Dennis and I celebrated our first New Year's Eve in Belize three years ago today. And it has been an exciting, exasperating, exhilarating, exhausting, exquisite, expensive, and expansive three years!
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| In 2013 we started construction of the addition to our vacation cabana to make it suitable for full-time occupancy. Still not completed, but the end is in sight. 2016 will see us moving in. |
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| Lots of butterflies. |
Our friends Julie and Phil helped us celebrate my retirement after I spent most of 2013 commuting back and forth from Belize to Rochester for work.
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| The deck decked out with pennants to celebrate my retirement. |
Out in the jungle behind our cabana are wild orchids.
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| Orchid flower stalk after the rain. |
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| Orchid in bloom. |
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| Orchid seed pods. |
Along the Monkey River Road we often see chachalacas.
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| Boom chachalaca! |
The weather is always interesting.
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| Waterspout at sea. |
Also along the Monkey River Road are provision trees with their gorgeous blossoms
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| These flowers peel open like a banana to expose their showy pompom flowers. |
The sea casts up its treasures at our feet.
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| Beautiful silver and teal blue chondrophore hydrozoans about the diameter of a bottle cap wash up now and again. |
Battles are waged in the jungle.
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| Male blue land crabs get feisty as mating season approaches. The fighting claws on these huge fellows are bigger than my hand. |
Birds survey their water-side domain.
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| Bare-throated tiger heron looks out from a treetop along the Monkey River. They also patrol our beach and Black Creek. |
Out in the jungle are the remains of past civilizations.
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| Dennis in the partially restored Mayan ruins of Nim Li Punit. |
The photos above are only a small hint of what Belize holds for us. There is so much to explore and experience in our new home country. So much to look forward to in 2016 and the years to come.
Wishing you all a peaceful, happy, and healthy New Year, where ever you are.
Absolutely amazing photos Wilma and how fantastic to have those ancient ruins close by, so envious.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy tonight and I look forward to many more such postings throughout 2016.
Thank you, Derek. We anticipate getting out and about a little more this year once construction winds down. Dennis is doing the last of the electrical for the main floor as I write this reply to you. 2016 may be the Year of Road Trips for us. Then I'll have lots to write about! Cheers.
DeleteVery best wishes to you both for 2016.
ReplyDeleteThanks, John! Be visiting you in blogland!
DeleteI continue to be enthralled by your surroundings and send my best wishes to you and Dennis for a joyful and productive New Year.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you visit and like what you see, Frank. Wishing you the best in 2016. Cheers!
DeleteTime flies, doesn't it?!? You sure have created a beautiful life in Belize.
ReplyDeleteIt does fly and far too fast for my comfort. But, as you and SG know, it is great to fly in a place you love.
DeleteHi Wilma and Dennis,
ReplyDeleteAs always, you have the coolest photography and action shots, like with the Kiskadee and the snake. I think your place is amazing. I know how much trouble we have, and we're close to town and can get everything we need via road and deliveries (you know what those are - somebody else brings your stuff to you).
Best wishes for the new year and all year long. Much success with your building project. I look forward to learning new tips from you two from time to time, like the blue balls for the Dr. flies. Who knew?
Anyway, best of everything for the year.
Cheers,
Dave
Glad you like the photos! The kiskadee and snake shot is one of a series that Dennis took (while I was back working in Rochester). Deliveries - who knew such a thing existed! Actually we do get deliveries, but only to where the road ends, the last mile by boat is up to us. :-) Well, we didn't move to Belize for a life of ease and high culture. Will be following your blog avidly in the new year, even at risk for more gutter envy. Cheers!
DeleteWOW! That's such a lovely post and amazing captures! Wish you a fantastic 2016!!
ReplyDeleteShantana
Thank you, Shantana. Looking forward to more of your posts in 2016.
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