Birthday Girl... Happy Birthday Eva!

2 years old...

It's pretty neat to celebrate your birthday in Belize... 

What is this?

After presents a nap and then the beach!

Chief Designated Golf Cart Driver...

OK folks... we have a big announcement here. Tate Whitmore has done a fantastic job achieving Chief Driver status on the Placencia Golf Cart racing circuit. Doing this in just 3 days, Tate (along with his designated gas pedal pusher and mascot Mina) made history on The Maine Stay Racing and Guard Dog Team. Congratulations Tate!

 There must be a snooze coming on soon...

Warm Sun... Great Book!

Can The Sunrise Get Any Better?

Our recent guest at The Maine Stay... Vivian Jackson's photos are really spectacular and I will share them one or two at a time...

Grocery Shopping...

Guests at The Maine Stay fairly frequently ask about the availability of grocery items locally. It may be reassuring to folks to preview how easy the shopping will be...

What Not To Miss In Central America...

Many of our guests at The Maine Stay get a great look at the incredible "where's my camera" views along the Hummingbird Highway as they drive to the coast and the Placencia Peninsula. It's Number 3 on this list of "Ten Things Not To Miss In Central America."

What Not to Miss in Central America | We Blog The World

www.weblogtheworld.com

The green cufflinks between North and South America, these seven compact countries would be easy to skip on a map. Yet they represent a complex web of cultures,

The Maine Stay - New Fence...

It has been really gratifying to see the appearance and convenience of the new paved road on the Peninsula. It also made us realize that we needed to upgrade our looks as well. We decided to go ahead with a walled fence around the property that gives it clear definition, enhanced security and we think a very "classy" look. Our foreman, Hector Tut, came up with the design for the lighting that is very attractive and gives us illumination on both sides of the fence and yet utilizes low energy compact fluorescent bulbs.

Another House in Kokomo...

Terry Klahn and Jim Miller are the latest Kokomo owners to begin construction on their tropical vacation home. This is always an exciting time for the owners and for us. It's wonderful to see great design ideas and quality construction become reality! See more photos and video here. 

Excellent Wrap Up of Vacation Highlights

Our recent guests, Rick, Karen, Donna, and Larry had a great time and Rick put together a super overview of the highlights of restaurants on the Peninsula and elsewhere, as well as excursions they enjoyed. 

Our restaurant reviews (random order):

1. Quarterdeck - best fish, very nice staff
2. Mangos - great ribs, friendly place
3. Maya Hotel Bistro - best atmosphere, service
4. DeTatch - largest portions, best shrimp, great breakfast
5. Shak - best shakes, nice lunch and breakfast
6. Maya Center (Jag Preserve) - cheapest meal by far. Good food. Recommend their    pineapple juice drink.
7. Wendys - another very good breakfast place
8. Cheers - good place to stop to/from airport
9. Singing Sands - best desserts
10. Barefoot bar - lively, friendly
11. Habaneros - nice atmosphere, but somewhat pricey for their buffet
12. Rumfish - very good fish, fun place
13. Tutti Fruiti - favorite spot of our group
14. Thongs (Hopkins Village) - friendly staff, good ice cream

Activities:

1. Driving through Seine Bight - enjoyed seeing the kids, dogs, and residents.  They seemed to be always having fun in the streets.  We did 80% of our food shopping at Dave's and the Peninsula.
2. Beach walks - never have seen so few people, so when you do see someone we usually ended up talking to them.  Great beach all the way to Cocoplum.
3. Kayaks - enjoyed the kayaks very much.  Best in the morning as it was calm, but they also handle the waves well in the afternoon.
4. Monkey River - fun adventure, good guides.
5. Bowling - hadn't bowled on 20 years.  We had a lot of fun at Jaguar Lanes.
6. Jaguar Preserve - rough road going in, but very nice trails.  Made for a good day trip.
7. Hopkins Village - another rough road in, but town was interesting.
8. Tarpon Caye Fish Trip - long boat ride (45 min) to caye and the fishing waters.  This was a full day where they cook your catch for lunch.  Didn't catch a lot of fish, but more than enough for lunch.  Also hooked a tarpon, but lost it on 2nd jump.
9. Cocoplum - very nice properties and model home tour.  Not high pressure sales which was nice.  The model home is well worth going through.

Thanks for one of our best vacations ever,

Rick, Karen, Donna, and Larry 

Absolutely Outstanding!

Lucius Fables: The day the Carnival left town

belizefables.blogspot.com

Belikin Whisper!

