Aug 21st 10 Posted in Ambergris Caye Stories. 0 Comments

Condoning Illegal Croc Feeding Sends the Wrong Message

San Pedro Sun | Less than a month ago the American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES) team from Punta Gorda traveled to Ambergris Caye at the request of the Belize Forest Department (BFD) to remove two problematic American Crocodiles from the WASA Lagoon south of San Pedro Town. Why did the BFD consider these animals problematic and potentially dangerous? For years locals have been illegally feeding them as a tourist attraction.

Once these animals learn to associate man with dinner it is just a matter of time before someone will get hurt, or even killed. According to Belize law it is a CRIME to feed the crocodiles. Under Chapter 220 of the laws of Belize Wildlife Protection Act molesting (including feeding) wildlife is punishable by a $1,000 fine and/or six months in prison. This should be cause enough to deter people from partaking in this practice, and even though ACES and the BFD have campaigned tirelessly through this paper and other media sources on the many reasons why this practice should come to an end it falls on deaf ears.

Just last Saturday a huge crowd gathered at the WASA Lagoon to watch local guys draw in crocodiles with baited ropes to tease the animals while they entertained the audience of tourists and residents alike. At least five crocodiles from large (approximately 10 feet) to small participated in the feeding frenzy while reconfirming in their primitive brains, “MAN EQUALS FOOD”. Although this ongoing practice seems to be a mainstay on the island there are a few factors here that are beyond acceptable. (more…)

Aug 20th 10 Posted in Ambergris Caye Stories. 0 Comments

BATSUB cancels civil emergency medical air service

San Pedro Sun | When you live on an island with limited medical facilities, it is imperative for its residents to know what to do in times of a medical emergency. So when The Sun found out that the British Army Training Support Unit of Belize (BATSUB) cancelled civil emergency evacuations for the entire country including the islands of San Pedro and Caye Caulker, it was enough reason to find out more. A call was placed to BATSUB and their Press Officer Major Sean Ryan confirmed that indeed emergency medical air service has been cancelled.

Major Ryan explained that several conditions contributed to BATSUB’s discontinuing their services. Ryan stated that with the unavailability of pilots and having to overhaul their choppers, they had no other option but to cancel the air medical service. He could not state for how long such services would be unavailable, but he did mention that even after the choppers are overhauled, BATSUB still will have a shortage of available pilots and will be unable to offer the service on a 24 hour basis. So what does this mean for the over 12 thousand plus residents on Ambergris Caye? Doctor Javier Zuniga stated that it spells “serious problems.” (more…)

Aug 19th 10 Posted in Ambergris Caye Stories. 0 Comments

BATSUB Discontinues Emergency Services in San Pedro

LoveFM | Residents of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye have expressed concerns following reports that they will have to find an alternative method to get patients off the island during an emergency.

“When you live on an island with limited medical facilities, it is imperative for its residents to know what to do in times of a medical emergency. For the island residents who have faced a night medical emergency in the past, they were normally transported via the British Army Training Support Unit of Belize (BATSUB). But Love News learnt on Tuesday that BATSUB had cancelled civil emergency evacuations for the entire country including the islands of San Pedro and Caye Caulker.

BATSUB Press Officer Major Sean Ryan confirmed that indeed emergency air evacuation has been cancelled. Major Ryan explained that several conditions contributed to BATSUB’s pulling off their emergency air evacuation. Ryan stated that with the unavailability of pilots and having to overhaul their choppers, they had no other option but to cancel the emergency evacuation. He could not state for how long such services would be cancelled, but even after the choppers are overhauled, BATSUB still will have a shortage of available pilots and
will be unable to offer the service on a 24 hour basis. (more…)

Aug 16th 10 Posted in Ambergris Caye Stories. 0 Comments

Swimming and Drumming Lessons for Kids

San Pedro Sun | Summer stretches seemingly endlessly for children on the island. With no homework, hardly any chores to do, the vast sea calls them to spend as much time in the water as possible. But what about those who can’t swim, and can’t afford summer camp or lessons? Well, Reverend Julie Bradley and her team of about 10 volunteers from Los Angeles have been giving a bit of swimming lessons to local children at The Tides Hotel pool, and on Thursday, the fast learners had a fun trip to Hol Chan, to enjoy what their island offers…

Later that evening, they had Drum Circle, where kids and volunteers alike got to enjoy the primitive beats of the local Garifuna drums…kudos to the volunteers!!

