Walk About

We arrived to Belize by way of Miami and went to the farm and reserve, some 45 minutes northwest of the Belize City airport. I traveled with Mr. Marc Ellenby of Florida. Marc is a South Florida tropical fruit grower and the founder and visionary behind the project.

I immediately fell back to a feeling of familiar safety at the sights, smells and sounds of the Belize countryside on the outskirts of Belize City – I was transported back to my teenage year in Honduras and the Central American coast. The dry Caribbean forest and nearby ocean heightened my senses and cleared my mind. We drove through swampy lands of paurotis palm and hardwood hammocks, pine scrub and slow moving rivers. As we drove deeper inland the forests grew in stature with the increasing moisture until we arrived at the site on Spanish Creek.

We had a few hours before darkness and I took a walk about in the newly-planted orchards of avocado, jackfruit and bamboo. The animals of the forest called to me, with the parrots and the howler monkeys providing a wild Belize chorus for my enjoyment. Several troops of monkeys competed in the late afternoon light with their guttural calls. Primeval and immensely satisfying their calls put me at ease. I walked and listened to the animals and the forest, drinking in the noisy tranquility. There are sounds and there are sounds, and those of nature have never disturbed me; to the contrary, they have always been a necessary part of my life.

The living quarters (palapas) were neat, tidy and inviting and I found time to sit on a hammock, carve a bit and watch a tarantula hawk search the nearby ground for a concealed hole. The tarantula hawk is not a bird, but rather a large wasp that feeds on tarantulas that hide in their subterranean dens. I gave a healthy distance, remembering run-ins with the iridescent hymenoptera from my teenage year in Honduras.

We talked and ate and I look forward the coming day full of adventure. I was welcomed by the forest and my hosts – I had arrived at Spanish Creek Rainforest Reserve.

BELIZE ORGANIC GARDEN TOUR

&

CULINARY CREATIONS

RAINFOREST TO REEF EXCURSIONS

$319.00—3 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS. Includes transports to and from airport

$638.00—5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS extended tour to Caye Caulker for fishing & snorkeling

$100–BONUS NIGHT OPTION—YOU CREATE YOUR OWN ORGANIC MENU BASED ON THE FRESH INGREDIENTS AVAILABLE. This last night we go back to the reserve for a feast on what we catch and grow and then transport out the next day.

What is inclusive?

• ORGANIC FOOD PREPARED BY YOUR PERSONAL CHEF ADENA, all meals included
• LIVE IN THE JUNGLE (NEXT TO YOUR GARDEN) private cabanas
• LIVE ON THE BEACH at our private rooms, if you go to Caye Caulker for the second part
• CULINARY cooking CLASS
• ORGANIC GARDENING CLASS
• ETHNO-BOTANY Tour and Class
• FISHING AND SNORKELING Trip, eat what we catch and grow
• High speed internet in the jungle
• Tour the Largest exotic collection of Bamboo in C. America

HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES DURING YOUR STAY: if that’s not enough we have these activities too
YOGA CLASS

HORSEBACK RIDING

CANOE TRIP

$20-EACH per person per activity

SPANISH CREEK 2000 ACRE RAINFOREST RESERVE INCLUDES:

–LOCAL FOOD PLANTATION and organic garden

–EVERY MEAL PREPARED FRESH from the Farm to the table

–Miles of medicinal forest trails and guided ethnobotny tour

–Wildlife and bird watching

–Thatch-roof cabanas (maximum 10 people)

–Warm showers

–High speed internet

-canoeing on the creek with local experts, birding and wildlife viewing

- Fishing on the creek

-Horseback riding

- Smiling workers and relaxing, comfortable atmosphere with absolutely no traffic or noise. Only the sounds of the forest will put you to ease.

GET A SMALL TASTE OF THE MAYAN SPIRIT

The black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra) is known as “baboon” in Creole or “saraguate” in Spanish. They are found in Belize, southern Mexico, and Guatemala but their population is dwindling. They are named howler for their ferocious voice which marks their territory up to a mile away.

Range of territory (3-25) acres, depends on troop size and availability of food. Howlers often begin and end their day with roaring which helps space the troops out. The low grunts become loud protracted roars creating one of the most memorable sounds of the forest.

