Belize 2013: A Tale of Ambergris Caye with Jungle Rain - song 1

From the very beginning of our stay in San Pedro, I was intrigued by the sliver of turquoise sea just along the horizon. By day we could see the white caps of the waves and at night could hear the low rumble as they broke against the barrier reef. The plants were all super sized and the coconut trees filtered just the right amount of sun as we lounged on the beach. Our constant companions were Bruno (who loved to fetch coconuts from the sea) and yellow butterflies that seemed to materialize out of nowhere.

Encouraged by Dani, I woke up one morning and wrote down some of my impressions and passed them on to her. She expanded on my thoughts and added her own verses. She already had a tune with an "island" feel which she finessed on her ukulele into this little song.

As soon as we left the island for our last three days on the mainland, nostalgia set in and we decided to record our little song with the morning jungle rain in the background. This was the first time we sang the entire song together and I picked out the harmonies as we went along.


A Tale of Ambergris Caye (Siren's song)

by Dani and Amy in Belize

A warm embrace soothes my cares
And with the tides carries them there
Turquoise sea beckons me like a siren's song

Luring me to what lies beneath
What lies ahead way past the reef
Turquoise sea beckons me like a siren's song

There is a light between the trees
My face is turned to the breeze

Walk on the water if you try
No longer question marks in starry skies

Yellow butterfly flutters by
Carefree across Belizean sky

Butterfly, better wings to fly
Just lead me to my future sky
Just lead me to my future sky

Belize 2013: Goodbye - Adios - Orevwe

Before leaving the Orchid Garden Eco Resort and heading to the airport, we had some time in the morning to wander around the grounds and try to catch sight of the elusive iguanas (Alfredo spotted one the first day, but since then, nothing.) Not so tricky to find were the couple of ducks perched on the Hotel sign. The male duck was raised with dogs and acts like one still...he wags his tail and tries to bark as he follows you around the hotel grounds. Never did find that iguana again, but we enjoyed exploring the Iguana Sanctuary in the steamy jungle air.

I really loved my time in Belize (aside from my brief trip to the San Pedro Police Station to report my computer and camera stolen.) The sights, sounds and sensations were like nothing I ever experienced in Europe and I was glad to have the chance to see what lies a bit farther south of the border. 

So in the languages of Belize - English, Spanish and Belizean Creole - goodbye, adios, orevwa!

Belize 2013: We Found a Zoo

I don't often visit zoos when I am traveling abroad. It is usually museums or ancient ruins that attract my attention. However, this was our last full day in Belize and it began with a downpour, not really beach weather. I noticed that the tour companies all offered trips to the zoo, so there must be something interesting to see.

The Belize Zoo was dedicated strictly to animals native to Belize - no polar bears in cute little igloos here. We were the first ones there and headed to the far end of the park to see the big cats first, before the rains came. Didn't quite make it. Somehow it seemed fitting to be drenched in the jungle while admiring huge birds and amazing cats.

There was a stork as tall as me and a jaguar "Junior" that let guests, willing to pay for the experience, feed and pet him through a wire cage. We ran into one of the handlers and he showed us the black jaguar "Lucky", rescued a year ago from one of the resorts in southern Belize. Lucky approached us like he was tracking prey, the epitome of stealth. A little less intimidating was the toucan - although he did nip at me with his enormous bill when I got too close.  We were drenched by the end, but had a wonderful time discovering the animals and birds of Belize.