Belize Budget Suites - Blog - 2 Boys in Belize

Graduation Time in Belize

Sun, 17 Jul 2022 20:20:03 GMT

Today (July 16, 2022) we have a "Baby Bear" graduating pre-school. He is looking dapper as ever, and beaming from ear to ear.

This year was truly an accomplishment. Romen has grown in so many ways and we have seen him hit so many milestones along the way. One of the things that was most impressive, was to see him count from 0 to over 100. This year we got to do many things together. We enjoyed sports day, career day, baking together, and most recently (a trip to the mainland), to go to the zoo, horseback riding and to experience cave tubing.

Romen embarks now on a journey to the United States to see his great-grandparents, do a little clothes shopping and will soon return to start his next year in a brand new school.

Pre-School - Class of 2021-2022

Special thanks to Teacher Marina, we truly have been so impressed. We remember our first day of school together (August of 2021), and here we are now our last day of school (July 16, 2022). A special thanks to all the teachers for helping Romen this past year. The family truly did appreciate all the perseverance, patience, kindness, hugs & kisses.

Ceremony Highlights

Pre-School Graduation

"Baby Bear Romen"

Graduation Dinner

A year ago, we were celebrating Marcy's graduation from junior college. Now a year later, we are celebrating Romen's graduation from pre-school. Each year brings new adventures and new hurdles. We have been through so much together, and yet one thing remains consistent, our love for one another. We are excited to see what the 2022-2023 school year will bring, and hopefully this time next year, we will be celebrating another successful year of accomplishments.

Congratulations Romen

Know your family loves & supports you. We are so proud of you and graduating pre-school is such an accomplishment. Teacher Marina says she will miss you, and we know that you will embark on a new journey come September.

"My Handsomness"

Say Cheese Romen!

Romen likes to show us how fast he can run. Of course you will never capture that on camera. I told him, "We just blink and you have disappeared".

As Always, We Miss You Jaymin

Cave Exploring With Kids

Sat, 02 Jul 2022 21:26:14 GMT

Exploring Footprint Cave

After visiting the zoo, we needed to find a place to stay (close by) for the night. Additionally, something also to keep us busy on our "weekend getaway with Romen". Since we were close to the Hummingbird Highway (a beautiful stretch of road by-the-way), we decided to jot down the highway and see if Cave Branch had any rooms available. Sure enough we were able to get a small inexpensive bungalo and take Romen cave tubing the following morning.

Hummingbird Highway

Belize Zoo to Cave Branch

Cave Branch Lodge

We opted for a small bungalow to keep our cost down, but Cave Branch upgraded us to a treehouse room, to help make our experience more enjoyable. WOW!

Romen is definitely enjoying himself

The room was perfect for the (4) of us.

Dinner at the Lodge

Choice of fish or chicken.

Tiki torches & the Company just perfect.

Romen the Cave Explorer

The following morning Romen knew he was going cave tubing, but I don't think he knew exactly what that meant. He woke up in his chiper self, and said he was ready to have his adventure for the day. We ate breakfast at the lodge (7:00am) and by 8:45am we were loading ourselves into an old bus and heading down Hummingbird Highway.

The bus ride took about 15-20 minutes, we crossed some orange tree farms and then parked. We emptied the bus, and got into a tractor full of inner tubes and took a short drive where we would hike to the rivers edge. At the river, we got into our inner tubes and gently paddled to the cave entrance. Today we are going to explore the "Footprint Cave".

Footprint Cave

Actun Chek Cave

Actun Chek in Maya means footprint. This was a significance site in the 1st millennium AD, as the Maya Empire flourished and then began to decline. Altars and firepits found inside the cave, indicate that this was a place where offerings were made to appease the fertility gods.

This is one of the more famous cave found in the area. Footprint Cave gets its name after the calcified footprints found in the deeper section of the cave, along with a number of artifacts and skeletal remains. The cave was looted in 1994, and many artifacts and remains are now gone, but you can still see where there is evidence of ancient fire pits, and shards of Mayan pottery. It was quite an unreal and humbling experience to sit next to a pile of ash that might be over 2,000 years old but still looks warm. The cave itself is stunningly beautiful, cathedral-like, with massive stalactites that shimmer in the light of the headlamp.

Cave Tubing - Footprint Cave

Walking to the River

Exploring the Underworld at Footprint Cave
Because we just started the rainy season, the river running through the cave still had low levels in places. So, we found ourselves regularly hopping in & out of our tubes, walking across gravel. This cave had some amazing rock formations surrounding us.

Caves Branch owns the cave privately, so only the government and employees of Caves Branch can access it. This gives Footprint Cave a level of authenticity and ruggedness that you don't experience while cave tubing in Belize elsewhere.

Entrance to Footprint Cave

The Mayan people revered caves as the entrance to the underworld, or Xibalba (shi-BAL-bah). as they call it. They saw the world as one big universe comprising of a giant tree. The roots were the stalactites found growing beneath the earth's surface in the caves. The tree trunk was the surface of the earth, and the leaves were where the deities lived.

Footprint Cave Tubing - Our guide helped us get into our tubes at the river's edge, we then paddled against the current upstream for aways, until we came to the cave's entrance. We stopped for a short photoshoot, packed our phones, wallets, purses in a dry bag and hopped back into our inner tubes to explore this cave.

Rock Formations

Rock Formations - The critters and Maya artifacts were intriging, but the rock formations in this cave will leave your jaw on the floor. Curtains, stalactites, stalagmites, bacon, and crystalline formations abound and, illuminated by headlamps as you pass by, many of them glitter beautifully. Some are even mildly phosphorescent, as our guides demonstrated by having us turn out our headlamps to see how much light one of the stones retained.

We stopped along the way to learn how to spot signs of running water in the cave and how this influences cave’s formations. Deep inside Footprint Cave, you'll find blades, and evidence of many cermeonial fires and altars.

Cave Wildlife

Cave Bats

Cave Bats - The Cave myotis (Myotis velifer) is a medium-sized bat with brown or black fur on its back and paler fur on its underside. Its ears are short and pointed and its eyes are small. Migration/Hibernation. During the summer these bats can be found roosting in caves in groups of 2,000-5,000 individuals.

Cave Crickets

Female cave cricket Mayagryllus apterus

Cave Crickets - As you walked deeper into the cave, you'll find dozens of long-legged cave crickets Mayagryllus apterus. All species are flightless and nocturnal, usually with long antennae and legs. There is more than 1100 species of cave crickets throughout the world.

Cave Flies

Mayfly - One of the most interesting organism in the cave was a fly. Mayflies belong to the order Ephemeroptera. There is over 3,000 species of mayfly worldwide, grouped into over 400 genera in 42 families.

Cave Silk Strands

Silk strands found on cave ceilings.

Silk Strands - When we shone the light at the low celling of the cave we could see curtains of thin, glistening strands of sticky silk produced by larvae of predaceous fungus gnats of the family Keroplatidae. You can find these strands all over cave ceilings. The strands are covered with droplets of oxalic acid, which trap and kill unlucky insects (such as the mayfly), that brush against them in flight.

Pottery & Ancient Relics

Ancient Maya relics. Obsidian blades, pottery shards, altars, manos and metates, and evidence of fire pits abound on this cave tubing adventure. Our guides let us touch some of the broken pottery artifact fragments (which was really cool), as they weren't considered valuable from a cultural or monetary perspective.

Cave Picnic

This was an amazing experience for Romen. He totally did not expect to get to eat a picnic lunch inside a cave. He grabbed his tortilla and literally couldn't decide which plate to take food from first. Enjoying a picnic together (in total darkness) should have been an erry experience, but with everyone sitting around sharing stories - it was really enjoyable. We each built our own tortilla, with all the fixings, filled out tummies and then got back in our inner tubes to explore more of the cave. The candle light, really made the experience memorable.

After our picnic, we slowly made our way back to the entrance of the cave and floated down the river to the drop off where we started. We walked back to the tractor, which took us to the bus, so we could head back to the lodge.

This ends Romen's great adventure cave exploring in Belize. This weekend both his grandma's (& Mami), wanted to treat him to a series of mainland adventures. It was a great weekend togther. I am often limited as to the things I can do, so we took it at a pace that made it easy for me. I enjoyed the time with Diana and Marcy (very much), especially jamming to 1980's music as we drove down the Hummingbird Highway.

As our cave adventure ended, we hopped into our vehicle and headed back to Belize City, to catch the 5:30pm boat to the island. Little did we know, we were in for another adventure just around the corner, but that my friends is for another blog post. So the question Romen has now is, where are we going next?

As Always........

We Miss You Jaymin

We think about you all the time, and wonder how you are doing, what you are up to. It's hard being apart and not knowing where you are. All our love always.

Horseback Riding Adventure

Sat, 02 Jul 2022 18:12:20 GMT

Rainforest Horseback Riding

Phenominal Experience for Families

When coming to Belize you might say to yourself, "I've already been horseback riding in the States." But ask yourself: Have you been horseback riding in the rainforest? Now I bet you'll get a whole different answer, and a whole different experience.

Romen, you ready for
another adventure?

This is how my Mom & I "Rock & Roll". We have fun together.

Jungle Horseback Riding

Jungle Horseback Riding: One of the best ways to explore the natural beauty of Belize is on horseback. Far from the bustle of roadways and noisy towns, small trails wandering through the pine forests, jungles, and savannas allows horseback riders to get “up-close & personal”, with the wildlife and flora that make Belize one of the most bio-diverse countries on this planet.

Horseback riding will take you off the beaten path, to explore the gorgeous scenery and beauty of Belize at a natural pace. Guided horseback tours are offered daily. One of the most popular horseback riding tours in Belize, is to enjoy your ride while exploring an ancient Mayan ruin site. Horseback riding to the Xunantunich Mayan ruins, is by far the most popular tours requested. Xunantunich is located in the jungle wilderness (on the western edge of Belize), near the border of Guatemala.

Half day tours include horseback riding to any (one of four) Mayan ruin sites. If you’re looking for something a little shorter, perhaps more leisurely (and kid friendly), tours are offered riding around the San Lorenzo Farm.

No previous horseback riding experience is necessary. All tours are family-friendly and are limited to small intimate groups. Dry season (November to May), is the best time of year to do this tour. By riding in the dry season, you avoid many problems due to flash flooding, muddy trails and slippery conditions.

Jungle Horseback Riding

River Bank Tree

This was the most impressive tree I think I've ever seen in Belize. Something you'd expect to see in a movie like Avitar. Romen is pictured at the base of the tree (then if you look up), it's just a huge canopy with hundreds and hundreds of orchids growing from the branches.

