An excellent Friday and three spotted doubled propeller Army Helicopter

On Friday July 11th, 2014 I went around the island and took some photo's. Here is your highlight below of how the weather was super excellent to come and enjoy the weather. Since the island is famous for its beautiful blue sea and island style. Its was a windy day and very warm most came out to sail, swim and wind surf on the water.

My highlight for the view of Friday is a view of how excellent the weather it was in San Pedro and how lucky we are to live in a crazy paradise. With no rain during the day I headed up North. The white beaches, the clear bright blue water and the sound of wild birds. It was a journey up North to visit some of the amazing quiet places to see and some excellent photo's.

                          Here is view from Royal Palm when I was head north. The day started very well.

   It was a bright Friday Morning. 

 Look very slow start for a Friday morning. Isn't it?

  Then here you are looking at the view where Wet Willy is and Chuck and Robbie's dock. 

 Here is a fabulous view infront of Sandy Toe's 

                                                                             

This is the view while crossing the bridge. 

I like this view with the Coconut tree leaning. 

                              Their where some people sailing on the water. I managed to take a picture.

   I visited Rojo Lounge and the view was fabulous. With red painted inside and a great atmosphere the place had Fire lamp in a row. The place caught my attention the way how great they have it decorated.

Rojo Lounge at the front. 

                                                         I spotted this weird looking sea urchin.                  

                                                         

                                     I just loved the color of the water. Its so a bright Blue, green color.

                 Meanwhile I was observing to take picture's I caught this incoming sail boat passing by.

                      Hey everyone, look at this green and red stop light sign. One of the coolest decor I've seen.

               After I took this photo I suddenly heard  loud plane. Which I thought It was. 

But, it was not a plane. It was three doubled propeller Helicopter passing by. This Boeing CH-47 Chinook is an American twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter. Its primary roles are troop movement, artillery placement and battlefield resupply. It has a wide loading ramp at the rear of the fuselage and three external-cargo hooks. With a top speed of 170 knots (196 mph, 315 km/h) the helicopter is faster than contemporary 1960s utility and attack helicopters. The CH-47 is among the heaviest lifting Western helicopters. Its name is from the Native American Chinook people.

 Look at this bird I just fell in love with the bird. Every  time we said something it would repeat it. Suddenly, it started dancing for us for like 5 seconds. Then started laughing. What s cool bird made our day.

                                                            Palapa if you enjoy it come by.

                          This construction is nearly finishing. Last time I saw it was just beginning. Their also room for sale. 

                       Caught the black birds flying by while fishermen were cutting fish few yards away.

                                           Here is a view towards THE HOTEL next to it was The legend's .

And that's how I spent the day at La Isla Bonita San Pedro. The day was very interesting but, I would tell you the streets are way to dusty. so be prepared for a dusty road.

U.S. regulators on Friday suspended trading in Cynk Technology Corportation

(Reuters) - U.S. regulators on Friday suspended trading in Cynk Technology Corp, citing possible market manipulation in the one-time penny stock whose market value rocketed within weeks from less than $20 million to more than $6 billion.

After the virtually unknown company with no assets or revenue skyrocketed in value for no apparent reason, the Securities and Exchange Commission and Financial Industry Regulation Authority (FINRA) decided to pull the plug. Listing its business address in Belize but filing out of Nevada, the company said it intended to create a social network business.

FINRA posted a trading suspension in the stock early on Friday using its "Extraordinary Event Halt" code. The SEC issued its suspension shortly afterward, extending the trading hiatus through July 24.The SEC cited "concerns regarding the accuracy and adequacy of information in the marketplace and potentially manipulative transactions in Cynk’s common stock."

Shares of Cynk, a development-stage company which SEC filings said formerly went by the name Introbuzz, were hardly ever traded, exchanging hands at pennies per share through late May. Beginning on June 17, shares rocketed from 6 cents to as much as $21.95 at one point on Thursday.

