Friendly Belize

Belize City is known as one of the most dangerous towns in Central America, according to some guide books. Most people use it as a quick stop before heading off to the beaches, or cruise passengers simply spend their time shopping in the terminal or heading off on an organized tour.

It is worth it however to spend a day or two exploring this bustling town. So before you judge Belize City, ignore what the guide books have to say and check it out for yourself. The largest city in the country, it is filled with friendly people great food and a fun atmoshpere.

Belize is steadily growing as a popular stop for Cruise liners. The terminal is one of the nicest buildings in the city filled with shops and eateries. Passengers rarely leave here unless they are running off on a tour to see the sites. It is too bad for Cruisers, they never really see the real Caribbean cities that they visit. Each Terminal looks and feels like the last and yet to walk around the downtown area, you will find a unique energy and vibe.

Explore the architecture from stilt houses to Colonial buildings left over from the English settlement of the 1500's. Make sure to stop for some food while out and about. Belize city offers local fare, seafood and international cuisine. Culture, food and even language is varied in this small Caribbean nation. People speak the official language of English, but are also fluent in Creole, Spanish and even Mayan and German.

Now that you have actually explored Belize City and realized that it isn't the big bad city that you thought it was, you can catch a water taxi with peace of mind. You aren't running away from anything, you are simply moving on to see the rest of beautiful Belize. From downtown, you can catch a water taxi for $10 to take you out to the Cayes on the Caribbean Sea.

The relaxed Caye Caulker is a popular place for the backpacker crowd. Far less touristy and quieter than Ambergris Caye, it feels as if you are relaxing in Jamaica. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the island keeping noise and pollution to a minimum. You will see the odd golf cart or you can rent a bike to check things out. Rooms are cheaper and you won't find any enormous resorts desecrating the land.

While there, you have to take in the sites and the number one excursion is to hire a guide and boat to take you out to Shark Ray Alley. Located 1 mile from shore is the Belize Barrier Reef. A protected marine preserve for since 1996, it has a healthy stock of marine life and coral. The highlight of the trip however is having the chance to swim with a group of nurse sharks and manta rays that inhabit the reef.

The blue hole is one of the most famous dive sites in the world and it is located in the waters of Belize. A perfectly formed giant blue hole in the middle of the sea attracts established divers. At 400 feet deep, it is not for new divers. If you have your deep diving certificate, you will be able to bounce down to 150 feet here where you will witness giant stalactites in still deep blue water. Most operations chum the water to attract sharks that circle above as you complete your dive.

You don't just have to go out to the Cayes to dive and snorkel. Sail boat trips are popular as well. There are several places to go to and why not explore some of the other surrounding islands. Walk down the main dirt road of Caye Caulker and you will find companies offering up excursions and ideas.

Dining is high on everyone's list when traveling and Caye Caulker has its fair share of restaurants. There is jerk chicken, fresh seafood and western flare. After dinner stop in at a beach bar and enjoy a cocktail as you look out over the Caribbean Sea. You won't find crazy nightclubs, but you will find a great bar to listen to music while you relax in the islands.

There is so much more to do in beautiful Belize that you need at least two weeks to see it all. Jungles and caves, wildlife and sanctuary's Belize has something for everyone. Even Mayan ruins can be found in the country and beaches aren't only out on the islands, Placencia actually has the most beautiful beach in the country and it is located on the mainland.

It won't take long until development catches hold in Belize and it turns into another Cancun. Unfortunately, that is the way of the world. So don't wait, visit Belize today and get to know the people of this laid back country filled with beautiful scenery and breathtaking views.

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September 27 2009 | Travel | No Comments »

Scuba Diving Destination of the year: Fiji

For a long time now you have wanted to discover the beauty and the mystery of the deep. Maybe that is the main reason why you signed up into scuba diving, joined a club and earned money relentlessly just so you can have enough to spend for diving trips. And if you are into underwater photography, maybe you want to capture such magnificent views, like the ones that you have seen in photographs from books and nature shows shown on television.

Well, to help you get what you are looking for, it is best to start by choosing first a scuba diving destination"a place thats guaranteed to give you front row seats to natures grand display of marine art. One of the top destinations travel agencies and other divers can recommend"wherever they are in the world"is the Fiji Islands.

Found somewhere between the Australian continent and the Tahiti Islands, the Fiji Islands is considered to be a haven for sightseeing and nature loving fanatics. The islands are scattered throughout the South Pacific Ocean, and is also known to be a place of friendship, due to the warm hospitality offered by its locals.

Though Fiji islands is made up of 322 islands, roughly a hundred of them are inhabited. The islands developed out of the vast coral reefs that inhabit this part of the world. Because of that, scuba diving enthusiasts refers to the islands as the Soft Coral Capital of the World.

It is a known fact that fishes and other marine animals flock to the coral reefs for shelter and food. And since the islands is literally an island made out of coral reefs, scuba divers and snorkelers alike can expect a wide variety of marine life"each with its own set of colors and other wonderful eye candies.

The turquoise-colored waters are also known for its clear vision it provides. The islands being situated near the equator helps bring about the possibility of seeing what is found beneath the waters even from just the surface. And if you are the type that loves warmth and sunshine, then the Fiji Islands will have to top your list of vacation destinations.

If you love photography, then the high visibility which allows you to see what is found beneath for many meters can be captured by your own camera even without diving underwater, thus you dont have to secure your own underwater camera. But the best way to capture such wonderful sights indeed is to suit up for scuba diving, bring along your underwater camera and shoot away. Going under the surface helps you to be near the various species that lurks within the reefs, like the colorful clown and butterfly fish, sharks, and sea anemones. Being near them not only gives you the best shots, but also allows you to study them in their natural habitat up close.

Even though the sights you get to see in this place sounds expensive, the Fiji Islands is also known for its reasonable prices. In fact, many agree that Fiji is the best place to learn scuba diving because most of the dive shops there offer certification courses at relatively cheaper prices. Now thats great deal for a scuba diving destination!

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March 03 2009 | Travel | No Comments »