Tropic's View - Vol. 18 Edition 1

TROPIC’S

Vol 1 8 , E d it ion 1

2017

THE OFFICIAL M AG A Z I N E O F TROPIC AIR

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Welcome Aboard Welcome aboard Tropic Air, and thanks for choosing us today. We are committed to doing what it takes for you to have an enjoyable journey, and we’re just getting started.

Our many professional people are the heart of our airline, and we believe we have the best employees in the business. They are committed to working together to support our operation and to support you, our customer.

But what are great employees without fantastic places to go to? We already fly to some of the best, including MĂŠrida, San Ignacio and Roatan. Chetumal, Mexico becomes destination number 19 in 2017, as we finally link southern Quintana Roo to our network. 2017 will also see further increases in service to many of our existing destinations including San Pedro, Dangriga and Placencia, in support of growing demand and new international air service into Belize. It will also see the commencement of terminal renovations at Belize International and Belize City Municipal Airports.

Š 2016 Tropic Air Limited. Cover Photo: JC Cuellar

Our goal, to become the best airline in the region, pushes us to constantly evolve, invest and innovate. We promise to always challenge ourselves to go faster, grow stronger, and soar higher. Thank you for being a part of our history and, most importantly, our future.

Thanks again for choosing us for your flight today. We hope to see you aboard again soon.

Sincerely,

John E. Greif III President

Steve Schulte Chief Executive Officer

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About Belize HISTORY Independent since 1981, Belize covers 8867 square miles and has a little over 350,000 residents of Mestizo (Spanish - Indian), Creole (African - European), Maya, Garifuna, Chinese, East Indian and European descent. Bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south and the Caribbean Sea to the east, the topography ranges from mountains to sea level mangrove forests where three atolls and the second longest reef in the world (only Australia’s is longer) are dotted with hundreds of islands (called cayes).

ENTRY A valid passport is required for all. Some nationalities require visas.

Foreigners leaving are also required to pay a departure tax. Retirees and investment citizens are welcome, though a specialized immigration and residency process is required.

CURRENCY The Belize dollar is pegged at BZ$2 to US$1. US dollars are accepted widely (crisp and unmarked bills are always best). ATMs are available countrywide, and most merchants will accept major credit cards.

TIME ZONE Belize is in USA central standard time (GMT --6); daylight saving is not observed.

LANGUAGE English is the official language.

However, Spanish is widely spoken, as is the English Creole dialect. Garifuna, Maya (Ketchi, Mopan), East Indian, Mandarin, and Hindi are also spoken in the culturally specific areas.

© Belize Tourism Board

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Where We Fly BELIZE CITY Belize City is the hub of transportation, commerce and culture. The Museum of Belize, The Bliss Institute and The House of Culture (housed in a 19th century colonial Governor’s residence) all showcase stunning ancient artifacts and historic memorabilia. Visit St. John’s Cathedral, the oldest Anglican Cathedral in Central America or watch sailboats rock gently near the hand cranked Swing Bridge. Get close to jaguars and other native species at the Belize Zoo, indulge in an airboat ride through Manatee Lagoon or climb the Temple of the Sun God at Altun Ha. Offshore, take a boat to St. George’s or Goff’s Caye for snorkeling and manatee spotting. Tropic Air serves both the Belize Municipal (TZA), and the larger Phillip Goldson International Airport (BZE).

BELMOPAN Referred to as “Garden City”, Belmopan was established as Belize’s capital after Hurricane Hattie in 1961. Here you will find the seat of government and its agencies along with foreign embassies. Belmopan is also one of the destinations to fly to if you’re looking for inland adventures and natural beauty of the Cayo District. In the Mountain Pine Ridge, you will find places such as Thousand Foot Falls, Rio Frio Caves, Rio On Pools, and beautiful caves and rivers. Cayo is also home to some of the most famous Maya sites. Don’t forget La Ruta Maya River Canoe Challenge every March, the inland Blue Hole, horseback riding, hiking, cave tubing, zip-lining and birding. © JC Cuellar T H E

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CANCUN, MEXICO Situated on the south-east coast of Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun offers something for everyone. There are eco parks, ancient Maya sites, white powdery sand beaches and turquoise waters with all the water sports you can imagine. Enjoy fabulous restaurants, a throbbing nightlife and great shopping. Cancun also offers excellent connections for those wishing to bypass the USA on their way to and from European cities.