Based on Thursday's closing price of $13.90, its stock market value is $4.05 billion. At its peak, the stock had a higher market value than three dozen members of the S&P 500 including Cablevision Systems, Pitney Bowes, Legg Mason and ADT Corp.

Identified in regulatory filings as a Nevada corporation, it lists a business address in Belize City, Belize. Financial statements with the SEC show no assets, no sales and no positive cash flow. Its last quarterly report, from the third quarter of 2013, shows a net loss of $11,275 for the period.

Its website, site.introbiz.com, lists no phone number. A form for contacting the support group warns that it could take two days to respond. An investor named Marlon Sanchez was listed as owning 72 percent of the 291 million outstanding shares. But he had sold his stake, according to a June 11 letter to OTC Markets Group Inc, operator of the OTC Pink market on which Cynk shares traded.

The letter, signed by Las Vegas attorney Harold Gewerter, described Javier Romero, a resident of Belize, as the "sole officer and director" of Cynk.

The document, posted on an OTC website, said Romero has owned 210 million shares, roughly 72 percent of outstanding shares, since Feb. 20, 2014, "which he purchased from the former sole officer and director" - Sanchez.

Sanchez, reached by telephone on Friday, said: "I left the company in February and I have no further comment." Two SEC filings dated in March and April continue to identify Sanchez as the company's president and chief executive officer.

Sanchez also disclosed in an April 2013 filing to the SEC for Introbuzz that he graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Business Administration Marketing. An alumni official said Sanchez was not in the university's alumni data base.

Calls to the phone number on file at the SEC reached an automated recording saying: "You have reached an unassigned number."

The Belize address on file is The Matalon, Coney Drive, Suite 400 in Belize City. The building's front desk receptionist said the building has no suite 400 and building managers have never been approached to rent space to Cynk.

Regus, the company that rents out space in the business center in Las Vegas where Cynk had its offices, said a company named Introbuzz had offices there through the end of June but no longer operates in the building. They would not elaborate on how long Introbuzz had the offices, or why the company left.

The attorney, Gewerter, responded to Reuters with an email saying he no longer represents the company. OTC Markets did not immediately return a call for comment.

VOLUME SPIKE

Before June 17, Cynk shares had traded only on three days in 2014, with daily volume not exceeding 2,000 shares. Trades had occurred at either 8 cents a share or 6 cents, its closing price on May 15, when it last recorded trades before mid-June. Then, activity in the stock exploded.

Volume on June 17 topped 367,000 shares and the price shot to as high as $4.25, before closing the day at $2.25. Trading on every day since then averaged 120,533 shares. The price soared.The frenzy culminated on Thursday with a record volume of 386,060. The share price spiked as high as $21.95 before closing at $13.90, down from Wednesday's close of $14.71.

The SEC suspension is valid through July 24, but no quotation may be entered after that date unless brokers and dealers have complied with all rule provisions, the SEC said in a statement, which could effectively extend the suspension.There were no records immediately available identifying the owners of the Cynk shares that do not belong to Romero, or what their eventual losses could be.

The SEC has suspended trading in more than 1,300 micro-cap stocks since May 2012, said Eric Bustillo, regional director of the SEC's Miami Regional Office, who declined to comment specifically on the Cynk suspension.

(Additional reporting by Chuck Mikolajczak in New York, Alexandra Alper in Mexico City, Sarah N. Lynch in Washington D.C., Mike McDonald in Guatemala and Jose Sanchez in Belize City; Editing by Bernadette Baum, Dan Burns and David Gregorio)

A Belizean turned Multimillionaire Dollars in Scam Stock overnight

Here's What Happens When You Try To Talk To The CEO Of CYNK. Everyone has been going nuts over a penny stock, CYNK Technology, that has surged 25,000% since mid-June. Today, the Securities and Exchange Commission suspended trading of CYNK until July 24.

