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Belize Tourism Board invites local media on tour in Southern Belize

HighlightsBelize Tourism Board invites local media on tour in Southern Belize

“Belize, Mother Nature’s best kept secret”…Until now, because I am telling everyone!!!

The Belize Tourism Board has oftentimes invited travel agents to visit our different tourism destinations in order to promote them on their website to international viewers, or sell as packages to sun, fun and relaxation-hungry visitors from North America.

But from Thursday, July 18, to Sunday, July 21, that tour was offered to local media personnel in an effort to promote these destinations to Belizeans.

The BTB’s motto is “Discover How to Be”, but it used to be “Belize, Mother Nature’s best kept secret!” Well, it won’t be a secret for much longer because I am telling everyone about my experience.

As mentioned above, the tour started on Thursday, but myself, along with Duane Moody from Channel 5, his cameraman, Harland, and a representative from BTB, Alex, flew out at 8:00 Friday morning on a Tropic Air flight for Placencia.

It was a short flight from the airstrip to Placencia, but the views were spectacular, to say the least. We landed and were immediately taken to Dawn’s Restaurant where the other media personnel had already gathered, and were greeted by Ms. Jolie Pollard, the Executive Director of the Placencia Chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association.

We were given a brief history of the village and Pollard told us that the Placencia peninsula sets itself apart because of its “rootsie” vibe. She also gave us her take on the much debated cruise tourism topic in which she compared it to the overnight tours. She said that while the overnight tours have a fair balance where creating jobs are concerned, the day cruises offer only menial jobs for the village. She finished off by saying that the overnight industry had gotten us to where we are… “Placencia Peninsula is a gem!”, she said.

After the very enlightening history lesson, we were off to the Splash Dive Center where the group was divided into two groups – one for fishing and the other for snorkeling. Guess which one I chose? Yes, snorkeling! And I don’t even know how to swim; can you believe it?

After being fitted for our fins and masks, we jetted off to our boat, Princess Ailsa, along with our guides Andrea, Kenley and Cpt. Hank (I call him Rico), and we were taken to the breathtakingly beautiful island called Silk Caye.

Since I don’t know how to swim, I was left with Andrea to give me a short lesson in snorkeling. It took me only two tries and I was like a fish in water (being supported on the surface by my trusted life jacket, of course) and was snorkeling in the shallow area while Duane Moody was being taught.

Andrea then held my hand and took me around the caye to see the sites. And what beautiful sites they were! Brain corals; sea fans; multi-colored fish swimming in large schools; blue thang fish; large red snappers swimming just a few feet from the shore; tiger tail sea cucumber; and sharks! Yes, lemon sharks and nurse sharks.

The other group joined us on the caye for a superb lunch of barbecue chicken, scalloped potatoes, coleslaw and baked beans. After that hearty lunch, we headed just a few miles away and were gifted with a surprise snorkel session…with sting rays and large turtles the size of tables.

We were richly rewarded after our physically challenging day, as we were hosted at the Laru Beya (which means, when translated “On the beach”) Resort right there in Placencia, which is a Belizean- owned and operated Condo Resort with 14 condos. The general manager of Laru Beya, Rene Nunez, when speaking of Lary Beya told us “If paradise had an address, it’s located at Laru Beya”, and quite honestly, I would have to agree with him.

The condos are designed with relaxation in mind, offering both garden and beachfront views, with an infinity pool, a beautifully landscaped garden, and a restaurant which opens for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

But sweet slumber was not to be, not yet at least, because we were to have dinner at Maya Beach Bistro, where we were treated like a family as we dined on their very creative entree of cacao pork and imbibed Berried Treasure.

After unwinding on chocolate soufflé, key lime pie and peanut brittle ice cream pie, we journeyed back to Laru Beya and since I was being courted by sleep, I gave in to its advances and drifted off to sleep in my very comfortable bed.

Breakfast Saturday morning was hosted at the Laru Beya Restaurant and after getting our fill of journey cakes, refried beans and orange juice we checked out and were off to Hopkins.

There, we were guests at Belizean Dreams Resort, where beauty was dispensed in a double dose. The beach, the infinity pool, the garden, the rooms…everything there was just an unbelievable example of the beauty that is Belize.

Dinner was hosted by the Jaguar Reef Lodge, which is just a short walk down the beach from Belizean Dreams.

Jaguar Reef Lodge has been in operation for 20 years and was the first resort to open in Hopkins. Almond Beach is also a branch of Jaguar Reef Lodge and although the Spa at Jaguar Reef Lodge has been opened for six years now, they are now offering a chocolate massage. Yes, chocolate massage…especially for the lovers. (Hint, hint)

Sunday morning saw us checking out of Belizean Dreams after an impressive Belizean breakfast of refried beans, scrambled eggs, hashed fish and fry jacks. From there we drove up to the Sleeping Giant Lodge, another branch of Jaguar Reef Lodge. Can you guess how the Sleeping Giant Lodge got its name? Can it be that the “Sleeping Giant” can be seen from almost anywhere on the grounds? Of course!

Sleeping Giant Lodge has been in operation going on two years and has gotten Trip Advisory’s best reviews for the Belmopan area. After a sad departure from there, we visited Jaguar Paw where Chukka Tours offered the group zip-lining and cave-tubing tours.

Lunch at Chukka marked the end of our tour, but the experience will last a lifetime!

If ever you have vacation time coming up and you are struggling to decide which US city to visit, change your plans and visit Southern Belize. Make sure to visit Tuttifrutti Gelateria for some of their smooth and creamy gelato in flavors such as caramel, coconut, banana and a limey and refreshing Lighthouse gelato.

Jaguar Reef Lodge and the Sleeping Giant Lodge both offer prices to cater to the Belizean clientele and the stays include meals and drinks. I list these places as a “must go” if you are looking for a great experience.

Laru Beya is definitely a paradise and they also make accommodations for Belizeans, so be sure to make your next vacation, a Belizean vacation!

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