Preparations are underway for what is billed as Belize’s preeminent Maya celebration of the Winter Solstice of 2012 with the procurement of a large stone on which a commemorative monument will be inscribed to carry on an ancient Maya tradition, Chaa Creek owner Lucy Fleming said today.

Last night I had the distinct pleasure of attending a lecture by Mr. Joe Awe, President of the Cayo Tour Guide Association, Senior Guide at The Lodge at Chaa Creek, and lecturer at the local Junior College. The presentation was on Sustainable Development in Belize for a group of students from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut.

“The Spring Equinox has always been a tremendously important event for the Maya of Belize, and with March 20 heralding the last Spring Equinox before the completion of one of humankind’s longest recorded cycles, the 13th Bak’tun of the Maya Long Count, the celebrations take on even greater significance,” Chaa Creek owner Lucy Fleming said as she announced the eco resort’s Spring Equinox 2012 activities today.

Located at the entrance to the Rainforest Medicinal trail of the lodge is the Provision Bark (Pachira aquatica), which is also known as the “Money Tree”. This plant is known to improve health and well-being and is found in local folklore as attracting good luck, money and wealth.

The 15th annual La Ruta Maya River Challenge, held between the 9th and 12th of March and one of the world’s longest canoe races, replicates an ancient Maya river trade network through the rainforests of Belize to the Caribbean seacoast and is capturing a larger audience this year due to global interest in the 2012 Maya “prophecies”, according to one long time participant.

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Prince Harry was as comfortable climbing Xuntunantich as he was participating in some of the indigenous cultural dance. Certainly one of the highlights of his tour of Belize, His Royal Highness also sampled fine Belizean cuisine and even their prized libations.

A year ago in USA Today, in an article entitled “10 great places to take the family for spring break”author Monica Hortobagyi selected Chaa Creek as one of the 10 best Spring Break destinations in the world, right up there with locations in Hawaii, Arizona’s Grand Canyon, the Bahamas and other exotic vacation spots.

The April to July mating season for hundreds of bird species in lush rainforests combined with twenty per cent discounts for the entire month of May presents an extraordinary opportunity to discover the amazing bird life of Belize, Chaa Creek marketing administrator Larry Waight said today. Belize is home to one of the world’s largest and most eclectic populations of native and migratory birds, with over 308 species recorded at Chaa Creek alone.

Safety is becoming more of a factor in the choice of a Spring break location, and this trend is prompting resorts and their guests to consider safe travel options.

With all the attention on the Heartland of Maya during 2012, it’s great to see such positive news and reviews from such internationally recognised travel experts as Trip Advisor and now the BBC and Lonely Planet. It shows that people recognise Belize not just for its position in the heartland of the Maya, but as a high quality, interesting destination in itself.

If there’s any downside at all to a Belize vacation it’s trying to cram so much into the always too short amount of time you have there. Plan as much as you like; new things always present themselves when you arrive in the Jewel, as Belizeans refer to their country.

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.

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.

“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.

Today’s Belize photo of the day is Birdwatching at Chaa Creek. Today’s photo focuses of one of the many fabulous and adventurous onsite activities offered at Chaa Creek – our ” Early morning bird walk”. Starting at 6:30am, a naturalist guide takes guests on an hour and a half of unforgettable birding experience.

Adventuring in Belize by Amelia Thomas – Lonely Planet Author
Galloping along Central American mountain trails, accompanied only by the thrum of hooves and the occasional flash of a toucan among the trees, might just be one of the world’s top ways to start your morning. But incredibly, in lovely, lush Belize, where eco-slanted adventure travel is king, the day gets even better from here.

I’M LUCKY. I have the best job in the world and it comes with offices scattered all over Belize. Best of all, you get to come along. One of my offices sits 140 feet in the sky at Ox Witz Ha (Place of Three Hills) and was built by some of the oldest construction workers in the world, the ancient Maya. I am on the top of Caana (Sky Palace) in the Maya city now known as Caracol.

The approach of 2012 is bringing increased attention on the ancient Maya civilisation of Belize and her neighbours, and, as usual with this fascinating, enigmatic civilisation, there are more questions than answers. One of the big questions is: how did Maya urban centres sustain such large populations in areas modern people would consider to be inhospitable?