Monday, December 31, 2012
Happy 2013!
Wishing you a year that is filled with all the fragrance of flowers, illuminated with all the lights of the world and be blessed with all the smiles on the planet!
Sunday, December 30, 2012
A special Belize experience
Billy and Judy are from California. They are here in Belize for the first time, spending 8 days in our beautiful country. They really enjoyed Cave Tubing and journey to Mayan site Tikal in Guatemala and admitted that Belize Zoo is very nice – all the animals are in their natural environment.
Judy was fortunate to have had an experience that most people only see on the television and read about in books. While visiting the Howler Monkey sanctuary she met a new friend, who wasted no time in making him acquainted with her by sitting on her shoulder, and Judy was really excited about it. The sanctuary is a mere ten minute drive from our resort.
Their Belize vacation continues by enjoying a wonderful peaceful morning by the resort’s poolside. Soon they are heading for Ambergris Caye: on their list of the things to do in Belize is also to try some snorkeling and to experience the magic of the Caribbean seaside. Then they’ll be back here – at Black Orchid Resort – one of the best resorts in Belize – in a few days, before returning to USA.
Choose which Belize tours YOU will take while your stay Black Orchid Resort: http://www.blackorchidresort.com/belize-tours
Judy was fortunate to have had an experience that most people only see on the television and read about in books. While visiting the Howler Monkey sanctuary she met a new friend, who wasted no time in making him acquainted with her by sitting on her shoulder, and Judy was really excited about it. The sanctuary is a mere ten minute drive from our resort.
Their Belize vacation continues by enjoying a wonderful peaceful morning by the resort’s poolside. Soon they are heading for Ambergris Caye: on their list of the things to do in Belize is also to try some snorkeling and to experience the magic of the Caribbean seaside. Then they’ll be back here – at Black Orchid Resort – one of the best resorts in Belize – in a few days, before returning to USA.
Choose which Belize tours YOU will take while your stay Black Orchid Resort: http://www.blackorchidresort.com/belize-tours
Friday, December 28, 2012
Iguanas
Who is that by our pool side? A dinosaur? Looks like one! If you will enlarge an iguana 20 times, you’ll get a prehistoric reptile (Bactrosaurus, possibly). Please don’t run away! Although those guys look scary, they will not attack you. They are vegetarians, grass and leaves is their main food (not humans!); and they are very calm and peaceful. Can you imagine that these out-of-horror-movie looking monsters are called ‘Bamboo Chicken’? Ok, why not? The Ancient Maya incorporated the iguana to the level of a god and it was known as “Itzamna”, that was related to water and the underworld.
Iguanas have keen sense of smelling and seeing, since they are able to find their favorite fruits, berries, flowers and leaves with ease, Iguanas always choose some of the tallest canopy trees along the rivers to sun themselves, which may lead to some physical or territorial rustling, especially with the larger or alpha males. This dispute is sometimes settled by vigorous head bobbing, and extending the large loose skin folds along their chin line which is called dewlap. During the early morning, Iguanas are very slow-moving, almost lethargic. They are cold-blooded and need warm temperature (over 80 degrees F / 27 °C). If the air does not get warm the Iguana will stay hidden in a dry place where it can conserve energy. They will also only consume food when the temperature is warm, since the food will then be better digested. Iguanas can also withstand several days without feeding if they are stressed or if temperature is not suitable.
In the world where the rule is either… eat… or be eaten, the iguana has some special defenses that will surprise the unwary attacker or intruder, and it is not a matter of using fangs with venom or powerful jaws. They are super agile, excellent swimmers, and their green color makes them the master of disguise of their territory. High in the utmost parts of the canopies and trees that overhang the rivers, they are hard to reach by some but an easy catch for others, as most of the locals in the villages consume the iguana as a part of their culture and recreation. Being the fact that they are solely vegetarians, the iguana risks threats from all directions. One of the first defenses is to remain motionless and lie low as possible, relying on their dark coloration to camouflage themselves. If this defense does not work, iguana may use its highly flexible, long, strong tail to swirl after its attacker. A hit may surely discourage it from being eaten. Sometimes these tactics may not work and so the iguana’s final option may be to leap from its perch and dive straight down, belly first into the cool, green waters of the rivers that flow below. The iguana’s silhouette may be visible only for a few seconds, but then completely disappears into the watery world where it may remain for almost an hour, only to appear head first along the river bank and slowly crawl back up into the trees.
