Under the Sea (Snorkeling)

Today was a first in many ways. It was the first day of the rainy season, and I snorkeled for the first time out side of a bathtub. 

Getting Ready to Snorkel

Snorkeling in the Rain

"Go Under the Water So You don't Get Wet!"

There is a lot of snorkeling and SCUBA diving on the barrier reef in Belize because of the marine life. Being the second biggest barrier reef in the world, it spans the entire length of Belize. It is a barrier that protects the islands from being sunk by waves. 

We snorkeled at 2 famous dive/snorkeling spots on the barrier reef: Hol Chan (which means little channel in Mayan) and Shark Ray Alley. Both are marine sanctuaries. Although I have seen many documentaries about marine life and reef life, there is nothing that compares to feeling the warmth of the water and being surrounded by fish and coral. 

Nursing Sharks

Hidden Ray

Snorkel Instructor Showing Us the Reef and Fish

Seeing all the abundance of life down under the sea made me so thankful to God for all of His abundance that He has made available to us, His kids. This was absolutely an Ephesians 3:20 experience for me. Although the detail that God put into these underwater creatures is so meticulous it doesn’t come close to the detail in His Word. He magnified it above all His name!

Commonwealth Holiday

Since Monday was Commonwealth Day many Belizean own and operated businesses were closed for the holiday.  Banks, schools and some restaurants observed the holiday.  Many locals were seen along the beach enjoying time with family.  

Mural painted at the High School during the holiday weekend

We traveled north to see more of the Island.  We had planned to take the water taxi to experience that aspect of transportation however it cost more than we were willing to pay at that time.  The roadway to the north is wide enough for two golf carts to pass (general mode of transportation) in most areas.  The road winds along the beach side in some areas and through the middle of the brush in other areas.  It’s a beautiful sight of God’s country.

North Road

Sunset

  

Rejoice in the LORD

Today is the day the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

Today was filled with arranging meetings for next week therefore we took the day off from working on the property.  Sometimes you just need a day to enjoy life in San Pedro; our Board member volunteers were thankful. 

Belize Permanent Resident

Belize Permanent Resident

Applications for Belize Permanent Residence are made to the Belize Immigration Department in the City Of Belmopan after you have resided continuously in Belize for one year. You may not leave Belize for a period of 14 consecutive days during this time or your application may be rejected.
You need to fill out the required Permanent Residency Application form, take an HIV test, submit a recent police certificate of no criminal convictions, and provide two recommendations from individuals who have known you for at least one year. These individuals are usually ministers of religion, registered medical practitioners, attorneys at law, Head of a Government Department or Justice of the Peace.
There are several expediters - usually attorneys-at-law, retired immigration officers, Justices Of The Peace and other functionaries who can assist and guide you through this process.
Once your permanent residency has been approved you can seek employment or work for yourself just like any Belizean - there is no need for a work permit. You can move freely within Belize, and travel in and out of Belize without any restrictions. Best of all, the clock starts running and after 5 years you can apply for full citizenship.
It is economical to apply for permanent residency. Application fees for Permanent Residency vary by nationality, ranging from U.S. $250 to $5,000. For U.S. nationals, the fee is US$1,000 per person.
For information and application form, contact: Immigration and Nationality Department Ministry of National Security and Immigration, Belmopan City, Belize, Central America; Tel.: 501-222-4620; fax: 501-222-4056.

Time for approval of a permanent residency application varies. Some find that the process goes fairly quickly, taking only a few months. Others say it takes up to a year, or longer, for approval


Read more: http://www.belize.com/articles/residency-and-retirement-in-belize.html#ixzz1ISfFzmAk

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly….Bugs in Belize

Depending on the breeze and where you are standing, you can be bitten by mosquitoes or sand flies (sand fleas) at any given time in Belize.  What’s the key to avoid these pesky insects and others?  We are still mastering this question. 

Our experience while on the cayes (islands) has been that one is less likely to be bitten than while on the mainland.  Perhaps this is because of the constant cool breeze.

We have accused the mosquitoes of liking the taste of Americans, because the Belizeans don’t seem to get bitten or notice them.  Although we tease about this, there might be some truth to the fact that our American diets of sweets are attracting the bugs.  (Puts a whole new meaning of we are what we eat.)