Aug 16th 10 Posted in Ambergris Caye Stories. 3 Comments

How to Retire Comfortably for Under $1,500 a Month

Yahoo | Retirees in Belize are finding many interesting and sometimes lucrative ways to fill their days. Lara Lennon moved to Belize from Philadelphia in 2006 and developed a luxury swimwear line, Lemon Crush Belize. “Sitting on a friend’s porch in San Pedro chatting about this and that in our tropical lives, I realized something: There existed nowhere in Belize a place to shop for dress bathing suits, the kind glamorous enough for a beach wedding or special enough for a honeymoon,” Lennon says.

Lara’s swimwear is now featured in luxury boutiques in Belize and internationally. Starting a business takes drive and determination, Lara admits, but she has found the experience in Belize rewarding. “Best of all, I’m right where I want to be–with my friends on a Caribbean island, enjoying life,” Lennon says. “Only now in better bathing suits.”

Jason and Elizabeth Pearce moved from Canada to Belize three years ago. They bought a piece of property on the sea. A year later, they built a house. Today, they live in a beautiful Santa Fe adobe-style home with gardens all around.

The pair lives very comfortably, without wants or financial worries. They’ve had no trouble making friends in their new community because the folks in Belize speak English. They eat out three or four times a week. They barbecue lobster and filet mignon at home. They have reliable Internet to keep them connected to the outside world. By choice, they do not have a television. “I used to think that the news was important,” Jason explains. “But not anymore.” The retired couple has a maid and a gardener, each of whom visit once a week. (more…)

Aug 14th 10 Posted in Ambergris Caye Stories. 0 Comments

Ministry of Education Summer Camp

Ambergris Today | August 13, 2010 The Ministry of Education gathered a bunch of kids for their last day of summer camp at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium. The one week summer camp featured activities such as reading, coloring and skits. Mr. Chris Emmanuel was the guest speaker of the morning, enlightening the kids by reading to them a great story.

The children were also introduced to all sponsors which are Grand Belizean Estates, Scotia Bank, BTB, Hon. Manuel Heredia and many more. They were given T-shirts which stated their slogan “Learn to Read, Read to Learn” and also school gift packages for their hard work and dedication to the summer camp. Hats off to the organizers, sponsors, guest speakers and volunteers for a great success towards kids on the island.

Aug 13th 10 Posted in Ambergris Caye Stories. 0 Comments

Immigration and Customs offices under scrutiny

Tourists’ questions prompt investigation

San Pedro Sun | On Tuesday August 3rd, 2010, The San Pedro Sun was contacted by Mr. Peter Lawrence of Pedro’s Inn with concerns that two of his guests, Mr. Matti Ruben and Ms. Linda Bade might be victims of a possible scam being perpetrated by Government Officials from the local Immigration Department and Customs Office.

Mr. Lawrence informed us that two of his guests, upon checking in, inquired whether it was normal for tourists visiting the country to be charged a $120.00 fee to enter the country. Mr. Lawrence further stated that he made several calls to the Immigration Department and other relevant authorities, upon which he discovered that the charges were fraudulent and should not have occurred.

In an interview with Mr. Matti and Ms. Bade, the couple explained that they chartered a boat in Xcalak, Mexico to go to San Pedro, Belize. When they arrived in San Pedro, their captain immediately took them to the Immigration Office. The door to the Immigration Office was closed, so the captain went into the Customs Office, which was not closed. Apparently a lady (which later appeared to be the Immigration Officer on duty) came and said that they are closed but she will open the office for them. They considered it a friendly gesture and went into the Immigration Office. The lady (alone in the office) took their passports and asked where they were traveling from. She then demanded $40USD from them as a “boarding fee”.

