I know this is a redundant topic, but I wanted to expand a bit more on it.

The mosquito problem in Belize. I hate, hate, hate mosquitoes. Ever since I was a child and my family would vacation in the Outer Banks, NC I have had an extreme irritation of mosquitoes. When my family would vacation, we would always rent a house with my mom’s sister’s family and her three kids. With Seven kids, two couples and my grandmother and her friend (6 adults) there wasn’t ample sleeping space in some of the houses. One year, I was deemed the “sun room” or screened in porch as my sleeping headquarters. Again, I dawned my bed as an air mattress all week. I woke up morning after morning covered in more and more mosquito bites than the night before. I had horrible itching for weeks after returning from the Outer banks and developed a deep hatred for the little buggers.

One day, as a teenager and later in life, I was reading through a Cosmopolitan offering tips for summer beauty. One of the tips suggest Vitamin B1 as a mosquito repellent. You take the pills and the scent your body emits from the pills wards off mosquitoes. I immediately went out and bought a bottle of Vitamin B1 from GNC. Ever since, I have always had vitamin B1 in my possession. The Vitamin B1 has worked for me and it has prevented huge red itchy bumps from camping trips and late beach nights. You have to start taking the pills a few days before your planned journey, but it does work. I have read recently a few forums of people being worried of taking Vitamin B pills being asthmatic. I can say, having asthma as a child and (fortunately) seem to be growing out of it, I have had no problems combining Vitamin B1 with my asthma. Another plus about the Vitamin B1 is that it enhances your energy and metabolism. Maybe I can contribute some of my slender figure to that? It’s not a diet pill but a natural energy enhancer/mosquito repellent. Again, a win win situation!

I have about 8 pills left in my bottle. This means I’ll be making a trip to CVS Pharmacy (I no longer shop at GNC) to pick up some more of these handy pills to start taking three days before Belize and to share with Courtney.

We partnered with Viator to bring you adventure packages and tours in Belize. Take a look at what they have to offer!

Belize City and Reef Helicopter Tour – $ 260.00 Take flight on a helicopter tour to see Belize City as few people ever get to see it! For approximately 25-30 minutes, you’ll enjoy a bird’s-eye view of downtown, the Baron Bliss Lighthouse, the Tourist Village, St. John’s Cathedral and the Swing Bridge. This sightseeing tour will give you an extraordinary experience that very few tourists get to witness!

Cave Tubing and Belize Rainforest ATV – $ 154.00 Discover the Belize Maya Caves on an exhilarating ATV adventure circuit. You’ll drive through the jungle on an ATV, go on a hike to explore the ancient traditions of the Maya, then float through an underground cave system on your own inner tube. It’s a Belize rainforest adventure you’ll never forget!

Community Baboon Sanctuary in Belize – $ 126.50 Everybody loves monkeys! This morning or afternoon tour from Belize City, takes you to an important sanctuary where farmers and howler monkeys co-exist in harmony. You’ll enjoy exotic wildlife and have a glimpse into the lives of everyday Belize locals – all in one tour!

Belize’s Macal River, Panti Medicinal Trails, and Cahal Pech – $ 117.70 Cruise the Macal River from Belize City to the Panti Medicinal Trails, and discover the exotic natural beauty of Belize. This unforgettable experience will leave you with lifelong memories of Belize’s most attractive sights. Great for both adults and children, add this excursion to your Belize itinerary!

Belize Manatee Watch and Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise – $ 117.70 Sparkling waters, tropical fish, and exotic sights – this is why you came to Belize! Jet across the crystal waters of the Caribbean by speedboat, glimpse manatees in the wild, and even snorkel Belize’s Great Barrier Reef on this full day guided tour from Belize City.

Altun Ha and the Olde Belize River Safari – $ 102.85 Cruise down the Belize River and visit the ancient Mayan site of Altun Ha on this exciting day trip from Belize City. Combining exotic wildlife and legendary history, the tour highlights the exquisite natural beauty of Belize and its Mayan heritage. Your guide awaits!

Lamanai and the New River Safari in Belize – $ 102.85 Discover ancient Mayan architecture on an excursion through Belize’s exotic landscapes. You’ll enjoy stunning views and spot diverse wildlife as you make your way to the Lamanai ruins, one of the most famous sights in Belize. Accessible only by water and a brief hike, this adventure is fun for the whole family.

Xunantunich and The Belize Zoo – $ 102.85 Imposing temples and exotic animals! Is it the latest Hollywood action movie? No, this time it’s real and you’re the star. Travel Belize by a hand-cranked ferry, see stunning Mayan ruins, and marvel at the majesty of the Belizean rainforests. And the wildlife? You’ll see unique indigenous species in their natural habitat at the Belize Zoo.

Belize Jungle ATV Adventure Tour – $ 80.85 Explore the Belize jungle and Mayan Caves as never before on an ATV adventure! You’ll drive through the thick undergrowth of the Belize rainforest for breathtaking views of the ancient sacred caves. This family-friendly activity is a must-do when in Belize, and no prior ATV experience is necessary!