Great song... beat, lyrics, title and nice "hook"

Belikin Whisper - Single by Shawn Brady - Download Belikin Whisper - Single on iTunes

itunes.apple.com

Preview and download songs from Belikin Whisper - Single by Shawn Brady on iTunes. Buy Belikin Whisper - Single for just $0.99.

Puppy Love...

Stretching the definition of "lap dog"

New Aerial of Kokomo and The Maine Stay

Made a quick trip to Belize City yesterday, and managed to get one shot (oriented east to west) that really highlights the incredible foliage growth on both the beach and lagoon side of the property. Compare it to the photo below taken August 23, 2003 (oriented west to east).

Piles of Junk...

Some time this past summer, Jose told me that one of the local resorts was getting rid of an old commercial stove from their restaurant. When I went to look, it was in pretty rough shape.  It was cheap enough that I decided to take the risk we could do something with it. The piles of junk you see below are after Jose had "dismantled" it... I didn't get back to the shop quick enough for a really good "before" photo!

It took a lot of time and effort to rejuvenate this very well made Garland commercial stove, but the end result made it all worth it!  No, we don't (and won't) run a restaurant, but we have always wanted one of these and now it's in our palapa kitchen.

Jankuno Traditional Garifuna Christmas Dancing...

Christmas Day at The Maine Stay...

Thanks very much to Hamanasi Resort for the very nice description below of the Jankuno tradition.

“Jankuno” Garifuna Dance

by HAMANASI on DECEMBER 20, 2010

The “Jankuno” dance is a traditional dance performed during the Christmas season. The dancer wears a mask which resembles an English face topped by a hand-made hat similar to the English naval hats of the 18th century. It is said that these dances have their origins in the days of slavery and were intended to make fun of the white masters and their lack of rhythm.

Dum, du-dum … dum du-dum, is the rhythm of the drum that seems to be coming from across the village. It is an insidious beckoning to become a part of the music. As you draw nearer, the drumbeats become more distinct and there is the rising accompaniment of “shingling” shells. Above the crowd you are approaching is the wild movement of brightly colored feathers that adorn the head of dancers you are yet to see. The urge to be a part of whatever is happening gets stronger.

It is early January, the end of the Christmas celebrations and the final phase of a fortnight of dancing culminating in “Dia del Rey”, observed January 6th (or the weekend closest to that date,) by the Garinagu. It is another activity that helps to validate Dangriga’s self-imposed title, “The Culture Capital of Belize”. 

You know that the dancing of the Jankuno is drawing near when you see a young man here, a young boy there, gathering colorful feathers, assembling an attractive crown, or putting the finishing touches to the painted face masks that will be worn. You might be lucky to see a fully dressed dancer or two heading in the same direction as you, in search of the drums and their captivating rhythm.

Moving slowly to the front of the crowd you are suddenly faced with 5-10 costumed dancers wearing long sleeved white shirts, white gloves, knee length black pants and the occasional skirt, stockinged feet with black or white shoes. Green, pink or black ribbons criss-cross their chests and wrap their waist. At the knees, hundreds of tiny shells strung into knee pads make that “shingling” sound that accompany the dancer’s every move. The heads are wrapped in colorful cloths and the face is covered with painted masks depicting the features of a Caucasian male.

Inside the ring of onlookers is a loose circle of dancers awaiting their individual turns to perform, beginning with the youngest. With forearms extended, the incessant hypnotic movement of the dancer’s feet matches the rhythm and pattern of the two drummers. But it is the dancer’s movement that dictates the drummers’ beat and not the other way around. Paying keen attention, the drummers know when to pause, when to change the rhythm, and how to keep the flow. Each dancer brings his own unique style and flavor so the dancing is not repetitious. The Jankuno has the added richness of the Garifuna history and culture. 

New Cabana, Palapa and Pier Photos

The 360 degree panoramas I posted about earlier were done by Ben Kim of Esoteric Vision.  Here are 3 stills he took while doing those shoots. 

Funny Dogs in Belize

Taco and Bowdoin

I don't know why we named him Taco... since he's mostly Italian Greyhound! Bowdoin is a typical Belizean mutt that decided to walk down the middle of the Placencia Road and stick his scrawny puppy face in our yard... he has thrived!

Fly Fishing in Belize...

Some very nice video and stills of the Placencia area flats. Permit, bonefish and tarpon... go for the grand slam!

First Haircut in Belize!

I spent 3 months working at the Hillside Clinic in Eldridgeville, just outside of PG in early 2001. The friendly barber in PG did a great job. Wonder if he's still there?

Belize "Barefoot Perfect" Wedding

On Saturday, December 5th, 2010 Don and Dena Swanson had a "barefoot perfect" wedding on the beach at The Maine Stay, Placencia Peninsula, here in gorgeous Belize. It was a beautiful, simple and elegant ceremony. The weather was delightful. See more photos.

