Diver "Vanishes" in Portal to Maya Underworld

June 30, 2010—Diving into natural pools in Belize in the quest for offerings from the ancient Maya, explorers found what's believed to be the country's first recorded fossilized remains. In the course of the expedition, one diver "disappeared" into the pool's floor. - This is our Beautiful & Amazing Belize, Mother Nature's Best Kept Secret!

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/news/history-archaeology-news/belize-maya-pools-vin.html

Dia de San Pedro Festival Weekend!

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Happy Dia De San Pedro

Dia de San Pedro celebrations have been rescheduled for this weekend, but today June 29 we observe San Pedro Day (Dia de San Pedro). A special mass for the men was held at 4a.m. at the Roman Catholic Chursh and breakfast was served at the Lion's Den at 5a.m. What followed was the traditionl boat procession and blessing of the boats. Today's religious aspect of the celebration includes a novena at 6:30p.m., Mass at 7p.m. and street procession at 7:45pm. Celebrations continue from Friday to Sunday.

Ship Ahoy!?

Residents first took sight of this large vessel about a mile outside our barrier reef on Friday, June 25, and speculations quickly arose of its intentions in the vicinity of Ambergris Caye. With all the hoopla about the potential offshore oil exploration and drilling in Belize, residents could not resist to speculate on the possibility of it being an exploratory vessel looking for possible oil exploration sites in front of our island.

Ambergris Today did some digging around the internet and found out that it’s the English vessel SD NEWTON that arrived from the Gulf of Mexico on its way to Panama. The vessel was built 1976 as a cable layer but has been used by the Minstry of Defence for testing and research and is also listed as part of the Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service Fleet. What was it doing in front of Ambergris Caye? It’s anyone’s guess. But it was gone by the time Tropical Storm Alex came around!

PM Barrow’s Speech in Miami Interrupted by Murder Case

Prime Minister of Belize, Hon. Dean O. Barrow made his first official visit to South Florida over the weekend from June 25 to 27. The trip was to bring Hon. Barrow closer to South Florida's Belizean community in an effort to foster investment and business opportunities.

But his trip was made a bit more interesting than he and his guests had anticipated. On Saturday, June 26, while PM Barrow was wrapping up his speech at the Miami Beach Resort & Spa, he was interrupted by Miami Beach Police who arrived at the hotel to investigate the shooting death of a man who was found on the 11th floor.

Officers pulled out and quickly evacuated 1,000 people from the hotel -- including the 100-person wedding party and the 300 guests who gathered to hear Belize Prime Minister Dean Barrow speak in a separate hall.

Here in Belize, while residents were bracing for Tropical Storm Alex to arrive, rumors began to circulating and some news outlets were reporting that the PM had been shot during his first official visit to the U.S. Hon. Barrow's staff and most hotel guests were stranded outside the resort for hours, unable to retrieve their vehicles from valet parking. Guests weren't allowed back in until about 3a.m.

On the 11th floor, police spent the night collecting evidence and questioning witnesses. No arrests have been made. The victim's name has not been released. It's unclear if he was a hotel guest. Also unclear is whether his death is a homicide or a suicide. (More on this week’s issue of Ambergris Today)

High Winds of Tropical Storm Alex

TS Alex Passes by with Minimal Damages

Took a ride around town and checked the beaches this morning; everything is FINE! Damage was confined to business signs, old piers and palapas and plenty of sea grass accumulated on the beach. Grateful it was not worse. The center of Tropical Storm Alex passed just north of Belize City and winds here in San Pedro were clocked at a maximum of 49.5mph.

A Bridesmaid called in on the Weather Channel this morning and said that her friend's wedding was still on for today. The rain is gone and a very nice tropical breeze is blowing into town. The SUN is out! What a great day after the storm. Lobster Fest in Placencia is going strong on its second day as is the island of Caye Caulker.

Business sign for Chuck and Robbie's Dive Shop found a block away

Plenty of Sea Grass all over the beaches

Shrine of the Virgin Mary was knocked down at this beach residence

The pool of The Phoenix gets a quick clean up

Residents hit the beach early in the morning for some interesting finds

Tourist go for a morning walk

All is Quiet...For Now, as TS Alex Approaches

Looking at the satellite image, it looks as if Belize is getting pounded with heavy rain and Alex's fury is already upon us. Surprisingly all seems quiet in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. It is not raining at the moment and we have only been getting sporadic short showers since last night. The wind picked up a bit around noon, but all is calm at the moment. Maybe the calm before the storm. Took a ride around town just after lunch and all seems calm. People are shopping for their groceries, stocking up on provisions and safety equipment and only a few homes and businesses have boarded up with hurricane shutters. Most places are closed and much of the activities scheduled for the weekend have been canceled as everybody buckles down for the worsening of weather conditions.

