Belizean Maya Land Rights Case Update

March 10th, 2009 | By Joshua | 1 Comment »

Despite the Supreme Court of Belize’s landmark 2007 decision “affirming the rights of the indigenous Maya communities of Belize to their traditional lands and resources and declaring those rights protected by the Constitution of Belize in light of relevant international law” (also called “the most far-reaching application of international law by a domestic court to recognize the rights of indigenous groups to their traditional lands”), the Maya of Toledo District continue to have to fight to uphold these rights.

The Rogers College of Law at The University of Arizona’s Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program offers the best overall info on the case that I’ve found, with a wealth of information on southern Belize and the issue of who was there first. This documents page is particularly informative … appeals are pending.

Feb.2009 update from The Reporter in Belize.

How to Cook a Tapir: Joan Fry’s Belize memoir out next month

March 8th, 2009 | By Joshua | No Comments »

I love a good travel memoir, better yet, a culinary travel memoir. So I can’t wait to read How to Cook a Tapir: A Memoir of Belize, by Joan Fry, being released in April. From the book’s publisher: “This is the funny, heartfelt, and provocative story of how Fry painstakingly baked and boiled her way up the food chain … Fry’s efforts to win over her neighbors and hair-pulling students offers a rare and insightful picture of the Kekchi Maya of Belize, even as this unique culture was disappearing before her eyes.”Pre-order Tapir on Amazon

An interview with the author

Belizean Maya Festival planned in Toledo for end of March

February 9th, 2009 | By Joshua | No Comments »

On March 28-31, 2009, visitors to Belize’s southern Toledo District can take part in activities being organized by the Tumul Kin Center of Learning in Blue Creek village, including a demonstration of the ancient Mayan ball game. There will also be a performance of the Cortes dance, telling the story of the conquistadors’ arrival in Central America; and a “fireball game” where players use sticks to strike a burning ball. Also expect marimba, harp-playing, and poetry competitions.

The festival was staged for the first time in 2008 and was attended by hundreds of nearby Mayan villagers, and by other Belizeans and tourists.

This year, at least one local jungle resort, The Lodge at Big Falls is offering a special “Living Maya” package to help you make it to all the events — and to explore nearby ruins and national parks.

[Pictured above: the ball court at Nim Li Punit ruins.]

Essential Belize Travel Bookmarks

February 8th, 2009 | By Joshua | 1 Comment »

These days, serious Belize-aholics enjoy a steady stream of info, images, tips, and itineraries, which are shared by thousands of people about travel in Belize. I always begin with ambergriscaye.com, (an extensive site about more than just Ambergris Caye and San Pedro); their message board is popping with opinions, questions, and answers.

Next, take a look at Marty Casado’s long list of Belize Blogs, which he updates regularly.

Finally, bookmark The Belize Forums, which also boasts a constant stream of posts from travelers both in and outside Belize. Feel free to add your favorite Belize links in the comments below.

Tranquilo Belize—my new blog on Moon.com

January 21st, 2009 | By Joshua | No Comments »

Join me and my colleagues—Moon authors Chris Baker (Cuba and Costa Rica), Al Argueta (Guatemala), and Wayne Bernhardson (South America)—over at the newly pimped-out www.moon.com. The completely redesigned website, which launched Jan. 9, includes the text of many of Moon’s most popular guidebooks, formatted for easy browsing and searching. Other features include author interviews, reader polls, a bookstore, and downloadable maps.

“We’re thrilled with the new site and I’m confident it will quickly develop a following,” said Bill Newlin, publisher of Avalon Travel. “With tens of thousands of pages of practical travel information, there will be plenty of opportunities for travelers to become better acquainted with Moon.”

I’ll be posting a few times a week on Tranquilo Belize; some of these posts will be repeated here, but most will not, so bookmark it and see you out there.

Oral Fuentes: Belizean-Canadian reggae musician worth listening to

January 11th, 2009 | By Joshua | No Comments »

A friend in Belize City (thank you Ana at Smokin’ Balam Guesthouse!) shared a link to the music of Oral Fuentes, who skanks the Belize–Saskatchewan reggae train like you’ve never heard. My favorites are “Sum Lovin” and “Whey Natty Dey.” He recently filmed a video in San Pedro.
Listen to Oral Fuentes.

“Promoting cultural music and culture has become Oral’s life style. From hanging out with his family in Los Angeles, to eating with Belizean legend and Reggae Hall of Famer Lord Rhaburn … He brings to Saskatoon a style of cultural music from Belize that will keep you moving, while taking you on a mental vacation…”

Oral Fuentes Reggae Band

Article on “meaningful interaction” in southern Belize—my first elephant

November 19th, 2008 | By Joshua | 1 Comment »

Elephant Journal (”it’s about the mindful life”) just went paperless, and as they scan their back issues into a sexy new website, the ele folks continue to post new articles and “elevision” shows. I’m happy to contribute this piece on mindful (responsible, eco, sustainable, fair trade, whatever) travel in Belize’s Toledo District, the southernmost, most-ignored region in the country. Hopefully, the slide show and captions will soon appear, and the images are already up. Enjoy… [LINK]->

Budget Travel Article on Belize’s Chocolate Trail

September 23rd, 2008 | By Joshua | 1 Comment »

My latest article for Budget Travel:

“Belize’s remote southern Toledo region doesn’t make it onto many tourist itineraries, but it was at the top of mine this summer. The guidebook I write was due for an update, and I was eager to check out reports of chocolate tours in Toledo’s lush hills and valleys….”

Don’t forget to launch the slide show.

[LINK] to article—>

My Review of Bruce Barcott’s new Belize book in July, 2008, issue of Mountain Gazette

July 31st, 2008 | By Joshua | 3 Comments »

My first article in the venerable, crusty, old Mountain Gazette magazine is a book review of Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw by Bruce Barcott (Random House, 2008). The July issue of MG is on stands now, or you can download a PDF of my piece here: “Birds of Paradise.”

The book is about an eco-battle royale against the construction of the Chalillo Dam in Belize. It’s a superbly crafted story: “Barcott puts all the pieces in order, frequently taking a few generous steps back to give the reader an ample, global context for each chapter. Brief, sharp histories of hydroelectric power, Belizean demographics, endangered species lists, environmental law, and post-colonial politics pepper the storyline. Between these contextual tangents the author strings a narrative of dramatic episodes and dialogue, resulting is a sweeping snapshot of a country as it makes its awkward debut in the new global economy.”

[READ my Mountain Gazette article]

[BUY the book]

[NY Times review of Macaw]

[Grist interview with Barcott]

Belize by Helicopter: Beautiful Video

July 25th, 2008 | By Joshua | 1 Comment »

Incredible helicopter video tour of Belize brought to you by Astrum helicopters, Belize’s only chopper service. Watching this video gives even the most jaded Belize traveler a fascinating perspective of Belize’s reefs, cayes, forests, rivers, and ruins—and it’s much cheaper than the $1000/hour it would cost to acdtually fly in one of Astrum’s two birds. Enjoy. [LINK]