CAYE CAULKER Just 21 miles northeast of Belize City and 11 miles south of Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker is the epitome of a laid back lifestyle.

June is famous for Lobsterfest which celebrates the opening of the lobster season. Front Street is full of brightly colored wooden houses, shops, restaurants and small hotels. The Belize Barrier Reef is clearly visible from shore and snorkeling at Shark Ray Alley / Hol Chan is highly recommended.

CHETUMAL, MEXICO Chetumal, lies near the mouth of the Rio Hondo, just across Mexican border from Belize. It is the capital of the state of Quintana Roo which governs cities such as Cancun and Playa Del Carmen. In addition to many cultural elements and museums, it is a popular weekend getaway for Belizeans due to the large variety of shopping options and proximity to the Belizean border.

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COROZAL Corozal town occupies the foundations of the ancient Maya city of Santa Rita, the remains of which can still be visited. Another Maya site, Cerros, overlooks the white capped Corozal Bay. Corozal was traditionally the heart of the country’s sugar industry, and sugar cane fields are still abundant in the surrounding countryside. Not far from Corozal are the picturesque fishing village of Sarteneja and the Shipstern Nature Reserve with its abundant flora and fauna.

Even if you aren’t staying with us...

Fish with us.

• Most experienced, local flats guides in Belize. Will travel to find fish • On-staff fishing director to make your trip a success • Fully-stocked fly shop including premium rods and reels for demo use

Photo: Orion Media

226-2398 • info@elpescador.com

AMBERGRIS CAYE

www.elpescador.com

© Belize Tourism Board

DANGRIGA Home to the Garifuna, Dangriga is famous for its drums and punta music. South Water Caye, Tobacco Caye and Glover’s Reef atoll are a short boat ride from here. Hopkins village, a 40 minute drive from Dangriga, is a

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The Curve Bar serves delicious traditional specialties while overlooking the river under a thatched rooftop palapa. Our spacious grounds, organic vegetable garden, walking trails, official size sand volleyball court, and additional thatched palapas make this a perfect location for destination weddings, celebrations and business events. Located along the Sittee River in southern Belize amongst 5 acres of tropical, natural flora and fauna we offer easy access to all of Belize’s top attractions including the largest Barrier Reef in the Western Hemisphere, Mayan ruins, lagoons and lush Rainforest. Offering Belizean cuisine created from the fusion of ingredients and produce from Belize’s various ethnic groups – an exciting twist to traditional recipes. We grow much of our produce on site in order to bring you the freshest dining experience possible!

MARINA HOURS 7 days/week 6am to 5:30 pm

THE CURVE BAR Seasonal Hours Call 675-8525

Reservations are recommended

24-Hour Security • Ice (Bags or Buckets) • 110 V Power • 30 and 50 Amp • Fresh Water • Groceries and Sundries Marine and Fishing Supplies • Kayak Rentals • Boat Charters • Land Tours • Gas and Diesel • Wireless Internet Available • Restrooms and Shower • Dry Docking • Restraunt and Bar • Tropic Air Authorized Booking Agent Sport Fishing Licenses Available • Monitoring VHF Channel 9

Curve Bar +501 669 8525 Marina +501 533 7888 or +501 670 8525 Sittee Village, Stann Creek www.sitteerivermarina.com

quaint, quiet fishing village that has grown in popularity over the last few years. The surrounding marsh landscape is home to jabiru storks and other interesting birds. Stretching across nearly five miles of sandy palm strewn beaches, Hopkins and its distinct culture, is home to hundreds of Garifuna families and many distinct resorts that combine the best of the Maya Mountains, the beach, and the reef.

