Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

The Cayo Rotaract Club has started their Christmas Toy Drive. You can drop off presents at Odette's, Pop's, or the Corner Diner.  You can also drop off at Guava Limb's Night Market this Friday.

The Guava Limb is planning a Christmas Market on Saturday, December 9th. The market will go from 5 to 9pm.  Their last market was a big success, and many local vendors were present.

Congratulations to the Slim and Trim Like a Guava Limb canoe team! They won the 2023 La Ruta Maya. Well done.

'Congratulations to team Guava Limb, winners of the 26th Annual Belikin La Ruta Maya River Challenge!'

The Metro has a nice article about culinary experiences in Belize.  It focuses mostly on Cayo, where we've had 5 restaurants opening in a little over a month's time.  Pop's is mentioned, as is the Guava Limb, and the Marie Sharp's Tourist Center, where the author participated in a cooking class.  Chaa Creek got a great recommendation too.

"Imagine a place that’s so immersed in nature that, as you fly into its international airport, all you can see are lush green forests.

Imagine while hopping between one city to another on a commuter plane, the sea below you is so clear that you can actually spot a sting ray from the air.  That was my experience of Belize, a central American country that considers itself part of the Caribbean.

Formerly British Honduras, Belize is now very much an independent state, and one of the few places where English is spoken by locals. Its location and history means that its culture and its food is incredibly diverse – and that’s what I went to discover."

The Heart of the Town Fundraiser, which will raise funds for the San Ignacio Police station, will be this Saturday night, at the Wine House.  The wine will flow, and they'll have food and a silent auction with a wide selection of great items.  

"Join us for a Wine Tasting and Silent Auction at The Wine House in San Ignacio Town to raise funds for the San Ignacio Police Station. 

Wine Tasting include : 1 Red Wine + 1 White Wine + Hearty Appertizers

Cost: $30.00

AUCTION ITEMS INCLUDE:
A Private Candlelight dinner for two at Table Rock
Lunch for two at Trey's Barn and Grill
Pia's therapeutic Massage... one 1 1/2 massage
White Rock Farm Foods
Orange Galley items
San Ignacio Hotel... dinner for two
The lodge at Chaa Creek 
The spa at Chaa Creek
Guava Limb Restaurant
Maria Estella's Unisex Salon; Gift baskets 
and many more!

All proceeds will go towards purchasing of equipment and supplies for the police precinct. Donations for the silent auction are welcome and can be dropped off at The Wine House.
For more information, please call 636-1497."

A Glazed Out Christmas Special is in the works with Chaa Creek and The Guava Limb Café, so it's going to be top notch. It'll air on TNC on Friday, December 22nd.

In related news, they are gearing up for season 3, and are looking for passionate chefs to be on the show.

The Guava Limb Café is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a night market, and they'll have live entertainment. Saturday, August 26th is the celebration date. Happy anniversary, Guava Limb!

'Visit our first-ever Night Market located at Guava Limb's entrance through the Macal River Park. Be on the lookout for our special popup announcements on our stories coming soon!'

Belize got a wonderful write up by Ali Wunderman in Hemispheres.  The best part is the Cayo part, where the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, Guava Limb, and Pop's are all mentioned.  She went birding with Roni Martinez at Black Rock Lodge.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNV1FRxFUAz/

"Belize was at the center of the ancient Maya world, as evidenced by the vast network of ruins and ceremonial caves found throughout the country. Despite attempts to colonize and wipe out these civilizations, Maya culture survived, with some 11 percent of the population here made up of indigenous Maya. This afternoon, I’m exploring a nearby Maya ruin, Cahal Pech, with the help of Edgar, a guide from the hotel. The central plaza has a languid air, the grass alive with small yellow butterflies, the peacefulness palpable. It’s like passing through a portal to a thousand years in the past—although there was nothing primitive about this society. Edgar shows me the ingenious ways the ancient Maya designed their buildings to indicate the seasons, the sophistication in their architectural techniques. 'I am mestizo,' he tells me, meaning a blend of Spanish and Indigenous. 'To have these archaeological treasures here makes me take great pride in my country’s heritage.'

I wish I could stay in this restful ruin forever, but I need a respite from the oppressive inland heat. After picking up my friend Steph, who works for the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, we point the car toward Big Rock Falls, in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. I brace for rain-carved off-road driving, but we find tightly packed dirt instead; the notoriously bumpy road is in the early stages of being paved.

As we climb into the mountains, the jungle gives way to a sparse pine forest, another example of Belize’s bewildering ecological diversity. 'I love the unexpectedness of it all,' Steph remarks after we’ve scrambled down the rickety handmade staircase to a beach of gigantic boulders at the base of the 150-foot waterfall. I have to agree: It’s hard to believe we were in the rainforest less than an hour ago. Luckily, I’m wearing my swimsuit under my sundress, as Steph shows me how to get a back massage from the cascade, leaving me soothed and invigorated all at once."

Video of the day.  Guava Limb brought in Belize Interlocking Pavers and Bricks to help them create their new Firewood Eco Pizza Oven.  They have a nice video that explains what they did.

"Introducing a NEW way to enjoy your favorite pizzas with our �FIREWOOD ECO PIZZA OVEN�; visit us and try out a new experience in San Ignacio, Belize. See your artesan pizza being made from scratch first hand under our thatched pizza oven palapa. ��

Fun facts about this project:

>>Bamboo strips were used instead of steel

>>Lego style clay bricks were used instead of concrete

>>Sustainably sourced bay leaves was used for that ching of our pizza oven palapa

Improving your dining experience whilst reducing our impact on the environment."

Happy 5th anniversary, Guava Limb!  The winner of the BTB's Best Restaurant is celebrating 5 years of excellent food and service.  They'll have live music, drink special, and free appetizers this Saturday, August 25th.  You can make a reservation via their website.  

"The Guava Limb Restaurant & Café extends to you a cordial invitation to join us in celebrating FIVE (5) YEARS in service to our patrons!!

**FREE Appetizers - Tamalito served w/ Pico De Gallo & Anti-pasto Platter
**Enjoy LIVE Mariachie Entertainment from 6pm - 9pm
**Specials & Discounts all day long
**2 FOR 1 COCKTAILS - GREEN BERRY COOLERS & SLIM & TRIM RUM COCKTAILS

To reserve your space kindly call us at 824-4837 or reserve online at https://www.guavalimb.com/reservations/ "

Cayo really steals the show in this travel article from the San Francisco Chronicle.  It's pretty comprehensive as far as attractions go.  3 of the 5 places to stay mentioned in the article are in Cayo: San Ignacio Resort Hotel, Ka'ana(which was just in an article about wellness travel), and Caves Branch.  The Guava Limb Cafe and Pacz Tours are also specifically mentioned.