CYNK Technology operates a "social network" called Introbiz.com. The company has no revenue, assets or full-time employees. It has also been a mystery who runs the company. According to a filing with OTC Markets, the company's CEO is Javier Romero.

"Javier Romero is the President, CEO, Secretary, Treasurer, and Director of Cynk Technologies, Inc. Since 2009 Mr. Romero has been a Fisheries Officer for the Government of Belize based out of Belize City," the filing says. Other than that, there's scant information available on Romero.

Introbiz is a website that allows users to pay for connections to celebrities and business people on social media. We were able to track Romero down via a more old-fashioned technology, Facebook, where the profile includes photos of him flying airplanes and fishing.

On the Facebook messaging system, he seemed to match the description on the filing. He told us that he's from Belize and lives in Boston. He also said he's learning how to fly airplanes and that he used to work as a fishery officer back in Belize. Eventually, we asked for his number and called him up.

When reached by telephone, the man responded when we addressed him as "Javier." But after we told him we were working on a story about CYNK Technology, he quickly told us that he's not Javier and that his name is Jason.

"Jason" told us that he works for Javier, but doesn't work for the company. He said that he's been friends with Javier since they were kids in Belize. He also said that Javier is in Boston for the next few days.

Here's what we talked about on the phone:

BI: Hey Javier, it's Julia.

"Jason": Hi. How are ya?

BI: How are you doing?

"Jason": [laughs] All right.

BI: Are you in Boston right now?

"Jason": I am actually.

BI: I'm a reporter and I've been really impressed with this company I know you're affiliated with—CYNK Technology and Introbiz. I was wondering if you could help me out and tell me more about it.

"Jason": [laughs] Hey, I actually knew there was basically something like that going on.

BI: So were you surprised the stock went up so high?

"Jason": Well, actually I'm not Javier. I work for him.

BI: Wait. But why are you Javier on Facebook? That's a little weird.

"Jason": Yeah. I work for him.

BI: Well, where's Javier?

"Jason": He's actually out right now. I don't really want to disclose his business. I can definitely get a number for you guys.

BI: Yeah. So do you work at CYNK, too?

"Jason": I don't. I just work for him. I don't know.

BI: Oh you work for him, but you don't work with Introbiz?

"Jason": I do not.

BI: If you're not 'Javier' then what's your name?

"Jason": My name is Jason.

BI: Jason what?

"Jason": Hah. Ahhh like I said if you want to give me a number I can have him reach you guys.

BI: Is he also in Boston with you?

"Jason": He is here. He will be here for a couple of days.

BI: Is he really excited about the stock?

"Jason": I'm sure he's going nuts about it or whatever. We haven't really talked about it. Like I said, I just work for him.

BI: You get to be Javier on Facebook?

"Jason": He asked me to check out his stuff. I just let him know what's going on.

BI: Does he usually let you talk to girls on his Facebook?

"Jason": Uh, no.

BI: I was really hoping you could give me a little more insight into this.

"Jason": Personally, I don't know much. I just work for the guy. We've been very good friends since we were young. He recently got a hold of me and said he has a job for me.

BI: How did you guys meet?

"Jason": You know like I said Julia I don't know if I should be talking to anyone about this.

BI: You sound a little nervous on the phone.

"Jason": Yeah no, because I'm not supposed to be talking to too much people on his Facebook for him. I was just supposed to check his message. Then, here's this good looking girl and she wants to talk to me. I got a little carried away, OK.

Jason has our number and we'll update if he or Javier gets in touch. Meanwhile, we might just reach out on Introbiz.

Conditions of Lease North-eastern portion of Goff's Caye

Belmopan July 10th, 2014 Press release- The Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture takes those opportunity to inform the general Public on the current land tenure status of an island known as Goff's Caye.

1. The northern-eastern portion of Goff's Caye was surveyed in September 2001. 
2. Subsequently a lease approval under reference BZ-R-516/2001 was granted in May 2002 for term of fifty (50) years to Mr. Ramon Cervantes. 
3. Lease approval was granted with no option to purchase, however, the legal advice provided to the Department indicated that there were no provisions preventing the lease from constructing permanent structures on the Caye. 
4. Upon Knowledge of such consideration the Coastal Zone Management Authority and institute objected to such lease.