My Horseback Riding Adventure

Jungle Horseback Adventure

Jungle Horseback Riding

Exceptional Family Adventure - Guided tours are offered daily. The most popular tour is half day horseback ride to Xunantunich Mayan Ruins, or a shorter, more leisurely horseback riding around the San Lorenzo Farm.
     Most of our horseback rides are suited for beginners and no previous horseback riding experience is necessary. Although, we do offer some advanced horseback rides that do require previous riding experience. During these tours, you will have ample opportunity to trot, canter, and gallop to your hearts content.
     The tour begins by meeting your guide, greeting your horse and preparing to depart. Horseback riding in the jungle is unique, and there are few places in the world where this is offered.
     The ride to Xunantunich includes a well-maintained trail through a large private farm and along the banks of the Mopan River in the village of San Jose Succotz. You will cross the river on an ancient hand-operated ferry, and then ride your horse up to Xunantunich.
     When you arrive, prepare to dismount and let your horse rest while you explore Xunantunich by foot for as long as you desire.
     Afterward, we will ride back to the farm where we will enjoy a delicious lunch of traditional Belizean dishes featuring ingredients grown on our organic farm.
     Horseback Tours - no experience necessary

Xunantunich Mayan Ruins
El Pilar Mayan Ruins
Actun Kan Mayan Ruins
Cahal Pech Mayan Ruins
San Lorenzo Farm Tour

Note: We like to keep our tour groups, small & intimate. This allows us to provide individual attention, and is better suited for the horses.

Romen had the time of his life. In the hours after our visit, he kept asking to get back on that horse. Don't worry Romen, we're going to come back here again soon.

This ends our adventure horseback riding in the jungle. It was a great experience, and a wonderful thing for families to do together. I would encourage anyone who is interested, to consider horseback riding in Belize.

As Always.......

We Miss You Jaymin

You are forever in our minds & hearts.

Belize Zoo Adventure

Sat, 02 Jul 2022 15:09:10 GMT

Every Child Should Visit the Zoo

multiple times during their lifetime, and Belize Zoo is no exception.

ROMEN'S ADVENTURE

Today we are going on a Belize Zoo Adventure. We started our day by stopping at Neri's Tacos for breakfast. We then caught the 6:00am boat ferry from Ambergris Caye to the mainland, arriving 7:30am. All the kids were loaded onto a bus, and off they went - headed for the Belize Zoo.

Traveling today to the Belize Zoo. Here I am with Teacher Marina.

Belize Zoo is about a 40-50
minute drive from the boat terminal

What Can You Expect To See At

As of July 2022, the Belize Zoo has over 200 animals under its care. All animals found at the Belize Zoo are indigenous to Belize.

Reptiles & Amphibians

Reptiles and Amphibians of Belize - The exact number of reptiles and amphibians is unknown as it is often difficult to study these two groups due to their habitats. To date there is approximately 139 species of reptiles and amphibians recorded in Belize, with 62 of those being snakes.

What makes a reptile?
Reptiles are back-boned animals covered with scales. They lay shelled eggs similar to birds, or keep the eggs inside their bodies till they hatch. Reptiles are grouped into turtles, crocodiles, snakes and lizards.

What makes an amphibian?
Amphibians are back-boned animals that have smooth, thin skin and require water to keep their bodies moist. They can be found under rocks, alongside streams, in swamps and marshes; places which are not the most comfortable for humans. This group includes salamanders and frogs.

Reptiles, unlike amphibians, are not restricted to wet habitats because they have scales. Snakes and lizards can be found in any habitat, from the soil and leaf litter of the forest floor, to the upper canopy of the rainforest, and the mangrove forests of the coastline and Cayes of Belize.

Belize Mammals

What makes a mammal?
There are over 40,000 mammals on planet Earth, some live on land and others in water, but they all share certain characteristics. Mammals are a group of animals with vertebrae or backbone, and their bodies are covered with hair. Mammals also produce milk which allows them to nurse their young and spend a lot of time with them as they are growing up. Mammals are endothermic or warm-blooded, which means that they can regulate their own body temperature. This is the group of animals which humans belong to.

Belize has approximately 145 species of mammals living within its boundaries. Mammals exist within all the different habitats of Belize, from the manatee and dolphins of the coastal zone, to the 5 different species of wildcats which live deep within our lush broadleaf forests.

The wild mammals of Belize tend to be very secretive and mostly nocturnal. This makes them extremely difficult to see. They usually see, hear, or smell you long before you know they are near by. Forest dwelling mammals do not stand out in the open for easy viewing, but instead climb through the canopy or scurry over the forest floor well ahead of you. That is one reason the Belize Zoo is such a special place. Here you can see many of the mammals found in Belize's forests.

A visit to The Zoo is the best way to get an introduction to the mammals of Belize, and to understand why it is important to protect the habitats that sustain them. Here at the Zoo you get a chance to get up close and personal with Belize's National Animal, the Central American Tapir. As you walk around the Zoo you will see spider monkeys, white-tailed deer, coatimundis, white-lipped peccaries, and Belize's five wildcat species. You can even give a jaguar a "high five" by doing a Jaguar Encounter.

Belize Birds

How Big is a Harpy Eagle?

They are 3 feet tall, have a wingspan of 6.5 feet, and talons the size of a grizzly bear.

This photo will help you appreciate the immense size of a "Harpy Eagle"

What makes a bird?
Birds are a group of winged, two-legged animals that also have a backbone just like mammals. They are warm blooded like mammals, but do not have hair on their bodies; instead they have feathers. All birds lay eggs and most of them incubate the eggs with their warm, fluffy bodies.

Belize supports over 580 species of birds. This includes both resident and migratory species. Birds thrive in all of Belize's habitats. Wading birds congregate along the coastline and inner lagoons. The grasslands and savannas provide seeds for the many finches, and hunting grounds for keen-eyed soaring raptors. Tall emergent trees provide nesting sites for giant birds such as the Harpy Eagle and Jabiru Stork. In our tropical forests there is an astonishing diversity of birds, such as parrots, toucans, mot mots and others.

Watching birds in the tropical forests of Belize can be difficult at times, but extremely rewarding for birders. The thick vegetation, and the typical behavior of quick, seemingly random movements of many forest birds, make them often difficult to see. Many birds also live in the upper canopy of the forest, making it a strain to be constantly looking upward. Often times we hear but do not get to see them. However, early morning and late afternoon are excellent times to bird watch, as most bird species are feeding or moving to new locations during these times.

The Belize Zoo has always had a strong collection of bird species, from parrots such as scarlet macaws, to vultures and hawks, and wading birds, including the iconic Jabiru Stork. A part from birds in enclosures the habitat around the zoo supports a variety of wild birds, that come and go when they chose to. For another up close experience you can do a Toucan Encounter with "Runt" our ambassador Keel-billed toucan.

16 Years Difference

In 2006 I took the kids on a similar Zoo Adventure. Trent was 9, Christina was 6, Lauren was 1 year old). Each time, it was a wonderful experience. The first picture (2022) is Romen (5 years old) standing in front of a photo of Steve Irwin (& Belize Zoo Founder Sharon Matola). In the next picture (2006), is Trent (9 years old) standing in front of the same photo of Steve Irwin (& Sharon Matola). They've since painted the wall, as you don't see all the graphitti.

Romen - June 2022 (5 years old)

Trent - March 2006 (9 years old)

As Always..........

Missing You Jaymin

Did you see the spider monkey Romen?

Jaymin & Romen - 2017

Asked Marcy if she wanted to go to this same spot (at the Zoo) and take a photo of her & Romen (2022)? "No (she said), it's not the same without Jaymin".

This ends our great adventure at the Belize Zoo. You were in our minds & hearts Jaymin, and we will forever miss you.

Caye Coffee in Belize

Thu, 12 May 2022 17:39:59 GMT

This morning Nani said, "Get dressed Romen, we're going on an adventure." Nani took me to Caye Coffee (located here on the island of Ambergris Caye). Marcy the owner, gave me a tour of the facility and showed me how they roast coffee beans. I learned all about coffee and how the whole process works. Nani enjoyed a coffee beverage before leaving, and I had a kids drink. It was a great morning with my Nani and we look forward to many more adventures together.

Today, I got to help bag coffee at "Caye Coffee".

This is the commercial coffee bean grinder, they use to grind beans. After the beans are roasted and have cooled down, they are placed in this grinder to create ground coffee.

Marcy (the owner), showed me where they store their coffee beans. These beans are kept in a temperature controlled environment, until they are ready to be roasted.

1. Drying Stage - Caye Coffee keeps a careful eye on the condition of their beans and control the environment (i.e. humidity) that affects them. When the beans have dried to the right degree, they will roast them.

Roasting beans take them from their green color, to a nice brown color.

2. Browning Stage - The browning stage is the stage wherein the aromas of the beans will start to develop. This stage follows the drying stage. During the browning process, we see what is called the "Maillard Reaction" taking place. This means the natural sugars and amino acids within the coffee beans start to react and create a distinctive color and flavor characteristic to the coffee bean. During the browning stage, we see what most roasters refer to as the first crack. This means the beans are expanding which brings us to the next stage.

Romen, we take the beans from this green color, and roast them to light & dark roasts for our various coffee brands. The darker the color, the fuller the flavor.
We make three kinds of coffee Romen.

Light Roast (Front Street)
Medium Roast (Middle Street) Mixture of light & dark roast
Dark Roast (Back Street)

3. Roasting Stage - This is the stage where we fully shape the taste profile we are trying to create for Caye Coffee. If we roast too fast, we will create a coffee that tastes smoky and is too sharp, so we take our time. When roasting, we control the humidity and the roasting time to create the perfect roasted bean for our coffee. This roasting stage, leads to the aroma compounds that most people love about our coffee.

Roast Degree - The roast degree is one of the most important factors, to consider when roasting. The color of the bean tells you a lot, when you are deciding when to roast and how long to roast.

Lightly roasted beans can have a sour, acidic taste while dark roasted beans have a more raw, bitter taste.
Lightly roasted beans are also known for a more fruitier taste, while dark roasted beans often have a somewhat burnt taste.

Roast Time - The roast degree has the biggest role when it comes to determining the definitive taste of the bean. This is where experience comes in.

Roast fast and you create more aroma compounds but risk burning the beans.
Roast slow, and you have more control over the flavor development.

As the beans expand, they will harden and as a side effect, they release what is called "chaff". Chaff is another word for the skin of a coffee bean.

4. Cooling Stage - After roasting your beans, you will need to cool them down. That's what this big round bin does Romen. This is an important step, as cooling down your beans helps to stop the roasting process. The beans need to cool for about 4 to 5 minutes to ensure that roasting has stopped.

