Over-drive

Now that school is about close for summer and students are overwhelmed with end of semester projects and exams, they will need a break after all this. So like me and a couple other students will be headed straight for Traveller's One Barrel Bar, on the Norhtern Highway, to attempt to recover from the damage done by the last hectic weeks of school.
Here you can find a comfortable atmosphere, great music (well once you put in music from the jukebox), and good service. Its a great place to go when your trying to relax or hang out with friends. Oh yeah it can also be an educational trip cause there is a museum on the same compound.

Cashew Fest

This year the 18th Annual Cashew Fest will be held on Mam 6th to 8th at of course Crooked Tree Village. This event showcases the products that villagers have made using the fruit. Products such as wine, Jams, cakes, and roasted cashew nuts will be available at the event along with other products like carving and beaded jewelry made by the villagers. So support the local businesses and visit the Cashew Fest.

Tropicana Lounge

For the people who are always looking for a relaxing place to take a drink after work, Tropicana Lounge has made each day of the week worth looking forward to during the month of May. Everyday from 5 p.m. to 7p.m. they have great offers on drinks.

Sure Sign of a Good Time

Since its grand opening, the Riverside Tavern has become a popular spot to visit for people of all ages. They have delicious food and the atmosphere is calm and relaxing. The bar also makes this establishment quite popular,especially since its owner also own the brewing factor that make Belikin Beer. Occasionally they host events in the night time like Halloween Costume Party or New Years party.  

Back to Our Roots

A trip to the Old Belize Museum will surely take you back a couple of decades. This museum is different than any other in the country because it contain replicas of different scenes in the past.

This first replica is of the streets in the Old capital, Belize City. Even the small details of the Colonial Houses have been included in this showcase.

This is the sugar mill.

This is a traditional Garifuna house.

These are just a few of the replicas at the Old Belize Museum, there are so much more there and its a excellent educational trip.

Agricultural Show

The National Agricultural and Trade Show will be held on April 29th to May 1st. This year's theme is "Agriculture Securing the Future for a Better Belize". Petting Zoo, Rodeo, Livestock display and plenty of great deals on phones and other items all come to mind when we think about Agricultural Show.

End of the Holiday

As the long Easter Holiday draws to an end most people spend Easter Monday relaxing in order to go back to work on tuesday while others head to Burrel Boom to watch the horse race. I never even knew such a thing happened in Belize and was skeptical about it until I wen tto my firt one. For some people just watching the race is enough especially since it these huge beautifull creatures, while some prefer to bet on the races.

Belizean Tradition

Just like the Ruta Maya is a Belizean tradition so is the annual Holy Saturday Race. These riders train year round up and down the highways of Belize preparing for this event, finally its time for them to show case their skills. Its the 83rd Annual Holy Sturday Cross Country Classic. The race begins in San Ignacio Cayo at 6 a.m. and heads to Belize City. Now the only question is who will win? Will a fellow Belizean rider claim the prize for his country or will a visiting forgeiner take the win?

Hidden Beauty

Few people have ever visit the small village of Sarteneja in the Corozal district. What once started out as a small fisherman village, is now becoming a very popular vacation spot with many new businesses openning and the number of visitors on the rise. Every Easter weekend they host events to the residents but each year the events just keep getting better.

There is so much for the entire family to do. There will be a football marathon for the youths and sports fans, swimming race, canoe race, bikini contest, and for the older people a dance on the night of the 23rd. This is a great oppurtunity for family vacation.

No plans for the Easter?

Easter a two week holiday for students, what better way to enjoy this holiday than a concert. On April 23rd in Punta Gorga, two well known Jamaican artist Tami Chynn and Wayne Marshall will hit the stage inside PG Sport Complex. This is an event for Dancehall and Reggae fans.

Time to be Grateful

In a previous post i mentioned the town of Benque Viejo Del Carmen, well this is a place full of traditions and local practices. One such tradition is the Annual Procession. In this Procession, by the Catholic Church they re-nact the the Cruxifiction of Jesus every Good Friday. And these people go all out for this processon and all memers of the community assist. During the day they design the streets through which the procession will pass with saw dust making different symbols of the church and the celebration. The man who plays the role of Jesus really carries a cross through the streets of the town and all participants are fully dressed in character. This will literally take you back in time, and what amazes me the most is that each year the procession seems to get better and ever bigger.

This is one of the designs made from sawdust. Member of the community come out and assist in making these designs the morning of the procession.

They actually act out the whole stations of the cross. As you can see all the participants are dressed to play their part. This event seems so realistic because they actually whip the person playing the role of Jesus.

Finally the procession ends at the Catholic church for the final scene where Jesus is cruxified.

Easter Fun

As it is already Placencia is a great place to visit, now there is a even greater reason to do so, this easter weekend is full of great events. From April 22nd to the 23rd Placencia will be hosting an event called Island Invasion. There will be many activities, and plenty of D.j.'s passing through and of course Dancehall artist from Jamaica Darrio will be performing.

Road Trip!!!!

Once your in the Cayo district for the weekend, one of the main places you should visit is Benque Rock. Of course this club is located in the town of Benque right at the border with Guatemala. During the day there isn't much to do but once the sun goes down people line up to enter Benque Rock. Its guaranteed that you will have the time of your life. They have special guest D.J.'s and from time to time exotic dancers and dance contests amongst other activities. Also they cater to all different tastes in music.

Mardi Gras Night

After the SJCJC pageant be sure to save your tickets from the pageant and go down stairs to Club Next for the after bash, Mardi Gras Style. Its saturday night after the pageant. Like I said be sure to save your ticket to get a discount off the entrance fee for Club Next. Free shot of Patron for the Ladies, and guest appearances by some of Belize's most popular d.j.'s throughout the night. Come out and party with the students of SJCJC.