Males have a unique throat structure and tracheal cartilages that act as a resonating chamber, amplifying their call. Local beliefs predict roaring occurs before it rains and when other animals are feeding but howlers are heard at all hours of the night. The noise is so loud it is like “Jurassic Park.”

Black howlers weigh 15 to 20 lbs (6-7 kg) and are entirely black, except for infants which are brown. They live in troops of 4 to 8 members usually consisting of an adult male and females with their young. The entire troop feeds, travels, and sleeps together. The troop we saw this morning had 8 members. The females reach adulthood and can reproduce between 4-5 years of age and males mature at 6-8 years. They are vegetarians eating flowers, leaves, and fruits. They eat more leaves than any other monkey in the Americas. Mature leaves of some trees have a high concentration of toxins so howlers choose the new leaves or tips. New leaves also have a higher amount of protein and less indigestible cellulose.

Feeding at the slender tips of branches, howlers depend on their prehensile tails as an extra hand to hold on. They are known to rest up to 70% of they day, only traveling about 200-1,200 feet, in addition to sleeping at night. It is always exciting to see them. Watch the howler monkey eating in the video clip above.

Awesome sea creatures of the greatest reef on Earth.

Come dive with us and explore Belize barrier reef

Play the video clip to see

manatee3.wmv

LOOK at these toucans outside our back door

View a rare spider monkey encounter. This video was taken today july-2008.

This is the closest encounter we have had with the monkies in 4 years. They were at our back door here in the rainforest reserve at spanish creek. Dont miss this amazing opportunity to come study with us in the Belizean Jungle.

Play the clip below to see the monkies.

spider.wmv

The first stirrings of Mayan civilization came with the emergence of farming villages in what are now Guatemala, Belize, Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, and northern Honduras between 2000-1000 BC. Cuello, near Orange Walk in northern Belize, was one of the first settlements, dating back to around 2400 BC. Lamanai, beside the New River, surged in importance around 200-100 BC, when its core became a major ceremonial center. It remained an important city until at least AD 700.The Classic period of more advanced Mayan civilization reached its peak between the 6th and 9th centuries. In 562, the greatest of Belize’s Mayan cities, Caracol, conquered Tikal, some 80km (50mi) northwest. The following decades saw a surge in construction and population here. Though it declined in importance after a defeat by Naranjo (Guatemala) in 680, it remained locally influential.Sometime between the 9th and 10th centuries, Classic Mayan civilization mysteriously collapsed and many settlements were abandoned. Research points to a series of devastating droughts as the major cause of this disaster. Archaeologists have discovered that ritual activity in many caves increased after about AD 750, most likely in supplication for a reversal of whatever crisis was overwhelming Mayan civilization. The Classic Mayan heartland reverted to a more primitive cultural level, with a much-reduced population living away from the big cities. By the 15th century, the Yucatán and northern Belize were divided among a number of small, often quarrelsome, city states.The first Spanish ships may have visited Belize’s coast in 1508, possibly already bringing diseases such as smallpox, yellow fever and measles, which were to decimate the Mayan population. In 1544, a cruel Spanish expedition from southeast Mexico conquered Mayan settlements as far south as Tipu. The Spanish set up Christian missions, but the Maya rebelled frequently. A major rebellion in 1638 expelled the Spanish from most of Belize, and attacks on Bacalar by Caribbean pirates in 1642 and 1648 effectively ended Spanish efforts to control the country.It was British pirates who began the next chapter for Belize – with the logwood they looted from Spanish ships. They discovered that the timber, which was in demand by the European wool industry, was just as profitable to cut as it was to steal. Consequently, many pirates began working in the logging trade. Most of the Baymen, as they became known, based themselves on St George’s Caye.Spain launched a series of attacks on the Baymen throughout the 18th century. The most famously unsuccessful of these, the Battle of St George’s Caye, occurred in 1798. Around this time, African slaves were brought to Belize to cut mahogany – they soon made up over half of the population. In 1862, Great Britain declared Belize to be the colony of British Honduras.