5. Discharding Waste Stage - Remember we talked about the chaff, which is the skin on the coffee bean? This skin needs to be removed, in order to finish processing your coffee beans.
This machine collects the chaff here in this compartment. Once the beans have cooled properly (and the chaff has been removed), we are ready to cup our beans. Cupping is another word for testing. Before we grind and bag the coffee, we want to make sure we are getting the desired results as to taste.

6. Cupping Stage - Cupping beans is another way of saying you are proofing the roasting results. Cupping relies on the experience and skill of the person tasting the coffee. The process includes sniffing, and tasting to get a clear picture of the taste you’ve created. How cupping is done, is different for each roaster.

7. In Summary - We hope you enjoyed your tour Romen, and learned alot about how to make coffee. Every coffee roaster has their own preferences, methods, product materials, and secrets, they use to achieve that perfect cup. Have Nani bring you back again, and we can bag more coffee together.

This ends my tour on how to make the perfect cup of coffee from BEAN (to) CUP.

We Miss You Jaymin

BELIZEAN CHEESE DIP

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 14:09:12 GMT

Two different versions of "White Queso Cheese Dip", the boys love.

ROMEN'S "WHITE QUESO CHEESE DIP"

2 lbs. white cheese melt (Happy Cow Cheese or Velveeta Queso Blanco)
1 c. milk (you can add up to 1/2 c. additional milk if need)
4 oz. can diced green chilies (+ 2 Tbsp. canned jalapenos, diced if you want it hot)
1 c. onions, diced very small
2 Tbsp. butter
1/8 tsp. cumin
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
Handfull cilantro, finely chopped (more or less to taste)

Romen's White Queso Cheese Dip Directions

Cut a two-pound block of Velveeta queso blanco cheese into cubes.
Puree one 4-ounce can of diced green chilies (w/ 2 Tbsp. canned diced jalapenos if you want it hot.
Put the cheese cubes, pureed peppers, milk, butter, cumin, and pepper into a saucepan.
Melt over medium heat stirring often. Add additional milk to thin the cheese sauce, if desired.
Serve immediately.
If serving at a party, keep warm in a slow cooker set on the lowest setting, stir occasionally.
Store leftovers in the fridge. Reheat in microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in-between.

Note: The boys don't like it too hot, but they know "BIG PEOPLE" do.

BELIZEAN CHEESE DIP
1/2 lbs. green peppers, diced
1 lb. Happy Cow cheese, cubed
1/2 can Mexicana salsa casera
1 can evaporated milk
Hot Sauce (Marie Sharp’s) optional
1/2 habanero (de-seeded) optional
Handful of cilantro, to taste

Belizean Cheese Dip Directions

After you cube and dice the green pepper and cheese, put it in a blender.
Only blend the cheese and pepper slowly to start.
Add the salsa and the evaporated milk, and continue blending.
Add the cilantro and the habanero pepper or hot sauce.
Blend all of the ingredients together until the dip is smooth.
Pour the dip into a bowl, and eat it with fresh or store-bought tortilla chips.

How I Spent My March - In Belize

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 16:37:43 GMT

March is Stimulus Month

March is "Stimulus Month" for Romen at school. Almost everyday, they had something fun & exciting for him to do. Here is a look at the month of March, from a little boys perspective.

February 28, 2022 - Trip to Mainland

Romen went to the mainland to visit family.

March 1, 2022 - My New Room

Mami worked on painting and decorating him a new room.

March 2, 2022 - Plant a Tree Day

Romen planted his first tree with Jose, at Belize Budget Suites.

March 3, 2022 - Healthy Lunch

He learned about healthy eating.

March 4, 2022 - Kite Day

He had kite day with Mami, and decorated his own kite at school.

March 5, 2022 - 303 Belize

We went to "303 Belize" and remembered Jaymin.

March 9, 2022 - Career Day

He baked cookies and went as a "Baker" (aka a chef) for career day.

March 11, 2022 - Karaoke Day

He learned to sing a song in front of his class.

March 14, 2022 - Dentist Day

He learned the proper way to brush his teeth.

March 15, 2022 - Lunch w/ Nani

He had lunch with Nani, on the beach.

March 18, 2022 - Sports Day

He had "Sports Day" & lunch w/ Mami & Nani.

March 21, 2022 - Crazy Shoe Day

He went to school w/ dinosaur feet.

March 24, 2022 - Face Painting Day

March 29, 2022 - Earth Day

All the kids dressed in white shirts to symbolize a clean earth.

Romen's Teachers - We Love You!

March 30, 2022 - 3D Project Day

All the kids brought to school, a 3-D art project.

So far it's been an eventful & exciting month for this little boy. Now Mami & Nani need an ice cold "Cranberry Tea".

Sports Day - In Belize

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 07:00:00 GMT

Today was "Sports Day" at Romen's school.

Sports day is something the schools here (in San Pedro) do once a year. A youth group from the USA, comes to Belize & volunteers their time to do this event with the children. The day presented a variety of activities, from parachute play, pillow sack races, soccer kicking, aerobics, to a quick class in dental hygiene. Romen left with a toothbrush, toothpaste, whistle, apple & a drink.

This was my favorite picture of the entire day.

My grandson looks so happy.

Angler's Restaurant

After "Sports Day", Mami treated us to lunch.

We're waiting for Mami to get to the restaurant,
enjoying a little table fun.

Angler's Restaurant

Anglers Seafood Restaurant caters to both locals & tourists. They strive to bring you homemade Belizean seafood, at affordable prices. This was a great experience.

Angler's Restaurant Menu

Check Out Angler's Restaurant
for Your Next Seafood Lunch

Romen loves seeing all the pictures we take of the things he does. Often after I've taken pictures (he will say), "let me see". I show him, and he says, "That's Romen!"

Marcy always looks for ways to make Romen's day special.
One of the things I love about her.

Thank you Mami, this was a great day together.

Romen's day ended with some good "old fashion" bear hugs from Nani.

We Miss You Jaymin

"CAREER DAY" in Belize

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 16:52:38 GMT

March 9, 2022
Today was "Career Day" at the school here in Belize. All the children were given the task to come up with something they would like to do, as they get older. Today Romen is going as a "Chef", more specifically as a "Baker". Many of you have followed the boys cooking adventures, and look forward to the comical pictures of cooking ciaos. Cooking is a great way to spend time together. mamabearcookbookseries.com

We are not professional chefs, just a grandma having fun with her grandkids.

What Does a Chef Do?

A chef is in charge of the kitchen in restaurants or other places where food is served. They watch all activity and food preparation with any staff that would assist in the kitchen. They supervise the preparation of food for its garnishing and presentation, as well as, the seasonings for a perfect taste. A chef orders food or kitchen supplies and provides cost estimates to the employer. They monitor any staff requirements and production schedules to be sure any services are delivered on time.
A chef or head cook needs to have knowledge of food preparation, production and processing. They need to have knowledge of the customer and personal service in order to achieve customer satisfaction. They need to be current on public safety and security. A chef should be skilled in monitoring, coordinating and effectively speaking to others. They need skills of time management, active listening, judgment and decision making. He or she has the ability to create an idea or new application to enhance job performance among staff or themselves.
A chef would coach and develop other staff in the kitchen to improve their skills. Because a kitchen depends on a cooperative team effort, the chef or head cook would encourage staff to have mutual respect and trust for each other. A chef or head cook can be found working in restaurants, private households, hotels, casinos or other food service places. They work a variety of hours, such as, early morning, late evenings, holidays, and weekends. This occupation is very fast-paced and normally has full-time hours. You should expect strong competition especially at upscale restaurants, casinos, or hotels because of the higher salary paid in these places.

Cooking Makes Me Happy

Together Romen & Mami started his presentation poster. Additionally we got permission from the teachers, to allow Romen to bring freshly baked cookies to school as part of his school project.

Romen's Presentation Poster
for "CAREER DAY".

Romen's presentation included:

Wearing his apron & chef hat.
Preparing a poster board to describe what a baker is and to give other students his cookie recipe.
Bring homemade cookies to school.

Romen's Chocolate Cookies

1-1/4 c. butter, softened
2-1/2 c. white sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
3 c. all-purpose flour
3/4 c. coco powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. Reeses peanut butter chips (or) white chocolate chips (optional)
1/2 c. finely chopped walnuts (optional)

In a small mixing bowl cream butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla together. In a separate bowl, combine flour, coco powder, soda and salt. Add creamed mixture to dry ingredients. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts, if you desire. Put on an un-greased baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Today, Romen is a Baker!

Mami had to work, so Nani went to school to help Romen with his presentation.

It was a treat to be able to help Romen today. His cookies were a big hit!

Career Day - Preschool 2022

We Miss You Jaymin!

PLANT A TREE DAY - In Belize

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 15:10:44 GMT

Tree Planting w/ Kids

Teach Your Children to Appreciate the Earth, by Planting a Tree.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, "One acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen. This is enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people." Trees also add beauty, increase the value of your home, provide cooling shade and offer shelter for wildlife.

Materials You Will Need (for this project) w/ Your Child:

One tree (oak, maple, or any other type of tree or bush)
Shovel
Bucket of water
Measuring tape
Journal
Pen or pencil
Camera (optional)

SELECT YOUR PLANT

STEP ONE - Pick Out a Tree/Bush
Very young trees are usually sold bare-root. Bare-root means that they will look like sticks with a bit of root at one end. They can only be planted when they are dormant. The roots of very young trees must be soaked in a bucket of water for a few hours before planting. Larger trees are usually sold balled-and-burlapped. This means that the roots are enclosed in dirt and wrapped in burlap and twine or wire. These trees can be planted at any time.

SELECT YOUR SPOT

STEP TWO - Pick a Suitable Spot to Plant Your Tree
Pick a suitable spot in your yard to plant your tree. Be sure that the tree has the right amount of sunlight that it needs to grow.

DIG A HOLE

STEP THREE - Digging the Hole
Planting too deep is the top reason that trees and shrubs die. You want the hole large enough that the roots fit without being crowded. Follow these simple steps to ensure the correct planting
Bare Root Trees

For bare-root trees, the hole should be a few inches deeper than the length of the root and wider than the spread of the root.

Balled & Burlapped (B&B) Potted Trees

For the ball-and-burlapped tree, you will want to measure the height of the root ball and the depth of the hole before planting it. Remove the twine or wire before putting in the hole.
Locate the point at which the trunk flares out to join the roots. On B&B trees, remove the twine and burlap at the base of the trunk. If necessary, gently push the soil away from the base of the trunk to find the flare.
Do not dig the hole any deeper than the measurement; you want the root mass to sit on undisturbed soil. When planting is complete, the trunk flare should be slightly above the existing soil grade.
Dig the hole two to three times the diameter of the root ball or container, sloping the sides gently outward to the existing soil grade.