FLORES (TIKAL), GUATEMALA Flores, Guatemala is home to the grand Maya site of Tikal. Deep in the Peten jungle of Guatemala, it ranks among the most significant archaeological discoveries of the region. Three thousand stone temples, palaces, and other structures date back thousands of years.

Tikal is a place for marveling at the amazing accomplishments of the Maya civilization and the splendors of the surrounding rainforest. The area also presents an excellent opportunity to see toucans, parrots, spider and howler monkeys among other wildlife.

GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA Guatemala City is the economic, governmental and cultural capital of Guatemala and the largest metropolitan city in Central America.

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ety of restaurants, hotels and shops the city has art galleries, theatres and museums. It offers all the sites and sounds of a modern city sprinkled with important historic sites. Just a short drive away and worth a visit, are the beautiful towns of Antigua and the wonders of Lake Atitlan.

ORANGE WALK (TOWER HILL) Orange Walk Town is the second largest town in Belize. With about 13,400 residents, it is the capital of the Orange Walk District. It is located on the left bank of the New River, 53 miles north of Belize City and 30 miles (50 km) south of Corozal Town, and is considered the gateway to the Lamanai Archaeological Reserve.

In addition to Lamanai, Orange Walk is also the historical home to the sugar industry. Even today in “Sugar City”, this industry continues to thrive, and plays a vital role in the local economy.

MÉRIDA, MEXICO Mérida is the capital and largest city in the Yucatan state, and the historical, cultural and financial capital of the region. It’s also a modern, cosmopolitan city with museums, art galleries, restaurants, shops and boutiques. A major center of commerce, Mérida Yucatan is considered the crossroads of the region and one of the most important places to experience the Mayan heritage.

As a result of its unique geographic location, strong Spanish influence and isolation from other parts of Mexico, Mérida developed a distinct cultural and political identity. It is famous for the guayabera, a loose fitting men’s shirt with tucks and pockets.

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PLACENCIA The 16 mile long Placencia Peninsula in southern Belize is also home to the communities of Maya Beach, and Seine Bight. Placencia village itself, boasts the narrowest main street in the world, according to Guinness World Book of Records. Here too, Lobsterfest is a popular celebration in June. In February, the Placencia Sidewalk Arts Festival takes place.

April and May see the arrival of the magnificent whale shark and diving or snorkeling with them is a not-to-be-missed experience. From here, you can also explore Monkey River and the Cockscomb Basin or sail to many of the southern cayes. Laughing Bird Caye National Park is just a short boat ride away.

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PUNTA GORDA PG, as it is locally known, is the largest town in the fishing and agricultural focused Toledo District. The surrounding areas are full of traditional Maya villages where visitors can interact with the local Maya people, spend the night in traditional houses, experience their culture, and try out tasty “caldo” and corn tortillas. © Belize Tourism Board

Visit Toledo in May and experience chocolate and wine indulgence at The Chocolate Festival. For the adventurous, some of the largest cave systems in the world can be found nearby. On most Wednesdays and Saturdays, the market on front street showcases produce from local farmers and handicraft items from indigenous Mayan artisans.

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Wilson Road, Punta Gorda, Toledo District, Belize Central America Telephone: +1 888 299 9940 Email: info@belcampobz.com

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ROATAN, HONDURAS Situated 30 miles from mainland Honduras, Roatan is the largest of the Bay Islands. Measuring 40 miles long and surrounded in coral reef, it is famous for its diving (especially reef walls, shipwrecks, and even a submerged airplane). Its beautiful waters and sandy beaches are a vacationer’s paradise. The island’s inland attractions include horseback riding, biking and two canopy tours. Roatan also shares many cultural ties to Belize. One will notice many of the same place names such as Corozal and Punta Gorda, and even some of the same “Creole” dialect being spoken.

