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.

Yes, the Atlantic Ocean is starting to see the beginning of tropical storm and hurricane season. A cheers to that, I will enlighten you on one of my biggest fears in life: a natural disaster.

The hurricane and tropical storm season runs from June 1st to November 30th, with the most active months being August, September, and October. Our trip puts us literally smack in the middle of hurricane season in Belize.

Belize’s past with hurricanes has been far lucky compared to other Caribbean destination.

1. Hurricane Janet, which produced devastating winds and massive flooding, hit just North of San Pedro in September of 1955 and recorded winds at 150 knots in Corozal.
2. Hurricane Hattie (one of the more historical hurricanes) hit in October of 1961 and caused so much damage that Belize decided to move their capital from Belize City to Belmopan. Hurricane Hattie’s eye gusted winds at 115 miles per hour with winds estimated at 200 miles per hour. The eye of hurricane Hattie passed between Belize City and Dangriga causing 307 deaths in Belize City alone.
3. In late October of 1998, hurricane Mitch hit just south of Belize in Honduras, but still his effects took a toll on Belize as well. While the winds reached 180 mph in Honduras, Belize was lucky to have just missed the eye of this beholder. Hurricane Mitch (at the time) was the strongest observed hurricane in October in the Atlantic Region.
4. October 1, 2000 Hurricane Keith (a category 4 hurricane) toke a toll on the atolls. Hurricane Keith was known to be a very slow moving hurricane which dumped tons and tons of water on the cayes and Belize. It took three days to pass through the Cayes and was later downgraded to a tropical storm as it moved more inland.
5. 2005. Let’s just keep it there. With the most active hurricane season yet, Belize encountered the wherewithal effects of 5 hurricanes, and luckily, was spared being hit head on by any of the 5 in the general region.

2009
We are heading right into it, with the list names assembled and two storms in, let’s hope for the best that we won’t be dialing into our travel insurance company right before the trip or a few days into the trip. The one downside of going in the low season is the worrying about the weather. But the best thing you can do is to purchase traveler’s insurance and the necessary gear to help cover the costs of a ruined vacation.

2009 Hurricane Names
Ana *
Bill *
Claudette *
Danny
Erika
Fred
Grace
Henri
Ida
Joaquin
Kate
Larry
Mindy
Nicholas
Odette
Peter
Rose
Sam
Teresa
Victor
Wanda

*recorded hurricanes as of today, August 17, 2009

I have always had a fear of natural disasters. Everything from tornadoes (eek!) to Volcanoes, to typhoons, floods, mudslides, earthquakes and hurricanes. I don’t know why I have been so scared of these things. Probably from watching movies as a girl such as Volcano, Home is Where the Heart is, The Wizard of Oz, Twister and the daily news. Something about not having control over the fate of your own life and not having the ability to stop the bad scares me.

Presented with the opportunity of experiencing a hurricane while in Belize slightly scares me. But now that I am older, part of me finds it exciting to have that opportunity to experience something in life I am scared of and to overcome it. Kind of like scuba diving the other day and the crabs. When you know more about something you are scared of and have experience with it, it somehow lessons the stress of the situation and puts your mind at ease.

I went to Los Angeles when I was 21 years old to live out there for three months. The only thing that was worrying me the whole time (from booking my travels, residence and my job) was encountering an earthquake. When I flew to Los Angeles a few months before moving out there, I stopped by the office I was to intern at. It was located in one of the very few high rises that borderline Beverly Hills and Hollywood. I was scared to death (and had awful daydreams/night dreams) of encountering a sizable earthquake while working there and experiencing a high rise falling over on top of me. But yet, I still followed through with moving out to Los Angeles regardless. I moved out there entirely alone, with very few people I knew and no one to rely on in case of an emergency. It made me very nervous. Every day I got in the elevator to go to work I feared for my life. It was terrible. But that was also growing up in a small town in a bubble that brought that fear out. However, I was determined to make my dreams come true and I dealt with it. The picture below (while not great, it was taken on my iPhone in February of 2009 on a trip to visit old friends) shows the bottom of the building I worked in for Pat’s Management Company and Adeline Records. Luckily, I never did get to experience a real earthquake while living in Los Angeles, however, one night while resting on the air mattress which I called “home” that was situated on a living room floor of a two bedroom non a/c apartment on Gardner Street in downtown Hollywood, I experienced my first tremors. I remember it clearly, like it was yesterday. My head was resting up against the wall as I sat surfing the web on my computer (bumming wireless off the neighbors, sad, but true) and due to my air mattress bed- my head against the wall ended up bumping on the wall with the vibrations of the tremor. I jumped out of bed, scared to my wits and ran to the shower and waited in there until the tremor seized- which ended up being only a few seconds later. I had experienced the beginning of my biggest fear in life and I was amazed with it. And I no longer feared an earthquake as bad.

