At the 2016 summer Olympic games scheduled to begin shortly in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the nation of Belize will be represented by three athletes. The Belize National Olympic Committee has announced that Brandon Jones will compete in the 200-meter race, Katy Sealy in the 100-meter hurdles and Renick James in the 90-kilogram weight class of Judo. Brandon Jones has been selected for the honor of carrying the flag for the Belize delegation at the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games that start at 5:00 PM local time on August 5, 2016.
Four sporting officials from Belize will also accompany the athletes to Rio, Frank Menzies, Deon Sutherland and Denis Costello. Renick James will compete on August 10 and both Katy Sealy and Brandon Jones will compete on August 16.
On behalf of the management and staff of Chabil Mar, we wish the Belize Olympic team much success in Rio!
Archeologists working at the Maya ruin site of Xunantunich in Cayo District have unearthed what may be the biggest tomb ever found in Belize. Discovered underneath one of the central buildings at the site, the tomb contains the undisturbed remains of an adult male estimated to be in his 20s or 30s buried alongside a number of ceremonial items, including four obsidian blades, vases, pots, and the remains of what archeologists believe is either a jaguar or a deer.
While work is still ongoing at the site, archeologists have given a preliminary date for the tomb, estimating it to have been built in the Late Classic Period (roughly 700 to 1000 AD). Dr. Jaime Awe, the lead archeologist at the site, spoke to the media about the discovery of what he believes to be the tomb of a Maya ruler and has installed a Plexiglas window so that tourists can view the newly-discovered remains.
After being abandoned some time during the end of the post-Classical period, the site of Xunantunich was rediscovered in the late 19th century when Belize was a British colony. Thomas Gann, the district commissioner of Cayo District, began excavations at the site, which was given the name Xunantunich, a Maya name which means “Stone Woman”. Since 1892, visitors to the site have reported seeing a woman dressed entirely in white with glowing eyes that haunts the temple known as “El Castillo” (The Castle).
Xunantunich has been excavated almost continuously since the late 19th century but this month’s discovery by archeologist Dr. Jaime Awe is the very first tomb ever found at the site. The central core of Xunantunich measures more than a square mile (2.6 km2) and archeologists have already excavated more than 26 buildings. The most photographed feature at Xunantunich is “El Castillo”, a large pyramid at the center of the site that is covered in stucco friezes depicting important stories from Maya mythology.
Chabil Mar & Xunantunich
The lovely Chabil Mar resort on the Placencia Peninsula is close to all of the most exciting mainland destinations in Belize. Guests of the resort can include a visit to Xunantunich as part of one of Chabil Mar’s fantastic Belize Reef & Jungle vacation packages.
One of the most eclectic sporting events in Belize is scheduled to begin on December 4, 2016 at 5:30 am on the southern tip of the Placencia Peninsula. The End of the World Marathon first began on December 21, 2012 when many people around the world interpreted the ancient Maya calendar to predict the apocalypse on that date. After gaining widespread popularity, the End of the World Marathon has continued year after year, blossoming to become one of Placencia’s most popular events.
Competitors in the End of the World Marathon can either choose to run a half marathon (13.1 miles) or a full marathon (26.2 miles), with competitors running the full marathon starting at the southern tip of the peninsula at Placencia Village. They’ll make their way northward, passing by the luxury resort of Chabil Mar, the Garifuna village of Seine Bight, and the beautiful Maya Beach before reaching the northernmost point of the peninsula. At that point, the half marathon runners will enter the competition, joining the full marathon competitors to race towards the finish line and cheering crowds in Placencia Village.
Designed to promote a healthy appreciation of the natural beauty of the peninsula, the End of the World Marathon is a community event, with all profits going towards providing high school scholarships for local children. More than $10,000 in prizes will be awarded to the top six marathoners (three men and three women), and every competitor who finishes the race will receive a commemorative medal. Special mention will be made for the top finishers in five categories: under 29 years old, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and seniors aged 60 and over.
Chabil Mar
The luxury resort of Chabil Mar located on the Placencia Peninsula just a few minutes’ walk from the starting/finish line in Placencia Village offers spacious villas on a private ground that features a luxuriant tropical garden, infinity swimming pool, and a beachfront bar and restaurant.
