Off to new horizons, saying good bye to Belize

My time in Belize was coming to an end. I had to sneak one more meal. The food was spicy and tasted like the Caribbean sun. The chicken had a hint of curry with the black beans and rice remind me of my mother’s cooking. Just like the last post, this is why I love traveling to the Caribbean. Honestly, I would probably gain like 30 pounds if I lived here haha

My last belizean full meal photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

I was somewhat reluctant to leave. Had to go back home and be normal for a while. The winter cold in New York was not going to be fun. I could feel the breeze already. Regradless, I had to awake up early to catch the water taxi. I thought my flight was a lot earlier than it actually was. Of course, that meant waiting at the airport for hours.

My breakfast at the airport photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

While at the airport, I started to get hungry. I went straight to the water taxi and didn’t even had a time to eat a meal. I stopped by a restaurant. They had Guatemalan food mixed with belizean flavor. You know I had to eat like I haven’t eaten days. The owner was so nice. I truly recommend them. She didn’t let me take a photo of her and the restaurant. However, it’s right across the Belize City International Airport. It’s the true definition of a hole in the wall. Small space but you can taste the effort and care in the food.

Belizean sunrise photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

The clock was clicking, my time here was done. I started to board the plane. I was remind of the photo I took on the water taxi. I was off to come back home. Couldn’t wait to see what new adventures waited for me in New York City and beyond. Belize is definitely a place, I would come back to see. This tiny country has left a big mark on me.

Ps. Next country will be in somewhere in Asia!

Check out our eBook “How to Travel for Dirt Cheap” by Hugo Morel for ways to make your dreams of traveling come true without breaking the bank. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M848M47?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420&fbclid=IwAR0_mRF-eE9tODIshljVr7CQ8h6vKT6hHn_8gZfJ94DySY1ylPO2Itu2Qe

August 31, 2019 20

hey everyone! blog update and name change!

Hey everyone, we are changing our website’s name from the number 1 itinerary to Passport Overused. We will give you the same content and still wish to show you the world through our posts. Have an awesome Friday everyone! We our currently working on our new logo. Bare with us, until then. Much love and thank you for all the support throughout the years!

Wishing you all Safe travels and health!

August 29, 2019 11

Who are the Belizean people

As my time in Belize was coming to an end, I kept noticing the mixture this country has. I mentioned this before in another post. However, I never really went in depth.

The people of Belize Photo courtesy of belizing

With a country with a little over 350,000, the people living within it’s borders are very mixed. The people are mixed with African, Native Mayans, European or east and south Asian. Most Belizeans have some mixture of one those ethic groups. There are recent immigrants that are not mixed. However, by the next or the following generation, they would mix with the majority of the population.

Women of belize Photo courtesy of https://www.northernbelize.com/cult.html

Growing up in California, there were so many descendants of the Mayans that were my friend. From the Salvadoran to the Guatemalan and Mexican, I was very familiar to the Mayan facial features. Coming to Belize completely shocked me. It was like seeing all my Mayan descendants friend speak English with Caribbean accent. All this was so surprising and it was a little hard to believe.

Another photo of the women of Belize Photo courtesy of https://hashtagiamenough.com/project-proud-to-be-belizean/

When I first saw the Belizeans, I expected them to speak Spanish. After seeing the people at my hostel, you could tell they had some African roots. This mixture is really interesting to me. I had a few friends growing up that were half African American and half Mexican. The Belizeans I met at my hostel could pass as my friends’ siblings.

Traditional Belizean food Photo courtesy of https://flavorverse.com/traditional-belizean-foods/

The food in Belize is amazing! You can taste the diversity of this country. It was like eating Mexican food mixed with Caribbean dishes. The rice had the flavors of Jamaican/west Indian. The rice and beans were spicy. You can taste the Indian curry in the meal. I almost felt like never coming back to the USA, after eating a few dishes here. My family comes from a Caribbean island. So eating this food reminded me of my childhood. Bringing Mexican food from the restaurants then mixing it with the home cooked Caribbean meal my mother used to cook me. The sweet plantain made the memories even stronger. All these flavors reflected the people of Belize.

