Choose outfits in which you can mix & match and wear individual items more than once. This will save you from packing multiple articles of clothing.
Research your trip; consult the weather channel and know the activities you will be participating in during your trip. http://www.belizenet.com/weatherix.shtml
It is probably going to be high 80s with lows of 75
Start by packing your bag with shoes first. They are known to take up the most space in a suitcase. Coordinate several outfits to utilize the same shoes.
Rolling your garments is known to be the best solution to get the most space out of your luggage.
Purchase travel-size toiletries. This will not only save room in your bags, but is necessary if part of your carry-on luggage. Using the hotel provided toiletries or packing samples (perfume, shampoo/conditioner, etc.) is another space-saving option. Even better – purchase your favorite brands in travel sizes at your destination and eliminate the need to pack them.
If you are filling a travel-size container with shampoo – only fill ¾ of the way full. This allows room for pressure during the flight and saves you from cleaning up a mess. In addition, make sure to pack all toiletries in a zip lock bag.
Pack any medication in your carry-on luggage so you aren’t stranded without them if your checked baggage is unexpectedly delayed or lost. Keep medicines in their original, labeled containers. Bring copies of your prescriptions and the generic names for the drugs.
Leave your valuables behind. If you don’t want to chance losing it, it isn’t worth taking on your trip.
Include an extra set of clothing in your carry-on luggage if needed for an unexpected baggage delay, etc.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
International Travel Tips
Know if your medical insurance fully protects you when traveling abroad. Call your insurance company and ask if your policy covers for emergency expenses such as medical evacuation.
Make sure you have a signed, valid passport, and a visa, if required, and fill in the emergency information page of your passport.
Leave a photocopy of your passport and itinerary with someone at home. Should this be lost or stolen, it may be sent to you to avoid delays returning back home.
Familiarize yourself with your destination and ensure you understand the 'lay of the land' – understand their culture, laws and needed vaccinations.
Do not leave unattended luggage in public areas and do not accept packages from strangers.
Do not bring excessive amounts of cash while site seeing. Leave what you don’t need behind in a hotel safe, not in your room unattended. (we are not sure the resort has a safe, we will check this, you will need less than $100 cash for this trip).
Make sure you have a signed, valid passport, and a visa, if required, and fill in the emergency information page of your passport.
Leave a photocopy of your passport and itinerary with someone at home. Should this be lost or stolen, it may be sent to you to avoid delays returning back home.
Familiarize yourself with your destination and ensure you understand the 'lay of the land' – understand their culture, laws and needed vaccinations.
Do not leave unattended luggage in public areas and do not accept packages from strangers.
Do not bring excessive amounts of cash while site seeing. Leave what you don’t need behind in a hotel safe, not in your room unattended. (we are not sure the resort has a safe, we will check this, you will need less than $100 cash for this trip).
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Staying Healthy on Our Belize Trip
Feeling well is an important part of your trip; you want to enjoy your travels for the entire duration and to the fullest. See the tips below to keep your health on track while traveling.
Visit your local physician before departing. Ensure you are up to date with all immunizations and check if any are needed for travel to your specific destination. Talk over any concerns if you are sensitive to altitude, humidity, etc.
Always have a travel size anti-bacterial gel handy and wash your hands often. Airports, bus stations, etc are known for their germs.
Get plenty of sleep and eat healthy. Vacations can be over-stimulating and the enjoyment can be lost if not feeling well.
Practice good judgment and eat at trustworthy locations; request bottled water if necessary.
Know your physical limits. Activities outside of normal routines can mean added strain to your body. A change in diet by sampling new and different foods or being in a different climate can also affect your health.
Visit your local physician before departing. Ensure you are up to date with all immunizations and check if any are needed for travel to your specific destination. Talk over any concerns if you are sensitive to altitude, humidity, etc.
Always have a travel size anti-bacterial gel handy and wash your hands often. Airports, bus stations, etc are known for their germs.
Get plenty of sleep and eat healthy. Vacations can be over-stimulating and the enjoyment can be lost if not feeling well.
Practice good judgment and eat at trustworthy locations; request bottled water if necessary.
Know your physical limits. Activities outside of normal routines can mean added strain to your body. A change in diet by sampling new and different foods or being in a different climate can also affect your health.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
If you are hungry in Belize, ask for Gibut or Bamboo Chicken
If you order Gibut or Bamboo Chicken you will be delighting in some of that country's authentic offerings. Gibut, you might recall was served to Queen Elizabeth on her visit and the press had a field day because Gibut is a large rodent, the headline, "Queen Eats Rat in Belize." Bamboo chicken is actual iguana, known to be very tender.
But no worry, a traditional meal usually consists of rice and beans, stewed chicken (the kind that lays eggs and goes cluck cluck), potato salad and fried plantain. There are two types of rice/bean dishes: "Rice and beans" or "stew beans and rice," the former is red kidney beans cooked with the rice in coconut milk. Belizeans eat rice and beans each day.
Maya Soul Food consists of escabeche (soup) and garnaches (crisy corn tortillas topped with refried beans, grated cheese and tomato sauce) and tamales which can be obtained just about anywhere, anytime.
Seafood is abundant in Belize, there are dozens of choices and one called snook, considered to be the "steak of the sea."