The Lands and Survey Department has confirmed that only the survey conducted on the island and subsequent lease approved to such lease.The Ministry is obligated to provide such clarification with \ view to dispel any misinterpretations by the general public as it relates to crown land on Goff's Caye and extended its appreciation for their understanding.

San Pedro Sailing Club Regatta Two days event

Around the Country participants of the Sailing club once again made another race against each other on July 5th and 6th, 2014 at the Boca Del Rio. The San Pedro Sailing Club unbeatable young winners once again showed they won the race. Since the year started they have been on the top place on winning the Sailing Club. On the first day of the event the sailing club's sailed on high gust winds. But, with their learning experience they manage to finish the race excellent. 

With every race on both days they manage to race 6 race's. But, it was easier for them to sail on the second day which the wind slowed down. With the weather very perfect to sail the couple of days was a great two days to witness the race. The groups that Participated at this event where on  this past weekend Regatta where the group from San Pedro Junior Sailing Club (SPJSC) & San Pedro Sailing Club (SPR), Caye Caulker Sailing Club (CCSC), Sea Scouts, Corozal Bay Sailing Club (CBSC), Belize City Sailing Club (BCSC) and Placencia Sailing Club (PSC).

Mayor Daniel said on the event that this should continue for the younger kids to be entertained and something to do. He continues to support this kind of sports and it shouldn't stop. The winner's of the two days event where Faith Noel 1st,Jerson Anderson 2nd,Antonio Ricardez Jr. 3rd, Christian Trejo (SPJSC) 4th, DavinPuc (SPJSC) 5th, Blanca Velasquez (SPJSC) 6th, Kevin Velasquez (SPR) 7th, Gorge Olivarez (SPR) 8th, Trent Hardwick (Sea Scouts) 9th, Christopher Young (CBSC) 10th, Jazmin Campos (CBSC) 11th, Nashira Ricardez (BCSC) 12th, Sarah White (SPR) 13th, Mitchell Sersland (SPR) 14th, Kathryn Salinas (SPJS) 15th, Denis DuQueney (SeaScouts) 16th, Samantha Velasquez (SPR) 17th, Delroy Hinds (BCSC) 18th, Patrick Marcus Rhamdas (PSC) 19th, Wilson Rivera (PSC) 20th, Tyler Garbutt (PSC) 21st, Chris Lopez (SPR) 22nd, Caroline Sersland (SPR) 23rd, Jayden Louriano (BCSC) 24th, Carla Lopez (PSC) 25th.

As the announcer continues to announce the winner's on the top place on GREEN FLEET where won for the best novice sailors were Alanis Badillo (CCSC) came in 1st Place, Harrison Cadle Jr. (CCSC) came in 2nd Place and Rashawn Gonzalez (SPJCS) came in 3rd Place where they all scored 14 points each. Twenty three novice sailors raced in the green fleet.  

The announcer then quickly made the rounds up on the next Top 10 in the precipitant races:Trent Humes (BCSC) 4th,Peter Joo (PSC) 5th, Glenford Barrera (CCSC) 6th, Angel Pol (CCSC) 7th, Gabbi Knox, (SPJCS) 8th, Christian Ferrell Jr. (PSC) 9th, Malik Jones (CCSC) 10th.  

 Congratulations to the San Pedro Junior Sailing Club by Belize Social network on their great remarks on their winning marks and to all the other young sailors who participated on the Sailing Club you'll did excellent job in competiting around the country of Belize.  For those who wants to see another race you can visit Boca Del Rio Areaall for race 4 this Sunday. Sailors meet at 11:30 for a 12:00 start 

Three Suspects charged and one is on the run in Ramon Cervantes Jr.

