Dec. 3, 2009
We finished the first casita! It feels so good to have it done and even though we plan to do two more, they don't seem so daunting now. We are very happy with how it turned out - just the right mix of rustic and comfort. Photos will go up on the tranquility-lodge.com site anytime now.
Last month was up and down. Up because we got our first booking from Expedia which is a good sign, but down because it's just not happening fast enough.
Rusty went to visit his mom today so my dad and I are alone here for ten days. Rusty mowed grass like crazy so at least I wouldn't have that to do while he's away. I worked cleanign up around the casita and in the garden. While we've been finishing the casita, the garden has really been neglected.
I hear the monkeys. We hear the howlers almost every day now. We've gone out to track them but can't get close enough before they stop howling. I think they are playing with us. But, it's just too cool that we have monkeys and for guests staying in the casita it will be a real treat.
Off to bed...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Time flies
November 11, 2009
Wow, I turned my back for a minute and it's November! It's been slow for guests but busy for reno around the lodge. We started a casita for use as a guest room and it will be finished by end of month. It has a thatched roof and is done in the local thatch style made of cohune palm leaves. Bay leaf is very expensive now and from what we are seeing does not seem to last that much longer. The casita will be more eco style - no A/C or TV. We'll see how the demand is for it. We will do two more of this style but can upgrade a bit if we see the need.
We sited a Blue Crowned Mot Mot right outside the casita last week. The casita has screens from four foot height up so a guest showering in the casita bathroom would have had a great birding experience that day.
The toucans - both keel-billed and aracaris - are back. Iknow not so special as in rare, but so fun to see.
The worst of the rainy season seems to be past and now it's getting cooler. We're starting to get a few reservations for the end of year so there is hope.
Off to bed so we can get an early start on finishing the casita.
Wow, I turned my back for a minute and it's November! It's been slow for guests but busy for reno around the lodge. We started a casita for use as a guest room and it will be finished by end of month. It has a thatched roof and is done in the local thatch style made of cohune palm leaves. Bay leaf is very expensive now and from what we are seeing does not seem to last that much longer. The casita will be more eco style - no A/C or TV. We'll see how the demand is for it. We will do two more of this style but can upgrade a bit if we see the need.
We sited a Blue Crowned Mot Mot right outside the casita last week. The casita has screens from four foot height up so a guest showering in the casita bathroom would have had a great birding experience that day.
The toucans - both keel-billed and aracaris - are back. Iknow not so special as in rare, but so fun to see.
The worst of the rainy season seems to be past and now it's getting cooler. We're starting to get a few reservations for the end of year so there is hope.
Off to bed so we can get an early start on finishing the casita.
Monday, August 10, 2009
The flood
August 10, 2009
They told us it could flood here and now we experienced it. It had rained Friday night and that got the creek up high and then it poured all night Saturday and by Sunday morning, we were an island. It doesn't stay too long. We could get out by 2:00pm but it does make a bit of a problem if you have guests in who have to get to a plane or something. We did have guests but they are from Mango Creek and were in their own vehicle so they weren't too freaked. The water didn't get anywhere near the lodge or our house but it does cover our driveway and it's flowing too fast and is too deep to drive through.
After the water went down, we looked around the property to see if there were any changes. None but we did have an interesting iridescent green vine snake on the ledge of the lodge. He was about 7 feet long and pretty cool to watch. I guess he was just getting up out of the water.
Today, I went around harvesting what I could. We've decided that anything we plant turns into a cucumber. We are really good at growing cucumbers but so far the things we really want aren't making it.
We have four molly apple trees in the garden - don't know what that is? First of all, you have to understand that in Belize four out of five fruits will be called some kind of apple and yet, we don't have any real apples growing here at all. So, a molly apple is fruit about the same size as a real apple, softer flesh with a taste like a pear. But, we can't call it a pear because in Belize a pear is an avocado. Totally confused? Anyway, one of the molly apple trees has tons of fruit so I picked some of them. I want to try making some preserves from them. I may be too lazy though.
There is another tree full of fruit right now called a monkey cap tree. It has small golden orange fruit that taste really starchy to me. Animals love them though so it's really nice for the lodge to bring out the bush rabbits and quash for guests to see.
All for now - hoping for sunny weather for a few days...