PLANT YOUR TREE

STEP FOUR - Put Tree in the Hole
Put the tree in the hole and fill it 2/3 of the way with the dirt. Fill the rest of the hole with water. Once it has settled, fill the rest of the hole with dirt.
When moving your plant into the planting hole, disturb the rootball as little as possible. Lift B&B trees and shrubs by using the rope, burlap or wire cage on the rootball. Lift potted plants by grasping the container. Don't lift plants by the trunk, stems or branches. Don't allow the root system to dry out before or during planting.
Balled & Burlapped (B&B) trees and shrubs

Place the tree in the center of the hole. If necessary, straighten or stabilize the tree by adjusting or filling beneath the root ball with the backfill mix.
Cut away any twine or burlap from the base of the trunk and remove any burlap that is on the top of the rootball. Remove excess soil from the top of the rootball to expose the trunk flare, if needed.
Use bolt cutters to remove as much of the wire basket as possible. Don't try to remove the entire wire basket. The plant will thrive even if there is some of the basket left in the hole. Remove all the rope and twine from the rootball, as well as any nails holding the burlap together. Pull back the burlap and cut away any loose material. It's OK to leave some burlap in the hole to decompose. However, remove all plastic or treated burlap.

Potted trees and shrubs

Tip the container on its side and slide the plant from the container. Place the plant in the hole by lifting the root mass, not the plant itself. If the plant has become pot-bound, it may be necessary to cut the container before the plant can be removed.
To encourage root growth, tease the outer roots from the soil. If the roots are tightly matted, use a knife to score the root mass in several places and gently loosen the root ball. This won't harm the plant and will encourage new root growth.

BACKFILL YOUR TREE

STEP FIVE - Backfilling & Watering the Planting Hole

Add backfill soil to your planting hole until it comes about halfway up the root ball. Use your foot or hands to firm the soil and eliminate air pockets. Make sure the trunk is vertical and confirm that the trunk flare will sit slight above soil grade once backfilling is complete. Continue adding backfill and packing it down until you've reached the top of the root ball, taking care not to cover the trunk flare.
Construct a 3" - 4" high ridge of soil around the outer edge of the planting hole. This berm will create a basin to hold irrigation water and concentrate it over the roots. Use a hose to fill the basin, then allow the water to soak it, repeating several times. Or, let the water run at a trickle for 15 to 30 minutes to ensure that the entire root zone is moist. The goal is to ensure even watering so the soil is drenched and any large air pockets are eliminated.
Recheck that the trunk flare is completely exposed and the top of the root ball has not been covered with additional soil. Remove any plant tags or labels from the tree.

Mulching - Apply bark mulch or pine straw to a depth of 2" - 3" over the entire planting hole. Mulching helps conserve water and prevent weeds. Taper the mulch toward the base of the tree, but do not allow it to touch the tree trunk.

WATER YOUR TREE

STEP SIX - Watering - Proper moisture is critical to the survival of your young tree or shrub. The roots should never dry out completely, nor should they be waterlogged. Newly planted shrubs and trees should be checked and watered every other day for the first two weeks. After the first two weeks, limit watering to once a week if less than 1" of rain falls during the week. Thorough soakings that moisten the soil to the entire depth of the root mass are better than frequent light waterings.

The best way to check soil moisture? Use your finger.
Dig down 2-4" just outside the root mass of the plant and water if the soil feels dry.

Newly planted plants, have varying water requireents. Before watering (according to the chart), use your finger to check the actual soil moisture. Use the chart below as a guideline for the amount of water needed by newly planted trees and shrubs based upon plant size.

Plant Size - Amount of Water per Application
Small shrub = 4-5 gallons
Large shrub = 7-10 gallons
Small trees = 7-10 gallons (<2" caliper)
Large trees = 10-20 gallons (>2" caliper)

Water measurements can be made using an old 1-gallon plastic milk container. When using a hose, turn on the water at a slow trickle and take note of the setting. Count the amount of time it takes to fill the 1-gallon container. Multiply that amount of time by the number of gallons you need for your plant. That total provides the amount of time you need to run the hose, based on the chart.

STAKE YOUR TREE

STEP SEVEN - STAKE YOUR TREE
Stake the tree so that it does not get knocked over by strong winds, lawn mowers, and other hazards. Water thoroughly once a week in dry weather. Staking at planting time is not always necessary. Consider the stability of the rootball, trunk size and strength, direction of prevailing winds, canopy size and density when determining whether or not to stake. If in doubt, ask a nursery professional.

Jaymin We Miss You!

Dock Fishing w/ Kids - in Belize

Thu, 29 Jul 2021 17:45:47 GMT

We used the suggestions made in an earlier post (in this blog series), about choosing fishing gear for kids and went to Captain Sharks here in San Pedro. Romen got himself fitted with his first pole July 28, 2021, and today will be his first day fishing.

Fishing Equipment

Fishing can be an extremely simple and inexpensive activity to do with kids. It can be really enjoyable and provides lots of quality time together. The basic things you'll need are: a simple pole, fishing line, hooks and some bait.

Rod - The simplest fishing rod is a cane pole. It can be homemade or bought for a few dollars. For saltwater fishing, a utilitarian rod is medium-weight, 6 to 6.5 feet long. Mid-range rods are often sold as sets with reels attached and for the novice fisherman, this is a good way to ensure the rod, reel and line are properly matched. An inexpensive spin casting rod and reel combo can be purchased for about $35.-$40. USD at Captain Sharks (here in San Pedro).
Reel - Closed-faced spin casting reels are button-operated and mount on top of the rod. The enclosed fishing line is less likely to get tangled, making them an excellent choice for a child's first reel. Make sure the handle is reversible, especially if your child is left-handed. Bait-casting reels are the ones that have fishing line rolled on them more like a spool of thread and the spool spins to release the line. This is the next step up in most circumstances and requires a little more practice to become proficient.
Fishing Line - Various types exist, from basic monofilament to new super polymers. You will want to match the weight of the line to your rod & reel. If you purchase a beginner's rod & reel set, this matching has been done for you.
Hooks - Hooks need to match the fish that you are seeking based on the size of the fish's mouth. Sizes are a bit confusing they run from about 30 (the tinest) to 1 and then start climbing from 1/0 to 12/0 (which is a big shark hook). A small beam hook is typically 10-6 (10 being smaller) and should have a relatively short shank. For small saltwater snapper, 2/0 or 3/0 would be good starting points.
Bait - Bait is whatever you use to attract a fish to bite. Your bait can be alive, dead or man-made. How you handle the bait is important to keeping them alive, so they will be active on the hook. Most dock fishing is done with dead bait, typically cigar minnows (descaled & cut into bite size pieces).
Lures - Are man-made baits that come in an infinite variety of sizes, colors and shapes.
- Jig - A basic jig is good for most species, if properly sized. A jig is a hook with a heavy weight attached directly to it.
- Spoons - Spoons are flat, metal lures shapes somewhat like the bowl of a spoon with a single embedded hook or trailing treble hook and are quite versatile.
- Plugs - Plugs are typically wood or plastic with a cupped front face and lip that makes them dive to different depths.
- Spinners - Spinners have a metal blade that twists as it goes through the water creating flashing noise.
- Poppers - Poppers & flies are typically smaller and often used with fly fishing or ultra light tackle.
Floats or Bobbers - Are typically used with baits rather than lures. The float should be big enough to suspend the bait and sinkers without going more than halfway under water.
Sinkers - Sinkers come in various shapes as well. In saltwater, large pyramid-shaped weights are useful in choppy surf. For dock fishing, a bullet or cone-shaped weight is typically threaded over the line in front of soft plastic lures.

We're Going Dock Fishing!

Consider Bringing

Sunscreen - In Belize sunscreen is essential. A 30 SPF waterproof sunscreen is a good choice. On the water, 45 SPF or more is probably safer. Get kids to start the habit of applying sunscreen early.
Sunglasses - Another very important item to bring and use to protect your eyes and enhance your vision through the water is a pair of sunglasses. Polarized lenses will significantly increase your ability to see fish and your bait through the glare of the surface of the water.
Hats - As with sunscreen and sunglasses, hats are important for safety and comfort on a hot or rainy day.
Insect Repellent - You don't want to ruin a great family outing because you need to leave early to avoid the bugs.
Water - Carry plenty of fresh drinking water for everyone in your party. It is easy to get dehydrated in the Belize sun.
Pliers - Pliers or special hook removers are useful for extracting hooks from a fish's mouth.
First Aid Kit - When you're with kids, it's always good to have a few antiseptic wipes and Band-Aids along. There will always be a pinched finger or a hook that gets lodged into a finger tip.
Snacks - Watching fish eat up all your bait, can make you hungry.
Camera - A kid's first fish is a big deal, so make sure you have a camera on you to capture the event.
Tape Measure - Having a tape measure is important to complying with the law, since there are size limits on many species of fish.
Towels - It's also useful to bring a few old towels, paper towels or baby wet ones with you. Fish have a "slime" layer that is very sensitive and helps protect them from infection but can be messy when it touches your hands. With cutting bait and handling fish, you'll find yourself needing to wash your hands multiple times. Towels and wet ones help to keep your hands and the area your working in clean.
Rain Gear - Summer afternoons in Belize (during rainy season) have a tendency to turn unexpectedly to rain. So do yourself a favor and bring a rain poncho. It will help save your afternoon.

Fishing lessons, courtesy of Elmer Jose Rivera

Hot To Get Started

Few memories stick out in our minds as clearly as catching our first fish. Ambergris Caye sits parallel to the Belize Barrier Reef (190 miles long), which is part of the Meso-American Barrier Reef (over 650 miles long). So there's plenty of opportunities to do some fishing.

Here are some tips to make those fishing memories with your kids.....
The biggest thing to remember about fishing with kids, is to acknowledge it's about spending quality time together, not about the number of fish you catch. Avoid putting undo pressure on your child to catch a fish or even a "BIG FISH". Remember they call it fishing, not catching for a reason.

Here are some helpful suggestions to get the most out of your time fishing together.