Mennonites women with their children photo courtesy of https://www.belizehub.com/belize-mennonites/

Lastly, the funny thing about Belize, there is an ethic group of Europeans that speak German as a first language. They are called the Mennonites. The majority of the Mennonites have been historically white European. However, in recent years there have been some converts from all the racial groups of Belize. Yet, the white European are still the majority within that ethic group. Also, the Mennonites are a form of Christians. Think of them being similar to the Amish of the United States. I didn’t get to see them because I spent most of my time on the islands. The Mennonites are usually on the main land of Belize.

Photo courtesy of https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/news/long_reads/mennonites-belize-christian-sect-community-central-america-a8541116.html%3famp

As you can see, Belize being the tiny country it is has a lot to offer. With so many ethic groups and so much diversity, it’s hard to come back home as the same person. Coming to Belize has really opened my eyes. From North to South America, the countries in them are enriched by immigrants and the culture they bring. All that mixture is what makes the western hemisphere so interesting. Glad, I got to spend my time in Belize. I wish I could had stayed longer.

Thank you for reading! Much love and safe travels!

To start your own adventures, check out the link below.

August 24, 2019 16

Getting a feel of the Caribbean Sea while heading back to Caye Caulker

Our snorkeling adventures were coming to an end. It was time to go back to the tropical island. Sea sickness was becoming a factor. Some of our group got sick. It was definitely time to get back into the reality of being on land again.

On our way back to Caye Caulker photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

The trip there got my stomach feeling a little off. The bumps and the jumping of the boat started to bother me. I knew I shouldn’t have eaten that burger before this trip. Even with all my sea sickness, it’s hard not to take in notice the beauty around us. The Caribbean sea is breathtaking. Crystal blue at times, then it becomes mixed with green. The pictures I took, does not give any justice to the sea. It’s something one must see in person.

Caribbean sea photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

We finally started to get close to the island. Our tour guide showed us around by doing a lap around Caye Caulker. Literally, it took us about ten minutes to go around the whole island. We got to see where are all the crazy parties were being held at. This island is a spring breaker’s paradise. Some many young people are going crazy and possibly getting alcohol poisoning. It reminded me of Miami Beach during Labor day weekend.

Pelicans swimming photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

We eventually met up with some pelicans. These guys were something else. They were friendly but wanted us to throw food at them. The tour guides gave us fish and the Pelicans would follow us like cats chasing mice. After sometime, they became a little aggressive. We had to stop feeding them. Something about pelicans and fish reminded me of the movie Finding Nemo.

Drinking belizean beer on the boat photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

My stomach started to feel better and we were about to dock the boat. The tour guides all gave us some belizean beer. I’m not someone who likes beer. Alcohol has been something I don’t like to drink anymore. However, I was living in the moment. Tried it and to my surprised, this was some awesome beer! Not too bitter nor sweet. It was just right. It made feel like I was a Pirate for second. Then I came back into the real world. I was drinking beer and not rum. Nor was I looking for treasure. I was just enjoying the moment.

Pelican that followed us all the way to the docks photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Once docked, we noticed a pelican followed us all the way to the dock. Felt bad for the thing and gave it some fish that our tour guide still had. This attracted several others and I pretty much opended Pandora’s box. They started fighting for more fish. The whol dock started get filled with hangery big birds. At that very moment, I made my escape from our group. Like a ninja covering up it’s tracks, I made sure I wasn’t going to get blamed for the mob of pelicans. Escaping this mess, it was off to explore the Island with the little time I had left.

To start your own adventures, check out the link below.

August 17, 2019 11

Concerns towards the Wildlife of the Mesoamerican reef

As my time through the reef was ending, I kept thinking about the claims of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef was on verge of dying. Thinking of this made me wonder about the lifetime expectancy of the Mesoamerican Reef. I know this was mentioned in another post. However, it still bugs me.

Swimming close to the school of fish photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

While swimming, a school of fish was attracted to our boat. It was probably the dropings of food our tour guide was leaving. Amazed, it is still hard to believe how intelligent life is. We are often taught in school that animals and fishes are unintelligent compared to humans. In some ways, I can see what they mean. Humans have verbal communication with complicated language structures. Animals and fish, do not. However, seeing animals in the wild really changes your views (I know, I keep repeating myself).

The school of fish under our boat photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

In awe, I kept looking at the school of fish. They moved with such togetherness. Even if we humans are “smarter,” we do not move like these fishes. It’s as if, they are one. Imagine how much society would be if humans acted with such togetherness. There would be less chaos and violence in this world.

