“Wow, this place looks so relaxing!” HRH Prince Harry exclaimed as he arrived at the Lodge at Chaa Creek, setting the tone for what he and Chaa Creek’s staff described as a very pleasant stay at Belize’s premier eco-resort, according to Chaa Creek’s owner Lucy Fleming.
“After checking in and strolling through the tropical gardens to his Tree Top Suite he commented on how peaceful Chaa Creek was, and then said he was very keen to taste one of our mojitos.
“In this way he wasn’t very different from many of our other guests. In fact, we were all quite taken with his very natural, easy going charm,” Ms Fleming said.
Prince Harry was visiting Belize as part of a Diamond Jubilee tour in honor of his grandmother’s, Queen Elizabeth II, 60 years on the throne.
He arrived at Chaa Creek on the evening of March 2nd and was welcomed with a classic Maya dinner of Kac’kick, a traditional soup made with turkey and roasted vegetables flavored with chilies and spices, a fresh salad with vegetables from Chaa Creek’s Maya Organic Farm, and fine wines.
And yes, he did get to enjoy Chaa Creek’s signature Mojito, a Caribbean rum and lime drink.
The next day the Prince relaxed with a one-and-a-half hour massage back in his room before enjoying a hearty English breakfast.
One of the highlights of Prince Harry’s Belizean tour was a visit to the ancient Maya ceremonial centre of Xunantunich, which is a short drive from Chaa Creek. The Prince climbed the imposing Maya temple of El Castillo and took in the panoramic views of the Macal River Valley and Guatemala.
Prince Harry spent some twenty minutes on El Castillo’s summit, enjoying the views and a cultural dance performance held in his honor in the ceremonial square down below him, much as ancient Maya royalty would have hundreds of years earlier.
Ms Fleming said the staff members were all impressed by the Prince’s unaffected, courteous manners and that he in turn, graciously thanked everyone and complimented them on what he said was a very enjoyable stay.
“It was great to see how Prince Harry immediately took to Chaa Creek, and how very naturally and warmly he interacted with our staff members and everyone he came into contact with. He made a point of complimenting the waiters on dinner and all in all was a wonderful guest.
“Of course, we wish he had more time to spend with us and explore the Chaa Creek nature reserve, and our many jungle attractions, and from the way he spoke, I like to think he did too.
But it was a great experience and one I don’t think we’ll be forgetting for a long time. And who knows? We have a high rate of repeat customers, so maybe we’ll have the chance to welcome him again and mix him another mojito,” Ms Fleming said.