They told us it could flood here and now we experienced it. It had rained Friday night and that got the creek up high and then it poured all night Saturday and by Sunday morning, we were an island. It doesn't stay too long. We could get out by 2:00pm but it does make a bit of a problem if you have guests in who have to get to a plane or something. We did have guests but they are from Mango Creek and were in their own vehicle so they weren't too freaked. The water didn't get anywhere near the lodge or our house but it does cover our driveway and it's flowing too fast and is too deep to drive through.
After the water went down, we looked around the property to see if there were any changes. None but we did have an interesting iridescent green vine snake on the ledge of the lodge. He was about 7 feet long and pretty cool to watch. I guess he was just getting up out of the water.
Today, I went around harvesting what I could. We've decided that anything we plant turns into a cucumber. We are really good at growing cucumbers but so far the things we really want aren't making it.
We have four molly apple trees in the garden - don't know what that is? First of all, you have to understand that in Belize four out of five fruits will be called some kind of apple and yet, we don't have any real apples growing here at all. So, a molly apple is fruit about the same size as a real apple, softer flesh with a taste like a pear. But, we can't call it a pear because in Belize a pear is an avocado. Totally confused? Anyway, one of the molly apple trees has tons of fruit so I picked some of them. I want to try making some preserves from them. I may be too lazy though.
There is another tree full of fruit right now called a monkey cap tree. It has small golden orange fruit that taste really starchy to me. Animals love them though so it's really nice for the lodge to bring out the bush rabbits and quash for guests to see.
All for now - hoping for sunny weather for a few days...
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Jungle gardener
July 18, 2009
We are trying our hand at gardening - I've always done the pretty garden but this is for food. We want to see how self sufficient we can be with 20 acres of jungle. So, we have cucumbers, tomatoes, melon, sweet pepper definitely coming up. They are rooted and thriving. Of course, we know the bush rabbits, quash and lizards will be competing for any produce so it's a crap shoot. I also have bokchoy sprouting. I've planted lettuce and red onions in the same bed and no joy with those yet. And, I planted a variety of herbs and they're coming up but after I planted the seeds in nice rows, the dog ran through it so I guess they will have to get quite big for me to tell what is what. We also got three different kinds banana trees which should grow with no problem. You just dig them up, cut off the top and plant the root stump.
Rusty's main gardening project is his coffee plants. He wants to see if we can grow enough for the lodge. But, they grow slowly so it is at least a 2 year project.
The thatch on our first garden building is done today. Now, Rusty and I have to decide exactly how we want to finish it and if we have money to do so. The nice thing about this thatch is seeing it go up helped us crystallize our plan. We needed the visual help to figure out what we want to do with the property. We want to put in two more like this one in the garden and have 3 garden cabanas. They will be simple jungle chic accommodations. and, then with the existing shack, we will tear off the top and put in 3 rooms there as well. It will give us 3 levels of accommodations and sufficient space for groups with options of room style. Now, if we could just sell that land out in San Pedro so we could do it.
We went and walked the boardwalk out to the Aguacaliente Wildlife Sanctuary. It's not for the sedentary or faint of heart. It's at least 2 miles of walking on not so well maintained boards and our problem is the rainy season has started so the swamp is up and covering the end of the walk. We couldn't get to the end where you get down to the trail leading to the lagoon. That will be a hike for another day in a few months when it's dry. I'll try to post a photo of Rusty in the clearing at the Trekforce base camp that is about a mile in.
We are trying our hand at gardening - I've always done the pretty garden but this is for food. We want to see how self sufficient we can be with 20 acres of jungle. So, we have cucumbers, tomatoes, melon, sweet pepper definitely coming up. They are rooted and thriving. Of course, we know the bush rabbits, quash and lizards will be competing for any produce so it's a crap shoot. I also have bokchoy sprouting. I've planted lettuce and red onions in the same bed and no joy with those yet. And, I planted a variety of herbs and they're coming up but after I planted the seeds in nice rows, the dog ran through it so I guess they will have to get quite big for me to tell what is what. We also got three different kinds banana trees which should grow with no problem. You just dig them up, cut off the top and plant the root stump.
Rusty's main gardening project is his coffee plants. He wants to see if we can grow enough for the lodge. But, they grow slowly so it is at least a 2 year project.
The thatch on our first garden building is done today. Now, Rusty and I have to decide exactly how we want to finish it and if we have money to do so. The nice thing about this thatch is seeing it go up helped us crystallize our plan. We needed the visual help to figure out what we want to do with the property. We want to put in two more like this one in the garden and have 3 garden cabanas. They will be simple jungle chic accommodations. and, then with the existing shack, we will tear off the top and put in 3 rooms there as well. It will give us 3 levels of accommodations and sufficient space for groups with options of room style. Now, if we could just sell that land out in San Pedro so we could do it.
