Betex Tourism Expo to be held in Belize

BETEX was first organized in 1996, where every two years the expo is organized, the last expo was held in 2012.The Tourism Expowhere businesses from around Belize that sent representatives included The Lodge at Big Falls, Hatchet Caye Resort, Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort, Programme for Belize, San Ignacio Resort and Cahal Pech Village Resort. BETEX tourism expo will commence on May 7th-9th and is one of the largest expo in Belize which is organized by the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) which will take place at the Princess Hotel in Belize City.

The opening night will take place on Wednesday May 7th, 2014 at the Princess Hotel Casino. This expo will showcase business-to-business event in Belize's travel destinations, hotels, tour operators, and other tourism service providers. It attracts more than the average of 350 local and international tourism professionals and press representatives.The event is an group where a company or individual promote for international travel resellers to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business with local travel suppliers, and to learn more about Belize and experience the destination first hand.As Belize’s is being one of the leading national private sector tourism association, the BTIA represents a unified voice and advocates for issues that will benefit its members. The organization as well influences on tourism policy, legislation and marketing for the sustainable development of the industry and improved quality of the visitor experience.

U.S. Army Ranger "Wrangler Leesman" search continue's in Belize

Last week Tuesday two tourists from the US 29 year old Wrangler Shane Leesman (American) and along with Bradley Evans Josker stated at around 12 .p.m on April 29th, 2014 they decided to go kayaking.

The day didn't ended well as 29 year old Wrangler Shane Leesman was caught up by large wave. The wave flipped him over. That was the last time Josker saw his friend. On Sunday morning May 4th at around 10:30 .a.m helicopter's from the U.S. where sent to search for any evidence of a body found. 

Today, family and friends are saddened to hear Leesman went missing while being in Belize. Leesman's mother believe's that he is still alive and is crying for answers. Family and close friends have him in prayers and would like for any support of an helicopter or resources to help search for the missing U.S. former Army Ranger from the Austin area.

One of the Family's friend mentioned that the U.S. Coast Guard joined the help to search for Wrangler Leesman. He is from Pflugerville that was last time his friend seen him off the coast of Belize. 

According to Leeman's mother the hardest part she feels is, “It’s waiting that’s the hardest and not knowing,” said Dee-Dee Leesman, Wrangler’s mother, who lives outside Phoenix, Arizona. “I know if anybody can do it, he can do it, and he’ll probably come home laughing at me,” said Dee-Dee Leesman. “Because the last thing he said to me is, mom, don’t try to write me. Don’t try to call me, you know I’m coming home.”

Bradley Evans Josker was found by the Coast Guard by officials and mentioned to police that strong current winds and high waves hit them from both off the kayak,  according to the statement. Both were holding onto the kayak when another hit them again they became separated. 

Since then Leesman was not found. But, Leesman manage to sustain tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq, a helicopter crash and was at Fort Hood during the recent shootings on post.

Reef Week/ Lagoon Eco Challenge will be celebrated in San Pedro

Celebrating the 10th Annual Lagoon Eco Challenge in San Pedro on May. It is an event that no one wants to miss which will be held this Saturday May 10th and Sunday May 11th. On the first day it will commence at Central Park @ 7.a.m where the Kayaker's will gather. Then, through Boca Del Rio river, through the lagoons of San Pedro, into the creeks, towards the lagoon that separates San Pedro, then Lagona Cayo de frances brasilete area to San Juan. where they will race.

 Camp site is the most challenging part where the water is salty heading 1,000 feet to the beach and heading 1 mile south, where each Kayaker's will camp for the first night. All Kayak's who are participating are told bring along their gallon of water. Food, water and bathing supplies will be provided at the camp site. On Sunday, at around  9.a.m the challenge part is where they have to paddle on shallow water. The paddlers will head towards Central Park reaching the winning site at around 12:30 p.m. While the challenge is on going the Coast Guard will be on hold around Robles Point for any emergency rescue.

San Pedro Sailing Club will be participating in the challenge. Their will be Prizes from 1st place $3,000, 2nd place $2,000 and 1st place $1,000. Prize's will be given to those who are participating including last place. Every participant will meet at Fido's at 7pm where rules and regulation will be mentioned on Friday. Other prize's will be plane, tickets, sunglasses and much more. So, come on out at Central Park will be having a beach party.

Its the 9th Annual Reef week is celebrating its activities from the 10-17th of May. So, come on out and enjoy the week full of fun.

Saturday May 10th - commencement of the Eco Challenge.

Sunday May 11th- a Triathlon swimming,  running and Cycling race will be held at central park.

 Monday May 12th- Coastal Water Way clean up day where dive shop area will be cleaned. Especially on  the docks and along the beach area. SPTC had participated on cleaning up.

Tuesday May 13th- is the release of Turtle "Ellen". A turtle that weigh's 60 lb's. It was taken to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve for rehabilitation to recover from an infection intestine which the turtle was brought in 2 months ago. limited space to see Ellen turtle will be at 10am to Hol Chan marine reserve.

Wednesday May 14th- Primary school trivia competition.

 Thursday May 15th- will be Marine Fair.  T shirt will be given  to those who participate. Event starts at 9:30.a.m.

Friday May 16th- teacher's trip to protected area's on bacalar manatee sanctuary.

 Saturday May 17th- beach Turtle clean up at Robles point turtle groups from High School will be participating.

Mother's Day Extravaganza 2014

The San Pedro Town Council presents the Mother's Day Extravaganza 2014 on Saturday, May 10 at the Old Football Field. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

This year we have three performers: imitator of Latin Divas, a singer and a stand up comedian.

Cost of ticket is $20 and includes gourmet turkey dinner, drink, dessert and a token for all mothers.

The show is for ADULT AUDIENCE ONLY! NO CHILDREN ALLOWED!

Click the link below to view a performance of singer Julia Manrique.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOAdkHXGH0k

Mr. Rigo Vellos Wins Cozumel Body Building Competition

The native country of Belize, Rigoberto , Vellos Male , was the overall winner of the bodybuilding contest Mr. Cedral 2014 , it was held last Sunday afternoon in the main palapa village , framed the festivities in honor of Santa Cruz Saban , with a record attendance of over 1500 people enjoyed a high international level sports competition. With the participation of 36 competitors from different parts of the state geography and the neighboring country of Belize and before a large crowd, this event was held, in which the strongest man agenciara him as the top winner of the event was sought most awaited among fans of the sport of strength and aesthetics. After the exhibitions, where participants performed poses the most muscular, back, biceps , triceps in order that the jury give its verdict on each of the categories, so that in the first place was rookie Miguel Dzuc, René Tun second and third for Rogui Uh , while in the Beginner category "A" Marcelino Jelevo took top honors were to leave in the second and third and Valerio Victor Zapata Vivas, respectively.In the Beginners Category "B" who introduce Gym better job of Emanuel Portillo was the second place went to Joseph Chan and third place went to Armando Balam, in the category of New Values ​​first place went to Orlando Ku, the second for Jesus Herrera and third place got Francisco Villanueva.In the senior category, first place went to Belize Rigoberto Vellos Male , the second to Cozumel Bladimir Burgos Castle and third place went to Mefirsoset de la Rosa Molina , Chetumal.Stressing that the ladies bikini was the greatest figure of Michel Santos Carrillo Leidy while the title of Figure Fitness adjudge .For this great event a grand jury comprised athletes and coaches with a great sporting career and the various municipal authorities as is the case, the Director of Sport on the island, Héctor Martínez Ramírez and ninth councilor was convened, Geny Canto Canto who commission has the sport on the island , both with the honorable role of crowning the winning participants .

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