Even though I only spent eight days in Belize in November 2014, I experienced a wide range of cultures there. The Garifuna culture, being the predominant one, has the greatest influence on mainstream Belizean art, music, language and food. Stewed chicken and rice & beans was all I wanted to eat there. I tried to learn to speak Creole but it was not as easy as it might sound. However, I was able to somewhat dance the Garifuna way, as I was informed by other tourists. LOL
It was unfortunate that it poured half of the time during my Belizean visit. My original plan of spending 4 days each in Caye Caulker, San Ignacio, Hopkins and Placencia was cut short mainly because of the rainy weather. I was unable to visit Caracol and the ATM cave on the western frontier. These two sites are particularly unique and I had to skip both because of the safety hazards involved after days of torrential downpour. I wish someday to return to Belize and visit these two places.
 |
The Split, Caye Caulker
|
I am very grateful to be able to visit Cahal Peche and Xunantunich. Cahal Peche dates as far back as 1000 B.C. and it is the site of a wealthy Mayan family residence. Xunantunich is a sacred site where the Mayan gods were worshipped. It is famous for the well-preserved carvings on top of the tallest pyramid on site.
 |
| Main Plaza of Cahal Peche |
My last meal in Belize was actually Shrimp Chow Mein in a Chinese eatery in Punta Gorda before taking a boat to Livingston, Guatemala. For a small country, Belize surely has a lot of Chinese immigrants. They usually own grocery stores and restaurants. From the music they listened to and the videos they watched, I gathered that they have come from both Mainland China and Taiwan. My wish is for these Chinese-Belizeans to totally merge into mainstream Belizean society like the transplanted Guatemalans and Salvadorians have.
 |
| Sunrise on the Caribbean, Hopkins |