Be Patient - With kids, you need to be very, very patient. Of all these suggestions listed, this is the most important one. The goal of fishing, is to have an enjoyable time, not a miserable time. If you're fishing for the first time, don't be surprised if you get tangles, snags, and lose an occasional fish. These events are likely to occur, they happen to everyone, so take them in stride.
Avoid Negative Criticism - Concentrate on the basic, and try not to raise your voice over a few minor things. Focus on having a good time and hopefully you'll catch a fish in the process.
Keep it Simple - Don't turn the trip into a list of "Do's & Don'ts". Focus on the basic principles of fishing and let the rest go. Once you have covered the basics, focus on having a good time. Unless it's something that will prevent them from catching a fish, don't mention it. The simplicity concept also applies to equipment and methods. Remember, if you focus on having a good time, there will be future trips to refine your child's fishing techniques.
Keep Kids Comfy - Any outdoor event often involves some minor hardships, after all that's part of the fun. Remember to bring the raincoats (in case it begins to rain), as well as a comfortable lawn chair. Lots & lots of snacks and drinks will also make it enjoyable.
Coming Home w/ Fish - While it's true everyone goes fishing with the goal of coming home with fish. Although sometimes even with a glorious day fishing, you can come home empty handed. Help children understand its not only about coming home with fish, its about enjoying the sport, the fresh air, the great outdoors, interesting wildlife and good company.
Preparing Bait & Hooks - There's no getting around it, cutting up bait and putting it on the hook might be an unpleasant experience to get use to. For most first time fishermen, you may want to do this for them (at least until they get use to the idea of doing it themselves). If a child's willing to bait their own hooks (after a proper demonstration or two), allow them to do so. Most dock fishing is done by using dead bait, typically cigar minnows. This means descaling and cutting the minnow into bite size pieces. Similarly, using barbless hooks makes unhooking fish much easier when the time comes, and wetting your hands prior to handling any fish (will not only protect the fish), but will keep the beginner's hands from getting slimy as well.
Angler Ethics - Younger beginners (in particular), are very impressionable, and fishing provides an ideal opportunity to teach responsibility and to reinforce the importance of good choices. Don't start out by focusing on too many rules all at once. As the day progresses, they will learn to measure their fish, address size and bag limits (later you can discuss the reasons behind them). The first fishing trip is also the time to begin instilling in your young fisherman a respect for the environment. Children learn by example, so don't allow your child to see you throwing away garbage on the beach or in the ocean. Teach your children to throw away their garbage in a proper recepticle. If your children see you destroying the environment, your children will learn it's okay to do the same. Teach them to respect "Mother Earth" in all aspect of their daily activities.

6 Tips for Dock Fishing w/ Kids

TIP #1 - Start with Simple Equipment
If this is your child's first time fishing, don't buy the expensive rod & reel, keep it simple. They aren't going to know the different between a $50. dollar rod and a $300. rod. This is about teaching them to fish and the joy that comes from fishing not how much money you spent. Skip the suspending plugs and stick to these basic items:

Five-Six foot Rod
Eight to 10-pound line
A Bobber
A few split shots

Make sure all the gear is small enough for your young fisherman partner to handle. You want them to be involved in the process, so get gear that fits their small hands. Always use the bobber, because it makes it easier for the child to see when they have a bite.

TIP #2 - CHOOSE A DOCK WITHOUT ALOT OF ACTIVITY
While we all love the rush and excitement of an active dock, it can be a bit distracting when it comes to learning how to fish for the first time. Try to find a dock, where you will be the only ones on the dock for 3-4 hours. A dock free of distractions, will help your child focus on the art of fishing, rather than whats happening around them.

TIP #3 - USE FRESH BAIT
The best way to catch alot of fish, is to go at the right time of day and use fresh bait.

TIP #4 - LIMIT YOUR TIME (we recommend 3-4 hours)
Even the most enthusiastic first-time fishermen, should only stay out 3-4 hours max. If you attempt to make an all-day of it, your child is going to get bored. Kids have limited attention spans, and you'll want them to enjoy it. Set a time limit before you set out, so they'll want to do it again.

TIP #5 - HAVE A BACK-UP PLAN IN CASE YOU DON'T CATCH ANY FISH
First time fisherman go out with the idea that they will come home with fish. They simply do not understand how difficult it can really be, to even catch a fish. If your 3-4 hours is up and you haven't caught a fish, have a backup plan. We suggest taking your child to Caramba's (for dinner), and let them pick out the fish they want to eat - from the assorted ice-containers out front.

Caramba's - Pick your Seafood!

If you're child didn't catch a fish, a great back up plan can be to take them to Caramba's and let them pick out a fish they want to eat. Another great option, is to bring the fish you've caught into Caramba's and let them cook it up for you. Nothing can bring a young fisherman more satisfaction, than eating what he's just caught.

Caramba's Has An Assortment of Fresh Fish

TIP #6 - FOCUS ON THE FUN
A first time fishing trip should be more about fun than anything else. This is your opportunity to spend quality time with your child, so sit back relax and enjoy yourself. Lower your expectations and help your child understand, it's not about what you catch, its about the fun you're having trying to do it. Remember it's called fishing, not catching for a reason.

Supply Checklists for Fishing

We got caught in an unexpected torrential downpour, when we went. If going dock fishing during the rainy season, always take along a rain poncho with you.

FISHING EQUIPMENT

Rod & Reel
Lures, hooks, sinkers, bobbers
Line
Fishing Net
Fresh Bait
Fishing fillet knife
Scissors (for cutting line)
Pliers (for removing hooks)
Tape Measure (for measuring fish)

PERSONAL ITEMS

Hand Sanitizer
Facial Masks
Lip Balm
Toilet Paper
Baby Wet Ones
Phone
Camera
Foldable Lawn chairs
Trash bags

Note: Do not throw your trash on the beach or in the ocean. Teach your children to throw their trash away properly.

CLOTHING-PROTECTION WEATHER

Life Vest (for kids) or anyone who does not know how to swim
Rain gear (poncho or rain jacket)
Change of Dry Clothing
Hat
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Insect Repellent
Beach Towel

EMERGENCY

First Aid Kit
Emergency Phone Numbers

FOOD & SNACKS

Plenty of Drinking Water
Soda Pops/Fruit Juices
Beer/Wine
Ice
Reusable Plastic Cups
Granola Bars
Chips

Best Time to Dock Fish?

WHEN TO GO - Anytime that you can get away with your kids safely is a good time. However, as you gain experience you will see that some times are more likely to be productive than others. The following bullet points provide some basic fishing tips.

Time of Day - For saltwater fishing, dawn and dusk generally tend to be the best time, if the weather and tidal movements are favorable. However, anytime of day you can expect to catch fish, if you know where to find them and you are patient. Remember to reference a salt water tidal chart to see which range of hours during the day will be the best fishing tide times.
- Early Morning 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
- Early Afternoon to Dusk 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tide Considerations - An incoming tide or rising tide, is considered one of the best fishing times. Water that enters an estuary from the ocean can have a lower temperature and carry more oxygen, and have better clarity than water that exists in an estuary during low tide or slack water periods.
Best Bait - Shrimp is the best salt water bait out there. Different size fish will hit on different pieces (or sizes) of shrimp. Shrimp bait can be a little pricey, especially when you're trying to keep your fishing costs down. Keep in mind, dock fishing typically attracts smaller fish, so you really don't need that expensive bait. With squid, poggies or cigar minnows, you can expect to easily catch (5-20) pound (black or red) snappers.
Weather Patterns - Many species of fish tend to be active just before a front passes through and then shut down somewhat during the sudden barometric changes associated with the storm front itself. If the front lasts for a prolonged period, after it passes can again bring enhanced fishing conditions. One good source of weather information is Wunderground.
Spawning Cycles - Each fish species is prone to spawn at a different time(s) of year. Part of this is programmed into their genes, but much of it is triggered by water temperature, lunar phases and their own nutritional needs.

Enjoy the Experience

They call it our golden years for a reason. Fishing can be a rewarding experience for both grandparents and grandchildren a like. It's an activity that doesn't require alot of physical exertion, it allows grandparents quality time to bond and get to know their grandchildren better. Fishing experiences, will be memories you'll look back upon for years to come.

Preparing Your Fish for Dinner

Towards the end of the day, a barracuda got Romen's hook, we also got to see some spotted rays surfacing ontop the water. Overall it was a great day, despite the torrential downpour, which only added to our excitement. Romen's extra special treat came (at day's end), when "Grandma Diana" cooked his fish for dinner.

Enjoy the Experience

Dock fishing is something Marcy & I have wanted to do for some time. From the moment we bought Romen his first fishing pole, to the time he caught his first fish was about six (6) hours. Most of this time was spent getting gas, stocking the cooler, and driving him to his fishing location. Will this young fisherman be fishing again? Without a doubt! Only next time, Mami is coming with us.

This ends yet another adventure for (2) Boys in Belize.

Picking Fishing Gear for Kids - In Belize

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 10:41:09 GMT

Our adventure today takes us out scouting for fishing gear and swimming in the ocean at Boca del Rio. Marcy and I thought something that might really be fun for the boys, is to introduce them to dock fishing. So we're headed to Captain Sharks to check out what we need to do, to get the boys set up with fishing gear.

Before getting started, we headed to Briana's Place for lunch. This is a little local hangout, which serves a variety of local dishes ranging from (grilled chicken, steak, stewed beef, pork and chicken), with all the classic side dishes (rice & beans or beans & rice). Here in Belize, if you order rice & beans, they are combined. If you order beans & rice, then each one is served separately.

Rice & Beans

Stewed Beans

Coconut Rice

Lunch at Briana's Place

Briana's Place

501-661-2676
Back Street, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize
www.facebook.com/CaptainSharks

The menu is written on a chalk board behind the service counter. Our lunch for two adults and two kids (shared a plate), to include 4 lime juices was $22.50 USD. The food was super yummy and the price was right. This is a great spot, located in the center of town (across from Super Buy on Back Street), if you are looking for cheap local food - while out sightseeing.

Quality time with my grandson Romen, is one of the highlights in my life.

Captain Shark's

After lunch we headed to Captain Sharks in San Pedro. Captain Sharks has a full selection of fishing poles, reels, lines, lures, and weights for just about any type of fishing. When choosing a fishing poles for kids, pay attention to length, weight, usability, along with taking note of what the pole is made of. Before choosing a fishing pole, it's recommended to choose your fishing reel first. Choose the fishing reel that best fits your child's fishing experience. So let's see what Captain Sharks has!

How To Choose A Fishing Reel For Kids

Open-Faced (Spinning) Reel

Closed-Faced (Push-Button) Reel

How To Choose A Fishing Reel For Kids
When it comes to choosing a reel for children, there are two preferred choices

Closed-Faced (spincast or push-button) reels
Open-Faced (aka spinning) reels

Closed-Faced Spincast Reels - Spincast reels are attached to spinning rods and feature a push-button mechanism that activates the reel’s line release. This can make for an easy and simple casting process with little complications. As a result, many beginner fishermen often start on this closed-faced style. This angling option is very user-friendly and a great choice for children under 6 years of age or kids who can’t regularly practice their casting. You can easily find spincast reels individually or featured in rod and reel combos designed specifically for children. Some rod and reel combos even come with designs featuring popular cartoons and characters, so your little angler can add some personality and flair to their fishing setup.

