Corozal Methodist School Sports Day, 2016

THE FACES OF THE STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND PRINCIPAL OF  Corozal Methodist School ON MARCH 17 AT THEIR Sports Day Event needs no caption!!! IT WAS A SUCCESS AND EVERYONE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME. HATS OFF TO THE PRINCIPAL GWENDOLYN MONIMA  AND HER STAFF!

RUTA MAYA 2016

RUTA MAYA CHALLENGE 2016 WAS THE EVENT OF THE YEAR. THANKS TO JEMY CHI AND CARLOS NET ACOSTA FOR THE PHOTOS POSTED HERE OF THIS YEAR'S EVENT.

A gruelling multi-day canoe race travelling a perilous river route across the country of Belize. The route runs West to East along the Macal and Belize Rivers, once the only link between beautiful San Ignacio, and the bustling port of Belize City.

The annual La Ruta Maya Belize Endurance Canoe race is the longest race of its kind in Central America. One hundred and seventy miles of paddling on the Belize River over the course of 4 days. The race gets underway in San Ignacio Town Cayo District just under the Hawksworth Bridge. Between 90 and 100 teams from Belize, U.S.A., Canada, Japan, the U. K. and other countries participate.

Starting at 7 in the morning, the paddlers are challenged by rapids, low areas that require them to physically carry their canoes for short distances as well as winds as they near the Caribbean Sea.

The start of the race sees hundreds of locals and visitors trooping to the banks of the Macal River – a beautiful sight in the early morning mist. A local marimba band is in attendance and paddlers take last-minute practice runs and swap tips about tricky spots on the river to avoid.

Everyone is welcomed, from pros intent on winning to those just wishing to be in the race for recreation.

The race was the idea of a local fruit juice company, Cayo Tropical Fruits that sponsored and organized the race from its inception. But in 2014 on the 16th anniversary of the race, it fell under the patronage of the local beer monopoly, Belikin. Canoe teams are sponsored by various businesses and educational institutions. The winning teams are the best trained and equipped. Kevlar appears to be the material of choice for canoes. But many canoes are carved or made from exotic hardwoods.

All teams consist of three members who must be aboard the canoe at the start of the race and no substitutions are allowed once the race has started. The race is divided into the following classes. Male, Female, Mixed (male and female), Masters (over 40 years of age and may include mix of male and female. Open canoes with a maximum length of 20 feet constructed of any material and by any method are allowed to compete. For safety reasons the canoe must provide at least 25 pounds of buoyancy when swamped. Propulsion is manual, human muscle powered with single blade paddles only. Timing for determining a winner is on an elapsed time basis.

Belize Ruta Maya Race Schedule

Day 1 – Race starts in San Ignacio, Cayo District (at 7:00 a.m.); ends in Banana Bank, Belize District.

Day 2 – Race starts in Banana Bank (at 6:30 a.m.); ending in Double Head Cabbage, Belize District.

Day 3 – Race starts in Double Head Cabbage (at 8:00 a.m.); ending in Burrell Boom, Belize District.

Day 4 – Race starts in Burrell Boom (at 9:00a.m.); ending at Belchina Bridge “Finish Line” in Belize City.

BELIZEAN CHILDREN SHOWING CULTURAL ATTIRES DURING CHILD STIMULATION MONTH

Betsy's little girl


Melissa's little girl



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Diana's daughter


Shannon's and Trudy's little girl


MARCH THE MONTH FOR CHILDREN STIMULATION IN BELIZE AND I TAKE GREAT PLEASURE IN SHOWING HOW THIS YOUNG NATION EDUCATES ITS YOUNG PEOPLE, THE FUTURE OF BELIZE.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL THE PARENTS WHO TAKE TIME TO SHARE THEIR PHOTOS. I AM PROUD TO SAY THESE PICTURES OF ARE THE CHILDREN OF STUDENTS THAT I TAUGHT IN HIGH SCHOOL. MUCH LOVE TO EVERYONE AND THEIR LOVELY CHILDREN.

BELIZE'S GREATEST BENEFACTOR - BARON BLISS

The 9th of March is known in as Baron Bliss Day and has been set aside to commemorate the memory of its biggest financial benefactor. Baron Henry Edward Ernest Victor Bliss, JP was born in the Buckingham County of England on the 16th of February, 1869. The day is celebrated as a public and bank holiday, and a harbor regatta is held in remembrance of a man who loved the sea and who left Belize over a million dollars for its use. Henry Edward Ernest Victor Bliss was an Englishman born in England.