SAN IGNACIO / BENQUE VIEJO DEL CARMEN Located in western Belize, San Ignacio, serves as the capital of theCayo District. It got its start from mahogany and chicle production

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in the Colonial era, but has gradually evolved into the center of commerce and tourism for the western part of the country. The area has many Maya sites (including Cahal Pech, Caracol, and Xunantunich), caves such as world renowned Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) and other points of interest such as the Mountain Pine Ridge, Tapir Mountain Reserve and the Macal River. Cayo is also home to many award winning resorts, medicine trails and nature programs (such as the Green Iguana Project).

San Ignacio, and its sister towns of Benque Viejo del Carmen (on the border with Guatemala) and Santa Elena also serve as a hub of agricultural activity. In recent years, oil has been found in the areas settled by the Mennonites, and this has also led to a burst of economic activity.

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Photo © Belize Tourism Board

SAN PEDRO, AMBERGRIS CAYE San Pedro is the main town on Ambergris Caye, the most northerly and largest of the 200 cayes off the coast of Belize. The barrier reef is just a 20 minute boat ride away making this truly a world-class fishing, diving and snorkeling destination.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a snorkeler’s dream, alive with schools of fish, big and small. Shark-Ray Alley allows visitors to get up close and personal with friendly nurse sharks and stingrays. The island’s clear, shallow waters and prevailing winds are ideal for windsurfing, sailing and kite surfing. North of the island, the Bacalar Chico Reserve is an adventurer’s paradise. The lagoon on the island’s western side provides an excellent opportunity for birding and flat

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fishing for tarpon, bonefish and permit. There is even a small Maya site, Marco Gonzalez, on the south end of the island.

San Pedro town has a unique feel and offers sophisticated international cuisine in beach side restaurants, mixed with local cafes and bars serving traditional Belizean food and drinks.

Photo © Belize Tourism Board

The island is also home to many award winning hotels, spas, tour operators and resorts. The town streets bustle with local artists and craftsmen displaying their wares. Best of all it is also the place Tropic Air calls home.

Photo © Belize Tourism Board

SAN PEDRO SULA, HONDURAS San Pedro Sula is located in the northwest corner of Honduras, about 60km south of the Caribbean coast. With an estimated population of 802,598 in its metro area (2010), it is the second largest city, after the capital, Tegucigalpa. It is considered the industrial center of Honduras, and serves as the capital of its region.

The city serves as a major transportation hub for the rest of the country, while economically maintaining its base in light industry and the commercial production of coffee, bananas, beef, sugar cane, tobacco, and forestry. San Pedro Sula generates two-thirds of Honduras’ GDP and offers some of the best shopping in Central America.

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Mexico

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Central Farm •

Chan Chich

• Gallon Jug

Orange Walk District

La Milpa

Cerros

Corozal

(Municipal Airport)

Turneffe Atoll

• Caye Chapel

Belize City

w w w . t r o p i c a i r. c o m

Lighthouse Reef

• Northern Two Cayes

Maya Site

City / Town

Tropic Air Destination

Map Key

r e s e r v a t i o n s @ t r o p i c a i r. c o m (+501) 226-2012

Destination Map

Belize Domestic Network

Caye Caulker

Santa Cruz

Mexico

Sarteneja

San Pedro

Altun Ha

Belize District

Orange Walk

Belmopan

Chetumal

Corozal District

Belize City Int’l Airport

Lamanai

Cuello

Noh Mul

Santa Rita

un

N

nc

Ca

• Miami

to

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B E L I Z E

San Antonio

This map is for informational purposes only, and is not intended for navigation or as an accurate representation of distances involved. © 2016 Tropic Air Ltd & Yellowtail Creative

