2012 Maya Summer Vacations a “Rare Opportunity”

caracol maya temples in belize

The 2012 summer holidays present a rare opportunity to learn about ancient Maya culture and history in the Heartland of the Maya, a noted Belizean anthropologist said. The Lodge at Chaa Creek’s resident Mayanist, anthropologist Joe Awe, said 2012 is an exciting time not only for the Maya people of Belize, but for archaeologists, anthropologists, Maya healers, academics and professionals from around the world, and this created rare opportunities for tourists interested in Maya culture.

Maya Masks and the Dance of the Deer

Chaa-creek-belize-Maya-deer-dance

The deer dance is a Maya custom that depicts a scene from around the time of the Spanish conquest. Participants wear masks and costumes that resemble two Europeans and several animals. The dance begins as one of the Europeans sees an animal in the forest…

Chaa Creek Celebrates the Spring Equinox of 2012

dr Arvigo

This year’s Maya Spring Equinox celebrations at Chaa Creek included a riveting presentation by Dr. Rosita Arvigo on her thirteen year apprenticeship with Don Elijio Panti. Don Elijio Panti was a wise and humorous Maya healer who left an extraordinary legacy in his small village of San Antonio, the country of Belize, the Americas and even across the globe.

Maya Spring Equinox Celebrations at Belize’s Caracol

caracol20

This year’s Maya Spring Equinox celebrations atCaracol, Belize’s premier Maya archaeological site were a fitting kick-off to the 2012 equinox and solstice calendar, Chaa Creek’s Larry Waight said.

The Spring Equinox At Belize’s Caracol

caracol8

On Wednesday March 21st was the spring equinox in the final year of the current cycle of the Maya long count calendar, which ends on December 21, 2012. To commemorate the ending of the 13th Baktun, as it is called, the Institute of Archaeology hosted a night of camping, cultural presentations and history at the ancient Mayan city-state of Caracol in the Cayo District.

The first major 2012 event at Chaa Creek

cahal13

“The Spring Equinox has always been a tremendously important event for the Maya of Belize, and with March 20 heralding the last Spring Equinox before the completion of one of humankind’s longest recorded cycles, the 13th Bak’tun of the Maya Long Count, the celebrations take on even greater significance,” Chaa Creek owner Lucy Fleming said as she announced the eco resort’s Spring Equinox 2012 activities today.

Fox News picks Belize as tourism hotspot

1251023282_7EW7h-M

A recent Fox News television broadcast highlighting Belize as one of a few selected international tourism hotspots shows that North Americans needn’t travel far to visit one of the world’s best vacation destinations, according to The Lodge at Chaa Creek’s Larry Waight.

La Ruta Maya Promotes Competition and Conservation

la-ruta-maya-belize-river-challenge

The Lodge at Chaa Creek, which has been promoting environmental sustainability in Belize for over 30 years, has been a long-time supporter and enthusiastic participant in La Ruta Maya. So passionate, in fact, that owners Mick and Lucy Fleming sent a staff member to Canada to learn canoe building from Ted Moores, a master canoe builder of Bear Mountain Workshop in Ontario, and now produce their own handmade timber canoes.

Royal christening in Belize – a beer bottle and a canoe

SONY DSC

Queen Elizabeth II christened the QE2 in 1967 with a bottle of champagne. When Prince Harry christened the Jubilee last week, named in honour of his grandmother’s Diamond Jubilee, or 60th anniversary of occupying the throne, he used a bottle of beer, according to the canoe’s builder, Chaa Creek owner Mick Fleming.

Royal Relaxation at Belize’s Chaa Creek

“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.

Prince Harry Interview in Belize at Xunantunich

DSC_0179

For the celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, His Royal Highness Prince Harry of Wales has traveled to Belize. After climbing to the top of El Castillo at Xunantunich, he is beaming with great things to say about Belize.

Belize Maya Collapse Holds Warning for us

cahal pech belize

Findings from new research into the dramatic collapse of the ancient Maya Empire that covered Belize and much of the neighbouring region pose warnings we should heed now, Chaa Creek owner and environmental studies coordinator Mick Fleming said today.

Maya Civilization Collapsed Amidst Mild Drought, New Study Suggests

caracol maya temples in belize

For more than 500 years, the Maya kings ruled the New World’s richest and most advanced civilization. But then, around 800 C.E., the Maya empire began to collapse and its kings soon disappeared; by 1000 C.E., most of its great cities and temples lay in ruins. What happened?

Tales of a Maya Shaman

rosita-arvigo-and-elijio-panti-ixchel-belize-maya-medicinal-trail

On Monday, Dr. Rosita Arvigo delivered a compelling presentation to more than 25 Chaa Creek Guests on her apprenticeship with Don Elijio Panti – Belize’s last Maya Shaman.

2012: Galactic Alignment Points Your Way to Belize

caracol

Belize features predominantly in global, pop culture this year, like no other. In case you have been able to avoid the 2012 meme over recent years, what makes this year so special for Central American countries, like Belize and neighboring Mexico, is a cosmic prophecy foretold by the ancient Mayans.

Maya Author to Speak at Chaa Creek

dr

The Lodge at Chaa Creek is hosting Tales of a Maya Shaman, a presentation by Dr Rosita Arvigo DN on 20 February 2012 as part of the Chaa Creek 2012 Maya lecture series.

A Belize Valentine – Chaa Creek, Chocolates and Cupid

ahcacao-maya

Chocolate, long referred to in Belize as “the food of the gods”, is also known as the food of love, and features prominently during Chaa Creek’s Valentine’s Month of Love celebrations, according to the eco resort’s food and beverage manager Bryony Fleming.

A unique Maya discovery at Chaa Creek

maya-vessel-unearthed-san-ignacio-town-belize-2012

Archaeological finds are nothing new at Chaa Creek, but a new discovery this week (21 January 2012) is definitely something out of the ordinary – an ancient Maya household was accidentally unearthed in the middle of town near the eco resort’s downtown offices in San Ignacio, Belize.

Chaa Creek welcomes CNN Maya top pick

iStock_000002511410Large

CNN’s recent acknowledgment of the “World of the Maya” as one of the top nine travel destinations for 2012 is one more indication that Belize’s year of the Maya 2012 celebrations are set to be a big hit with international visitors, Belize’s premier eco resort Chaa Creek reports.

10 Maya foods that changed the world’s eating habits

Join us as we thank the Maya for some of the most incredible foods that have moulded our cultures throughout the times. Here’s a list of 10 Maya foods that changed the world’s eating habits

Mayas Never Predicted December 2012 Apocalypse

2012 mayas in belize

One of history’s most famous and foreboding doomsday predictions might never have been made, according to a German researcher. His new interpretation of a 1,300-year-old tablet affirms that the ancient Maya regarded December 21, 2012, as a moment of great importance—but not, as some believe, because they foresaw an apocalypse on that date.