trip the week of July 7th for a couple of days. Right now we have at least 10 if not more who want to go. We could rent vans. Mark (Belizean Shores) said he would show us around town.

I miss Coco Beach! I look forward to the pool being completed. When all is done it will look beautiful. As my Belizean friend said "it's the gem of the island" :)) see everyone soon!

Gloria

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Lobsterfest 2008

The San Pedro Business Association is already hard at work planning bigger and better things for Lobsterfest 2008. The festivities will start on Saturday June 14th, 2008 and run until June 19th. Along the way expect Beach BBQ's, Largest Catch competitions, Sunset Cruises, a Lobster King and Queen Pageant, Live Music, Cocktail and Lobster recipe competitions and much much more. Be sure to keep an eye on this page for further news, or visit sanpedrolobsterfest.com for more details, to suggest events and/or activities or to get involved.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Joining the blog

I have sent an email to all the owners for which I have addressses asking them to join us. Gloria's came back as undeliverable. Does anyone have her email? Anyone else's email address would be appreciated as well.