Punta Gorda

Uxbenka

Lubaantun

Nim Li Punit

To l e d o District

Caracol

Cayo District

(Benque Viejo, Maya Flats, Chaa Creek, Melchor)

San Ignacio

Privacion •

Benque Viejo •

Xunantunich

Guatemala

to Flores

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Guatemala

Placencia

Stann Creek District Hopkins

PACIF IC

•San Salvador

El Salvador

O CEAN

Connect in Flores to flight to Guatemala City operated by TAG

Guatemala City

•Cozumel

Honduras

Nicaragua

Tegucigalpa

Honduras

San Pedro Sula

•La Ceiba

Bay Islands, Honduras

Roatan

(International Airport)

CARI BBEAN SEA

Int’l Network

Belize City

• San Pedro

Cancun

•Belmopan

Chetumal

Mexico

Flores (Tikal)

Guatemala

G U L F O F ME X I CO

Glover’s Merida Reef

C A R I B B E A N S E A Dangriga

Highways & Roads Rivers Reef Current Route Planned Route

Belize City

Visualize Johnny Depp and Pirates of the Caribbean, and you will start to get the picture of Belize City’s colourful past. Legends of Buccaneers roaming a city built on mahogany, coral and rum bottles abound. How much of it is truth, and how much legend, is still being unraveled. Nevertheless, it makes for a great story!

The Maya were the original indigenous inhabitants of what we now know as Belize City (then known as Holzuz). But it was the British Buccaneers or Baymen (many were in fact Scottish) that are generally regarded as the earliest foreign settlers of Belize City. One of these Buccaneers, Captain Peter Wallace, is credited by some as being the first British settler (1638). The Spanish pronunciation of his name, or a derivative of it, is one of the many theories on how Belize got its name. This explanation is not without controversy, and alternate theories include it originat24

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ing from the Maya word Belix meaning muddy water, or even a related pirate term for the shallow area at the mouth of a river.

Some Baymen were essentially pirates, escaping the Spanish, others were in search of wealth and a new life. They were allegedly shipwrecked on the barrier reef near St. George’s Caye, and ended up establishing themselves at what is now known as Belize City on Haulover Creek (a tributary of the Belize River).

They were quick to realize that Belize was rich in many things, amongst them logwood, which provided colourful dye for fabrics. The location of Belize City was perfect for a settlement as it allowed the logwood to be transported from the interior via river

Š Belize Tourism Board T H E

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to the port and then transported onward to Europe. The Spanish, who wanted Belize’s commodities, and to absorb it into its empire, maintained a constant threat throughout the late 1600s and 1700s.

Coupled with sporadic attacks from the Maya these new settlers didn’t have it easy. Also, during this period, the British were responsible for the importation of slaves from Africa into Belize. The slaves played a vital part in the logwood industry and in turn, the history of the country. Slavery was eventually abolished and Belize became a crown colony named British Honduras.

Both the Baymen and the slaves were instrumental in helping the British finally defeat the Spanish at the battle of St George’s Caye September 10th, 1798. This important defeat of the Spanish not only

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Skydive!

Skydiving! +(501) 615-7666 The only jump over the Blue Hole!

AMBER Sushi Bar 7 days a week!

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Call from USA: 1-800-213-8347 Call in Belize: (501) 226-2715 Email: info@caribbeanvillashotel.com

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ended their claim to Belize but was of vital significance to the development of the country. Even today, English is the official language, and as a country we are unique in Central America in that regard.

Belize City continued to develop as settlements grew further into the country and the mahogany trade took over from the logwood industry. During the 19th century the city grew with more British, and in particular Scottish settlers.

They constructed colonial style wooden buildings initially along the seafront, many of which still, despite the ravages of the tropics, remain today.

Anglican missionaries began to infiltrate the country and in 1812, St Johns’ Cathedral was built. It remains the oldest Anglican cathedral in Central America. The city was unfortunately plagued by disaster after disaster with major fires and hurricanes with severe loss of life.