So I almost feel, in a way, to tell the hurricane season in Belize, to “BRING IT ON!” I have a fear to overcome and a story to tell one day to my family, friends, and hopefully kids one day. So if it comes, it comes. And it will be an experience of a lifetime, hopefully, and not something to run away from.

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!

It boggles my mind to think about transportation in Belize. With our list of activities and places we want to explore, to me it makes sense to just rent a car. But good luck to us getting those cars onto the islands. Certain islands don’t allow cars at all. I don’t think a car will be an option for the island days.

If we don’t have a car, we will be lugging these HUGE suitcases with scuba diving equipment, snorkeling equipment, cameras, clothes and more for the week around. We’re going to need to pack very light and bring ONLY the necessities. The biggest things on my list are a can of bug spray and a bikini. My Macbook will not be joining me on this trip and we will have to do all the updates when we return. I will do voice entries everyday so that the information is fresh in my mind and I won’t lose it by the time I return to Boston.

Another thing that worries me about the luggage is just criminals in general. Whether we leave it in our room while doing daily activities or set it to the side while we take a peek in a shop or to quickly grab a bite to eat or whatever the case may be, it worries me deeply. Someone could just snatch it.

The Water Taxi will take us to/from Belize City to San Pedro (Ambergris Caye) for $10.00 USD each way. It doesn’t mention anything about luggage limits though. We can make our reservations here.

We can also take the water taxi and skip on over to Caye Caulker as well. The water taxi to and from San Pedro to Caye Caulker is $7.50 USD each way. Or we can take the water taxi from Belize city right to Caye Caulker for $7.50 USD each way. I think these prices sound more appealing than flying. In fact, without Courtney’s say, I think I will just go ahead and opt out of the flights.

More on the planning end- it might make sense to fly into Belize and hit the jungle first. We can rent a car right when we arrive for the jungle adventures and drive to/from the jungle and the Mayan Ruins and such. Or whatever we need to do. Then we drive back to Belize City, dump the car off and hop on the water taxi. I don’t want to spend any time during the day traveling, so I think we should plan our traveling at nights/evenings so we can savor the mornings/days for the adventures. Oh, just kidding! The water taxi runs latests at like 3:00 p.m. Shoot. Well I guess when we return from the jungle we do do it at night, grab a dirt cheap hotel room for the night and grab the first water taxi at 7 a.m. putting us on the islands at around 8:00 a.m. This will give us time to still enjoy a full day of activities. Although what do we do with the luggage while doing the activities and waiting to check into a hotel room? Oh the fine details we will have to work out as it gets closer. Maybe the places down there will allow for early checkin.

All I can say to Courtney and his scuba diving equipment is “Goodluck honey!” You’ll have to start training. Pack up your suitcase and take it for long romantic walks, take a couple flights of stairs everyday with it, and learn the best ways to maneuver it. But be prepared- your luggage will be your new best friend if we opt out on a car rental. This is going to be a b****!

I got the message on July 6th before transfering the blog over to wordpress:

Shirley’s Guesthouse was recommended in the Frommer’s Belize book. The website is pretty outdated on its design and presentation but it does get straight to the point. Wait, wow. It’s located on the geocities domain. HOW CAVEMAN is that?! I think they should splurge and get a domain name. Although, they seem to be doing just fine attracting visitors with the site and minuscule information they offer on it.

Shirely’s Guesthouse is located on Caye Caulker. They only have 5 cabins at this location. We would have to make a decision soon on if this is a location we may want to stay at and book it. They may not even have any occupancy available that week, we will have to check.

Pertaining to booking the rooms:
One cabin – one double bed, private bath One or two persons.
$90US per night in high season and $65US in low season.

Duplex Rooms – one double bed, private bath
Basically same as the cabin but each room is a little smaller.
One or two persons. $65US high season and $50US low season.

Upstairs – two rooms share one bathroom
Two beds in each room, one double and one twin bed.
For two people $50US in high season, $40US in low season.
For three people in a room add an additional $15US.

Also, to get there we would need to take the water taxi. Some great information on the water taxi to Caye Caulker is here. Looks like it would be $20USD each way a person, which, is a bit steep.

Or we could fly there. But that looks to be about $120 round trip a person.

laurahuddles said…

We looked at this place. It’s pretty pricey and way out of the way. You’d have to walk a ways to get to the strip with restaurants and stuff, so we decided against it. I would definitely go with Trends.

Also, the water taxi is your best bet for getting there. Don’t trust the posted rates on these websites, when Bryce and I tried to book a few different flights, the actual rates came back higher than this. The water taxi is US $25 roundtrip and you can use the return anytime. It takes one hour and I would recommend sitting either facing forward or backward in the boat, because sitting sideways in a motorboat for that long can be a bit painful…
July 6, 2009 12:02 AM