360 Degree Virtual Panoramas in Belize!

Just a couple of notes for The Maine Stay Blog and Facebook crew... we are in the process of doing some 360 degree virtual panorama tours around the cabanas and the beach. Have a look at some of them here and tell us what you think. The still shots below really don't do them justice

The Deck between the Cabanas

The Pier Palapa at Night

Belize - 20 Reasons To Visit!

Matador Network's Julie Schwietert Collazo has done a great job putting together a photo essay on Belize. Be sure to check out the comments at the end! 

Belize Friends... Fight Cruise Ships in Placencia!

Hello Everyone...

I hesitate to use our blog as a crusading platform, but this is a critical issue for Belize and Placencia. I really wanted to draw your attention to this important petition that I signed today:

"NO CRUISE SHIPS TO PLACENCIA"

Have a look at the proposed plan for Placencia Point put forth by Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. Clearly it will overwhelm and destroy the Village as we have all come to know and love it. The vast majority of the folks here oppose this... but big money talks... and plans are apparently proceeding.

For more information and other ways you can help and support this cause, see the link at 

Keep Cruise Tourism Away from Placencia, Belize!

I really think this is an important cause, and I'd like to encourage you to add your signature, too. It's free and takes just a few seconds of your time.

Thanks!   Drew

------------------------------
p.s. If you would like to start your own free petition, you can do so at
http://www.ipetitions.com/start-petition

Waking Up Is "Fun" To Do...

I almost never do this stuff, but a friend sent this to me and it's worth sharing!

The Singing Anesthesiologists - Listen carefully to the words! These singers are all Anesthesiologists (actually CRNAs) in Minnesota and they can really sing. They are also funny. Here they cover Neil Sedaka's classic "Waking Up Is Hard To Do."

The Mountains in Honduras...

Although only rarely this visible from our location on the Placencia Peninsula, the mountains in Honduras form a barrier that sometimes protects Belize from the worst of the storms that develop and move west in the extreme southern Caribbean.

"Heavenly Belize" Video and book...

The "coffee table" book and iPad versions of the "Heavenly Belize" video are spectacular. If you are thinking about coming to Belize, these images will probably convince you.  If you have been to Belize, you will want these scrapbook memories in some format! Below are the liner notes from YouTube. I have seen the large coffee table version for sale several places here in Placencia. 

Most people who come to Belize will agree that it is a country of astounding and diverse beauty. But few visitors - and most Belizeans for that matter - are fortunate enough to view Belize through the eyes of a soaring hawk or frigate...or a brilliantly plumed scarlet macaw.

That's the extraordinary vantage point employed by author/photographer Marius Jovaisa in Heavenly Belize. Using an ultralight aircraft originally designed for National Geographic assignments in Africa, Jovaisa travels the length and breadth of the country, capturing images ranging from towering jungle covered mountains and ancient Mayan cities to the 400 foot deep Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef.

Whether you are a first time visitor to Belize, or "born and raised" here, these never before published photographs will give you a deep appreciation of this refreshingly unique nation.

www.heavenlybelize.com
A song by Joint Project
Featuring Tanya Carter and Baltas Aras (Skullman)
MUSIC AND LYRICS: Jarreth Gault, Cory McKay, Alexis Milan. SINGERS: Joint Project - Jarreth Gault (Redman), Cory McKay (Mac), Alexis Milan. GUEST SINGER: Tanya Carter. LEAD AND RYTHM GUITAR: Baltas Aras (Skullman). KEYBOARDS, BASS AND DRUMS: Paul Flores. MASTERING: Paul Flores, Ludwig Studios. PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Marisa Alamilla. GROUP MANAGER: Zane Galvez. PRODUCER: Baltas Aras (Skullman). SOUNDTRACK COPYRIGHT A&M Productions

Don't forget to also look at the "BE ONE WITH BELIZE" VIDEO... 

Grandkids...

Well... proud grandparents get to show off!  And we'll get to see Eva and Tate in February when they come for a visit!

Eva & Tate

Eva

Zack...

Aaaawwwww...

Cote and LolaIMG_4624Originally uploaded by traversfamily 

Not to be outdone in the "cuteness" department, my son Kevin posted this shot of their dog Lola and her friend Cote on Flickr. I don't think he'll mind if I share.

Hey Dad... Where You Going?

Mina is usually my passenger seat companion in the D-Max pick-up truck... and is always disappointed if can't take her along for one reason or another. Well, now she has another "ride" around the beach and Kokomo... and she can get off whenever she wants to check something out!

Mina loves the "Golf Cart Patrols."