We went and walked the boardwalk out to the Aguacaliente Wildlife Sanctuary. It's not for the sedentary or faint of heart. It's at least 2 miles of walking on not so well maintained boards and our problem is the rainy season has started so the swamp is up and covering the end of the walk. We couldn't get to the end where you get down to the trail leading to the lagoon. That will be a hike for another day in a few months when it's dry. I'll try to post a photo of Rusty in the clearing at the Trekforce base camp that is about a mile in.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Business as usual
July 3, 2009
With no guests in house, it's all gardening. Rusty is mowing everyday to keep back the jungle. We were surprised when we went to the other two jungle lodges that they don't mow down the drive way and things just look a bit unkempt as you arrive. I guess it's a different take on things but we really like the place mowed. Things are wild enough here without having overgrown grass to look at everywhere.
Rusty has also been putting in his coffee plants. He wants to see if we can grow our own coffee. I put in an herb garden and finally yesterday it looks like they are popping up. The dogs had run through my bed so many times, I thought it was a goner. As it is, I think it will come up but be jumbled. The nice, neat rows are history.
I've been working on trimming everything. We have a beautiful garden with at least 6 types of ginger, orchids galore, fangi pani trees and tons of hibiscus. It's the hibiscus that's out of control now so I'm working my way around the hedges. Some of the citrus trees are almost ready to give too. We have pink grapefruit, lemons and limes. I'm not sure if we have any good oranges. I'm letting them go through a season so I can see what we have and then I'll get some navel oranges and mandarins for next year. Of course, we have several Jamaica lime trees full of fruit which I could care less about. Anyway, the gardening is fun and it's always a surprise to what what new things is coming up or bearing fruit.
With no guests in house, it's all gardening. Rusty is mowing everyday to keep back the jungle. We were surprised when we went to the other two jungle lodges that they don't mow down the drive way and things just look a bit unkempt as you arrive. I guess it's a different take on things but we really like the place mowed. Things are wild enough here without having overgrown grass to look at everywhere.
Rusty has also been putting in his coffee plants. He wants to see if we can grow our own coffee. I put in an herb garden and finally yesterday it looks like they are popping up. The dogs had run through my bed so many times, I thought it was a goner. As it is, I think it will come up but be jumbled. The nice, neat rows are history.
I've been working on trimming everything. We have a beautiful garden with at least 6 types of ginger, orchids galore, fangi pani trees and tons of hibiscus. It's the hibiscus that's out of control now so I'm working my way around the hedges. Some of the citrus trees are almost ready to give too. We have pink grapefruit, lemons and limes. I'm not sure if we have any good oranges. I'm letting them go through a season so I can see what we have and then I'll get some navel oranges and mandarins for next year. Of course, we have several Jamaica lime trees full of fruit which I could care less about. Anyway, the gardening is fun and it's always a surprise to what what new things is coming up or bearing fruit.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Jungle lodge business
July 1, 2009
I guess I totally forgot that I'm trying to run a business and tell what it's like. Duh. Actually, things went well in June. We had some nice drive in business and last weekend we hosted the Indigenous Peoples Conservation Alliance Retreat. The true indigenous people of Belize are the Maya but the Alliance has to include Garifuna people to be politically correct. Personally, I don't think the Garifuna can have it both ways - they have a national holiday - Garifuna Settlement Day. From where I sit, either you settled here or you were always here. It can't be both. So, anyway, the Retreat was Maya people and Garifuna people particpating in seminars and brainstorming to get rights for their groups. We did the food for two days and had some stay overnight. I wish we could have a retreat every month for the sake of our budget. It was exhausting though so maybe I wouldn't survive it.
Now we have nothing on the books for this month. And, realistically, it could be really dry businesswise for months to come. I may have to start cutting hair again.
Rusty is putting in the piers for our spa palapa and next tuesday the posts for it will be ready. Then, all the cohune palm we have drying all over our garden will be made into the roof of the palapa. When that's done I'll have a place to cut hair if I have to. We'll see. I so hope we haven't bought a jungle lodge so I have space to put a hair cutting chair. On that encouraging note, I'm out of here...
