Visitors; One Year Belize Anniversary!
Ethan and Lilly's visit was fantastic, just what the doctor ordered - time with missed family, Nathan had a week off from work, and we had the opportunity to be tourists in our country for a bit. The days absolutely flew by, and it's somewhat of a bummer to have no other "inbound" guests on our calendar.
We did an overnight at The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center again - we cannot say enough about this experience! We stayed in a (non-AC'ed) Pond House this time, as the AC rooms were all booked. They had plenty of fans, and it was a HUGE, free-standing cabin with four beds - two on either side of a bathroom and kitchenette. Edgar and Martin, two of the jaguars at the zoo, are both mourning the loss of their friend Lindo, who passed away about six weeks ago - we did a "Meet and Greet" with Edgar, but he was not willing to come over to visit. We saw them both on the night tour when they were more active. We would go back to the zoo any time, it's a wonderful place and you can feel the love the keepers have for their residents - it's not "just a job" for them, like many others in Belize that are seemingly going through the motions.
A Ceiba tree at the zoo - planted in 1991
We also took them to snorkel at Bacalar Chico - I took my GoPro this time and have a handful of somewhat-useable photos and videos. I am not an "Apple" person, but their GoPros are waterproof and small, although I struggle to operate it, especially under the surface - it's hard to see the display through a mask! Ethan found a large lionfish (the first I have spotted in the wild!), and a puffer fish. Lots of tropical fish and beautiful coral.
The puffer was under this coral - I wasn't able to properly capture him on camera!
August 5th was our first anniversary of living in Belize. It feels like it was yesterday that we moved, and at the same time, like it was eons ago. Time hits differently down here. We thought our beach house would be built - or, at least, nearly complete - around now. Instead, it hasn't even broken ground. That is hands-down our biggest disappointment. It's partially our fault, we took a long time to start working with an architect and finalize blueprints. Everything is ready to go, we have a building permit in-hand, but we no longer have road access. (If you are new here, the AirBnB 2 lots over had illegally cut a road in across someone else's property, who has, since we moved, blocked access.) We also haven't found a builder that can build within our budget. So we wait...a road will come into the back side of our lot, solving one of two problems.
I do have a sense of dread for the island, too. The rapid destruction of the environment is alarming - from dredging in Marine Reserves, filling in every lagoon to create more land, the lack of infrastructure improvements, talk of expanding the Tren Maya to our tiny island...it's a lot. It's too much. All of this is going on while politicians become multi-millionaires....it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out how these projects are getting approved. It's disheartening. I am certain it happens the world over, but the Pollyanna in me was hoping Belize might be different. Or, at least, recognize what drives tourism and protect those aspects, yet they are doing the opposite.
We can now apply for Permanent Residency, and while I thought we would be in the Immigration Office to apply first-thing August 5th, instead, I am still gathering docs. The requirement list is long, and it could take years for approval to be granted, which is a huge emotional deterrent to completing the tasks. The upside once approved is, we will no longer have to get tourist visa extensions each month, saving $100US per person. There are "expediters" that, for a hefty fee, can get your approval faster, but even then, it's 6-8 months. Again, nothing is easy (or free) in Belize.
I think I am going to focus instead on getting a work permit, so I can get a job (hopefully!) and start making some money, and get to PR when I get to it.
1 year as Belize residents - all we have to show for it is tanner skin
Ethan and Lilly left on Saturday, and knowing it would hit Nathan hard, I looked for a distraction - and found it at The Sandbar's Rooftop Pool. Their new hotel features a negative-edge pool overlooking the Caribbean Sea - it is breathtaking! See a video here: Sandbar San Pedro - Negative-Edge, Oceanfront Rooftop Pool and Bar Non-guests can use the pool with a reservation on Saturdays and Sundays!
Sunday, it was a day to rest and recouperate - after a "go-go-go" ten days, I needed a day to not have to leave the villa or see people. We started catching up on laundry, and getting back into a routine of cooking our own meals/not living like we're on vacation anymore, which is marginally better for the pocketbook.