Today’s Picture of the day involves trivia…
Can you tell us where you can find these angels at Chaa Creek?

In a sign-of-the-times story, the giant convenience food company, Kellogg’s of Battle Creek, Michigan, is demanding that the non-profit Maya Archaeology Initiative (MAI) cease and desist from using a distinctive toucan logo the Maya organisation has designed.

With summer drawing to a close, it’s time to start thinking about the holidays. And for Belizeans living away from the Jewel, that brings back thoughts of family, old friends, the old places and all the things we used to do during the holidays.

The Lodge at Chaa Creek’s Guest Services Manager Ben Awe and Marketing Representative Lorenzo Gonzalez attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Cayo Welcome Center which is a part of the Cayo Destination Management Plan, a subhead of the Belize Sustainable Tourism Project (STP).

Today’s picture of the day is the Yucatan Black Howler Monkey and its scientific name is Alouatta pigra. This specie loves evergreen and semi-deciduous forests, remnant forest along rivers, and tall second growth. It is common throughout Belize, parts of Mexico and Guatemala unlike its relative the Mantled Howler Monkey – Alouata palliate – a little smaller specie which occurs mainly in Costa Rica.

Sharing the honor with other Top Green Travel destinations such as Loas, Coral Bay Australia, the Galapagos Islands, Kaikoura New Zealand and Dubai, Eco Belize has been selected as a top Green Travel destination by Care2 and Planet Green.

Today’s picture of the day is the Tree-Hopper and its scientific name is Umbonia crassicornis. Tree-hoppers or Membracidae are strange little creatures closely related to the cicadas and the leaf hoppers. They usually carry an unusual protuberance which may take the form of tree branch horns or spines.

Today’s picture of the day is the Dragon fruit and its scientific name is Hylocereus costaricencis. It is locally known as Pitaya in Belize and other Central American countries.

Today’s picture of the day is the Gray Fox, scientifically known as Urocyon cinereoargenteus. This particular one most of the time resides around the Macal River Camp area at Chaa Creek.

By taking advantage of the summer savings, travellers can save 20% off the price of beautiful thatched cottage accommodations between 17 August and 31 October 2011, or enjoy a 10% discount off selected all-inclusive Belize vacation packages.

The Maya of Belize have depended upon rosewood for thousands of years, selectively harvesting the beautiful timber in a sustainable manner from forests near their villages for a range of uses, from traditional marimbas and other musical instruments, to the sturdy posts that support their homes. With overseas markets such as China putting more demand on a limited supply of the slow growing trees, the Maya need all the help they can get.

A Belize Tourism Board project that is well on its way and has been exceeding expectations is the My Back Yard Show. Emaun Hyde, the young and vibrant host travels to several locations in Belize featuring the many attractions and activities that are available.

Located deep within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Caracol is the largest known Maya site in Belize and one of the biggest in the Maya world. Caracol was a Classic Period urban center that spread out over 55 square miles with an estimated population of 180,000 people. Caracol’s enormous central core area covered 15 square miles and was linked together by more than 20 miles of “sacbeobs” (causeways) that radiated outward from its epicenter.

“There ain’t no cure for the Summertime Blues,” may be a cool song lyric, but it’s not necessarily true – not if you take advantage of some great, refreshing summer discounts on Belize vacation packages now being offered by the Lodge at Chaa Creek.

Today’s picture of the day is the Common Pauraque scientifically known as Nyctidromus albicollis. They are known as the masters of disguise since they can camouflage themselves well to blend in with their habitat.

Spoil your taste buds and enjoy delectable ‘Jungle Cuisine’ in our romantic al fresco dining room. Enjoy the sounds of birds quarrelling in the surrounding trees in the daytime, and listen to the symphony of night sounds while you dine under candlelight.

The Eco Kids Camp 2011 was comprised of 24 children from all over Belize who received a chance to visit Chaa Creek for an entire week to learn about Belize’s Biodiversity, the Ancient Maya, Traditional Healing, Land Conservation, Solid Waste Management, Responsible Tourism, and Belize Wildlife.

The 33 acre Maya Organic Farm is an integral part of the Chaa Creek Reserve. It provides freshly harvested produce for The Lodge at Chaa Creek and the Macal River Camp. The farm integrates traditional Maya farming with more advanced systems of irrigated raised beds of composted soil fed with nutrients derived from natures store house.

With a commendable conservation program in place, over forty per cent of Belize is protected in the form of nature reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, making it a nature enthusiast’s paradise, up high, on the ground or under the water.

SUNDAY July 31, 2011 – This morning began like the seven before it as 24 sleepy headed eco-campers rallied to the 6:30 wakeup call and gathered round the fire hearth to commence their daybreak muster of liven up songs before breakfast.