In the 1970s, it was decided that as a Capital its coastal position was just too vulnerable and the city of Belmopan was designed to take over this role and become the official seat of government. In 1973, Belize the country was renamed its original name and in 1981, it was granted Independence from Britain.

Belize City, now with a population nearing 100,000, still maintains much of its seafaring heritage. It remains the nation’s center of commerce and most important port of entry. Even though it is transforming into a modern city, next time your there, look east from the swing bridge, and you will see the sailing sloops moored in port.

Many consider this iconic image to be a snapshot into our past.

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Altun Ha Not far from Belize City lies one of the country’s most popular and accessible Maya sites, Altun Ha (Rockstone Pond). It was occupied by the Maya for approximately 1200 years and was likely a wealthy city, and due to its proximity to the sea, very important for trade.

Although 500 buildings have been noted, the main areas are centered around two main plazas (A&B). The most famous temple, the Temple of the Masonry Altars, dominates Plaza B, and was used for religious ceremonies. This was where two undamaged tombs were discovered, one containing the famous Jade Head (a carving of the Maya Sun God, Kinich Ahau). The head is the largest carved piece of jade discovered in the Mayan world, and would have taken years to produce. The head is also so important for Belize, that its likeness appears on all Belizean paper currency.

The area surrounding the site is rich in wildlife including armadillos, agouti, foxes, jaguars, coatimundi, tapir and deer. Crocodiles are often seen at the site’s reservoir and some one hundred species of birds have been recorded.

Altun Ha is an easy and low impact tour for the entire family.

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Our Featured Tour BLUE HOLE FROM THE AIR See the world famous Great Blue Hole the way it was meant to be seen … from the air.

Fly to Lighthouse Reef Atoll, one of three in Belize, and home of this wonder. While en route, you will see the Belize Barrier Reef (the longest in the Western Hemisphere), and Turneffe Atoll.

Make several fly-bys of the Blue Hole to take all the photos to show your friends. Be sure to keep watch on the water below for traditional Sailing Sloops used for fishing, Manatees, Rays, Sharks, Dolphins, and other wildlife.

© Tony Rath • trphoto.com

Scheduled tours leave on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11am.

Private Charters are always available. So before you dive it, see it.

CORRECTION: In our last edition, we inadvertently credited our cover to another photographer. In fact, the photo was from Tony Rath ©trphoto.com. We apologize for the error.

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Above & Below

by Dr. Rachel Graham MarAlliance

Groupers: Poodles and Labradors of the seas

Š Noel Lopez

When you duck underwater on the reefs throughout Belize and the region, you may well turn the corner on a coral outcrop and encounter a grouper. Take a moment to ponder these amazing animals.

These easy-going Poodles and Labradors of the sea come in all sizes and often demonstrate curiosity and unique personalities to divers and snorkelers. If left undisturbed these fun fish can be visited again and again as they make their homes in the crevices of the reef. Groupers have ancient noble ancestry: they belong to the family Serranidae that first evolved over 60 million years ago, and count over 450 species distributed throughout the world’s seas. Although there are many similarities between dogs and groupers, dogs begin to reproduce under two years of age and generally only live 10-15 years, whereas groupers such as the Nassau grouper or the car-sized Goliath grouper, reach maturity after five to seven years of age respectively (Goliath grouper can live close to 30 years). Several grouper species have evolved a special ability that can help to maintain their populations: they can turn from a female into a male. Known as protogynous hermaphroditism, several grouper species will start out life as a smaller, less colorful female and then transition into a larger and often very colorful male. Similar to dogs, groupers are carnivorous, generally eating smaller fish, including pesky invasive lionfish.