Modern History

The start of the 20th century was tough for Belize, and British mismanagement fuelled claims for independence. After WWII, Belize’s economy weakened, and independence agitators had their wish partly fulfilled in 1964 when self-government was granted. Democratic political parties and institutions were formed. The government decided to build a new capital at Belmopan in 1971, after Hurricane Hattie all but destroyed Belize City in 1961.Independence became a reality in September 1981 when British Honduras officially became Belize, a member of the British Commonwealth. Guatemala, which had territorial claims on Belize, threatened war in 1972, but British troops were stationed in Belize to make sure the dispute remained diplomatic. During the volatile 1980s, Belize remained stable and pro-US, thanks mainly to large influxes of US aid. In 1992, a new Guatemalan government recognized Belize’s territorial integrity. The British garrison was withdrawn in 1994; Belize now has a standing army of only a few hundred soldiers. An interesting point is that, in 1994, Guatemala (perhaps seeking distraction from domestic troubles) revived its claim on Belize, stating that it had never formally recognized it as an independent state, and claiming half of southern Belize. Tension eased somewhat in 2001 when the two countries signed a provisional agreement over the disputed land and Caribbean fishing rights. It picked up, however, when Belize threatened to expel two Guatemalan settlements it claimed were on the wrong side of the border.Since the fall of General Noriega in Panama, Belize has become a major trans-shipment point for cocaine heading into the US from South America. Cultivation and smuggling of marijuana is also prevalent.Over the past 20 years, Belizeans have been struggling to reintegrate indigenous culture. Many have had to leave the country to make their fortunes, sending money home to support family.

Recent History

Prime Minister Said Musa, in power since 1998, has overseen the transformation of Belize’s economy. Service industries, especially tourism, dominate where farming, logging and fishing were once predominant. Closer ties to other Central American countries mean Belize is being gradually Hispanicized.The country is prone to hurricane damage at the end of summer, as Hurricanes Keith and Iris proved in 2000 and 2001 respectively.A recent diplomatic dust-up with the US has developed over the Bush administration, upgrading Belize to a ‘Level 3′ nation in terms of human trafficking; the Belizean government countered that the US is unhappy with the small nation’s ties (and developing economic projects) with Hugo Chavez’s regime in Venezuela.

If you are looking for a good program in Belize that involves sustainable agriculture and tropical ecology, you must visit spanish creek rainforest reserve. Farm fresh garden and culinary cooking classes are our special talent. We have the largest collection of Bamboo, tropical clumping bamboo in Central America. sustainable development of housing, bamboo houses and construction in bamboo are practiced at this farm. cooking classes are taught by our chef. We eat what we grow from the organic garden. Permaculture designs are practiced on this bamboo farm in Belize. See the rain forest and its biodiversity in Belize, now!!!

Culinary eco-tourism and sustainable agriculture garden working with volunteer, volunteers help assist in food local harvest. Local sustainable food fresh from the farm helps culinary garden assist our guests and volunteers at the rainforest lodge. Camping is a sustainable way of living, local education and solar energy with bio diesel becoming important in the future of Belize. Sustainable development for organic garden located in Belize is truly one of a kind. Organic farming practices on organic farm hosting volunteers devoted to education in permaculture design and assisting in future sustainable development. Tropical eco-system biodiversity secures future wildlife protection. Tropical Ecology study program in the rain forest offers exciting opportunities in field research. Tropical rain forest ecology classes with local instructors are well thought out and thorough.

Environmental awareness education students in tropical ecology classes harvest sustainable bamboo agriculture in Belize. Agro forestry and forestry education practices sustainable bamboo harvest of wild rain forest within tropical eco-system. Spanish creek rainforest reserve promotes sustainable future subsistence culinary garden cooking classes with chef. Fresh organic garden food from sustainable farm hosts students and volunteers at the lodge with bamboo. Cooking classes in traditional Mayan food offered with award winning chef. Eat fresh organic food from the garden and learn how to cook with garden fresh ingredients. Tropical cooking classes with the chef. Learn sustainable agriculture practices. Horseback riding in the rain forest is also available. learn organic gardening practices. Culinary arts class with the chef. learn culinary arts in the rain forest.

