I first read about the Mayan culture in high school. What really struck me back then was the brutality of the Spanish towards the Aztecs, the Mayans, and other natives. The more you read about it the more you discover how much was lost, burned, and destroyed. Try to research the Mayan culture and you’re stuck with a lot of speculation, considering there are only 3 existing documents. Their breadth of knowledge of math and astronomy and who knows what else that was lost; it really haunts you.

Chaa Creek is Belize’s first true eco resort, having made the transition from small family farm to opening their first guest accommodation in 1981, just as Belize was achieving independence. Since then Chaa Creek has grown into a 365 acre private rainforest nature reserve with a natural History Centre, Maya Medicinal Plant Trail and Organic farm, a butterfly breeding farm, hilltop spa, conference centre, pool, a highly regarded restaurant and other amenities.

To witness and be part of this event of its perportion at a Mayan site would be one big lifetime treasures to tell our future grandkids. For us to be invited at an exclusively paid for experience like this is truely beyon any words. Including any words I can write down to describe. Our particiption in this event at the grounds of a Mayan site for the Winter Solstice can only be expressed by me as simply awesome.

I cannot even say in words how powerful it will be to be with the river and jungle and ceremonies during this time. To be there on the solstice and join in the prayers would indeed merge my dreamworld with this reality. I’d be able to share the experience with my mate, my children, my clients, my sister midwives, and everyone I meet. I sincerely believe the energy of the place and the moment would benefit so many others besides myself.

Joe Awe, who is Chaa Creek’s Mayanist at the eco resort’s Belize Natural History Centre, said he fears contemporary Maya culture is being overlooked as the spotlight is put on their ancestors during the 2012 Maya Winter Solstice celebrations taking part throughout the “Mundo Maya” or Maya world, as Belize and parts of Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador are known.

Belize’s The Lodge at Chaa Creek has just announced an exciting competition whose winners will usher in the Maya 2012 Winter Solstice by taking part in an extraordinary weeklong celebration to be held in the Heartland of the ancient Maya Empire.

Jouvert in Belize is celebrated at 5am on the morning of the Carnival with massive crowds following a truck hauling gigantic speaker systems pumping out Carnival Rythms and whipping the people into a dancing fever while pasting each other with specially prepared mud by Ms. Marsha Smith. People from around the world travel to Belize to partake in Jouvert.

2012 The Mayan Word is both a message of hope and a call to action. Featuring testimonies from contemporary Mayans throughout Mesoamerica, from spiritual guides to activists, community leaders, farmers, artists, teachers, and children, this film is an extraordinary journey into the heart of Mayan struggle and spirituality.

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Over the years Chaa Creek has received numerous awards and accolades, and this new Trip Advisor recognition is particularly satisfying because it comes straight from international travellers themselves.

Belize’s rich Maya heritage is something that all Belizeans share and take pride in, and it’s been wonderful to see representatives from so many different sectors – government, private industry, art and cultural groups along with a range of individuals, work together to present and promote our real Maya heritage as world attention focuses on Belize.

“We recently noticed that Time magazine gave Chaa Creek a favourable mention in one of their first editions of the new year, and given our focus on presenting factual information about the Maya civilisation, and providing authentic Maya experiences throughout 2012, this was very timely indeed,” Chaa Creek owner and GM Lucy Fleming said.

Belize is the only country in Central America with English as the official language. The small country, measuring 180 miles long and 68 miles wide, is a popular vacation destination for tourists whose native language is English. But Belize is good for much more than just lounging in white sand while watching the shimmering teal waves roll in and out while drinks, ordered in English, are replenished. Behind the luxurious resorts and relaxing vacation packages, Belize is an adventure destination.

After years of hosting legitimate archaeological research within its 365 acre nature reserve and through its Natural History Centre, Chaa Creek Maya research coordinators said they are astounded by the revelations surrounding news of the so-called Comalcalco brick discovered in Mexico.
Some of the startling finds could indicate an ancient Roman presence in the region thousands of years before Columbus’s arrival.

You may have been following the news that a second ancient Maya reference to 2012 had been discovered in Mexico, one which is currently making the rounds on the internet as more proof that December 21 2012 will mark the end of the world.

When Lonely Planet highlights a destination, it definitely becomes less lonely, but not to worry – the Belize leg of La Ruta Maya remains one of the most uncrowded, laid back and friendliest ways to explore the heartland of the fascinating ancient Maya civilisation.

The ancient Maya civiliza­tion’s many achievements include a written language, advanced mathematics, sophisticated surgery, and astrological calculations that continue to astound scholars… and the list goes on.
But for many people, the Maya’s greatest achievement is something loved all over the world today—chocolate.

According to a study recently presented by a team from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Maya building design, layout, construction, and finishes would have been especially good for projecting the human voice or sound from the sorts of musical instruments the Maya used. Using modern sound-measuring instruments and a 3-D computer model of the site, the team concluded that sounds made atop a temple in Palenque could be heard clearly for over a hundred meters.

The Lodge at Chaa Creek, Belize’s eco resort in the Heartland of the Maya, has invited filmmaker George Lucas to take part in their 2012 – Maya Perspectives lecture series and grand celebrations planned for the 2012 Winter Solstice on December 21, 2012.

Belize is clearly a diving mecca, but there is so much above sea level to explore. With 2012 right around the corner, I’m really hoping to explore the Mayan temple sites and the Sacred Caves. I would love to do some bird watching. I lost my mom to cancer just two years ago, and she seems to follow me and appear in that form now. Of course, I also look forward to the diving and snorkeling possibilities as well.