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Groupers also aggregate to reproduce, forming spawning aggregations, which, if left unfished, can number in the thousands. This is equivalent to a “fish bank” that produces “fish interest” as the young fish disperse and move into fisheries. Depending on species, their spawning is often cued by a full moon and cooler tropical water temperatures. The spawning © Noel Lopez ballet often takes place in the late afternoon, with several groups of fish each consisting of one female being chased by many males. The female releases her eggs in the upper reaches of the water column which are then fertilized externally by the male. The largest females have been shown to have exponentially greater numbers of eggs that also survive longest. This is important as only a few fry survive to adulthood, and these fish return continuously to the site where they were spawned. This site fidelity or tendency to be territorial makes them highly vulnerable to spearfishing that often targets the largest fish. Spawning aggregation fisheries also target groupers when they are most vulnerable, the analogy being that of taking out all your savings from the bank. The vulnerable life histories of groupers

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combined with their scarcity and continued fishing pressure are the reasons why most populations are declining. Species such as the Nassau grouper have been listed by the IUCN, the global assessors of wildlife, as Endangered to extinction and the Goliath grouper is now listed as Critically Endangered to extinction. Belize Š Rachel Graham has been proactive in protecting its Nassau grouper during the spawning season (1 December to 31 March) and conferring protective status to 11 of the country’s spawning aggregation sites which also hosts other spawning species. The Goliath grouper continues to be fished but recommendations have been made for their protection as Belize is one of very few countries left where this species can still be found.

There are many benefits to keeping grouper populations healthy: Groupers are ecologically important reef and marine habitat architects. Being carnivorous, they structure populations of other fish species and keep the equilibrium between prey and predator species.

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They are one of the few species of fish that have been observed to eat the highly invasive lionfish, that are currently gobbling up many of the reef’s juvenile fish and disrupting long-term reef function.

In a region that depends on tourism, studies on the non-extractive value of groupers to tourism have revealed higher diver and snorkeler willingness to visit sites where larger grouper are abundant.

So if fishing is your thing and you catch a grouper, please release it in favor of keeping less endangered species such as small snapper, barracuda, mahi-mahi or wahoo (these guys have a reproductive turn-around of 2-3 years).

And when you head out for a bite to eat during your stay, think about choosing snapper, lionfish or barracuda as your fish of choice and leave groupers - our fun poodles of the sea IN the sea to fight off invasive lionfish, boost ecotourism through diver visitation, and keep our reefs healthy.

For more information on groupers, marine conservation practices, responsible seafood consumption, and ways you can contribute, please visit www.maralliance.org.

They appreciate your support.

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Our Fleet TO KNOW CHRIST AND TO MAKE CHRIST KNOWN Biblically sound messages delivered with a healthy dose of humor and creativity.

Cessna 208 Caravan Passengers: 14 Number in Fleet: 11

SAN PEDRO, PARADISE THEATRE

across the bridge

SUNDAY 8:30 AND 10:30 AM. “KIDS PLANET” FOR KIDS

facebook.com/sagebrush.bl

belize@sagebrush.cc

Gippsland GA8 Airvan Passengers: 6 Number in Fleet: 2

Cessna 182/172 Passengers: 3 Number in Fleet: 3

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Final Thoughts

Its time for some Belizean fun facts. Did you know that famous people like it here, Francis Ford Coppola owns two eco-resorts and Leonardo DiCaprio owns an island. Tom Brokaw frequents the fishing flats, and it is not unusual to see Jimmy Buffet’s seaplane in San Pedro. Here, it is considered unlucky to go in the water on Good Friday. You might turn into a mermaid.

The population of the entire country of Belize is smaller than Cleveland, and search as you like, you will not find fast food chains like McDonald’s, KFC, or Burger King in the country. Even though our country became independent in 1981, our currency still bears the image of Queen Elizabeth II. On her trip to Belize, the Queen was served Gibnut which is now referred to as “the Royal Rat”.

The tallest building in Belize, is in fact a Maya temple. A Maya temple also adorns the beer of Belize, Belikin. So, enjoy a cold one.

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