Suspect in Ramon Cervantes Sr kidnapping and murder case on the run in Mexico. Confirmed reports to indicate that Orange Walk Police are currently looking at another dead body allegedly buried on a farm located in the Honey Camp Area Nearly close to the farm where the body of Ramon Cervantes Senior was found buried. Its believed to be the body Sonia Abac was found in a well. 

Confirmed reports are that one of the same individuals that where detained for Cervantes murder guided the police to the body. Very proceeding information suggests that it might be a body of a female. Manuel Castillo has been captured by Mexican Police in the Southern Mexican State of Yucatan, Mexico, and has been detained, pending his handing over to Belizean Authorities. No world on whereabouts of alleged accomplice, Avicela Duran. 

Three persons presented before the court  on July 9th in the Orange Walk Court House. The charges for the murder case in the death of Ramon Cervantes, Sr. where Mateo Pott Jr. (White Shirt), 28 year old Belizean plumber of Trial Farm Village, Angel Antonio Cardenas (Grey Shirt), 19 year old Belizean construction worker of Trial Farm and Mateo Daniel Gonzalez Avila (Red Shirt), 22 year old Guatemalan National of Trial Farm, Trio arraigned on murder charge in death of Ramon Cervantes, Sr.

Since Monday the murder of Ramon Cervantes Jr. was going to be in trial in the Orange Walk Magistrate Court,  hundreds of Orange Walkeños have been at their waiting line for an call before a court to answer an indictment. But, due to lateness, in the Late evening on July 9th Orange Walk police accompanied the three men to the Magistrate’s Court for a formal arraignment on charges related to the death of Ramon Cervantes Sr.

They are 22 year old Mateo “Noe” Daniel Gonzalez Avila; 28 year old Mateo Pott Jr. and 19 year old Angel Antonio Cardenas. Their is confirmed information that a fourth person which is believed to be the Mastermind set up, Manuel Castillo was charged on the sheet and is on the loose in Mexico and he is the leader of the gang set up. Castillo’s is accompanied with Avicela Duran is also being searched by Police for questioning.

All three charges where made jointly for the crimes of the murder. The charges where for keeping an unlicensed firearm, namely a 12-gauge pump action shotgun and kept unlicensed ammunition, namely five 12-gauge cartridges. All three suspects were remanded to the Hattieville prison until their next court appearance on August 13. All three suspects are residents of Trial Farm village, Orange Walk, while only Gonzalez Avila is listed as a Guatemalan national, the other two are Belizeans National.

Any information leading to the arrest of Manuel Castillo can be made at the Orange Walk Police Station or at the Corozal Police Station at 402-0022.

PRESS RELEASE - GS/OAS Adjacency Zone Belize-Guatemala on the passing of Ambassador H.E. Alfredo Martinez

Wednesday July 9th, 2014 The office of the organization of America States in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone (OAS/AZ) is deeply sadden the passing of Ambassador Alfredo Martinez.
The OAS is greatly indebted to Ambassador Martinez, as Chief Negotiator for the Government of Belize, for his invaluable contributions directed at finding a peaceful and permanent solution to the territorial dispute between Belize and Guatemala.

He was a brilliant diplomat whose dedication to his work, despite many challenges and obstacles, are commendable. We will truly miss his energy and commitment to strengthening the bonds of friendship between Belize and Guatemala. The advances achieved in the process can be attribute in large part to his tireless efforts directed at promoting dialogue and international cooperation,

He represented the last in the diplomatic service. He was equally outstanding person, leader rand friend to all who knew him. The OAS/AZ expresses their sincere condolence. May he rest in peace.

Belize soldiers will be receiving new boots that will be donated by the U.S. Marines

The Belize Local soldiers are happy to know that sooner or later they will be receiving new boots and uniforms from the U.S. Marine. Where they will be going into a journey into the wild jungle on the their missions to counter-narcotics sporting with their new boots and uniforms, a thanks to the agreement with the Marine Corps in which the Belizeans trade a jungle warfare training package for their new supplies. 