Spanish Creek Rainforest reserve nestled in the tropical rainforest with sustainable bamboo plantation . Sustainable agriculture devoted to raising awareness in local food harvest. Food security is a means for our sustainable subsistence garden in Belize. permaculture design course for our students learn how food is grown simply and diversified.

Culinary eco-tourism, agriculture garden working with volunteer, volunteers helping assist in food local harvest production in Belize. Local sustainable food fresh from the farm helps culinary garden assist our guests and volunteers at the rainforest lodge. Camping is a sustainable way of living. local education and solar energy with bio diesel future. Sustainable development for organic garden located in Belize. Organic farming practices on organic farm hosting volunteers devoted to education in permaculture design and assisting sustainable development. Tropical eco-system, biodiversity secures future wildlife protection. Tropical environment offers tropical ecology opportunities in Belize. Come study the diverse species in this exceptional environment.

Agro forestry and forestry education practices sustainable bamboo harvest of wild rain forest within tropical eco-system. agroforestry in Belize or Agro-Forestry uses trees within the eco-system for sustainable agriculture. Spanish creek rain forest reserve promotes sustainable subsistence. Culinary arts program has garden cooking classes with chef. Fresh organic garden food from sustainable farm hosts students and volunteers at the lodge with bamboo.

Spanish Creek Rainforest reserve nestled in the tropical rainforest with sustainable growth bamboo plantation agriculture devoted to raising awareness in sustainability. Food security sustainable subsistence garden rainforest permaculture design food production.

Culinary eco-tourism, agriculture garden working with volunteer, volunteers helping assist in food local harvest production. Local sustainable food fresh from the farm helps culinary garden assisting our guests and volunteers at the rainforest lodge. Camping is sustainable way of living, local education and solar energy with bio diesel future. Sustainable future development for organic garden located in Belize. Organic farming practices on organic farm hosting volunteers devoted to education in permaculture design and assisting sustainable future development. Tropical eco-system biodiversity secures future wildlife protection. Forest eco-system situated in Tropical environment is sustainable harvest with bamboo.

Environmental awareness education students in tropical ecology classes harvest sustainable bamboo agriculture. Agro forestry and forestry education practices sustainable bamboo harvest of wild rainforest within tropical eco-system. Spanish creek rainforest reserve promotes sustainable future subsistence culinary garden cooking classes with chef. Fresh organic garden food from sustainable farm hosts students and volunteers at the lodge with bamboo.

Spanish Creek Rainforest reserve nestled in the tropical rainforest with sustainable bamboo plantation. agriculture devoted to raising awareness in sustainability. Food security practices sustainable subsistence garden. permaculture design in food production helps feed our volunteers and guests at the lodge.

Culinary eco-tourism is centered in the garden working with volunteers. Volunteers helping assist in local harvest production. Local sustainable food fresh from the farm helps culinary garden assisting our guests and volunteers at the rainforest lodge. Camping is sustainable way of living. local education and solar energy with bio diesel future in belize. Sustainable future development for organic garden located in Belize. Organic farming practices on organic farm hosting volunteers devoted to education in permaculture design and assisting in sustainable development. Tropical eco-system biodiversity secures future wildlife protection. Forest eco-system situated in Tropical environment is sustainable harvest with bamboo.

Environmental awareness education students in tropical ecology classes harvest sustainable bamboo agriculture. Agro forestry and forestry education practices sustainable bamboo harvest in wild rainforest within tropical eco-system. Spanish creek rainforest reserve promotes sustainable future subsistence culinary garden cooking classes with chef. Fresh organic garden food from sustainable farm hosts students and volunteers at the lodge with bamboo.

If you are looking for a good program in Belize that evolves sustainable agriculture and tropical ecology, you must visit spanish creek rainforest reserve. Farm fresh garden and culinary cooking classes are our special talent. We have the largest collection of Bamboo, tropical clumping bamboo in Central America. sustainable development of housing, bamboo houses and construction in bamboo are practiced at this farm. cooking classes are taught by our chef. We eat what we grow from the organic garden. Permaculture designs are practiced on this bamboo farm in Belize. See the rain forest and its biodiversity in Belize, now!!!