I guess I totally forgot that I'm trying to run a business and tell what it's like. Duh. Actually, things went well in June. We had some nice drive in business and last weekend we hosted the Indigenous Peoples Conservation Alliance Retreat. The true indigenous people of Belize are the Maya but the Alliance has to include Garifuna people to be politically correct. Personally, I don't think the Garifuna can have it both ways - they have a national holiday - Garifuna Settlement Day. From where I sit, either you settled here or you were always here. It can't be both. So, anyway, the Retreat was Maya people and Garifuna people particpating in seminars and brainstorming to get rights for their groups. We did the food for two days and had some stay overnight. I wish we could have a retreat every month for the sake of our budget. It was exhausting though so maybe I wouldn't survive it.
Now we have nothing on the books for this month. And, realistically, it could be really dry businesswise for months to come. I may have to start cutting hair again.
Rusty is putting in the piers for our spa palapa and next tuesday the posts for it will be ready. Then, all the cohune palm we have drying all over our garden will be made into the roof of the palapa. When that's done I'll have a place to cut hair if I have to. We'll see. I so hope we haven't bought a jungle lodge so I have space to put a hair cutting chair. On that encouraging note, I'm out of here...
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Rainy season
June 30, 2009
They call it "green season" down here but that's just a polite way to say wet and moldy season. Of course, part of the reason that I am so in touch with the weather is that we still basically live in the weather. The house we live in here is one big room with a large screened in porch attached to it. It's definitely cooler out there but when it rains, anything out there gets damp, including us. And, we've found out the hard way that damp is not a good thing. It seems like anything - bugs, damp, sun, food - messes with my skin. I've lived in Belize 18 years but this is a different Belize.
Of course, there's the up side. All this damp does make for the greenest green seen in nature and there are so many things on our to-do list. Next thing to do is the Aguacaliente Wildlife Sanctuary. You drive out to Laguna Village which is only about 5 miles from the lodge. Then, going out into the bush with no end in sight is this raised boardwalk. Friends of ours have been out there and say the boardwalk goes on for at least a 45 minute hike and takes you to one of the most beautiful spots in Belize. It's a great birding spot so we are really looking forward to doing it soon.
OK, bird of the day is the Collared Trogon. He's our 3rd on property trogon and we've been hearing his loud call for days and finally spotted him. We can't get enough of these birds! More than makes up for the damp...
They call it "green season" down here but that's just a polite way to say wet and moldy season. Of course, part of the reason that I am so in touch with the weather is that we still basically live in the weather. The house we live in here is one big room with a large screened in porch attached to it. It's definitely cooler out there but when it rains, anything out there gets damp, including us. And, we've found out the hard way that damp is not a good thing. It seems like anything - bugs, damp, sun, food - messes with my skin. I've lived in Belize 18 years but this is a different Belize.
Of course, there's the up side. All this damp does make for the greenest green seen in nature and there are so many things on our to-do list. Next thing to do is the Aguacaliente Wildlife Sanctuary. You drive out to Laguna Village which is only about 5 miles from the lodge. Then, going out into the bush with no end in sight is this raised boardwalk. Friends of ours have been out there and say the boardwalk goes on for at least a 45 minute hike and takes you to one of the most beautiful spots in Belize. It's a great birding spot so we are really looking forward to doing it soon.
OK, bird of the day is the Collared Trogon. He's our 3rd on property trogon and we've been hearing his loud call for days and finally spotted him. We can't get enough of these birds! More than makes up for the damp...
Sunday, June 14, 2009
It's really hot down here
June 14, 2009
We thought we knew hot in San Pedro, but it's a different kind of hot in southern Belize. It's so much more humid and, I guess, the fact that we work hard every day renovating makes it even hotter.
We have had a chance to see some things though. We went to Lubaantun and the Rio Blanco Falls last Sunday. Really nice ruin. We've been at most of the northern ruins and worked by Lamanai so we know what to expect. But, Lubaantun is such a nice setting and I like that it's not so reconstructed. It seems more real and you can get a feel of what it was like once upon a time.
We also got to visit two of the other lodges. First we went to Sun Creek. The cabanas are nice and it has a good feel, but we came away very satisfied with our property.
Same when we went to Cotton Tree Lodge. That's a much more pricy place than Tranquility Lodge, but so much harder to get to and I think the proximity to nature might be a problem for many guests there. All the cabanas are thatched and when the rainy season gets started the river floods the property so you have to stay on the boardwalks that connect the rooms to the dining room. Again, so satisfied with our place. Jealous of their money and marketing capabilities but not of the place itself.
I think our next tour will be to go out to Laguna and walk the boardwalk out to the Aguacaliente Wildlife Preserve. We were out in the village this week and hadn't realized how accessible the boardwalk is. So, now we know and off we go.
