Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

History lesson of the day.  Learn about the Hawkesworth Bridge's history with the latest articles from the Cayo Tour Guide Association.  There's an article just about the Hawkesworth Bridge, and one about Edward Hawkesworth too.

"The Hawkesworth bridge was opened on Saturday August 20th 1949 and was named after the late Sir Edward Gerald Hawkesworth, former governor of Britsh Honduras.  The type of bridge was decided based on the fact of very high flooding and that the River was used to float logs downstream...  The total cost of the bridge was $198,384.33 and contained 2,260 tons of concrete, 264 tons of steel work and the cables, made of 7 individual strands and weighing 18 tons each.  The foundation was carried to bedrock 12 feet below the surface.  The columns were raised to a height of 46 feet and the center to a height of 52 feet, 7 feet above the heightest known flood level.  The total length of the bridge is 480 feet and the main span is 280 feet, with an additional 100 feet on each side."

The Cayo Tour Guide Association's Summer Tourism Eco Camp starts tomorrow.  The kids are going to have an amazing time, especially with all the great places they'll be camping. 

"The Tourism Eco Camp was designed as a tour, which is why we decided very early into the planning that we would change the scenery every few days.  So the campgrounds are at Black Rock Lodge, Nabitunich, Duploys Jungle Lodge and Crystal Paradise.  Thank you very much to these resorts for helping us in various ways, from giving us food and activities to do around the resort, and above all, for hosting us at their beautiful location. "

Read about the excavations at Cahal Pech, courtesy of Cruz Cambranes at the Cayo Tour Guide Association.

"For the past few weeks I have observed that excavations had started at the site of Cahal Pech, so today I had a chance to go and do Some investigations of my own.  Cahal Pech has been heavily excavated for the past 60 years or so, but since 2011 excavations have unearthed large portions of the site that were covered with soil and trees, particularly the triadic winged temple located on the eastern side B1, B2 and B3.  In 2011, we saw the restoration of B1 temple and it’s north wing, B2. In 2012 we then saw the restorations of B3 and the rear of B1, exposing the rear stairway, which was a surprise.  In 2013, there were several investigations on plaza A.  This project is being done under the BVAR flag.  I marked areas that are currently being investigated click HERE FOR MAP."

Interesting article of the day.  The Cayo Tour Guide Association has a new article out entitled 'Falling Trees,' and it's all about how Google has aggregated data that shows how deforestation has occurred around the world, and Belize.  Global Forest Watch is interesting, to say the least.  http://www.globalforestwatch.org/

"This now leads me to Google, yes the big fat giant that is on everyone’s PC or on mobile devices these days, which has developed a new way to monitor deforestation worldwide, combing data for the past twelve years.  Using services they already have, like google earth and maps you can monitor deforestation in almost real time, a technology that is still is in its beta form meaning it will only improve from here.  They are calling it Global Forest Watch.  The browser program uses layers to show areas of deforestation and also areas of regeneration worldwide including Belizean forests.  Tweaking around, you can highlight protected areas and layers also show satellite and terrain images.  In some areas, logging and mining can also be shown.  The data is from 2001 up to 2012 so last year’s activity is not visible just yet. "

The Cayo Tour Guide Association wrote about how tour guides often guide on Christmas, yet still have a great, and in this case unique, time.  Cruz Cambranes got a great video showing how they create vases on a pottery wheel.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JXJ1NKpCBU

 

"After making our way to San Antonio, we got an introduction by Mrs. Timotella Mesh who is part of the women’s group which has been around for the past twelve years, since 2001.  The group consists of nine women that do embroidery, clay pots, figurines, and beaded necklesses to sell at their little giftshop.  The project had several young people working on it, but over the years, the group seeked training and they all have gotten jobs in the tourist industry or some have received scholarships to continue studying.  This shows that the Women’s Group is working hard, guiding and inspiring the youth. "

Giselle Rodriguez, SHJC student, and junior tour guide here in Cayo, wrote an article about how rain couldn't stop the Independence celebrations, in fact, she called it right, it was a blessing.  The Cayo Tour Guide Association has the full article on their site, entitled 'Anytime is the Right Time to Celebrate.'

 

"All in all the rain was unable to cease the Belizean vibes.  Supporters and participants came out to celebrate Belize’s 32 years of Independence, as the theme states “Belize in you, Belize in me, Land of the free.”  We are all Belize and therefore we shall come hand in hand and fight for the betterment of Belize.  Protect and preserve our children for they are the future of Belize, our elders are the foundation and our community and resources are our home.  BELIZE: a country of hope and prosperity."

The Belize Tourism Board has released their tourism number for the first quarter, and they have broken by far previous records.  The Cayo Tour Guide Association has the entire report on their site.  This is great news for Cayo, as Cruz Cambranes explains:

 

"If we recall 2012 saw an increase of tourism activity in Belize and most of us did not see a low season, those numbers show a substantial increase 2013.  These records show a 7.58%, 6.0% and a 10.1% increase of tourist arrivals in the months of January, February and March compared to last years arrivals.  If we look at the month of March alone which is spring break rush there was a growth which broke its own record by reaching 28,623.  Well we certainly hope that this continues."

Happy birthday San Ignacio, Santa Elena, and Benque!  They are all 111 today.  The Cayo Tour Guide Association has a great article about it.