Chabil Mar is a proud sponsor of the End of the World Marathon and is now developing a comprehensive vacation package so that guests of the resort can enjoy all of the thrilling action.
Visit our website chabilmarvillas.com for more information on Belize and Placencia, and don’t hesitate to send us an email, or call US/CAN Toll Free: 1-866-417-2377, Local: (011-501) 523-3606, if you have questions or need help in planning a Belize vacation.
Chabil Mar in Placencia, Belize is proud to announce that it has formed a partnership with Ian Anderson’s Caves Branch Lodge to offer guests a new exciting destination as part of Chabil Mar’s comprehensive vacation packages. The new partnership will offer guests of Chabil Mar a chance to experience 7 nights of jungle and sea adventures with three or four nights at the country’s premiere jungle lodge, a nighttime tour of the jungle, and a full compliment of delicious meals, drinks, and a full body massage.
“We’re really excited to be able to offer our guests a chance to experience the jungle at its finest,” said Larry France, the marketing manager of Chabil Mar. “Chabil Mar is the premiere beachfront resort on the Placencia Peninsula and this new collaboration will give guests a chance to see all the beauty and wonder of Belize.”
Ian Anderson’s Caves Branch Adventure Company and Jungle Lodge was originally built almost two decades ago to give visitors to Belize a chance to experience the wild beauty of Belize’s jungles. Today, the Caves Branch Lodge is a five-star luxury resort with elegant tree house accommodations that include decks and hot tubs that give guests a chance to experience the jungle from a new perspective. Long-time nature lovers, founder Ian Anderson and his wife Ella specialize in giving guests personalized tours of the surrounding jungle and getting to know the birds, wildlife and plants that make Belize one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world.
Named for a Mayan phrase that translates to “Beautiful Sea”, the multiple award-winning luxury resort of Chabil Mar is located on the Placencia Peninsula just a few minutes’ walk from Placencia Village. With villas equipped with a full range of modern amenities, Chabil Mar is an oasis of comfort, tranquility and relaxation just a few steps from the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.
Repeatedly distinguished by TripAdvisor for an outstanding commitment to guest comfort, Chabil Mar offers its guests comprehensive vacation packages to explore and visit all of the most exciting, beautiful and educational sites that make Belize a vacationer’s paradise.
Visit our website chabilmarvillas.com for more information on our Belize vacation packages, and don’t hesitate to send us an email, or call US/CAN Toll Free: 1-866-417-2377, Local: (011-501) 523-3606, if you have questions or need help in planning a Belize vacation.
American Airlines has announced that they be offering direct service from London Heathrow to Belize City starting in November of this year, marking the first time that Britons will be able to fly to the former British colony of Belize without having to transfer in the United States or Mexico. Beginning November 4, 2016, American Airlines will be offering outbound flights in the afternoon from London that land in Miami before continuing on to Belize City.
American Airlines currently offers non-stop service to Belize City from Miami, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Charlotte and Los Angeles. The new flights in November departing from London will have a brief layover in Miami before continuing directly to Belize City. Return flights to London via Miami will operate on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday year-round. Passengers will be able to depart from London through Miami and onto Belize City seven days a week.
“We’re really excited about American Airlines offering direct flights from London starting in November,” said Larry France, Marketing Manager of the Chabil Mar resort in Placencia, Belize. “Belize experienced an 11.4% increase in visitors from the United Kingdom in 2014 and we look forward to seeing more Britons experience the magic of a holiday in Belize.”
English loggers known as “Baymen” first settled on the Caribbean Coast of what is now Belize in the 1600s, drawn to the area as a source of valuable hardwood timber. By 1786, Great Britain had formally wrested control over the area from Spain and began administering the region as a colony. Granted full independence in 1981, Belize is Central America’s only county where English is the official language. Today, Belize has a parliamentary democracy and is a member of the British Commonwealth. Belize City was founded in 1638 and served as the colonial capital until 1970. Belize City is still the largest municipality in Belize and the port for all international flights and cruise ships.
Chabil Mar is a multiple award-winning luxury resort located on the Placencia Peninsula in southeastern Belize. It is served by domestic air carriers Maya Island Air and Tropic Air with connections from Belize City.
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