Bird of the week is the golden hooded tanager who has its nest in the travellers palm behind the lodge. Such a pretty little bird and a new one for the lodge list.
We had drive-in guests this weekend, too. Nice family from Tennessee - for us the perfect kind of guests. I wish we could keep the lodge full of families like them all the time.
Off to bed for me so I can get up and work on my tiling project tomorrow. Night...
We thought we knew hot in San Pedro, but it's a different kind of hot in southern Belize. It's so much more humid and, I guess, the fact that we work hard every day renovating makes it even hotter.
We have had a chance to see some things though. We went to Lubaantun and the Rio Blanco Falls last Sunday. Really nice ruin. We've been at most of the northern ruins and worked by Lamanai so we know what to expect. But, Lubaantun is such a nice setting and I like that it's not so reconstructed. It seems more real and you can get a feel of what it was like once upon a time.
We also got to visit two of the other lodges. First we went to Sun Creek. The cabanas are nice and it has a good feel, but we came away very satisfied with our property.
Same when we went to Cotton Tree Lodge. That's a much more pricy place than Tranquility Lodge, but so much harder to get to and I think the proximity to nature might be a problem for many guests there. All the cabanas are thatched and when the rainy season gets started the river floods the property so you have to stay on the boardwalks that connect the rooms to the dining room. Again, so satisfied with our place. Jealous of their money and marketing capabilities but not of the place itself.
I think our next tour will be to go out to Laguna and walk the boardwalk out to the Aguacaliente Wildlife Preserve. We were out in the village this week and hadn't realized how accessible the boardwalk is. So, now we know and off we go.
Bird of the week is the golden hooded tanager who has its nest in the travellers palm behind the lodge. Such a pretty little bird and a new one for the lodge list.
We had drive-in guests this weekend, too. Nice family from Tennessee - for us the perfect kind of guests. I wish we could keep the lodge full of families like them all the time.
Off to bed for me so I can get up and work on my tiling project tomorrow. Night...
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
10 plagues
May 27, 2009
Well, I think we've had 4 or 5 plagues already anyway. First, we had to get the bats out of the house so we could live there. Bats are good to have around to keep down the mosquitoes, but when you have several colonies living in your attic and the bat poo is raining down in your house as black dust...well, that's just too much. So, the whole roof had to come off piece by piece and the attic cleaned out. Three wheelbarrows full later, we were able to move in. And, the bat poo is now fertilizer for our new coffee plants. Another grand experiment.
After the bats, the scorpions started. It's dry season and when it's hot and dry in Belize, you have scorpions. But, I've been stung before and it's no big deal. A couple hours of ice and it's history.
The spiders are different. Now, I'm not talking about tarantulas - those I love and have great respect for. They don't harm you and a female can live 35 years. That you have to respect.
No, I'm talking about the small spiders that put a serious and horrible bite on you. I now have the remnants of a necrotizing spider bite. It's been almost a month since the bite and the hole is still healing from the inside out. And, I have had an easy time due to ten days of the strongest antibiotics known to man and antihistamines to dry it up. I guess I have to be more careful when I garden.
Which leads us to doctor flies - I guess they call them that because you feel like you need a doctor if you get a couple of bites. The one good thing is that eventually it seems like they don't do as much damage. We must get hardened to it or something.
So, despite the plagues, we are surviving and actually thriving I think. It's a beautiful place and everyday has at least one nice surprise.
Well, I think we've had 4 or 5 plagues already anyway. First, we had to get the bats out of the house so we could live there. Bats are good to have around to keep down the mosquitoes, but when you have several colonies living in your attic and the bat poo is raining down in your house as black dust...well, that's just too much. So, the whole roof had to come off piece by piece and the attic cleaned out. Three wheelbarrows full later, we were able to move in. And, the bat poo is now fertilizer for our new coffee plants. Another grand experiment.
After the bats, the scorpions started. It's dry season and when it's hot and dry in Belize, you have scorpions. But, I've been stung before and it's no big deal. A couple hours of ice and it's history.
The spiders are different. Now, I'm not talking about tarantulas - those I love and have great respect for. They don't harm you and a female can live 35 years. That you have to respect.
No, I'm talking about the small spiders that put a serious and horrible bite on you. I now have the remnants of a necrotizing spider bite. It's been almost a month since the bite and the hole is still healing from the inside out. And, I have had an easy time due to ten days of the strongest antibiotics known to man and antihistamines to dry it up. I guess I have to be more careful when I garden.