Early Life

At sometime in his adult life, Baron Bliss acquired the title of the 4th Baron Bliss of the Kingdom of Portugal, succeeding to ancestor relatives who held a position before. At this time he changed his surname from Barretts to Bliss. The Peninsular War occurred in Portugal from 1809 to 1814. Britain had always shown friendship to the kingdom of Portugal, and at this time sent British troops to fight against the incursions of Napoleon. One recalls the famous poems, “The Burial of Sir John Moore” who died in the battle of Corunna in Portugal. Most likely an ancestor of Baron Bliss was awarded the title of the 1st Baron of the former Kingdom of Portugal; and Baron Bliss succeeded to this title as the 4th Baron.

It is known that Baron Bliss was”..a man obviously of active mind and great courage to the last moment; he liked deep sea fishing and he was fond of working on a lathe.”

Before leaving England, he lived at Quarry Court, Marlow, in the County of Buckingham, England. He was an engineer by profession, and was married to Ethel Alice Baroness Bliss to whom he had left a settlement covenant before traveling abroad, and about whom he stated in his will that “…my married life had been a very happy one.” Records reveal no attempt by the Baroness to attend his farewell. She passed away in England in 1945.

In 1911 and at the prime age of 42, Baron Bliss contracted polio and was for the remainder of his days, confined to a wheelchair.

A PHRASE FOR YOU TODAY FROM THE DESK OF BRENDA A. YSAGUIRRE AKA BRENDA DESESTRESS

"The power to overcome all obstacles begins with the acceptance that deep within you is a force to be dealt with" (Brenda A. Ysaguirre)

MORE BELIZEAN CHILDREN DURING CHILD STIMULATION MONTH

Vianey Vias' pictures

Early morning view of the COROZAL BAY BY ESPERANZA GILHARRY

Special thank you to Esperanza Gilharry, a proud Corozaleña, for sharing these pictures of the Corozal Bay in Corozal Town, Belize with us.

The beauty of living in the North of Belize is multiplied by its sights and sounds, its people and its delicious food. To those who call Corozal home, these are the things that make life worth living!

THE COMPETITION IS ON WITH THIS BANNER BY TEACHER SUSIE HYDE'S CLASS IN COROZAL TOWN, BELIZE

Teacher Susie Hyde worked with her class at Corozal Methodist School yesterday in the hot sun at their school that faces the beautiful Corozal Bay to make this banner to enter it in a competition today. Best of wishes to Teacher Susie and her class!!!

Alyssa Riverol At Green Iguana Conservation Project and Mayflower Bocawina National Park

Her mom says Alyssa makes it look like hugging an iguana is the most natural thing to do. 

On her 10th birthday, Alyssa Riveroll's mom Yvette Sanker Riveroll and dad, Roque Riveroll, took her on a Road Trip that ended being the best birthday event ever! Living in Belize is quite a treat because there are so many wonderful places and things to see and do. Mom Yvette is CJC's Environmental Club Coordinator and it is no wonder that her daughter, Alyssa is showing her love for the environment, also.

Alyssa enjoyed her visit to the Green Iguana Conservation Project immensely and now wants an iguana but her mom tells us this will not be happening any time soon. LOL!







Unique natural headpiece!


Eskimo kiss!









SHE GETS HER LOVE OF NATURE FROM HER MOM!!!

























Adventurous like her mom, too!!!


















Alyssa was the first to zip-line to the finish!




















Then Mom was next!

Then it was off on a hike to the Bocawina waterfalls for a refreshing dip.



DARING ALYSSA



Here Alyssa is with her little sister, Czarina. These  two girls are lucky to live in a country filled with natural beauty for their exploration and enjoyment. Here they are at Mayflower Bocawina National Park.






AND SHE IS AN ARTIST, TOO!!!!

Alyssa' mom tells us what this drawing by Alyssa is about: Alyssa's assignment was to draw a traffic sign. This is what she chose to do...it's a bit wrinkly as she has gotten it graded n returned. I love it and I love that she chose to do a sign no one else would have! 


Alyssa loves drawing Peppa Pig and her friends in chalk on her pavement, too.

I take this time to wish Alyssa all the best in the future. She will be going places and doing great things I am sure!!!