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

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.

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.

As if Maya culture, history and tradition are not reason enough to inspire 300 words of prose regarding our genuine enthusiasm for Chaa Creek’s planned activities including interactive workshops, seminars, lessons on Maya farming, arts & crafts, Maya medicine and holistic healing, I’ve managed to put off writing this for the better part of three weeks because I was looking for that extra spark to inspire me.

We met many different people while we were visiting Belize. Time and again the conversation would drift to the upcoming Maya 2012 celebrations. When we left, our one and only regret was that our trip did not coincide with the solstice festivities of the next year. Up until now, resources seemed to dictate this as an impossible dream.

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.

For several years world attention has been drawn to the 2012 Winter Solstice after a number of articles, internet posts and films, such as the Hollywood blockbuster 2012 highlighted the fact that the 13th Bak’tun of the Maya Long Count calendar completes its cycle on December 21 2012. The highly accurate ancient calendar, which gives the Maya a creation date of 11 August 3114 BC, has been a source of fascination for many scholars and, unfortunately, Ms Fleming said, for conspiracy and apocalypse buffs.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Maya Harp. The Maya Harp is beautifully hand crafted and was an integral part of the Maya society since it was used for religious and healing ceremonies and for cultural and entertainment purposes.

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.

Lucy Fleming, who with her husband Mick owns and operates Chaa Creek, has been living in the Maya heartland for over three decades and said she is looking forward to the opportunity to join other locals as well as Mayanists, scholars and archaeologists in setting the Maya record straight.

As predicted, so-called experts, pundits and armchair archaeologists are now coming out of the woodwork to make the most of the 2012 phenomenon. Some of it is well intentioned, some of it is blather, and frankly some of it falls under the category of, “I blog, therefore I exist”.

With the long awaited arrival of 2012, there is growing interest in the ancient Maya civilisation, and this is a double edged sword. On one hand, it is good to see this rich, highly advanced ancient culture finally getting the attention it deserves. Hopefully, this attention will turn into greater research opportunities leading to a better understanding of this enigmatic civilisation.

Chaa Creek will be hosting a year of events, activities, special tours, workshops and seminars to set the record straight while introducing the world to the marvels of the ancient Maya civilisation, Ms Fleming said, with the celebrations taking place on December 21 2011 kicking off a yearlong celebration of Maya civilisation, culminating in the huge Winter Solstice 2012 celebrations.

The Maya Empire, centered in the tropical lowlands of what is now Guatemala, reached the peak of its power and influence around the sixth century A.D. The Maya excelled at agriculture, pottery, hieroglyph writing, calendar-making and mathematics, and left behind an astonishing amount of impressive architecture and symbolic artwork. Most of the great stone cities of the Maya were abandoned by A.D. 900, however, and since the 19th century scholars have debated what might have caused this dramatic decline.

The Maya have over centuries faced encroachment on many fronts – their land, culture, spirituality, you name it. And, with world attention on all things Maya increasing in the leadup to the long awaited Winter Solsitce of December 21 2012, the preservation and respect for this august culture will become even more important. So it is with great happiness that we can report a victory while updating that sorry saga of Kellogg v the Maya.

What sustained the great, expanding populations of the ancient Maya in their seemingly inhospitable tropical environment? Recent pioneering work in Belize and Guatemala is introducing a remarkable new paradigm and setting a standard of sustainability for future generations.

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.

Imagine the scene. The stands are packed. The crowd is glued to every move made on the court. Elite athletes focused. A ball hurtles toward the dirt, your hero dives for it, deflecting the heavy rubber ball with his shoulder. His opponent springs into the air, and the ball comes right back. Again he dives. The ball slams into his hip. He grunts at the heavy thud of the ball against his skin. He twists and wriggles in the air, defying gravity. You watch. mezmorized as the ball sails over the opponent’s head, out of reach. The crowd erupts. Score!

All of Andrew Harper’s recommended properties possess exceptional character, a commitment to classic hospitality and a profound sense of place. Mr. Harper does not evaluate hotels by means of a checklist, but uses his three decades of experience to distinguish the truly enchanting from the merely excellent. The Lodge at Chaa Creek is delighted to be among the best of the best properties worldwide to receive his recommendation, which came initially in 1992.