The school of fish photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Still lost in thought, I kept taking photos. Like a dolphin learning to swim, it has become a second nature. This is why I love travel, Im getting to experience this first hand. The way underwater life should be experienced. It makes you value more of what you have and what could be lost.

The shipwreck photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Once again, I was told to snap back into reality. Our boat was moving to another part of Hol Chan. This part is where a shipwreck happened. Once there, seeing the shipwreck was something else. It made me feel like I was in the Pirates of The Caribbean Movie. Definitely, a bucket list item was just checked off. I wish I had an air tank to fully explore it more. I was not going to take anymore unnecessary risks. A giant octopus kept coming into mind, as I thought about checking the ship. I’m sure that’s my subconscious mind telling me, it’s a bad idea. For that rare occasion, I listened to it wholeheartedly.

Sea turtle with fish on it’s back photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Started moving away from the ship and I turned to see another turtle. This time, this one had a fish on it’s back. I’m pretty such we all have that one friend who reminds us of that fish.

Sea turtle with fish. photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

It’s hard to believe all this wild life could be gone within my lifespan. Imagine how messed up the world would be without this ecosystem. I’m not guilt tripping anyone here or trying to make people feel bad. I just want us to be aware. I never used to care about these things because I didn’t think it would effect me. I highly recommend you all to take that vacation to your dream destination. Unfortunately, we eventually kick the bucket and for the looks of it, that bucket list destination could too.

To start your own adventures, check out the link below.

August 10, 2019 16

Swimming with sharks in Shark Ray Alley

Yes, you read right. I went swimming with sharks. I have been doing some wild stuff this year. Needed to break out of my comfort zone and grow as a person. You can’t live inside your mental box forever.

Looking at the Nurse sharks from the boat photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

After going around the Barrier Reef, we went to shark ray alley. This part of Hol Chan had been made a tourist attraction due to all the sharks and sting rays. Tourists would swim with these dangerous and majestic creatures.

Underwater look of the sharks photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

I was the third to jump in. We had some courageous people on our tour. They knew all about sharks and the Marine Wildlife. It was a young professional couple who were marine biologists. They were traveling the world together after finishing their master’s degrees.

More underwater photo of the shark photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Getting in the water with these sharks was nerve wrecking. I kept my distances like a kid not wanting to eat broccoli. Still I was in awe with the sharks. You see them in movies and in the zoo. However, seeing them in person with no glass separating you was once in a life time experience.

A closer look of the nurse shark photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Started to swim closer to where the action was. The sharks looked like gentle animals that just wanted food. I kept getting a harmless vibe from these sharks. I saw the couple practically in the middle of where the sharks were eating. The sharks were feasting on the droppings the tour guides were leaving. Knowing what they were, the marine biologists even touched them. When I saw this at the time, I seriously thought these people were crazy.

Another closer look of the nurse shark photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

So these sharks are actually nurse sharks. They are like the couch potatoes of the shark family. Usually found in shallow waters and they are bottom feeders. Nurse sharks do not attack humans, unless they feel antagonisted. There have only been 5 recorded attacks from these somewhat gentle beasts. Even though their mouths are filled with sharp teeth, it’s not big enought to rip a limb off. It’s almost getting like bitten by a dog.

What I call “underwater grass” photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Keeping my distances, I was still in awe with the nurse sharks. They reminded me of dogs. The way the sharks moved had me thinking of my pets at home. Sometimes you forget how smart wildlife can be. As I was thinking about this, a nurse shark swam under me. One of the most scariest moments on this trip and probably the year. At the time, I did not know much about sharks. So of course, I thought I skipped death.

A sting ray photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

While still being in the water, I saw a sting ray. It was about 40 feet away from me. Heard the stories about these creatures. I was definitely not wanting to pet this animal. It was fine just looking from afar. Being in this underwater world has really changed my views. This experience made me wonder. Who’s more deadlier, humans or sharks? Life is so amazing. Truly glad to have witnessed this Marine ecosystem.

Thank you for reading. Much love and safe travels!

About three of you had a sneek peak of this post. Accidentally, pressed the publish buttom trying to preview. Anyways, thank you for being patience.

To start your own adventures, check out the link below.

August 3, 2019 39