I see the World as my Wisdom Temple and my Greatest Teachers have
been Experiences: “As in Micro, so in Macro. The whole exists within
the minutest particle and the minutest particle contains the whole.
The atom contains the universe and the universe contains the atom, and
neither exists without the other. Creator exists within creation, even
as creation exists within creator.”- Brahmarishi Mayan, circa 10,500
BC

So much has happened since my last visit to Belize, a journey that has included loss of loved ones, new additions to family, internal growth, and the development of my career. I want to return to Belize, specifically Chaa Creek, to reconnect with what I found there14 years ago.

I am in another world, the Mayan world. Not much has changed over the last 600 years, except the passing of time. My friend Steve and I are here to celebrate this, as Dec. 21, 2012 will mark the end of the Mayan calendar and the beginning of a new age. What better place to consider the future of our planet than by spending time with the spirits of the Mayans, and their descendants today.

Belize’s first ever Black Friday vacation deal begins today Thursday 22 November with the Lodge at Chaa Creek offering 30 per cent discounts off all accommodation and 10 per cent off selected all-inclusive Belize vacation packages, according to the eco resort’s marketing administrator, Larry Waight.

I have planned to go to Belize with my boyfriend in December 2012 to be together for the apocalypse and to celebrate our love in the most romantic place ever. Daily routine makes us forget the best important things in life. The Winter Solstice Week of December is the perfect time to discover a wonderful country, a different and rich culture and especially forget stress and problems.

In its introduction, Forbes’ photo feature states that, “Living overseas is different from just visiting. Before you retire to a foreign country, consider not just the weather and cost of living, but also healthcare; safety; tax and visa requirements; and how friendly the country is to foreigners. Here are some possibilities,” and then goes on to list fifteen of what it considers the world’s best retirement choices.

We’re very excited to celebrate a new era – our twins becoming teenagers and the Mayan Solstice – in Belize! Participating in Chaa Chaa Creek’s festivities would be a magically memorable, lifetime learning, and fabulously fun experience (note: we are already booked for the 4-day Christmas package but would truly jump for joy if we had the chance to extend our too-short-stay experience and/or invite the kids’ 82 year old Chinese grandmother).

Belize, a tiny English speaking country with the world’s second largest barrier reef and a rich Maya heritage, has over the years blended a traditional North American style Thanksgiving with elements from its various cultures to create a unique holiday that continues to grow in popularity both locally and with overseas visitors, Mr Waight said.

Belize would not be the Belize that we know and love if it wasn’t for the many contributions of the Garifuna, and their proud history if one of the most interesting and enduring sagas humanity has known, beginning with a fateful shipwreck off St Vincent’s Island in the Caribbean in the 1600s, when surviving African slaves made it to shore and mixed with the local Arawak, or Carib, population.

“This is not something we would normally comment upon, but statements attributed to Mr McAfee are casting Belize in a negative light that is very damaging and simply untrue,” Ms Fleming said.

“People are fascinated by the Maya because of the mysteries that surround their culture — how they lived, their rituals, and, of course, their eventual decline,” Beardall says.

Fodor’s Travel has been one of the world’s leading sources for travel information since 1936, and currently covers over 7,500 destinations worldwide through its popular guidebooks, website and articles. The company recently released its second annual list of the world’s top 100 hotels, culled from a list of over 4,000 nominations taking in 41 different countries.

“If you can’t make it down here for the celebrations, you owe it to yourself to learn more about one of the most interesting, intriguing and colourful cultures on the planet. It’s a fascinating journey in every sense of the word, and here at Chaa Creek we’ll be taking the time out to join our Garifuna brothers and sisters in saying, ‘Gibe Memegili Wayumaha; Lidanba Uarani Wawansera’, which fittingly translates to ‘We continue to have many aspirations; in Unity we advance’ ,” he said.

Be a tourist in your own country. “But I live here” many would say, sometimes I wipe my tears of laughter when I see the many idyllic places our beautiful Belize has to offer, yet most of us fail to experience such wonders at our very home country. Largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere, pristine waters, lush jungles, ancient caves, historic Mayan ruins. We truly have natural wonders all to ourselves, and with Chaa Creek’s undeniable professionalism and core values such an experience would be life changing and unforgettable.

In light of recent global events such as the devastation of Hurricane Sandy and the close-run US Presidential election, Belize’s Lodge at Chaa Creek has extended the closing date by two weeks for submissions to its “Ultimate Maya 2012 Winter Solstice Experience” contest, worth over US$4,600, owner Lucy Fleming announced today.

9 years ago I found myself alone, raising a 7 month old little baby boy. It was not what I had planned or expected. So, I sat down and asked myself, what do I want for Jack and what would I want our future to look like. I created a vision for us. I knew that I had a special little guy and I decided that just because he only had me, he would have all the opportunities any child would have and I drew it out.

Just as the fall of Rome didn’t meant the end of Romans, the decline of great Maya metropolises, such as Guatemala’s Tikal, which reached its apex in the ninth century, doesn’t mean the indigenous people have vanished. About 40 percent of Guatemala’s 14 million people are Maya, and southern Mexico and the Yucatán Peninsula are home to many more predominantly Maya regions.

We may not realize it, but many of our favorite foods—from guacamole to tamales to chocolate—were discovered, developed, and refined centuries ago in the Maya world. Here are a few of our favorites.

The Lodge at Chaa Creek, Belize’s oldest eco resort and one of the country’s largest employers is reflecting a nationwide sentiment in congratulating President Obama on winning the US Presidential election, marketing administrator Larry Waight said today.

Belize is at the top of every adventure addicts Bucket List as there are different experiences in each region. We will be featuring several articles in a series that tap into the array of types of experiences one can have in this stunning destination.