Open-Faced Spinning Reels - As your child advances in their expertise and learns to cast with greater ease, you can then move them up to using an open-faced design. Spinning reels, best suited for children over the age of 7, can be a great option for youngsters whose interest in the sport of fishing grows with age. Having your child use a spinning reel can also make for an easier transition to more “adult” fishing setups and can give their equipment more of a mature feel.

Salt Water Fishing Tip - Spinning reels can be the better option for beginner fishermen taking to saltwater. They are much easier to clean and the reel’s open design features less surface area for salt deposits to collect and cause mechanical problems.

How To Choose A Fishing Rod For Kids

Zebco Rod w/ Closed-Faced Reel

Zebco Rod w/ Open-Faced Reel

How To Choose A Fishing Rod For Kids
Choosing the best fishing rods for your children, can help you capture some quality family fun. Building a fishing starter kit for your "Little Angler" can be a fun activity for both of you to enjoy. One key fishing essential is your child's fishing pole. Having a fishing rod that’s best for their skill level and physical stature can help make their time (and yours) more enjoyable.

When searching for a fishing pole, there are a few qualities you should look for to ensure their equipment is kid-friendly. Things to consider are length, weight, usability, and durability. Some good poles to consider are:

Top Pick: Zebco Dock Demon
Best Value: Ugly Stik Dock Runner
Fisherman's Choice: Ugly Stik GX2 Youth Combo
Best Overall: Plusinno Kids Fishing Pole Combo for Youth Fishing
Best for Beginners: Lil' Anglers Jimmy Houston Fishing Combo Kit
Best for Older Kids: Shakespeare Ugly Stik Youth 2-Piece Fishing Rod/Reel
Best Complete Kit: Lanaak Kids Fishing Rod & Reel Combo Kit
Best Tangle-Free: Kid Casters Tangle-Free Fishing Combo

Rod Length & Material
Once you have the reel style chosen for your child’s fishing pole, you can then focus on the rod length. You will want to aim for a rod length that is just long enough so that your child can comfortably handle the equipment. For small children, with no fishing experience, the best pole length is about 4 to 5-1/5 foot. As your child becomes a bit more experienced, be sure to adjust their rod length accordingly. We recommend a pole that is about 6 to 6-1/2 feet in length. Try to select a rod that is lightweight, yet made with tough materials such as: graphite, fiberglass and composite blends. Children can put alot of stress on fishing gear, so having a durable rod and reel is key to extended fun on the water.

Captain Sharks For All Your Fishing Needs

501-226-3370 (or) 501-226-3156
P.O. Box 153, San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize
www.facebook.com/CaptainSharks

Captain Sharks sells fishing rods and reels starting at $90.BZD ($45.USD) up to $600.BZD($300.USD) There is a wide selection of fishing assessories, lures, weights, hooks, and bobbers. The boys got a kick out of the "Big Game" fishing lures, Jaymin said they look like dog toys.

Kid Friendly Fishing Accessories
If looking for additional gear, look for gear that will survive well. To accent your child’s fishing pole, you may want to add some casting plugs for practice, as well as some snap swivels and bobbers to fill their first "Little Angler's" tackle box. There are even bobbers that cover the hook end of your fishing line through the cast, adding some additional safety precautions to your child’s fishing ensemble. Many child rod and reel combos may come with some fishing accessories but adding to their tackle assortment (helps to add) excitement to their fishing experience.
You don’t need to buy expensive fishing gear for kids to start fishing. Even a simple setup can catch a ton of fish. The key is to keep the fishing kit small and light — light pole, light reel and kids will have more fun and catch more fish.

Hooks - Start with a small hook. Although it seems like a big hook would work better, a little hook is much more effective at catching the smaller fish and can still hook the big ones.
Weight - Next, put a little split shot weight just a few inches above the hook, followed by a small bobber.
Bobbers - Smaller bobbers are more sensitive, so choose one that’s just big enough to hold up the weight of the sinker. Clip the bobber about a foot from the end of the line. By keeping the bobber pretty shallow, you’ll avoid snags and keep your bait visible to fish that are looking up to feed.
Fishing Line - Six-pound test is universal, but anything between 4 (to) 8 pound test line will works great.

Fishing off the dock is a great activity for kids, while on vacation in Belize. Captain Sharks has a variety of "name-brand" combination fishing pole sets, along with a variety of accessories for you to choose from.

Boco del Rio Beach Area

Next on our agenda for the day was swimming in the ocean at Boca del Rio. This is a popular spot for many tourists while on vacation. The boys love it here, they can literally spend hours playing in the sand and splashing around in the water.

Jaymin Loves Pelicans

Jaymin loves birds and his favorite bird at the moment is Pelican's. Marcy and I decided (something the boys may find enjoyable), is feeding the Pelican's next time we come to the beach. They seem to love the fish scraps, so maybe we can find some cheap fishing bait for our next visit.

Pelican's in Belize

Pelicans are the largest of all the aquatic birds and are famous for the large pouch of skin hanging from their lower jaw. The brown pelican is very prevalent in Belize, and can be found all along the coastal beach areas. They seldom fly far inland and do not go far from the shore out to sea.
The brown pelican is a large bird with brown-gray feathers overall and a wide white band on either side of its neck. The long beak is pale yellow with a pouch of bare skin beneath the lower jaw.
Sometimes brown pelicans gather in flocks of up to 50 birds to roost and feed together. They feed almost entirely on fish, which they catch by diving from heights of up to 65 feet (19.8 m). They plunge into the sea scooping up a beak full of water and fish. With the water in its pouch, it is too heavy to fly so it sits on the water’s surface, waiting for the water to drain away before it can swallow the fish. The sound of the splash as the pelican hits the water can be heard up to half a mile away. A series of air pockets in its chest help to cushion the force of impact and protect it from injury. The air pockets in the chest are part of the bird’s lungs.
Pelicans that live in freshwater lakes work in groups forcing fish into a school by beating their wings on the water. Then, using their beaks, they scoop the fish into their pouches.
The brown pelican mates in the spring, building its nest in shallow depressions on the ground, lining it with feathers, and surrounding it with a wall of soil. Some nest in trees, building their home with reeds on a stick platform. Both adults share in incubating three eggs for approximately four weeks. The chicks are naked when they hatch but have a coat of down within two weeks. The parents feed their young with regurgitated fish. The brown pelican has few enemies, but it is greatly affected by pesticides.

Coconuts in Belize

It is estimated today that about 5,600 acres are devoted to coconuts throughout the country of Belize, mainly in Orange Walk, Stann Creek and the Cayo districts. Coconut oil accounts for an income of $5/million, coconut water brings in $4/million, coconut milk powder provides $3/million, and other by-products $1/million. The production provides work and income for about 500 people and exports exceed 850,000 coconuts a year. So grab yourself a fresh coconut while in Belize, better yet pick up a gallon jug of fresh coconut water from some of the street vendors.

18 Coconut Facts for Kids

The name coconut comes from coco, an old Portuguese and Spanish word that means "head" or "skull".
Coconuts are harvested from coconut trees.
A coconut is not a nut, it’s botanically a drupe.
Coconuts are used as food and to make various man-made products.
The world produced over 68 million tons of coconuts in 2018.
The largest producer of coconuts in 2018 was Indonesia.
Indonesia produced over 29% of the world’s coconut supply in 2018.
One 100 gram serving of coconut contains 354 calories.
One 100 gram serving of coconut contains 33 grams of fat.
One 100 gram serving of coconut contains no cholesterol.
One 100 gram serving of coconut contains 20 milligrams of sodium.
One 100 gram serving of coconut contains 15 grams of carbohydrates.
One 100 gram serving of coconut contains 9 grams of dietary fiber.
One 100 gram serving of coconut contains 6 grams of sugar.
One 100 gram serving of coconut contains 3 grams of protein.
One 100 gram serving of coconut contains 356 milligrams of potassium.
Coconut oil isn’t just used in cooking, it’s also used in cosmetics, soaps, oils and other products.
The coir, which is the fiber husk around a coconut, is used to make brushes, mats, ropes and other items.

Boca del Rio Beach Area

This is the Boca del Rio beach area, on Ambergris Caye. We have our favorite spot picked out for each visit, nestled in-between these two coconut palms.

This ends our adventure for today and what a great day this has been together. We hope you enjoy our blog and all the things there is to do with kids while vacationing in Belize.

BIRD WATCHING - Ambergris Caye South

Sun, 21 Feb 2021 02:02:19 GMT

Today we took off to do some bird watching south of the island. It was a little overcast, basically a dreary day (and honestly), we didn't expect to see many birds. Wow!!! I couldn't have been more wrong about that statement. Let's share some of what we saw.
Before heading out, we decided to stop at Ms. Susana's (La Divina Providencia), right around the corner from Belize Budget Suites. Many of our guests (at the hotel), really enjoy eating here when they first arrive to the island. La Divina Prvidencia is both a restaurant and a grocery store. So when our guests first arrive (by stopping at Ms. Susana's), they can not only grab a bite to eat, but pick up a few groceries for the following morning as well. The food is amazing, and the prices are definitely amazing too. Ms Susana caters to locals, and many of our guests are here to back-pack Belize and experience it as a local as well.

Ms. Susana came over to the table to greet us, it was exciting to get to see her after months of pandemic madness. Everyone has a little local hangout (that's close to home), where they enjoy some of their favorites. La Divina Providencia is that place for us. It's close to the hotel (just around the corner), the food is great, the prices are great and it's a family owned business just like us. We've gotten nothing but great reviews and comments (from our guests), thanking us for helping them to find this wonderful place.

The boys each tried their favorite drink, Romen had watermelon juice and Jaymin had a banana smoothie. Drinks were delicious and the boys fist bumped to a amazing tasty moment.

La Divinia Providiencia - Watermelon Juice & Banana Smoothie

La Divina Providencia - Restaurant & Grocery Store
Within walking distance of Belize Budget Suites

Stewed Chicken

Chicken Quesadilla

Chicken Salbutes

After a most delicious lunch, we headed south of the island. Our first two birds that we saw were a "Hooded Oriole" and a "Tropical Mockingbird". Both birds are very common on the island (we have them around the house), so no big surprise to see these first off.

Hooded Oriole

Tropical Mockingbird

All of us had our eyes pointed up, scanning the tree tops and bushes. Out of Marcy's peripheral vision she spotted movement, and quickly blurted out: "What bird is that?" As I looked up (I began to laugh), it was a Tropic Air plan flying by. "Cessna", I told her, "That is what they call a Cessna". We both enjoyed a good laugh, for this most unusual bird sighting.