Which leads us to doctor flies - I guess they call them that because you feel like you need a doctor if you get a couple of bites. The one good thing is that eventually it seems like they don't do as much damage. We must get hardened to it or something.
So, despite the plagues, we are surviving and actually thriving I think. It's a beautiful place and everyday has at least one nice surprise.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Belize jungle lodge
May 5, 2009
So, here's the latest...our phone finally works. I have to whisper that so the modem doesn't hear me and start to give trouble again. Rusty cut an even bigger bamboo pole and between the stability of the thicker pole and the added height, it seems like we got it this time.
And, the cable seems to get better all the time. The cable guy is opening a hardware store and it seems like the more we buy from him, the better the cable gets. Whatever works, right?
The dish is also doing its thing so we have internet and wireless. I will say we can use a bigger antenna for that so next trip to Belize City will include a bigger router antenna.
But, all in all, it's pretty good. Here we are in the jungle on the internet with the cable going in the background waiting for a phone call. Technology comes to the jungle. I love it.
We're seeing great birds these days - the trogons just sit asking us to watch them. And, every day a new flower blooms and I have to figure out what they all are. One totally cool one is the torch ginger. Not only is it a flashy flower but the flower comes up on its own leafless stalk and it's bright red from the ground up. The leaves are on a different stalk all together.
On our own house we have started the fight with the bats. The former owner had let bats take over the roof of her house. We like bats because they eat mosqitoes but we don't want them living with us. So, Rusty is removing the roof piece by piece, cleaning out all the bat poo, putting in moth balls and then we will seal the inside off from the roof so when(not if) they come back they still are not near us. The roof will have to be replaced next year anyway, so at that time we can take more permanent measures. Now, it's just a matter of needing to move in our house.
Everyday we learn something new and that we really like.
So, here's the latest...our phone finally works. I have to whisper that so the modem doesn't hear me and start to give trouble again. Rusty cut an even bigger bamboo pole and between the stability of the thicker pole and the added height, it seems like we got it this time.
And, the cable seems to get better all the time. The cable guy is opening a hardware store and it seems like the more we buy from him, the better the cable gets. Whatever works, right?
The dish is also doing its thing so we have internet and wireless. I will say we can use a bigger antenna for that so next trip to Belize City will include a bigger router antenna.
But, all in all, it's pretty good. Here we are in the jungle on the internet with the cable going in the background waiting for a phone call. Technology comes to the jungle. I love it.
We're seeing great birds these days - the trogons just sit asking us to watch them. And, every day a new flower blooms and I have to figure out what they all are. One totally cool one is the torch ginger. Not only is it a flashy flower but the flower comes up on its own leafless stalk and it's bright red from the ground up. The leaves are on a different stalk all together.
On our own house we have started the fight with the bats. The former owner had let bats take over the roof of her house. We like bats because they eat mosqitoes but we don't want them living with us. So, Rusty is removing the roof piece by piece, cleaning out all the bat poo, putting in moth balls and then we will seal the inside off from the roof so when(not if) they come back they still are not near us. The roof will have to be replaced next year anyway, so at that time we can take more permanent measures. Now, it's just a matter of needing to move in our house.
Everyday we learn something new and that we really like.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Dog tired
I have never been this tired each and every day as am these days. But, everyday sees something accomplished and that's a really good feeling.
We finished our first month this week and actually made money - very little - but at least we didn't lose. We had nice guests and best of all, they liked my food. That was a real worry - whether I could pull off the cooking in a fashion I am happy with.
My current project is tiling the bathrooms in the lodge. I have one shower tiled and ready to grout so I'm feeling good about that too.
In the spirit of recycling, the Slaty Tailed trogon pair took over the abandoned termite nest hanging on the lodge. Really cool.
And we had a couple from the Jaguar Project stay with us this week and they foudn ocelot scat in the garden. So, we have small wild cats roaming near the rooms at night. We really like that.
The dogs, Onyx and Tiger, have decided they love it here. Only problem is they think the entire place belongs only to them and want to roam free and keep everyone else out. So, they have to be fenced some of the time by the house now. Big punishment.
The eyes are closing. I'll be better about posting.
We finished our first month this week and actually made money - very little - but at least we didn't lose. We had nice guests and best of all, they liked my food. That was a real worry - whether I could pull off the cooking in a fashion I am happy with.