Back in June, Captain Juan Torres, who conducted a team of Marines guided Belizean forces here in the country, said Brig. Gen. David Jones, the commander of the Belize Defence Force, that the Corps had completed the agreement to make the trade. Jones said he was rapturous to be able to supply about a third of his 1,000-man army with new boots compared to those the Marines wear.

“In the jungle where these guys do patrols,  it’s not nice to be walking in that type of terrain without good boots,” he told Marine Corps Times.

The exchange between the two services arose with a occupied struck by Gen. John Kelly, commander of U.S. Southern Command, and the head of the Belizean Ministry of National Security, said Maj. Mike Alvarez, a spokesman for the Marine Corps Forces to head South. About a total of 345 Belizean soldiers will receiving a brand new hot weather combat boots, woodland camouflage uniforms, H-harnesses, cartridge belts, ammunition pouches, canteens and canteen pouches.

"In interchange, Jones’ force will supply jungle warfare training for eight Marines, along with 1,000 gallons of fuel in support of the operation", Alvarez said. Belizean and their are other Central and South American troops who are skillful in jungle warfare training. The amount cost for the trade is approximately at closely to $92,000, Alvarez said, and it supports Kelly’s top objective: countering transnational organized crime.

In developing countries, the necessity of the local militaries are basic. Leaders here aren't questioning for the latest in fighter jets or amphibious assault vehicles, but they are asking for uniform items, ammunition or canteens.“It has become very difficult for us to get good, decent boots,” Jones said. “In the past, we used to buy them from a company in El Salvador. We try to buy from the region because prices are reasonable, but the quality is not very good.”

Every three months, Jones position in readiness a company deep into the jungle along the Guatemalan border. They spend a week patrolling, disrupting attempts at trafficking blunt and other illegal goods. In that type of environment, good boots can mean a difference between injury and a successful mission, he said.

UPDATE: Fire Destroys 3 structure house in San Pedro and leaves 66 homeless

On Sunday July 6th at around 8:30pm in the area of Boca Del Rio near Compadre Bar a three structure house  was completely  destroyed by fire. A call was made at the fire department reaching within 15 minutes on the premises. neighbors and other people helped in to turn off the fire with buckets of water. Since their where close to the lagoon the fire truck got their within minutes connecting  the water pump. The cause of the fire is still on investigation and fortunately, Families where left homeless and a total of  5 families of 24 people where living on the complex rental building including Damages to the surrounding building where a white long house and a total of 6 rooms and 40 people including that where living in the building. 

The only injuries that where confirmed by the officer in charge was a baby with minor injuries and a broken hand by a male person that was presently attended by  Dr. Otto Rodriguez Poly Clinic II.The fire affected 66 people from 16 different families, including 32 minors below the age of 17 .

after math

According to police  “it was carefully noticed that seven small wooden structure buildings were destroyed, one concrete & wooden two storey Building, one Concrete two storey Building was destroyed by the fire and water damage. A total of nine nine Buildings were damaged.”Police say that preliminary investigation indicates that the fire started from a two-storey concrete and wood building from where residents of the area say they first saw smoke coming from. No one was injured in the blaze and police investigations continue.

It was confirmed from the officer in charge that the fire affected 66 people from 16 different families, including 32 minors below the age of 17. According to I witness Edita Hernandez say that she saw smoke from her son's room.which was seen fron the  concrete & wooden Building and that the fire originated from this building. Member's of the Belize Red Cross, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) and the San Pedro Town Council will work together to help the victims to start helping them. 