Another thing learned by experience is to avoid traveling (walking) at dusk and dawn.  While living in Dangriga we didn’t pay attention to the time we walked around town until a dear Belizean friend made us aware of the fact that more mosquitoes bite at dusk and dawn.  Sure enough, once we followed this idea, we were not bitten near as much.  While living in Dangriga it was a morning ritual to put on Skin-so-soft.  The worst areas were in Sittee River (although many people go diving there we have heard the sand flies are outrageous) and Hopkins.  A few of the resorts with amazing beaches provides “Off” bug spray on the outside tables for visitors.  You can see people enjoying the beach, and then start swinging and swatting at their legs without even realizing it.  One Belizean friend purchased land in the Sittee area and had to move his family back to Dangriga because of the bugs on the property. 

If you happen to take a tour or wonder off into the jungle, it is best to wear long pants and long sleeves.  Regarding bug sprays, DEET works best although you should not use it continually due to the extreme chemical potency.  Skin-so-soft works fairly well in moderate locations.

We can balance not getting bit by our diets too but we are still learning all the does and don’ts by trial and error. Naturally garlic is pungent and bananas are sweet; supposedly mosquitoes are attracted to the abundance of potassium. 

In closing, while living in Dangriga we were often eaten up by bugs in the evening since we had no air conditioning and the windows were opened.  We purchased mosquito coils (like incense) and burned them every night which helped.  One night we finally prayed to God for some relief.  The next morning dragonflies were all around the staff house.  Somewhat annoyed by their presence as we left, our dear Belizean friend once again shared some insight with us stating that dragonflies eat mosquitoes.  We never complained or were annoyed with dragonflies again!  Thank you God!

More on bugs and health in Belize: http://ambergriscaye.com/pages/town/healthy.html

Belize Currency

In Belize what  is the unit of currency ?
The Belize Dollar!
One U.S. dollar equals two Belize dollars. For several decades now the Belize Dollar has been tied to the U.S. dollar at an official rate of two Belize Dollars to one US dollar. However, increased borrowing by government has led to growing pressure on this official exchange peg. A lively parallel market usually gives BZ$2.05 for U.S.1.00 Dollar. US dollars are gladly accepted throughout Belize. Thus visitors with US dollars do not need to worry about changing their money into Belize dollars - it doesn't make much sense.

Belize Dollars are generally worthless outside Belize and the few places that might change them, for example a foreign exchange abroad will offer little for it. Belize dollars are readily accepted in the towns immediately across the borders of Belize, at Melchor de Mencos in Guatemala and at border of Chetumal in Mexico. Strangely, the Belize Dollar is not accepted at the Corozal Free Zone inside Belize at the Northern Border. Only Mexican Pesos and the U.S. dollar are negotiable there.

Belize Currency!

Belize currency is printed at the British firm of Thomas De La Rue Ltd. All Belize bank notes feature a prominent image of Queen Elizabeth II on the front. Belize is a member of the British Commonwealth and has the Queen of England as Head of State.

Nationals of Belize are prohibited by law from holding U.S. dollar accounts - this is one way the government tries to shore up its Belize dollar. Belizeans - from the ordinary citizen to businessmen, must fill out special forms and apply to purchase foreign exchange for whatever reason - be it for emergency medical treatment abroad, or to pay for imports. The, government also taxes these purchases and the banks of course charge a commission. At times of high demand, the banks simply have no foreign exchange for regular customers. U.S. dollars are usually sold by the banks at a rate of 2.0175 Belize dollars for one U.S. dollar.

 

If you hold a Belize Passport but are a not domiciled in Belize (non dom), and thus classified as a non-resident, the law against owning or holding foreign exchange does not apply to you when entering Belize, but as noted above, you MUST declare money in any form or denomination equivalent to U.S. $5,000. or more that you are bringing into the country.

Visitors arriving by land from Mexico or Guatemala will encounter free-lance money changers, sometimes called "peseros" who will usually give you a better exchange compared to the banks. You will not have to fill out long forms with personal information or stand in line at a bank to get foreign exchange. These money changers are frowned upon, but tolerated by the authorities.