Mr & Ms SJCJC

Yup its that time of the year again, time to crown a new Mr & Ms SJCJC. On April 9th at the Princess Hotel, talented students will be competing to claim the title for 2011-2012. Its sure to be good night out and a great oppurtunity to support your school, after all we need the support. The pageant is exciting and it gives students a chance to express themselves through different mediums other than academics. Our students surely are talented, so come out on cheer on your favorite contestant.

Palm Island Night Club

A perfect way to end a tiresome week is at Palm Island Night Club for "FRENCH KISS".  By attending this event you are guaranteeded to have a good time. This popular event is hosted by some of Belize's best D.J.'s such as TAGG International, and Belizean Movements. The cost? Well this event isn't expensive infact Ladies enter the club free before 12:30.

Guanacaste National Park

Guanacaste National Park is located at the entrance of Belmopan City. This 50 acre protected area is managed by Belize Audobon Society.

The park is named after the huge Guanacaste tree.

This protected area preserves the home of many plants and animals of Belize which you could see up close in a natural setting once you visit the park.

Also there is a great swimming area in the river that runs through the park.

"The Feel of A Lost Island"

Anyone who has every visit the Corozal Bay Inn is sure to agree that they feel like they are on a lost island. The set up of the hotel gives one a feeling of being at one of the cayes but with less people and more tranquility. This hotel has only ten small cabana rooms on the beach front of their hotel,along with a swimming pool, restaurant and bar this hotel accomodates to a customer's every need. Its location along the coast of Corozal provides a scenic view at all hours of the day.

Appreciating Diversity......

Belize is know for its various diverse cultures. Each year in November we celebrate the Garifuna cilture, well as of recently a day have been dedicated to the East INdian culture. On March 27th, its the second annual East Indian Fest. There will be cultural dishes on sale, games, cultural presentations and many display booths. Celebrate Belize's diversity by attending the fest and support the East Indian community.

Strange but Interesting

Every Wednesday night a crowd off people gather at the Spin Drift Pier Lounge to play "Chicken Drop", this is a big dealon the Island of San Pedro. Through out the evening people bet on numbers inside a chicken pen. Well basically sometime after Happy Hour which ends at 6, a chicken is fed fresh coconut and half cooked bacon. Then someone is choosen to shake the chicken like a pair of dice and blow on its butt (for good luck) and what ever number the "dropings" fall on is the winner...  The winner of corse gets a cash prize and the honour of cleaning the mess.

Not my kind of game but its quite popular.

Party Time!!

On March 26th Shyne is having his album release party, which was recently relocated to the MCC Grounds. Belizean artists like Tanya Carter along with 3 Jamaican artist: Barrington Levy, Black Rhyno, and Chino. There is a rumored two guest appearance from two platnum R&B and Hip Hop artist....this seems far fetched, other than that the concert sounds quite tempting.

The Garden City

Belmopan has become the center of business activity over the years. The U.S. Embassy has relocated to Belmopan and Belmopan is the center of government activity.

Other than that Belmopan is also popular for its night, this includes places like La Cabana and Barrio Fino. Guanacaste National Park and the Belize Zoo are both located rite outside of Belmopan.

Up for a memorable experience?

One on my most memorable childhood experience was a trip to the Mountain Pine Ridge, I can't recall whether it was a family trip or a school trip but what I saw remain tattooed in my memory.
Well the Mountain Pine Ridge is located in the Cayo District just off the Cristo Rey road outside of Santa Elena. Its kinda a long trip but once you're there its worth it. The Mountain Pine Ridge is known for the Hidden Valley Fall also known as the Thousand Foot Falls. The waterfall is actually 1,600 ft. high, there are also numerous smaller waterfalls and streams emptying into little pools. It is a beautiful sight. Once you've seen this you'll agree that Belize is certainly blessed with so much beauty.

This is a picture of the Thousand Foot Falls.

A small waterfall

Rio Frio pools

Fun in the Sun

Caye Caulker, "La Isla Carinosa" is known for is tranquility and water sport activities. Caye Caulker is a great place to go to relax, but once your arrive thats the last thing you will want to do. There are so many activities to fill your day of non-stop fun.

Don't Forget the Tacos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 One of the best places to visit in Belize is Orange Walk town also known as "SUGA CITY". In Orange Walk there is so much to see and do, they have the most courteous residents.  

Spend the day shopping in town, site seeing, or even admiring the beauty that is Orange Walk.

The other thing Orange Walk is known for is the best tacos you will find in the country. A trip to Orange Walk just for tacos is worth it!!!!!

Up for the Challenge?

Every year in the month of March the grueling La Ruta Maya Canoe race takes place. This race takes course over a four day period where by competitors paddle 170 miles along the rivers of Belize. The race start in San Ignacio on Friday March 4th and is schedule to arrive in Belize City on March 7th. The winners of this race is awarded a cash prize, there are also station prizes along the way for all competitors.

Kite Flying

Kite flying is extremely popular around this time of the year. This year Bowen and Bowen will be hosting a kite flying contest on Marine Parade on March 6th.

This is an event for people of all ages.

A trip to the Ancient Mayan World

Few Belizeans take time to be tourists in their own country....well visiting the magnificent Maya Ruin of Xunantunich would be a memorable experience. People from all over the world to visit these sites and we Belizeans don't even take time out to appreciate the great treasures we have. Xunantunich is located in the Cayo district across from the village of San Jose Succotz. Althought the ruin itself is located a mile uphill it is a breath taking and memorable sight.

The last picture shows the view from the top of Xunantunich.