We pulled the golf cart off the road and headed toward the beach. Here we saw a number of "double-breasted cormorants", sitting on old dock posts, a boat-billed heron, a few brown pelicans, seagulls and ducks. The boys always need help spotting the birds, as they usually don't know exactly where we're looking. Marcy pointed them in the right direction, and they quickly saw all of them.

Nestled at the edge of the mangrove, we saw a boat-billed heron.

Red Mangroves

Boat-Billed Heron

Red Mangrove

What is interesting about this habitat, is the red mangroves that we saw growing at the beach shoreline. Belize is home to 4 different species of mangoves.

Red mangove (Rhizophora mangle)
White mangrove (Laguncalaria racemosa)
Black mangove (Avicennia germinans)
Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus).

The ones you see in this photo, are called "Red Mangroves". Why are mangroves important? There is a number of reasons (but for the purpose of this blog), they are important because of the habitat they provide for many birds.

How do you tell the different mangroves apart?
Red mangrove - is the tallest of all local species, it can grow to a height of over 80 feet tall. It has large broad leaves grow to 5 inches, with a blunt point. The leaves are waxy, dark green above and below. The key characteristics of the Red mangrove are the "prop roots" derived from the trunk and “drop roots” from the branches.
Black mangrove - is the second tallest species, reaching heights over 65 feet in height. The leaves grow about 4 inches in length, with a blunt point. The leaves are dark green above and a pale green below. The leaf under surface is covered with dense hairs. The key characteristics of the Black mangroves are the aerial roots growing from underground upward.
White mangrove - is the smallest species existing as a tree or shrub with maximum heights of 50 feet. The leaf shape is a broad, flat oval rounded at both ends. White mangrove often develop peg roots which are similar to pneumatophores except they are shorter and more stout in appearance.
Buttonwood mangrove - is more frequently found in the upland transitional zone. Its pointed leaves possess salt glands as openings alternating along the midrib on the underside of the leaf. Rather than producing seedlings that germinate on the parent tree, buttonwoods flower with the formation of a button-like seed case.

Red Mangrove

Black Mangrove

White Mangrove

Birds We Saw Today

White Ibis

Great Egrets

Tri-Colored Heron

White Ibis - American White Ibis, in Belize. The white ibis is a medium-sized bird. It is about 60 cm (2 feet) tall and has a wingspan of about 90 cm (3 feet). The white ibis breeds in large colonies that may include other wading birds.

Great Egrets - It is the most widespread of all the herons in Belize. The great egret feeds in all the shallow waters of Belize. This large bird coils its sinewy neck, ready to spear prey. Prey includes fish, aquatic invertebrates and reptiles.

Tri-Color Herons - These herons are the only dark-colored ones with a white belly. Tricolored herons are one of the herons in Belize that are the most abundant. When stalking prey, the Tricolored heron will go deeper into the water than any other heron.

Great Blue Heron

Reddish Egret

Red Knot Sandpiper

Great Blue Herons - The Great Blue Heron is the largest and most widespread heron in Belize. It is a large bird, with a slate-gray body, chestnut and black accents, and very long legs and an "S"-shaped neck. Great Blue Herons are very tall and stand 38-54 inches.

Reddish Egrets - The Reddish Egret is a small heron. It is a resident breeder in Central America, The Bahamas, the Caribbean, the Gulf Coast of the United States, Mexico and Belize. In the past, this bird was a victim of the plume trade.

Red Knot Sandpipers - This medium-sized sandpiper has black, brown and gray scaled upperparts, a red-brown face, neck, breast and sides, and a white lower belly. It has a slightly curved black bill. The wings show white bars in flight. Diet includes insects, larvae, mollusks and crabs.

Purple Martin Swallows

Yucatan Woodpecker

Black Vulture

As we drove along the south end of the island, purple martin swallows flew overhead. They were so fast, and often so many (in a flock), their movements were fast and jerky, as they suddenly flew upward and downward with the wind. As we continued on, Jaymin spotted a black vulture on a tree post. We backed the cart up to get a closer look, which didn't seem to disturb him one bit. These were the same type of birds we saw on our bird tour (up north on Ambergris Caye) a few weeks ago. Next Marcy spotted a Yucatan Woodpecker, drilling into one of the power poles along the sandy road (south of the island).

Purple Martins - the Purple Martin, the biggest swallow in North America, by the way, is one of the earliest migratory visitors to Belize, showing up from between July to late August. We see them in large numbers because, when they are not breeding, they hang out in huge flocks and roost together in great numbers.

Yucatan Woodpecker - The Yucatán woodpecker is found in Belize, Honduras, and Mexico, and ranges over the entire Yucatán Peninsula. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and heavily degraded former forest.

Black Vultures - Are most abundant at low elevations. They breed in dense woodlands but usually forage in open habitats. They roost in undisturbed stands of tall trees, including sycamores, pines, hickories, oaks, junipers, and bald cypress. The total population is extremely large with at least 10,000 mature individuals.

Marco Gonzales Maya Site

As we continued heading south on Ambergris Caye, we came to the site known as the Marco Gonzalez Maya Site. It's located near the southern tip of Ambergris Caye, about 6 miles south of San Pedro and is surrounded by dense jungle. It covers an area of approximately 8 acres on a small area of elevated terrain. Over 2,000 years ago, the area would have been much larger as evidenced by archaeological debris underlying mangrove stands. Before sea levels rose, the area is thought to have been beaches and a direct access to the sea. The rise in sea levels over the past 20 years has significantly altered the land mass.
Prior to Covid-19, there was a booth at the entrance, and trails that allowed you to walk to the site. Now, however, the trails are overgrown and visits to the site are difficult, especially during the rainy season.
Ambergris Caye was home to an estimated 20,000 Maya traders at the height of their occupation of the island. There are 18 sites recognized on the 25 mile long island and none of these sites had been preserved. By April 1, 2011, the paperwork was signed with the Belizean Government, making the Marco Gonzalez the first Maya Site National Park on Ambergris Caye. The development of the site is a huge undertaking. NICH has estimated the cost at $1.5M USD for the Visitor/Educational Center, footbridge, parking lot, restrooms, security buildings, etc. In the desire to go "green", wind and solar power is being explored to compliment local electricity. Composting restrooms and recycled plastic "lumber" for the boardwalk are being discussed. Grants and donations are being sought to make this dream come true.

The Marco Gonzales Maya Site was boarded up when we got there. With this pandemic, there just hasn't been enough funding to support keeping it open. Someday when the pandemic is over, we hope to go back to the site and take a walking tour. This site (unlike many others in Belize), was built using conch shells and much of it is submerged under the water table, making it hard to excavate. So we'll save this adventure for later.

Ending Our Bird Tour

This was a great afternoon spent bird watching on Ambergris Caye going South. We certainly saw way more birds than expected. This pandemic has been hard on many, and available cash is hard to come by. We try to pick adventures that cost very little money, and yet provide quality time with both the boys. Bird watching is an activity that does just that (it costs nothing, except the gas), and has become a highlight for Marcy, Romen, Jaymin & myself. We promised the boys, before ending our bird-watching tour, that we'd stop and get them a special dessert. So our last stop of the day, was to try out the Turtle Cheesecake at Black Orchid Restaurant. We had seen a post on Facebook, of this cheesecake and thought this is just too good to be true (so the next time we're out), we need to check this out. Black Orchid Restaurant is located about 2.5 miles south of the center of San Pedro, and about 1 mile south of Belize Budget Suites.

As we pulled up to BLACK ORCHID RESTAURANT, one of the waitresses came outside to greet us (wearing a mask), "Are you the lady bringing 2 boys in Belize, here for cheesecake? "Yes", I told her, and "We're excited to check this out." This chilly afternoon seemed like the perfect opportunity for a cup of hot green tea, along with a quick visit with Judyann Horton (general manager - who runs the show), just a wonderful person and so dedicated to her mission. We absolutely loved our experience at the restaurant, the staff was warm and inviting and made us feel right at home.

The staff at Black Orchid Restaurant gave the boys pirate hats, crayons and a treasure map to color while waiting for their Red-Velvet Cake & Turtle Cheesecake. Of course, we got creative with the whole pirate thing, and a whole slue of pictures transpired right at the table.

Though we came in for the cheesecake, the boys really enjoyed the red velvet cake more, while Marcy and I devored the cheesecake. Romen got a little cranky towards the end and made Marcy apologize for taking bites out of his cake (giggle). Both were absolutely delicious and we can certainly recommend these two wonderful desserts to anyone looking to partake of something truly scrumptious.

This ends another adventure for 2 Boys in Belize.

BIRD WATCHING - on Ambergris Caye

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 17:13:51 GMT

BIRD WATCHING - on Ambergris Caye

Today we're going up North of Ambergris Caye, to take the boys on a bird watching tour. We don't know what we're going to see, but let's check it out. Before we make the trek up north, we decided to stop for a little snack. 303-Belize, is a palapa restaurant up north, one of our favorite hangouts. It's the closest thing you'll get to a ski-resort in Belize. The boys enjoyed the beach, the swings, the food, and all the birds.

303 Belize

While we were having our snack at the restaurant, we were able to see six (6) different birds, right from our table.

COASTAL BIRDS ON AMBERGRIS CAYE

Double-Breasted Cormorant

#1) Double-Breasted Cormorant - Can be found along mangroves, coastlines, nearshore waters of cayes, harbors and coastal beaches along mainland coast, and occasionally shrimp farms. They are resident birds on Ambergris Caye.

Royal Tern

#2) Royal Tern - Can be found along the beaches, cayes and shrimp farms. They are a year-round visitor here in Belize and you can find these along the coast on Ambergris Caye.

Franklin Gull

#3) Franklin Gull - Can be found along coastal waters near beaches, estuaries, lagoons, and shrimp farms. It's an occasional spring and autumn transient along coastal waters from late February to late May

Laughing Gull

#4) Laughing Gull - Can be found on coastal areas, cayes and offshore; occasionally in migration at inland lagoons. It is a common winter visitor along the coast and offshore; locally common in summer and populated cayes.

Brown Pelican

#5) Brown Pelican - Can be found along coastlines, inshore and offshore waters, offshore islands; less common in estuaries and shrimp farms, rarely inshore lagoons and ponds. Nests in colonies in mangroves. A year-round visitor on Ambergris Caye.

White Pelican

#6) White Pelican - Can be found in estuaries, lagoons, shrimp farms, occasionally reservoirs, and ocean. Common winter visitor from October to May, primarily north of Belize City along coast and cayes.

