My Summer Aspiration List: Slow Season Do’s in Belize, Part One
Summer in Belize. The weather gets warmer, we start to have rain showers now and again (though mostly at night), tourism slows AND travel prices drop. It’s also the time when people that live here generally have some time off to enjoy our island a bit more.
Though that tends to come hand in hand with less disposable cash, I am starting to compile a list of things that I REALLY want to do this summer. Let’s call it my Belize Summer Aspiration List. (The term “bucket list” is getting a bit played out – so 2011.) And so far, it goes a little something like this:
- Win Trivia Night at The Truck Stop
Truck Stop, our island’s food truck park & beer garden, is the official hub of fun activities. You can check out the full list on Facebook events – but here are the basics: Wednesday night, movie under stars, Thursday evenings, trivia with lots of video clues, Friday night, Family Movie under the Star, Lip Sync battles, Farmer’s Markets and the list goes on.
There is even a Poker run this week on Saturday – and every night you can enjoy the sunset.
I am going from zero to 100 on this one. Not only do I want to play Trivia for the first time, I want to win it. Bam. AND treat myself to a double scoop waffle cone when I’m done.
Fingers crossed that the categories are: The Kardashians, 80s pop and Roman History.
A girls got to have her specialties!
- Eat Breakfast at Maxi’s
There is a new spot in town that I REALLY want to try. Not because it is new – it’s hard to keep up with all the NEW on this island – and not because it is in a great location. It’s on Front Street – right across from Fido’s Bar – in the outdoor/cafe area that’s been so under-used for so long. BUT because it’s the new, more experimental spot by Jennie Staines, chef at Elvi’s Kitchen, youngest daughter of Miss Elvi herself and fantastic cook.
They are doing breakfast and bar snacks, coffees and cocktails and I can’t BELIEVE I haven’t tried it yet. Check out this post by Ambergris Today about Maxi’s.
And PLEASE remind me to try the Maya Buffet at Elvi’s Kitchen – everyone loves this night and raves about the food. I LOVE the food at Elvi’s – I can’t believe I’ve never been to this!
- Find new Belizean soap made in Belize
I love things that smell good but here in Belize, much of it is tough to use due to the heat and humidity. Love certain perfumes – but you might as well wear a “EAT ME” sign for the mosquitoes. LOVE scented lotions but my skin here is too moist…lotions just leave me greasy and a sand magnet. But SOAP! I love it through out the year but especially in the summer and the multiple daily showers it brings.
Belize has some great soap companies and I’ve doing some experimenting. Recently I received a shipment from Punta Gorda and there is some good stuff here! Check out their website.
I especially LOVE soaps made in Belize that smell like Belize. Ginger, coconut, cacao, lemongrass! Please let me know if you have suggestions…I can’t wait to experiment.
Cave’s Branch makes some GREAT ones
- Visit Una Mas Cantina at North Coconut Beach
WAY up north, past Tranquility Bay (14 miles north) and past Rocky Point, a new place is being built…or so I hear…
Apparently you can drive there and though I imagine the bugs will be FIERCE, maybe we’ll get an extra jug of gasoline and see if we can make it. Wish me luck! Or maybe it’s a better idea to hire a boat. Here is the only reference I can find to it on the internet. And if by boat, I can them do this…
- Stay up north in Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve
WAY UP NORTH, at the tip of the island, just before Mexico, there is a ranger station and lodging for guests. I’d love to stay up there and explore the area. It’s going to require some work since the website is down but I’m up to the task. I’ve got time!
- Visit the kitesurfing floating shop
I checked out Belize’s only floating kitesurfing shop last August and MAN was it beautiful. MJ, the owner, sent me a few photos a couple days ago of conditions out there and…nothing has changed. I’m not sure I’m ready to strap the board to my feet but I wouldn’t mind hanging out here for a few hours…
- Get the Story About the Taco Contest at Neri’s Taco
I am mildly obsessed with this. At the INCREDIBLY popular Neri’s Tacos in town – a spot that is generally packed on mornings for breakfast tacos and doubly packed on the weekends – there is this fascinating sign.
Apparently there is a taco eating contest. And someone set the bar at 57. And then someone TRIED to beat it and tied. TIED? At 57 tacos, he couldn’t just jam ONE MORE IN? They aren’t that big!
But each time I go by, they are PACKED. I’m SO getting the scoop on this SOON. And…if you’ve never been, expect a crowd, expect to have people cut in front of you and try this order: 3 dollar pork taco with banana juice. You can’t go wrong.
I’m going to leave it there for now but I have about 10 more items…for tomorrow…
PLEASE let me know if you have any suggestions on Ambergris Caye or around Belize.
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