My current project is tiling the bathrooms in the lodge. I have one shower tiled and ready to grout so I'm feeling good about that too.
In the spirit of recycling, the Slaty Tailed trogon pair took over the abandoned termite nest hanging on the lodge. Really cool.
And we had a couple from the Jaguar Project stay with us this week and they foudn ocelot scat in the garden. So, we have small wild cats roaming near the rooms at night. We really like that.
The dogs, Onyx and Tiger, have decided they love it here. Only problem is they think the entire place belongs only to them and want to roam free and keep everyone else out. So, they have to be fenced some of the time by the house now. Big punishment.
The eyes are closing. I'll be better about posting.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Still kicking in the jungle
April 9, 2009
I know I haven't updated in awhile - but you guessed it - I just got internet! So, how long has this been - three weeks? Yes, it took that long to get internet and phone. We waited and waited and finally all in one day we were back on line. We even got the cable TV going. I can't say it is reliable - sometimes it's great and sometimes it's not, but it's cable and it's still unbelievable to me that I can sit in the jungle and watch CNN.
We officially took over the lodge on April 1st and on April 2nd we had our first guests arrive. We were so lucky with the guests we had this past week. They were all so nice and encouraging. We had worked like mad to get the rooms in order. And, then I was worried about the food. But, they were complimentary of everything and were happy to work with us in our transitional stage.
So, life goes on and we're getting settled. Best of all, we proved to ourselves that we can do this.
I know I haven't updated in awhile - but you guessed it - I just got internet! So, how long has this been - three weeks? Yes, it took that long to get internet and phone. We waited and waited and finally all in one day we were back on line. We even got the cable TV going. I can't say it is reliable - sometimes it's great and sometimes it's not, but it's cable and it's still unbelievable to me that I can sit in the jungle and watch CNN.
We officially took over the lodge on April 1st and on April 2nd we had our first guests arrive. We were so lucky with the guests we had this past week. They were all so nice and encouraging. We had worked like mad to get the rooms in order. And, then I was worried about the food. But, they were complimentary of everything and were happy to work with us in our transitional stage.
So, life goes on and we're getting settled. Best of all, we proved to ourselves that we can do this.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Progress - slow but steady
March 15, 2009
We spent last week at the lodge. No internet or phone yet but the loaner modum for the fixed cell does work so this week we buy an antenna and I guess we're in business. The satellite dish should be installed on Wednesday but since the tech has yet to uninstall it from its present location, I have my doubts. And complaining does nothing, so why bother to complain? The cable should have been installed today - I wonder. We have yet for one thing to be done at the appointed time. But, progress was made. We found the Mayan guy who cuts trees for fence posts and think we have him lined up to deliver this week. The cable guy was lined up as well. The electrician showed up and did most of his finish work. At least there's light now. And, Rusty installed the doors and I painted them so we can now lock up the bottom level of our house. So, this week we plan to pick up our order from the States and get going on the rooms in addition to fencing our yard for the dogs, cleaning more floor tile(we're recycling) and painting. Maybe by the end of the week, I can post from the lodge...
We spent last week at the lodge. No internet or phone yet but the loaner modum for the fixed cell does work so this week we buy an antenna and I guess we're in business. The satellite dish should be installed on Wednesday but since the tech has yet to uninstall it from its present location, I have my doubts. And complaining does nothing, so why bother to complain? The cable should have been installed today - I wonder. We have yet for one thing to be done at the appointed time. But, progress was made. We found the Mayan guy who cuts trees for fence posts and think we have him lined up to deliver this week. The cable guy was lined up as well. The electrician showed up and did most of his finish work. At least there's light now. And, Rusty installed the doors and I painted them so we can now lock up the bottom level of our house. So, this week we plan to pick up our order from the States and get going on the rooms in addition to fencing our yard for the dogs, cleaning more floor tile(we're recycling) and painting. Maybe by the end of the week, I can post from the lodge...
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Brain overload!
March 7, 2009
Too much in my head these days. In the next three weeks, we have to move ourselves, my dad(yes, he is moving to the lodge with us), our two dogs and all our earthly possessions off an island and 150 miles miles south into the jungle. And, what do you think is the thing that worries me most? You guessed it - the dogs. They will have to fly at least the first part of the trip over to Belize City. One at a time since the small planes can carry only one large dog carrier with passengers. Then, we have to pick them up for the trip south - 4 hours by road. Mind you, these are dogs that have never ridden in a car before, much less an airplane. The younger dog is a one year old half American bull/half Pitbull mix who is gentle and well behaved normally. When nervous he tends to chew things though, so we may have nothing left behind the front two seats by the time we reach the lodge.