Fire Scare in Downtown San Pedro

Quick action by the fire department and volunteers prevented a possible fire disaster in downtown San Pedro at a building that houses four businesses and one residence. The possible cause of the fire seems to have been electrical at Full Chevere Internet Cafe located at ground level of the building. The building is located on the corner of Pescador Drive and Tarpon Street, across of the R.C Primary School. No major damage to the building was reported but the internet cafe did suffer smoke and water damage.








Fire Scare at Sea Grape Apartments

Another fire was averted just two days back as a small fire broke out on Wednesday, June 23, at the Sea Grape Apartments on Sea Grape Drive, next to Marina's Store. The fire broke out in one of the apartments but was also quickly put out by the Fire Department that quickly arrived at the scene.

Belize Tourism Expo Hits San Pedro

San Pedro businesses are currently hosting visitors to the island for the Belize Tourism Expo (BETEX) at the Caye International Bank Financial Center. The business showcase to international travel resellers commenced since yesterday, June 24 and run through tomorrow Saturday, June 26. This includes visits to Placencia and San Ignacio.

More on BETEX

BETEX is a five-day business-to-business event showcasing Belize travel destinations, hotels, tour operators, and other tourism service providers. It is an exclusive opportunity for international travel resellers to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business with local travel suppliers, learn more about Belize, and experience the destination first-hand.

Tropic Air personnel at BETEX

By attending BETEX, participants efficiently, effectively and productively gain immediate competitive advantage for their business and stay abreast with the latest developments in Belize. Travel agents and wholesalers can increase profitability through business interaction, destination education and personal encounters. Local tourism service providers will have a chance to showcase their products and conduct business with international trade partners.

BETEX takes place from Wednesday, June 23 (arrivals) through Sunday, June 27, with departures on Monday, June 28 and is open to registered participants only. With four days of countrywide expeditions and nine itinerary options, international travel professionals will have the opportunity to visit destinations countrywide, immerse themselves in the product, and learn firsthand how to sell Belize.

Suppliers exhibit at decentralized marketplaces on three mornings, allowing for one-on-one business meetings between all suppliers and all buyers. BETEX will also feature cultural shows and social functions highlighting some of Belize’s rich diverse cultures, as well as an opening night, an educational seminar and orientation prior to the expeditions.

DATE: June 23 – 27, 2010
PLACE: Belize, Central America
PARTICIPANTS: International Travel Trade Professionals, Press and Belize Suppliers
ORGANIZED BY: Belize Tourism Industry Association

For more on BETEX visit the Official Website HERE

Martin and Blanca of Xanadu Resort

Personnel of Las Terrazas behind the desk

Milo and Felipe of Ambergris Lake Villas

Caye Caulker Lobster Fest Still On!

Ambergris Today has received confirmation from the Caye Caulker Village Council that the Caye Caulker Lobster Fest is still on for this weekend! Miss Lobster Fest Pageant will be taking place at the Palapa Garden to commence at 6:30p.m. tonight. Festivities scheduled for Saturday are also going on as planned.

Dia de San Pedro Friday Events Postponed

NOTICE: Dia de San Pedro Festivities scheduled for this weekend have been postponed until next weekend due to the bad weather located in the Central Caribbean.

NEMO ADVISORY

-Press Release - NEMO - June 25th, 2010 - The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) warns the public of an area of disturbed weather, Invest 93, off the Honduras/Nicaragua border moving on a West North Westerly track. This system has the potential for development as it enters more favorable conditions existing to the East of Belize.

Presently the National Met Service predicts a 70% chance of the system developing into a Tropical Depression offshore Belize as it moves toward the Yucatan Peninsula during Saturday and Sunday. The public is being advised to be aware of the increased likelihood of further deteriorating weather conditions as this system nears our starting later today and over the weekend.

The NEMO advises the public to be prepared for increased rainfall, potential flooding and unfavorable sea conditions. All those persons along the coast and people traveling to the cayes need to pay particular attention to sea conditions. The public is further advised to listen to their local radio and television stations for further advisories from the NEMO and the National Met Service. - End-