CHAA CREEK: A BELIZEAN OASIS

“Did you know that the room, the cottage you are staying in, is the one Prince Harry stayed in when he visited Belize?”, - Lucy’s words make my jaw drop. “What?! Wait! When was that?!” - Bobby’s shocked tone describes my thoughts and feelings exactly.

“During his jubilee tour, when the Queen turned 90”, - a gentle smile raised the corners of Lucy’s lips.”

The aftermath of the initial shock is still lingering in my mind. It’s not every day that you hear that you are staying in the same room that royalty visited. Thoughts are trying to build a logical chain of events.

Bobby takes over. “Ok, let’s start at the beginning. Tell us how Chaa Creek started”. Mick’s hand runs through his silver hair. The look he and Lucy, his partner and wife of many years, exchange has a spark. Almost a mischievous one?

“Well, we started from absolutely nothing,”- Lucy smiles as the story unfolds.

...“Who ARE these people that we keep meeting?! I mean, Mick? His energy? His presence? And Lucy too? The story?! Their life? THIS?!” - Bobby’s body turns half way as his arm somewhat half-circles in a semi-embrace. The moon is bright and so beautiful. I know exactly what Bobby feels. The last two and a half hours were transformative. Hearing the story, feeling the energy of love, respect, partnership and dedication, not only to each other but to the cause, the dream, the community, to something both feel so passionate about, it changes you. It makes you want to do more. Be better. Try harder. Makes you want to give back more. Make this world a better place, even if just a little bit.

“I can’t wait for our breakfast meeting. I want to know more”, - I don’t need a confirmation. I know that my words are echoing Bobby’s thoughts.

“And then we also have “Wings for Wishes” program! Kids love it! This is when they get to read a poem, make a wish and release a brand new butterfly into nature”, - Bryony, the the head of marketing and Mick’s and Lucy’s daughter, is trying to find something on her phone.

“You have to visit the butterfly farm. I’ll have someone connect with you, he is family too. He is one of my adopted brothers who is still working here at the resort. You know that Mom and Dad adopted kids, right?”, - Bryony’s last question was the answer to the unspoken queuing she read in my eyes.

The silence from the other side of the breakfast table means only one thing: Bobby heard her words too and is surprised just as much as I am. My eyes turn to Mick, who joined in our breakfast a few minutes earlier.

Mick shrugs his shoulders. “Well, their mother passed away. Not sure where the father was. There were 9 of them, but 6 were still kids. They liked to tie their horses underneath our office for some reason,”- Mick’s eyes glance at Bobby’s face. “It was… just the right thing to do”.

A small smile, barely noticeable, but genuine and kind makes its way to mick’s face. There are no more words left. The kindness, the genuine love and care, for all, humankind, people, nature and passion, is something you rarely see in the world today. All of them are merged into one person.

The one, who, together with life lifelong companion, gives Chaa Creek that, which you cannot find easily at even most luxurious places: the soul.