"Today, San Ignacio and Santa Elena, as well as Benque Viejo del Carmen, are celebrating 111 years since they became a town.  The Government Gazette British Honduras, published on the 22nd of October 1904, states that a few days earlier, on the 19th of October, it was declared and granted township to both communities.  San Ignacio at the time was referred to as “El Cayo” meaning the Faye or the island because it was bordered to the north by the Mopan river and through it passed the Macal River.  It also raises the questions: Why was the town inhabited?  Why did people flock out west to occupy these areas?  The answer is in the industries that existed at the time."

The Cayo Tour Guide Association's Eco Tourism Summer Camp went well.  Hopefully, it'll be happening every Summer.  They have some great pictures from the trip to Xunantunich on their CTGA website.

"The kids received a guided tour from Jorge De Leon 'Lion,' Alba Tut, and yours truly, Cruz Cambranes.  The tour went well, just as planned. The questions certainly poured in.  Down below you will find pictures of the tour.  We later left the site and went to Nabitunich where they camped for one night.  The kids and the camp leaders played a few games of volleyball."

The Cayo Tour Guide Association is having their first Tourism Eco Conservation Camp this July, and they are having a raffle to raise funds for the event.  Get your raffle tickets, and you could win 2 nights at both Blancaneaux Lodge and Turtle Inn for 4 people.  Transportation to Mountain Pine Ridge and Placencia is included.  Tickets are only $10, and you can get them from any CTGA member.

Sacred Heart Junior College students are making good progress with the Big Rock Trail improvement.  They are half way through their 10 nights there.  Check out the pictures so far at https://www.facebook.com/groups/549155755177741/

 

"The Big Rock Trail Improvement Project is underway. 8 SHJC NRM students, 6 SHJC volunteers, 4 trail builders from New York and team leader Chad Burrow braved rain and cool weather this weekend kicking off the project.  They'll work and camp in Belize's Mountain Pine Ridge for 10 nights volunteering their time to make one of Belize's premier destinations safer and more accessible. Belize Trails, Blancaneaux Lodge, the Cayo Tour Guides Association and SHJC's NRM department are proud sponsors of this outstanding effort!"

The Cayo Tour Guide Association had their elections last night, and they have a new board.  Mr. Joe Awe, owner of Nine Eco Tours, was elected as president.  Congratulations to all, and here's to another great productive year.

 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151835770521872.1073741827.253125726871

 

"The CTGA Executive Board is as follows: Mr. Joe Awe as President, Mr. Eric Tut as Vice President, Mrs. Alba Tut as Secretary, Mr. Anastacio Bol as Treasurer, Mr. Christopher Lowe, Mr. Mario Castellanos and Ms. Kelly Grajales as Board Members.  I personally wish them the best in all of their projects for this coming year.  It’s no easy job to deal with one hundred and seventy five plus tour guides.  We will certainly have great things coming to cayoguides.org as Mr. Awe expressed his continued support for our online community."

The Cayo Tour Guide Association has a great article out about their interview with Pedro Cruz, who painted the San Ignacio Town mural in front of the police station.  27 gallons of paint is what the amazing mural took.  Thanks, Mr. Cruz!

 

"On Sunday, I had the opportunity of taking a close-up view of Mr. Pedro Cruz’s mural.  It is an amazing art piece which features a collage of historical and wildlife images.  It was painted over the welcome sign in San Ignacio.  It has images of Cahal Pech, maya masks, and hieroglyphs, as well as wild animals found in the Belizean forests, such as the toucan, tapir, and jaguar.  Also depicted are iconic historical and patriotic images like the Belizean Flag, the classic 21 September 1981 emblem and the chicle farmers life.  It’s not only a mural; it is an experience, something that all Belizeans should see."

 

The CTGA had their annual general meeting last night at Hode's.
Congratulations to the new crew!
President: Emil Gamez
Vice President: Juan Carlos
Treasurer: Mr. Anastacio Bol
Secretary: Fidel Montes Jr.

"On a yearly basis we elect the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and three board members. And every three years we elect a liaison to the BTB, Belize Tourism Board... Out going President Joe Awe severed for seven years, he was the president for four consecutive years the then there was a hiatus for a few years as he was studying at Galen University. He returned with the vengeance as if he had unfinished business and did another three years. We certainly applaud Joe Awe for the many years he served and dedicated in office, as a great boxer with many fights and titles belts he now steps back and retires."

In an effort to help preserve the Mayan artifacts in the ATM cave, and stop accidental destruction from camera droppings, cameras have now been banned from the ATM cave, unless approved by NICH.  After another unfortunate event, the Cayo Tour Guide Association made a great call.

 

"The best-known of all the remains are those of the 'The Crystal Maiden', the skeleton of a teenage girl, whose bones have been calcified to a sparkling, crystallized form.  She has been photographed by many, but now all that comes to an end and the tour groups come to a screeching halt.  Tours were stopped a few weeks back because someone had knocked out a tooth from the skull; believed to have been a direct cause of tour guides hurrying and flooding the cave with tourists.  The ATM cave was closed for one day, and after a briefing with tour guides, tours resumed.  Now, recently, a tourist dropped his camera on to the skull itself and shattered the back of it.  After an unofficial meeting, tour guides of the C.T.G.A. suggested that cameras should not be allowed in to the cave."