As with the arrival of every New Year, all of us here at Chaa Creek once again invite our many friends around the world to join us in looking forward to the future with fresh perspectives, aspirations and hope as new opportunities and challenges present themselves.

Today’s Belize Photo of the day is the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl which is scientifically known as the Glaucidium Brasilianum. This small owl ranges from 7 inches (18cm) in size and breeds in South-central USA, Mexico, and Central America (Belize of course) and takes residence in parts of South America. It can be found in mid-levels to sub canopy within deciduous and semi-deciduous broad leaf forests.

CNN’s recent acknowledgment of the “World of the Maya” as one of the top nine travel destinations for 2012 is one more indication that Belize’s year of the Maya 2012 celebrations are set to be a big hit with international visitors, Belize’s premier eco resort Chaa Creek reports.

With the long awaited arrival of 2012, there is growing interest in the ancient Maya civilisation, and this is a double edged sword. On one hand, it is good to see this rich, highly advanced ancient culture finally getting the attention it deserves. Hopefully, this attention will turn into greater research opportunities leading to a better understanding of this enigmatic civilisation.

Today’s Belize Photo of the day is the Slaty-tailed Trogon and it’s scientifically known as the Trogan Massena. These magnificent and colorful birds range from Central Veracruz and Central Yucatan Peninsula, to Northern South America. In Belize, it is fairly a resident of Northern Stann Creek, Northern Central Cayo, and also in the Western and Central Orange Walk district.

We wish everyone Love, Joy, Peace, Abundance and Happiness not only during this special time but also far into the future. Happy Holidays!

Yesterday December 21st 2011 was winter solstice – the shortest day of the year and at Chaa Creek it was celebrated with a full day of Maya cultural presentations, workshops, and traditional Maya feastings to commemorate the long awaited and much debated Maya Winter Solstice of 2012.

Santa literally came flying early this year for 65 local children from the surrounding Chaa Creek communities. The children who live nearby Chaa Creek were treated to magical experience this weekend when our staff planned a Christmas party filled with enjoyment, fun games, surprises and hearty Belizean food.

The Lodge at Chaa Creek is pleased to announce the two lucky winners our latest competition: Win a Free Chaa Creek aluminum water bottle.

The water bottles are made of aluminum, very durable, light-weight with a sleek appearance which serves to remind individuals that many small efforts can add up to a healthier planet for ourselves and future generations.

Chaa Creek will be hosting a year of events, activities, special tours, workshops and seminars to set the record straight while introducing the world to the marvels of the ancient Maya civilisation, Ms Fleming said, with the celebrations taking place on December 21 2011 kicking off a yearlong celebration of Maya civilisation, culminating in the huge Winter Solstice 2012 celebrations.

Last year a couple friends of mine took my advice to get married in Belize and absolutely positively loved it, as you do. OK, I’m somewhat partial, having been married there myself, and now with other people asking, I thought I’d put down ten reasons why a Belize Wedding is my idea of nuptial nirvana.

“To be recognised by National Geographic as one of the top ten destinations in the entire world, well, that pretty much says it all,” Chaa Creek owner and GM Lucy Fleming said. “As lifelong travellers and having been in adventure travel for over three decades, we naturally recognise National Geographic as the world’s top travel authority. To be recognised by an organisation and publication we hold in such high esteem is truly an honour.”

When you travel, it is easy to make mistakes especially if you are a first time traveler or traveling out of the country. These mistakes can not only ruin your trip, but can be quite costly. And since traveling out of the country is so expensive to start with the last thing you need is to spend more money. Here are some mistakes to avoid while traveling abroad.

Today’s Belize photo of the day is the White-crowned Parrot and its scientific name is Pionus senilis. This specie is a very common resident of mainland Belize and also ranges from the southern Yucatan to the Pacific slope in Costa Rica and West Panama. White-crowned Parrots are always spotted at Chaa Creek’s nature reserve but can most commonly be spotted at the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve as their habitat is canopy to sub canopy broadleaf and pine forests.

With a special twist, the wildlife of Belize is once again under the spot light with the latest mention by LonelyPlanet.com

Lonely Planet notes that Belize’s animal and plant life are the stars of the country, thanks to the conservation of its forests and reefs.

Today’s Belize photo of the day is the Passion Flower. Depending on the genus, these flowers vary from a half inch (1cm) to as much as six inches (15cm) and can be found almost all over the world including Belize. The above picture was taken at Chaa Creek’s Maya Farm.

The Maya Empire, centered in the tropical lowlands of what is now Guatemala, reached the peak of its power and influence around the sixth century A.D. The Maya excelled at agriculture, pottery, hieroglyph writing, calendar-making and mathematics, and left behind an astonishing amount of impressive architecture and symbolic artwork. Most of the great stone cities of the Maya were abandoned by A.D. 900, however, and since the 19th century scholars have debated what might have caused this dramatic decline.

Belize’s current road warrior, Norbert from GloboTreks.com was looking for an adventure and asked the guys at Chaa Creek to show him around for the day.

Through this photo essay you’ll witness a collection of iPhone photos that showcase how incredible our Cayo adventure was.

“Walking in a winter wonderland…” That old song always conjures up memories, and for those of us born in northern climes, those memories invoke white pastoral scenes, snow laden fir trees, roaring fireplaces, red cheeks, mittens, even the odd sled or two with tinkling bells. Whether it was Peggy Lee or Dean Martin singing, the song never failed to stir something inside.

Join us as we thank the Maya for some of the most incredible foods that have moulded our cultures throughout the times. Here’s a list of 10 Maya foods that changed the world’s eating habits