Donations where done today for the victim's on the fire at the Lion's Den where it was drop off good, clean, slightly used clothes for the families of the fire victims. Lion's Club, NEMO, Red Cross, Evangelical Alliance of SP. If you would like to donate you can contact Lorna Vasquez at the San Pedro Town Council at (501) 226-2198 or (501) 226-2788. 

community helping

Press Release by the Washington Court to Settlement between Guatemala and Belize Land Dispute

World Court To Settle Guatemala, Belize 200-year-old Boundary Dispute – WASHINGTON, July 2 (BERNAMA-NNN-AGENCIES) — Guatemala and Belize signed an accord agreeing to let their territorial dispute, which is nearly two centuries old, be settled in the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
Foreign Ministers Roger Rodas of Guatemala and Wilfred Elrington of Belize signed the pact at the Washington headquarters of the Organization of American States.

The signing of the accord comes after the recommendation made last year by OAS Secretary-General Jose Miguel Insulza that the parties turn to the United Nation’s top judicial entity after the negotiations the two countries restarted in 2005 failed to bear fruit.

The OAS has monitored the dialogue process between the two countries since 2000, when they began making efforts to work out the controversy, which dates from 1821 when Guatemala gained independence from Spain and Britain was occupying what is today Belize.

Guatemala continues to press its claim to some 12,700 square kilometers of Belizean soil, which amounts to more than half of the former British colony’s territory.

That expanse represents a logging concession granted to Britain by the Spanish Crown in the 17th century.

Insulza emphasized that the two countries took “a very important step for the solution of the problem” by acknowledging that the dispute “is essentially of a juridical character” and agreeing to take the case to the ICJ.

Even so, voters in the two neighboring countries must still ratify the accord in referendums.

Rodas expressed Guatemala’s desire to “definitively” end the dispute, adding that the ICJ decision will allow all concerned to “be able to define, among other things, the Guatemalan territory in dispute and establish the borders.” The Guatemalan foreign minister also emphasized that his country is ready to move forward with cooperation and integration in all areas with Belize, as well as in strengthening understanding between the two countries.

Belize says it hopes the referendum as part of the efforts to end the long running border dispute with Guatemala would be held “very soon” and reiterated a need for a peaceful solution to the issue.

Last year the Belize government said Guatemala appeared to be having difficulty with proceeding with the referendum in both countries on Oct 6 this year and that the country wanted to go straight to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

It also did not want to put an end to the existing Special Agreement between them.

– BERNAMA-NNN-AGENCIES

Belize is chosen for its great travelling sites in the Caribbean destinations

The same turquoise waters that lure tourists to Caribbean destinations slosh around Belize's island chain. But tiny Belize has a major advantage in reeling in the holidaymakers - spectacular Mayan ruins tucked away in lush jungle. 

The nation is home to more prehistoric buildings than modern-day ones, according to its Institute of Archaeology.The same turquoise waters that lure tourists to Caribbean destinations slosh around Belize's island chain. But tiny Belize has a major advantage in reeling in the holidaymakers — spectacular Maya ruins tucked away in lush jungle. The nation is home to more prehistoric buildings than modern-day ones, according to its Institute of Archaeology.

That ancient appeal draws in backpackers eager for adventure as well as divers ready to gawk at its bustling reefs or plunge into its famed Blue Hole. Belize has all the ingredients for a surf and turf vacation — at least for those who don't mind the odd giant cockroach or neon green frog that may invade their jungle dwellings.

CAVES, SKELETONS AND A SWIM

Evidence of human sacrifice in Maya times litters the floors of the Actun Tunichil Muknal caves, where the skeletons are welded in place by limestone sediment. Mayan pottery is also frozen in time there, with archeologists opting to leave most artifacts as they were centuries ago. To get to the caves, visitors are led down a gentle jungle trail that includes several river crossings. Next, comes an invigorating swim across a frigid pool of water at the cave's mouth (which is patrolled by a resident vine snake). Water winds throughout the cave, and visitors have to squeeze through impossible-looking openings before being rewarded with the archaeological trove. But don't expect to plaster social media with photos documenting the adventure. Clumsy tourists — including one who left a camera-sized hole in the skull of a sacrificed child — led to a ban on cameras at the site.