Continuing North on Ambergris Caye

Lunch at 303-Belize, was a great start to our bird watching adventure. After our bite to eat, we hopped back on the cart and headed north (to Secret Beach). We wanted to see what kind of birds we would see in the bushes and waters around this area.

As we approached Captain Morgan's Resort (to the right, reef side), we spotted several Roseated Spoonbills feeding in pond waters. Slightly behind the Roseated Spoonbills in the grass, was a group of (10-15) large black birds. We pulled the cart around to take a closer look, apparently they were feeding on something in the grass. Marcy recognized them first off, those are Black Vultures! They didn't seem to be bothered by us staring at them, as they pranced around airing out their wings, to cool down.

Roseate Spoonbill

Spotting a Roseate Spoonbill (to me), was the highlight of the entire trip. I have been wanting to see this bird for sometime. I am simply fascinated by their pink color, and felt they are one of the prettiest birds on Ambergris Caye because of it. So to spot these, was a real find (at least to me), and made the entire trip today worth it.

Roseate Spoonbills

Roseate Spoonbill - Can be found in lagoons, flooded rice fields, and shrimp farms. They are a fairly common resident along the coastal belt here in Belize. They nest in Shipstern Lagoon and on the cayes in Chetumel Bay.
So you might ask, how do these birds get their pink color?
Spoonbills eat shrimp, shrimp eat algae, and the algae make their own red and yellow pigments, called carotenoids. Some scientists believe that the pink coloration that roseate spoonbills acquire as they mature is due to their diet of carotenoid-rich organisms like shrimp. The more they eat, the pinker they get.

Roseate Spoonbill

Black Vultures

Black Vultures - Can be found in nearly every habitat in Belize, except unbroken dense forest and open ocean. The vulture most likely is to be found feeding in urban areas and on beaches. It nests in the cavities of dead trees and is a very common bird to see on Ambergris Caye.

Black Vultures

Black Vulture

Black Vultures

Morelet's Crocodile

As we continued up north (eagle eye) Marcy, spotted a juvenile crocodile in a "water ditch" alongside the road. This of course added some excitement to the trip, the crocodile was not amused at being gawked at (from afar), so he submerged underwater for some privacy.

Morelet's Crocodile

The Morelet's Crocodile - Is a small crocodile, seldom exceeding 10 feet in length. These larger animals can be considered dangerous to humans. This crocodile primarily inhabits freshwater lakes, rivers and ponds. The female will build a large nest of twigs and rotting vegetation and lay up to 3 dozen eggs. The Morelet's Crocodile eats a variety of prey, including aquatic invertebrates, fish, small mammals and birds. These crocodiles are normally shy and timid, though the larger ones should be considered dangerous to humans.
Prior to 1981, the Morelet's Crocodile was hunted heavily in Belize for its hide. At the time of the passing of the Wildlife Protection Act, the number of crocodiles was few. The population has since rebounded and they can be found in most of the lowland interior rivers and ponds.

Sandpipers in the Mud Flats

Western Sandpiper

American Crocodile

As we continued on, we spotted sandpipers in the mudflats. This was also an exciting find. Practically right in front of us and so small we hardly even noticed them, if they hadn't moved. This is a very tiny bird.
Western Sandpipers - Can be found in shrimp farms, rice fields, sandflats, mudflats and beaches. They are common to very common autumn transient in coastal lowlands and cayes. As with most shorebirds, they congregate at shrimp farms, where a thousand or more can be seen on some days in autumn.

HERONS

We were able to see a number of herons on our bird tour going north. On the way to Secret Beach, we saw an 1) Agami Heron 2) Great Egret and 3) Great Blue Heron. All of these were spotted along the low ponding water/mangrove area along side the road going to Secret Beach.

Agami Heron

Great Egret

Great Blue Heron

Agami Heron - Not being an experienced birder, I have searched my book through and through several times and the only bird that comes close to what I saw was the Agami Heron. They are typically found on the mainland in dry season. The only thing close to it is the Tri-Colored Heron, but the bird I saw had red on his neck. They can be found in dense foliage along edges of swamps, rivers, lagoons; best seen on exposed shorelines in dry season. Nests in mangroves.
Great Egret - Can be found mostly in unforested areas with standing water. They nest in small colonies on small mangrove islands. They are a common winter visitor here in Belize.
Great Blue Heron - Can be found in most wet areas that are not densley forested; especially common at shrimp farms and shallow lagoons. Fairly common winter visitor in lowlands throughout, including cayes from August to May.

Magnificent Frigatebirds

These birds can be found in estuaries and other coastal areas, inshore and offshore waters, mangrove cayes. They nest in large colonies in mangroves. There is a large nesting colony on Man-o-War Caye, and a smaller colony on Half Moon Caye. They are common all-year round and can be found along the mainland coast, and on all the cayes.
How can you tell the difference between a male or female Frigatebird?
Simply look at the chest feathers. Females have white chest feathers and males have black chest feathers, along with a red pouch.

Magnificent Frigatebirds

Pirates of the Sky

Magnificent Frigatebird - Female

Magnificent Frigatebird - Male

These birds are called the "pirates of the sky", because they steal the food from other birds. Often in flight, they will swoop down and grab a tasty lunch from an un-suspecting gull.

Bird watching allows for great quality time together.

This was a great day together. Bird watching is an enjoyable activity for people of all ages. The boys got a kick out of trying to see, who could find the next bird. The more you learn about birds, the more enjoyable it is, and the more you slowly become hooked on the entire experience. We will definitely be doing this again. Often the excitement for each adventure - is not knowing what you're going to see. Today was a day well spent together, the boys enjoyed it immensely. Thus ends another adventure for (2) boys in Belize.

Hope you enjoyed our first post, we're going to have many more just like this one.

ICE CREAM FACTORY TOUR - on Ambergris Caye, Belize

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 16:35:23 GMT

Today, we set our sails for Paradice Cream Factory. Judyann Horton (General Manager), invited us to bring the boys for a private tour of the facility. An offer we found just to YUMMY to pass up.

Paradice Cream is located in the old Casa Picaso restaurant building on Coconut Drive, right after Mermaid Supermarket and Isla Bonita Yacht Club.

Judyann Horton (General Manager), runs the shows and she took us on a private tour of the facility. We got to see the machines that make ice-cream, all the ingredients (syrups, flavorings, additives, candy and cookies), that go into making each batch. The many chest freezers, all store five (5) gallon containers full of the various flavors ready for transport to their various store locations.

Paradice Cream makes their ice-cream base using all genuine natural ingredients.

Paradice Cream imports all their heavy cream from the United States. They have selected a specific cream base (which give them the quality & taste), they are looking for in producing premium ice-cream. All their ice-cream is stored in 5-gallon buckets right here at the factory, until the various store locations need them. Paradice Cream now sells pints & quarts, to satisfy everyone's sweet tooth.

Now that the tour is over, the true excitement begins. Judyann opened up a chest freezer and pulled out none-other than UNICORN POOP! Romen went ballistic.

Romen's face says it all. This was an incredible treat for the boys, getting to see how ice-cream is made. The ice-cream (itself) was absolutely amazing and we truly want to thank Judyann for allowing the boys inside the factory for this private tour.

Unicorn Poop

Chocolate Brownie

I can truthfully say, I've never eaten Unicorn poop in my life. We adored the color, the taste, and just the mentality of it. Eating unicorn poop has to be a "bucket-list" experience for many.

This was a great family adventure together. The boys absolutely loved it and the taste testing at the end, nailed it for us.

Three Store Locations, one located next Carlos & Earnie's Runaway Grill on Coconut Drive and two stores south of the island with one being inside Black Orchid Restaurant.

Paradice Cream carries about 25 flavors with new ones changing out each season. They hand-make all their waffle cones right there at the shop, and offer guests topping choices. If you can't live without your favorite flavor, they make pints & quarts for you to purchase and take home. Our favorite flavors were Butter Pecan, Peanut Butter Cup, Blueberry & Strawberry Cheesecake. The kids seem to be enjoy Cookie Monster and Unicorn Poop.

Cookie Monster Ice Cream

This ends another adventure for (2) boys in Belize.

Belize Budget Suites - Blog - 2 Boys in Belize

Graduation Time in Belize

Ceremony Highlights

Pre-School Graduation

"Baby Bear Romen"

Graduation Dinner

Congratulations Romen

"My Handsomness"

Say Cheese Romen!

As Always, We Miss You Jaymin

Cave Exploring With Kids

Exploring Footprint Cave

Hummingbird Highway

Cave Branch Lodge

Dinner at the Lodge

Romen the Cave Explorer

Footprint Cave

Actun Chek Cave

Cave Tubing - Footprint Cave

Walking to the River

Entrance to Footprint Cave

Rock Formations

Cave Wildlife

Cave Bats

Cave Crickets

Cave Flies

Cave Silk Strands

Pottery & Ancient Relics

Cave Picnic

As Always........

We Miss You Jaymin

Horseback Riding Adventure

Rainforest Horseback Riding

Romen, you ready foranother adventure?

Jungle Horseback Riding

Jungle Horseback Riding

River Bank Tree

My Horseback Riding Adventure

Jungle Horseback Adventure

Jungle Horseback Riding

As Always.......

We Miss You Jaymin

Belize Zoo Adventure

Every Child Should Visit the Zoo

ROMEN'S ADVENTURE

Belize Zoo is about a 40-50minute drive from the boat terminal

What Can You Expect To See At

Reptiles & Amphibians

Belize Mammals

Belize Birds

How Big is a Harpy Eagle?

16 Years Difference

As Always..........

Missing You Jaymin

Caye Coffee in Belize

We Miss You Jaymin

BELIZEAN CHEESE DIP

How I Spent My March - In Belize

March is Stimulus Month

February 28, 2022 - Trip to Mainland

March 1, 2022 - My New Room

March 2, 2022 - Plant a Tree Day

March 3, 2022 - Healthy Lunch

March 4, 2022 - Kite Day

March 5, 2022 - 303 Belize

March 9, 2022 - Career Day

March 11, 2022 - Karaoke Day

March 14, 2022 - Dentist Day

March 15, 2022 - Lunch w/ Nani

March 18, 2022 - Sports Day

March 21, 2022 - Crazy Shoe Day

March 24, 2022 - Face Painting Day

March 29, 2022 - Earth Day

March 30, 2022 - 3D Project Day

So far it's been an eventful & exciting month for this little boy. Now Mami & Nani need an ice cold "Cranberry Tea".

Sports Day - In Belize

This was my favorite picture of the entire day.

Angler's Restaurant

Angler's Restaurant

Angler's Restaurant Menu

Romen, you ready for
another adventure?

Belize Zoo is about a 40-50
minute drive from the boat terminal

Check Out Angler's Restaurant
for Your Next Seafood Lunch