Too much in my head these days. In the next three weeks, we have to move ourselves, my dad(yes, he is moving to the lodge with us), our two dogs and all our earthly possessions off an island and 150 miles miles south into the jungle. And, what do you think is the thing that worries me most? You guessed it - the dogs. They will have to fly at least the first part of the trip over to Belize City. One at a time since the small planes can carry only one large dog carrier with passengers. Then, we have to pick them up for the trip south - 4 hours by road. Mind you, these are dogs that have never ridden in a car before, much less an airplane. The younger dog is a one year old half American bull/half Pitbull mix who is gentle and well behaved normally. When nervous he tends to chew things though, so we may have nothing left behind the front two seats by the time we reach the lodge.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Long day
March 6, 2009
Two steps forward and one step back. It's the Belizean way. The internet may happen with the hand me down dish - at least I have positive info from the dish guy after waiting all of yesterday for him to finally show this morning. The phone is a whole other story. Bamboo pole or no - looks like it's a crap shoot on whether we can get a signal. So, next week we carry a trial model down to see what if anything we can get. Keep your fingers crossed!
On a very positive note, I took our first booking for the lodge under our ownership. Talk about panic! I know how to take care of guests - that's not the issue. The issue is the thousand things I would like to have done before they put one foot on the property. I've got to get into that "manana" frame of mind.
Two steps forward and one step back. It's the Belizean way. The internet may happen with the hand me down dish - at least I have positive info from the dish guy after waiting all of yesterday for him to finally show this morning. The phone is a whole other story. Bamboo pole or no - looks like it's a crap shoot on whether we can get a signal. So, next week we carry a trial model down to see what if anything we can get. Keep your fingers crossed!
On a very positive note, I took our first booking for the lodge under our ownership. Talk about panic! I know how to take care of guests - that's not the issue. The issue is the thousand things I would like to have done before they put one foot on the property. I've got to get into that "manana" frame of mind.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
It's an uphill battle...
March 4, 2009
So, you would think that simple things like phone and internet service are a given, right? Well, not if you live in the jungle of Belize. I seem to be moving to the Bermuda Triangle of Belize where no signal survives and no one "can hear me now". Tomorrow, I will find out if internet satellite service is a possibility. If so, I can get my hands on a used dish and we'll be set to go. I know, I know - a used dish - but in this economy, even my satellite dish is a hand-me-down. That will take care of internet but there's still the phone problem. So, for that we have to buy a fixed cell and an antenna which will go on a bamboo pole to get high enough to catch the elusive signal. I still don't know if that bamboo pole is tall enough to beat out the ceiba tree, but we'll see...
So, you would think that simple things like phone and internet service are a given, right? Well, not if you live in the jungle of Belize. I seem to be moving to the Bermuda Triangle of Belize where no signal survives and no one "can hear me now". Tomorrow, I will find out if internet satellite service is a possibility. If so, I can get my hands on a used dish and we'll be set to go. I know, I know - a used dish - but in this economy, even my satellite dish is a hand-me-down. That will take care of internet but there's still the phone problem. So, for that we have to buy a fixed cell and an antenna which will go on a bamboo pole to get high enough to catch the elusive signal. I still don't know if that bamboo pole is tall enough to beat out the ceiba tree, but we'll see...
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
It begins.
March 3, 2009
It all started 13 years ago with our first job in tourism in Belize at a jungle lodge. From there we moved on to the Mayan Princess on Ambergris Caye for 12 years and now we are ready to head back to the jungle to live at our own little place called Tranquility Lodge. One day excited, the next terrified - that's the emotional roller coaster we have created for ourselves.
I will write about the ups and downs, the battles and the beauty, the frustration at getting nothing when I want it, the getting it and it not being what I wanted anyway, and the most-of-the-time joys of living in Belize. Welcome to the jungle!
It all started 13 years ago with our first job in tourism in Belize at a jungle lodge. From there we moved on to the Mayan Princess on Ambergris Caye for 12 years and now we are ready to head back to the jungle to live at our own little place called Tranquility Lodge. One day excited, the next terrified - that's the emotional roller coaster we have created for ourselves.
I will write about the ups and downs, the battles and the beauty, the frustration at getting nothing when I want it, the getting it and it not being what I wanted anyway, and the most-of-the-time joys of living in Belize. Welcome to the jungle!
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