You can see iguanas very often at the Black Orchid Resort - on the trees, in the grass or by poolside.
Iguanas have keen sense of smelling and seeing, since they are able to find their favorite fruits, berries, flowers and leaves with ease, Iguanas always choose some of the tallest canopy trees along the rivers to sun themselves, which may lead to some physical or territorial rustling, especially with the larger or alpha males. This dispute is sometimes settled by vigorous head bobbing, and extending the large loose skin folds along their chin line which is called dewlap. During the early morning, Iguanas are very slow-moving, almost lethargic. They are cold-blooded and need warm temperature (over 80 degrees F / 27 °C). If the air does not get warm the Iguana will stay hidden in a dry place where it can conserve energy. They will also only consume food when the temperature is warm, since the food will then be better digested. Iguanas can also withstand several days without feeding if they are stressed or if temperature is not suitable.
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| Iguanas frequent the territory of Black Orchid Resort and all our guests enjoy watching them walking around |
You can see iguanas very often at the Black Orchid Resort - on the trees, in the grass or by poolside.
A day at the Races in Burrell Boom
Belize has a long standing history of horse-racing. It started back in the 1920's, when locals would gather to race their little bush ponies, drink, gamble, and to answer that all-important question: who owned the fastest horse! In those days, there were only two big racing events held each year; the Dewars cup, sponsored by Dewars White Label Company, was held December 26th, and the second major racing event was held January 1st. Both of these exciting races soon demonstrated that Belizeans have an insatiable appetite for the sport of horse racing. Belizeans gather to passionately urge on horses that are not just animals, but represent pride, will, and family.
Yesterday just a few miles from Black Orchid Resort there was the Horse race event that takes place here every year on December 26 - The Boxing Day. Horse racing activities generate income for the community; provide entertainment for families and opportunities for businesses to advertise.
It was very crowded, with horse stalls everywhere. There were plenty of attractions offered to the public – games, drinks, souvenirs. All of this activity was played out against the background symphony of the rumble of iron clad hooves pounding into packed dirt like the promise of a distant thunderstorm. The stands vibrated with the power of the magnificent animals tearing past below us, until not only we were watching the race, we were immersed in it, experiencing it from the inside, with all of the rise and fall of powerful emotions that have made this one of the most popular sports in the world!
See more photos on our FaceBook profile.
Horse racing is known as the Sport of Kings. That's because racing manifests the ego like no other sport; there's something about winning a horse race that's like no other. It satisfies some inner creature. No matter what part you're playing, owner or jockey or trainer, everyone gathers trying to seek that win.
You can be a winner too choosing horseback riding as one of your Belize Tours.
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Yesterday just a few miles from Black Orchid Resort there was the Horse race event that takes place here every year on December 26 - The Boxing Day. Horse racing activities generate income for the community; provide entertainment for families and opportunities for businesses to advertise.
It was very crowded, with horse stalls everywhere. There were plenty of attractions offered to the public – games, drinks, souvenirs. All of this activity was played out against the background symphony of the rumble of iron clad hooves pounding into packed dirt like the promise of a distant thunderstorm. The stands vibrated with the power of the magnificent animals tearing past below us, until not only we were watching the race, we were immersed in it, experiencing it from the inside, with all of the rise and fall of powerful emotions that have made this one of the most popular sports in the world!
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See more photos on our FaceBook profile.
Horse racing is known as the Sport of Kings. That's because racing manifests the ego like no other sport; there's something about winning a horse race that's like no other. It satisfies some inner creature. No matter what part you're playing, owner or jockey or trainer, everyone gathers trying to seek that win.
You can be a winner too choosing horseback riding as one of your Belize Tours.
The Boxing Day
Despite the lively images suggested by the name, it has nothing to do with pugilistic expositions between tanked-up family members who have dearly been looking forward to taking a round out of each other for the past year. Likewise, it does not gain its name from the overpowering need to rid the house of an excess of wrappings and mountains of now useless cardboard boxes the day after St. Nick arrived to turn a perfectly charming and orderly home into a maelstrom of discarded tissue paper.