PYRAMID IN THE JUNGLE

Just a fraction of Caracol, a once powerful Maya city state, has been unearthed by archaeologists. Once home to 150,000 inhabitants (nearly twice the population of Belize's current industrial center, Belize City), the site was lost until a logger stumbled upon it in the 1930s while in search of mahogany. Nearly a century later, 90 percent of it still belongs to the jungle. Shards of ancient pottery are scattered around the complex, which includes astronomical buildings, ball courts, palaces and a 141-foot-tall pyramid that remains the tallest man-made structure in Belize. The guttural intonations of howler monkeys and the eerie screech of the yellow-tailed bird provide the soundtrack for those wandering through the massive archaeological site.

STONE WOMAN AND EL CASTILLO

This complex of ruins got its Maya name, Xunantunich — meaning "Stone Woman" — from a sun-soaked apparition said to haunt the site. The city was built up over millennia and its history is sketched out neatly at the newly opened visitor's center. At the site itself, the main attraction is the ruin known as "El Castillo," which towers above the jungle. Four elaborate stucco friezes depicting Maya gods once hugged each side of the building. Now just two remain, and they're both covered up by fiberglass copies to preserve the originals. Despite its lofty appearance and elaborate decorations, the Castillo likely served as an administrative hub, not a temple, according to the visitor's center.

PALACE, BALL COURT AND PLACE OF THE TICKS

Even from its perch high up on a hill, Cahal Pech lives in the shadow of its more impressive neighbors, Caracol, Xunantunich and Tikal. Cahal Pech — which unflatteringly means "Place of the Ticks" in Yucatec and Mopan Mayan — sits on the outskirts of San Ignacio, a popular base for those exploring Maya ruins. Under the cover of an encroaching jungle, visitors can get a glimpse of how the upper crust lived in Maya times through the site's palace structures. The site is also home to a nice example of a Maya ball court.

BARRIER REEF AND BLUE HOLE
Caye Caulker is a sandy strip of land surrounded by a bounty of sea life. The more laid-back alternative to San Pedro (immortalized by the 1987 Madonna hit "La Isla Bonita"), provides a base for the thriftier tourist looking to explore Belize's nearby barrier reef. The island is crowded with tour companies that ferry visitors to reef hot spots, such as the intimidating Shark Ray Alley. Nurse sharks and sting rays were originally drawn to the area by fishermen cleaning their catch, but now it's tour boats that chum the waters. The fish expectantly clamor around any boat that arrives. Other underwater highlights include an enormous logger turtle that is blind in one eye that hovers around a conch fishermen's boat, and a rainbow of tropical fish. Eerie night snorkeling affords an opportunity to watch the fish scurry to find a home among the reef before darkness falls. When things do turn truly nocturnal, snorkelers armed with underwater LEDs have the opportunity to spot squid, octopus, lobster and crabs. Scuba divers can also catch a ride to Belize's iconic Blue Hole, an underwater sinkhole that's 1,000 feet wide and 412 feet deep.

IGUANA PROJECT

Iguana scurry all over San Ignacio thanks in part to the efforts of the Iguana Project, which hatches and releases the critters whose eggs are regularly gobbled up by predators in the wild. A guided tour of the facility where they're kept allows tourists to get up-close-and-personal with the scaly beasts. Among the highlights is the iguana nursery, where willing participants can be covered in a brood of four- to six-month-old bright green iguanas. Belizeans are prohibited from keeping the lizards as pets, but Iguana Project guide Jorge Lopez says locals will eat green iguanas for dinner. And he insists they taste like chicken. The project works to boost the lizard's population by releasing 100 to 150 iguanas a year.

Visit the website at  http://www.travelbelize.org/. Located between Mexico and Guatemala, with nonstop flights to Belize City from Houston, Miami and other points. From Belize City, water taxis serve Caye Caulker and San Pedro. Buses and shuttles take tourists inland to San Ignacio, where a variety of tour companies run day trips to Maya ruins sites.