The couple went on to explain that they did not have any US currency and that the officer would not accept Pesos. She told them that the Belize equivalence was $80. Before going to the ATM to withdraw money, they asked how much Belize dollars they would need for the whole immigration and customs process were told that apart from the $80BZ for immigration, they would have to pay the same amount next door at the Customs Office. After paying the money at the Immigration Office, the couple stated that they requested a receipt and were told it was not necessary and were not given one. (more…)

Aug 13th 10 Posted in Ambergris Caye Stories. 1 Comment

Travel And Leisure Magazine Awards 2010

Ambergris Today | For 15 years, Travel and Leisure (T+L) readers have cast their votes for the top hotels, destinations, airlines, cruises, outfitters, and transportation companies in the world. In 2010, T+L’s new and improved poll yielded a record number of votes, proof that T+L readers have an even more powerful voice as they determine the travel experiences that matter now.

Congratulations are in order for Belize’s Ambergris Caye. Thousands of Travel + Leisure magazine readers recently voted to include the destination on the publication’s “World’s Best Awards List”. Ambergris Caye was voted as the second best places to vacation in the Mexico and Latin America region.

Victoria House came in fourth place for among top ten hotels in Central & South America for The World’s Best Service 2010. Blancaneaux Lodge in San Ignacio came in ninth and Turtle Inn in Placencia came in tenth place.

For the Top Ten resorts in Central and South America, Blancaneaux Lodge in San Ignacio took the top spot as the number one resort and Turtle Inn in Placencia took the seventh place.

Travel and Leisure’s World’s Best Award List ranks the top hotels, destinations, airlines, outfitters and transportation companies around the world. Congratulations to All!

Aug 12th 10 Posted in Ambergris Caye Stories. 0 Comments

Burglers Trash San Pedro Roman Catholic School

LoveFM | Who and what is there to steal from inside a school you would say? That is the similar question that officials at the San Pedro Roman Catholic School (SPRCS) are trying to answer after they discovered that the school was burglarized and vandalized. It is the second time since the summer vacation started. The discovery was made on Tuesday August 10th, after a parent alerted the school principal that someone was selling items allegedly stolen from a school. The intruders gained access to inside the building and stole a number of valuable items and cause a complete mess inside three class rooms, the staff room and the principal’s office. School Principal Roxanne Kay, told Love News that the last time she visited the school was two weeks ago and for the most part, things seems normal.

Roxanne Kay; Principal, San Pedro Roman Catholic School

“I got a call from a parent who asked me if I am sure that my school was not vandalized today. I called one of my vice principals to come and check. We came in here and we found out that it was vandalized and it seems that they came in through about four or three classes.”

The intruder or intruders broke windows, stamped and tore down doors, broke open a hole in one of the concrete wall, defecated all over the building and over boxes of text books, destroyed and turned over text books and scattered every possible thing in their sight. Principal Kay said that much of the problem faced by the school has to do with people using the 5-A-Side field within the school compound. (more…)

Aug 12th 10 Posted in Ambergris Caye Stories. 0 Comments

An American Aground

7 News Belize | Two persons, 46 year old American Kirk Daughtry and 26 year old Mexican Enrique Alvarez were charged with contravening the conditions under which a visitor’s permit were granted when they appeared today in the Number 3 magistrate’s court.

They pleaded guilty to the charge and Magistrate Kathleen Lewis fined each of them One Thousand dollars and ordered them to pay forthwith, which they did.

Daughtry and Alvarez entered Belize on Daughtry’s Yacht, the Oddessey, on June 22nd, via San Pedro. They were given until the following day, June 23rd to leave the country but were unable to since Daughtry’s troubles were not over with Belizean law Enforcement authorities.

His yacht ran aground at Drowned Caye and he was facing more court charges by the Belize Port Authority.

Daughtry appeared in the number 7 Magistrate’s court and was arraigned on charges of failure to report a maritime incident, failure to take on a licensed pilot and failure to allow a Port Authority official on board.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on a bail of Five thousand dollars for which the surety was a Belizean. He is to return to court on September 13th. According to a Port Authority official the incident is still being investigated and the damage has not yet been assessed.