UNBELIZABLE!

Up in the air

It’s December 1st. Almost a week since we’ve been married. Coming off of fresh celebrations with our dear friends and family on Thanksgiving. After being stuffed with turkey and all the trimmings, we headed to our honeymoon. Well rested and looking forward to traveling again, we took off for a week of adventure and discovery in Belize. Little did we know what Belize had in store for us. The weather says it’s raining all week – I hope we can bring the Californian sun there.

ATTEN-HUT!

The first night we stayed in these really cute straw huts. 350 sq. feet of personal space. Terracotta tiled floors and a wood framed queen sized bed right in the center with drapes that surrounded all four sides. We stayed in this for one night only. Why? Cause we were fiercely attacked by mosquitos while there was a huge rainstorm outside after the sun had set. I had read about the mosquitos on a review, but thought how bad can a few mosquitos be? They were known as the Belize love bites and man were we really ‘loved.’

victoria house

How would I describe this place? Lush. Colonial plantation feel. Well-kept. Paradise. When we arrived, a storm had just covered the resort in darkness, rain poured and thunder rumbled. The next morning was just perfect, a beautiful day though overcast, evenly lit the resort and beach revealing so much of what we didn’t see the previous night. The place was just gorgeous. An infinity pool at our disposal, 3 meals a day with 3-course dinners at the 5-star restaurant. How could we even imagine leaving such a place. But let me start with the fruit, the pineapple, UGH. It was as they say…UNBELIZABLE. The air is warm, breezy, filled with the sounds of crashing waves and the rustling of palm tree leaves swaying against each other. It was perfect to just sit at a table with a freshly brewed cup of coffee watching the clouds slowly moving across the sky. The vegetation around the resort was lush, with no less than 10 groundkeepers maintaining the property on a daily basis. Each of them stopping as we pass by extending a friendly hello or good morning to you. One could get used to this.

Back here in the states, I admit, I don’t eat as much fruit as I should. But in Belize I think I had enough servings of fruit for every day I miss in the states. The fruit is not only juicy, but has the perfect texture, especially the pineapple. I loved it so much that instead of a variety that comes on a plate, I just requested PINEAPPLE please.

relax to the max

Living in LA, one questions if we really know how to relax. For me I don’t know what that truly means. I’m so used to ‘doing things’ keeping busy. But here there isn’t much to do, one is forced to rest. We didn’t bring any books or reading material, so we’d hang out at the pool for a couple of hours soaking in the sun and enjoy the grandiose view from the infinity pool. How do you truly relax, does anyone know?

sea food, see food

I can’t say enough about the food because it was just amazing. It was authentic and simple. People in the Caribbean really eat simply. Coconut rice, black beans and jerk chicken. The seafood is fresh, caught that day if not a couple hours earlier. There was the occasional fish taco and we just couldn’t resist. I think we tried almost everything at the resorts menu without repeating.

We got a recommendation from one of the waitresses about a cook that left to start her own restaurant. We went into town via a golf-cart (which is how everyone gets around the island) in search of our next meal. What we found was an amazing fish wrap, the wrap having hints of curry. We had a couple of drinks. Joie had a margarita and I had something call the Panty Ripper aka Pantiripa (apparently one of Belize’s most famous drinks). I had asked the taxi driver what the locals drink and he said the ‘Pantiripa’ in an accent, I wasn’t sure if he said panty-ripper or not so I just smile and nodded. And lo and behold it was on the menu.

green giants

a hop, skip & jump away

From Ambergiese Caye, we flew inland to San Ignacio leaving the calm, relaxing part of Belize behind and were looking forward to our more adventurous half of the honeymoon. And adventure we found. It was more exciting than any of us could imagine. It was far better than watching videos of other people’s adventures on YouTube. Nothing could prepare you for what was to come.

INTO THE HEART OF DARKNESS

LEAVING BELIZE

If you are considering ever going to Belize. GO. I don’t say this because we spent our honeymoon there, but because it’s enchanting. The people who we encountered were just so kind, knowledgable and generous. They are extremely cultured about the history of their people, land and food. This has been one of the most daring, eye-opening and adventurous experiences I’ve ever had in my life. Memories of swimming close-up with 8-ft sharks and stingrays, spelunking in dark, swimming through pouring waterfalls, encountering cave spiders and the Crystal Maiden, zip-lining across crocodile infested rivers, tubing down the river while the refreshing rain poured on top of your face, and last but not least being ‘birthed’ out of the mouth of Actun Tunichil Muknal. I came out a new man. So long Belize, until next time – see you soon.