The holiday's roots can be traced to Britain, where Boxing Day is also known as St. Stephen's Day. Reduced to the simplest essence, its origins are found in a long-ago practice of giving cash or durable goods to those of the lower classes. Gifts among equals were exchanged on or before Christmas Day, but beneficences to those less fortunate were bestowed the day after. Members of the merchant class gave boxes of food and fruit to tradespeople and servants the day after Christmas in an ancient form of Yuletide tip. These gifts were an expression of gratitude to those who worked for them, in much the same way that one now tips the paperboy an extra $20.
Today, Boxing Day is spent with family and friends with lots of food and sharing of friendship and love. Government buildings and small businesses are closed but the malls are open and filled with people exchanging gifts or buying reduced priced Christmas gifts, cards, and decorations. Belizeans tend to get out of the house on Boxing Day, with parties, horse races and concerts to keep them occupied. Takes place annually on December 26.
Nowadays Boxing Day is celebrated in Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Belize. And, as most of people don’t have a slightest idea where the name is coming from, they made the day traditional for sporting events. Every year on the December 26 here is Horse Race in Burrell Boom just few miles from Black Orchid Resort.
Photoblog about the Boxing Day traditions.
The holiday's roots can be traced to Britain, where Boxing Day is also known as St. Stephen's Day. Reduced to the simplest essence, its origins are found in a long-ago practice of giving cash or durable goods to those of the lower classes. Gifts among equals were exchanged on or before Christmas Day, but beneficences to those less fortunate were bestowed the day after. Members of the merchant class gave boxes of food and fruit to tradespeople and servants the day after Christmas in an ancient form of Yuletide tip. These gifts were an expression of gratitude to those who worked for them, in much the same way that one now tips the paperboy an extra $20.
Today, Boxing Day is spent with family and friends with lots of food and sharing of friendship and love. Government buildings and small businesses are closed but the malls are open and filled with people exchanging gifts or buying reduced priced Christmas gifts, cards, and decorations. Belizeans tend to get out of the house on Boxing Day, with parties, horse races and concerts to keep them occupied. Takes place annually on December 26.
Nowadays Boxing Day is celebrated in Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Belize. And, as most of people don’t have a slightest idea where the name is coming from, they made the day traditional for sporting events. Every year on the December 26 here is Horse Race in Burrell Boom just few miles from Black Orchid Resort.
Photoblog about the Boxing Day traditions.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Christmas Tree
The practice of tree worship has been found in many ancient cultures. Often, trees were brought indoors and decorated to ensure a good crop for the coming year. Trees have also been linked to divinity. Egyptians associated a palm tree with the god Baal-Tamar, while the Greeks and Romans believed that the mother of Adonis was changed into a fir tree. Adonis was one of her branches brought to life.
The modern Christmas tree was likely born in the 8th century, when St. Boniface was converting the Germanic tribes. The tribes worshiped oak trees, decorating them for the winter solstice. St. Boniface cut down an enormous oak tree, that was central to the worship of a particular tribe, but a fir tree grew in its place. The evergreen was offered as a symbol of Christianity, which the newly converted Germans began decorating for Christmas.
Prince Albert, who was German, introduced the Christmas tree to England after his marriage to Queen Victoria in 1840. German immigrants to Pennsylvania brought Christmas trees to America.
We wish Merry and Bright Christmas to all the Christians! This our Christmas Tree at Black Orchid Resort:
The modern Christmas tree was likely born in the 8th century, when St. Boniface was converting the Germanic tribes. The tribes worshiped oak trees, decorating them for the winter solstice. St. Boniface cut down an enormous oak tree, that was central to the worship of a particular tribe, but a fir tree grew in its place. The evergreen was offered as a symbol of Christianity, which the newly converted Germans began decorating for Christmas.
Prince Albert, who was German, introduced the Christmas tree to England after his marriage to Queen Victoria in 1840. German immigrants to Pennsylvania brought Christmas trees to America.
We wish Merry and Bright Christmas to all the Christians! This our Christmas Tree at Black Orchid Resort:
Monday, December 24, 2012
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