Fruits are also plentiful: bananas, watermelon, papaya, pineapples and craboo (small yellow balls that are often made into wine or ice cream).
Pepitos, pumpkin seeds, are said to keep your mind off a failed romance or absent lover. And Yellow cashew fruit is stewed with brown sugar, or made into wine!
Belizeans aren't great coffee drinkers, they were a former British colony and so prefer tea!
Don't forget, we will all participant in a cooking school were we will shop for produce in the market and return to learn how to prepare it, then we get to enjoy the tastes!
But no worry, a traditional meal usually consists of rice and beans, stewed chicken (the kind that lays eggs and goes cluck cluck), potato salad and fried plantain. There are two types of rice/bean dishes: "Rice and beans" or "stew beans and rice," the former is red kidney beans cooked with the rice in coconut milk. Belizeans eat rice and beans each day.
Maya Soul Food consists of escabeche (soup) and garnaches (crisy corn tortillas topped with refried beans, grated cheese and tomato sauce) and tamales which can be obtained just about anywhere, anytime.
Seafood is abundant in Belize, there are dozens of choices and one called snook, considered to be the "steak of the sea."
Fruits are also plentiful: bananas, watermelon, papaya, pineapples and craboo (small yellow balls that are often made into wine or ice cream).
Pepitos, pumpkin seeds, are said to keep your mind off a failed romance or absent lover. And Yellow cashew fruit is stewed with brown sugar, or made into wine!
Belizeans aren't great coffee drinkers, they were a former British colony and so prefer tea!
Don't forget, we will all participant in a cooking school were we will shop for produce in the market and return to learn how to prepare it, then we get to enjoy the tastes!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Belize's Independence is Younger Than We Are
Before our trip begins on October 22, Dawn and I wanted to share some history as well as take a closer look at the people of this country.
Even though the history of Belize dates back to 600 BC where evidence shows the Maya were present, the people did not live in a democracy. Belize only recently won independence from British rule in 1981 as the Union Jack flag was lowered and the Belizean flag raised in its place.
The Spanish, British and the country of Guatemala have been fighting over this small country since the 1500s when the Spanish first arrived.
Current day Belize is a two party government with a Prime Minister the capital is Belmopan (however the town has never been too popular, workers prefer to live in Belize City).
The People of Belize.
The presence of many ethic groups is as much of a treasure as the ruins or barrier reefs.
Here are the words of creole artist Phillip Lewis, see if you can read and understand this (I bet Dawn can)
A tink a si wan new Belize weh di creole man, di mesizo, di Garifuna, an di Maya, no separate as a lis dem but instead all da Belizeans.
What he said was, "I think I see a new Belize where the creole, the mestizo, the Garifuna and the Maya are not separated as I have listed them, but united as Belizeans.
Belizeans have long described themselves as a "Caribbean nation in Central America" for they have more in common with the distant island then the neighbors of Mexico and Guatemala. This is because Belize has a British rather than Spanish heritage; English is the official language. The population is black creole, descended from African slaves and British settlers. There have always been the Maya and mestizos (mix of Indian and Spanish decent).
The mestizos live in the Orange Walk district in the north (close to Mexico), the blacks or Garifuna live in Stann Creek district in Eastern Belize. Maya are located in Mopan and Kekchi. And while in San Ignacio we will see Chinese people. The Mennonite from the US and Canada also call Belize their home.
Next week we will look at Maya history 800 Bc-AD1200. If you find some interesting facts about Belize, PLEASE SHARE THEM.
Even though the history of Belize dates back to 600 BC where evidence shows the Maya were present, the people did not live in a democracy. Belize only recently won independence from British rule in 1981 as the Union Jack flag was lowered and the Belizean flag raised in its place.
The Spanish, British and the country of Guatemala have been fighting over this small country since the 1500s when the Spanish first arrived.
Current day Belize is a two party government with a Prime Minister the capital is Belmopan (however the town has never been too popular, workers prefer to live in Belize City).
The People of Belize.
The presence of many ethic groups is as much of a treasure as the ruins or barrier reefs.
Here are the words of creole artist Phillip Lewis, see if you can read and understand this (I bet Dawn can)
A tink a si wan new Belize weh di creole man, di mesizo, di Garifuna, an di Maya, no separate as a lis dem but instead all da Belizeans.
What he said was, "I think I see a new Belize where the creole, the mestizo, the Garifuna and the Maya are not separated as I have listed them, but united as Belizeans.
Belizeans have long described themselves as a "Caribbean nation in Central America" for they have more in common with the distant island then the neighbors of Mexico and Guatemala. This is because Belize has a British rather than Spanish heritage; English is the official language. The population is black creole, descended from African slaves and British settlers. There have always been the Maya and mestizos (mix of Indian and Spanish decent).
The mestizos live in the Orange Walk district in the north (close to Mexico), the blacks or Garifuna live in Stann Creek district in Eastern Belize. Maya are located in Mopan and Kekchi. And while in San Ignacio we will see Chinese people. The Mennonite from the US and Canada also call Belize their home.
Next week we will look at Maya history 800 Bc-AD1200. If you find some interesting facts about Belize, PLEASE SHARE THEM.
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