I did it. I didn’t think I’d have the guts, but I did it! I picked up one of these awesome babies from Backcountry.com yesterday (see link to a major sale, below). I don’t know how I am going to explain to Liz my utter disregard for the budget, but it is just so important to me that we document as much of this trip as possible.

I am so excited about the prospect of recording adventures like kayaking, diving, snorkeling, the ATM, Xunantunich, etc., that I just feel like we need to utilize every resource possible. OK, truth is, this thing is spectacular. And it will be awesome for next ski season (and the next). I got it because I like toys. I took hundreds of photos and some weak video last year on my ski trips and spent a lot of time editing the results to put together a video diary. I want to do the same for Belize. This is a very memorable trip for Liz and I and I think this is going to be a valuable asset.

Let’s face it, the POV 1.0 is bomb-proof. It has been demonstrated in many different extreme sports environments. It’ll take everything we throw at it on this trip and come back for more. I’d be a fool not to take this to the ATM. The jungle hike, river fords, and cave adventure is the perfect combination of crazy environments that the POV was built for.

I picked up two 8GB memory cards for this package. I don’t know if I’ll fill them both up, but I am certain that I don’t want to get caught all the way out there without enough memory! Last count, between Liz and I we have enough video and picture memory to record the rest of our lives, nonstop! OK, maybe not that much. But it’s getting to where I can guarantee an incredible video diary will be available to you, the reader at the end of the trip.

We’ll start with some preview images and an occasional rough-cut video clip. Then, once we’ve got things sufficiently edited, we’ll start to post some final products. I hope they turn out as great in reality as they are in my imagination. I guess only time will tell…

Exclusive Semi Annual Sale Preview – Up To 70% Off At Backcountry.com. Expires Very Soon.
*note: I actually bought the 1.0. The 1.5 (advertised here) is the new generation. It’s superior in many ways, but was more than I could afford.

Warrie Head ranch and travel lodge is located just outside Belmopan on the trek from Belize City on the Western Highway in the Cayo District. The lodge sits at the foothills of the Maya Mountains on the banks of the Belize River. The Warrie Head Ranch and Lodge reveals the everyday history of the former British colonial life in Belize in a natural setting.

Warrie Head Ranch and Lodge has 10 rooms that are open to individual travelers or groups. It has an eco-tourism side to it- with natural history, archeological tours, birding, camping, sailing, horseback riding, jungle tours and the Maya ruins tours. On site is a beautifully landscaped tropical garden that houses some historical artifacts from a 19th century Sugar Mill and a 19th century steam engine from the days of logging.

You will be treated very well by the housekeeper, Miss V. She will serve you cool drinks while you rest in a wicker chair on the porch. However, be prepared for dealing with the humidity Belize has to offer as the rooms are not air conditioned. Although, the rooms are spotless, the grounds are fabulous, it’s quiet and private there.

Prices range at about $70 USD per night in-season and from June 1-September 30th you can expect to pay $65 USD a night.

If you want to experience the 19th century British Colonial living, here’s your place to go. However, be informed- before you decide to take a dip in the Belize river- know that there are poisonous snakes and crocodiles in there!

To get more information (they don’t have a website) you can e-mail them at bzadventur@btl.net.

Xunantunich is located in western Belize, within eyesight of Guatemala. It sits near the Maypan River. Standing atop El Castillo, one can view the neighboring country. Take the hike to the top and grasp the sheer vastness that is the earth with an unobstructed panoramic view of the Belizean jungle. The area is composed of numerous plazas surrounded by pyramids. Six major plazas and over 25 temples and palaces will keep you busy during your visit to Xunantunich.

Xunantunich translates to “stone woman” in Mayan. This name is a modern name given to the archeological site as, like many other forgotten Mayan cities, the original name was lost. The Stone Woman name was given to the site because of the many ghost sightings that have appeared there. On numerous occasions, dating back as far as 1895, witnesses have reported seeing a woman dressed in white with glowing red eyes. She seems to climb up the steps of El Castillo before disappearing into the rocks. Witnessing this supernatural phenomenon may be truly rare, but once you’ve seen a ghost, I’m sure the experience is unmatched. Perhaps Liz and I will catch a glimpse of her.

Amazing intricate carvings characterize Mayan archeological sites

Xunantunich is home to a remarkable archeological prize. A well preserved Stele can be found among the ruins. Rather, it is preserved in a modern facility on the grounds. Dating from 200 BC to 150 AD, it is a remarkable artifact that should not be missed. Stelae are funeral slabs erected to honor the dead, much like tombstones of today. The intricate relief carvings are remarkable even by today’s standards.

Getting to Xunantunich seems to be relatively manageable. Nearly every resort in the area Liz and I have researched offers tours to this ruin. Some offer guided tours by horseback. Others will drive you in and feed you. Wear hiking boots or sneakers as the grounds are not so mild as to accommodate flip-flops or sandals.