Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Belize Zoo

Belize is a small country that attracts a large amount of ecotourism. You can snorkel or go scuba diving in the Blue Hole and at the Belize Barrier Reef.  On land there are many wildlife reserves and places to go kayaking and cave rafting.  Since we are  only in Belize for a few days we decided to check out the Belize Zoo because who doesn't love to watch the animals take naps, right?




The 29 acre Belize Zoo is home to 45 species of native Belize animals that were once used for a documentary about tropical forest.  It is located in the tropical savanna that is quite literally in the middle of no and where.  BUG SPRAY is a must!


This Tapir doesn't seem like much of a threat.

Lick!


I had a staring competition with a toucan..
..and he won.


The howler monkeys can be heard throughout the zoo but don't want to be seen.


Oh, there's one!
This tree is full of howler monkeys, I promise.


More howlers.. somewhere up there.











A random Puma appears.

The majestic jaguar pacing the fence.


Jaguar pup relaxing in the shade. 


As we were leaving the zoo we found a local checking out the bike.

"Who's a pretty bird?"


The Belize zoo isn't the biggest and fanciest zoo but it is well worth the visit. They have put a lot of time and effort into educating the locals and visitors on the animals that call Belize home. 

Indeed!

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Belize, An Oasis From Spanish

Belize is a Central American anomaly.  English is the primary language which was a refreshing break after spending over two months in Mexico. Spanish can be confusing especially if you don't speak it.
See picture below for example. 



Each Central American Country has their own beer but the Belize beer, Belikin, is Matthew's favorite. You can't buy this beer anywhere else but inside Belize.


We stopped for a Belikin and the  bay view just five miles over the border.


The Chocolate Stout has a single coffee bean inside the bottle.


Belize is a small country with roughly the same population of Tampa, Florida. The architecture is much different than the concrete structures we are used to seeing in Mexico. The only way I can think to describe it is an old colonial style mixed with Mississippi back roads.









On Google maps a yellow line means a main road and usually of descent quality but in Belize it may also mean a rough dirt/clay road riddled with potholes that would swallow a VW Bug.


More Pothole than road, kind of hard to tell in the photo though.

We crossed paths with a team of leaf cutter ants doing their job and paying no mind to traffic.



Matthew for scale.
In Belize City the highway took us through the middle of the city cemetery. 




They even have graves in the median. 
Thanks Denny!
We arrived n the town of Orange Walk just in time to experience TACO FEST!  We decided to be  intestinal adventurers and check out the festivities.  They did not disappoint.


Singing ,dancing and enough speakers to deafen the masses. 

Local rap artist performing his hit song "I LOVE TACOS"
The tacos were only $1 for 4 and delicious. Oh, and we didn't die.

Mystery meat tacos cause we couldn't hear over the music.
Hungry? How about an OK restaurant or do you prefer an Excellent one?  Maybe you are the Sexy Chicken type?





The Belize demographic is made up of  Hispanic, Kriol,  Mayan, Asian and German Mennonites. If we had one word to describe the people of Belize it would be, happy.


German Mennonites out for a stroll.. 
and waiting at the bus stop.




Giant Beach Ball for some festivity

Coconut salesman


What will Pup do?!

Road side fruit stand




We are off to the Belize zoo!!