Month: September 2018

In a recent special feature in their “The Look” section, the New York Times documented the Mennonite community in Belize with a series of photographs and in-depth interviews. According to the New York Times, the Mennonite community is based entirely on their Christian faith, which includes strict commandments to keep the affairs of the state separate from those of faith.

The Mennonites are often confused with the Amish as both faiths have conservative wings that largely eschew modern technology. But while the Amish are largely found in the United States, the majority of the more than one million Mennonites around the world live in tight-knit communities in countries like Paraguay, India, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Belize.

The New York Times article tracks the first Mennonites of Belize from their origins in Russia to their numerous escapes from the intolerant governments of Poland, Canada, and later Mexico. But once in Belize, the Mennonites liked what they saw, including legal exemption from mandatory military service and the ability to create parochial schools with instruction in their native language: a variant of German called Plautdietsch.

The expose and photographs published in the New York Times compares and contrasts the Mennonite’s philosophy about integration with the modern world. On one hand, they are largely restricted to conservative forms of dress, but savvy Mennonite businessmen use computers and smartphones to help sell their products while cruising down the road in a horse and buggy. But their choice to use older forms of transportation is more about keeping their communities close-knit than any belief in the inherent evils of modern technology.

One interesting fact not mentioned by the New York Times is that 2018 is when the Mennonite community is marking the 50th anniversary of their arrival to the then-British colony. After facing persecution in Mexico, the community emigrated to the village of Spanish Lookout in what is now Cayo District, attracted both by the welcoming atmosphere as well as the abundance of fertile farmland.

Today, the Mennonites in Belize are largely known for their cattle ranching and dairy production, and Mennonite cheese, butter, beef, and other products can be found on supermarket shelves all across the country. It is estimated that approximately 11,000 people in Belize are active members of the Mennonite community.

Chabil Mar resort in Placencia Belize offers jungle and beach vacation packages that include cultural trips to indigenous communities across the country, including tours of Mennonite villages.

For information about Belize, feel free to chat with our Concierge at: concierge{@}chabilmarvillas.com or contact our Reservations Manager at:reservations{@}chabilmarvillas.com. Or perhaps you would like to call toll free from the US or Canada: 1-866-417-2377.

On September 10, 2018, on the occasion of The Battle of St. George’s Caye Daye, the main pier at Placencia was where the new Placencia Queen of the Bay was formally crowned. Alyssa Faux had already been previously chosen as the 2018-2019 Placencia Queen of the Bay, but her formal coronation marked the beginning of the peninsula’s annual parade and holiday celebrations.

Faux was crowned at 10:00 AM as large crowds of locals and visitors alike gathered to enjoy refreshments and get psyched up for the holiday celebrations. Following her coronation, Faux lead a roundtrip parade to Atlantic Bank before returning to Placencia for a high-energy “jump up” party. Attendees thronged the streets, waving Belizean flags. And there were many in the crowd with painted faces as well as bicycles and golf carts all proudly decorated with the red, white, and blue national colors.

See Also: What You Need to Know About Belize’s September Celebrations

“We congratulate Alyssa Faux and wish her all the best as she represents Placencia this year,” said Larry France, marketing manager of Chabil Mar. “Her coronation was an excellent start for a fun-filled day of celebrations on The Battle of St. George’s Caye Day that we shared with our friends, families, and guests.”

On September 10, 1798, a small English naval force defeated the Spanish navy in the waters just off St. George’s Caye Day just a few miles from Belize City, a pivotal moment in history that led Belize to become a British colony and the reason why it is the only English-speaking country in Central America.

In modern times, the Battle of St. George’s Caye Day kicks off a series of patriotic celebrations in every town and village across Belize that culminate on September 21, Independence Day, which marks the occasion in 1981 when Belize gained full sovereignty from Great Britain. The Placencia Peninsula will be holding several events in September, including a two-day fishing tournament on September 21-22.

For information about visiting Belize in September, feel free to chat with our Concierge at: concierge@chabilmarvillas.com or contact our Reservations Manager at: reservations@chabilmarvillas.com. Or perhaps you would like to call toll free from the US or Canada: 1-866-417-2377.

Luxury Latin America magazine recently published a stunning video of the beautiful Placencia in southern Belize. Long overlooked by the throngs of tourists who annually descend on Belize City and Ambergris Caye, Placencia is a tranquil oasis of sand and sun located on the Caribbean coast.

One of the finest resorts in Placencia is Chabil Mar. A boutique resort with deep roots in Belize, Chabil Mar is at once classic and contemporary in design. Designed as a jewel of a beachfront resort, Chabil Mar has a lush tropical garden of flowers from all regions of the country in order to create a relaxing environment for its guests.

The resort has 22 luxury villas, each handsomely decorated with local art and fine furnishings as well as a full range of modern comforts, including high-speed wireless internet. Chabil Mar also has a fully stocked bar, freshwater infinity swimming pool, and a gourmet restaurant beloved by guests and locals alike. Diners can choose to enjoy their meal at the restaurant, in their rooms, or on the resort’s lovely seafront pier.

In the Mayan tongue, Chabil Mar means “Beautiful Sea,” an apt description for this guest exclusive resort on the Placencia Peninsula. Guests arriving by air at the nearby Placencia airport are warmly greeted in person by resort staff with a bottle of chilled water and a cooling towel. Guests then enjoy a short, five-minute drive to the resort where they will be served with a glass of homemade lemonade and a snack of chocolate made in Belize before being personally escorted to their private villa.

Chabil Mar is conveniently located just steps from Placencia Village at the southern end of the 16-mile-long peninsula, a small community where guests can enjoy shopping, restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife. Guests of the resort also enjoy the complimentary use of bicycles, stand-up paddle boards, and kayaks for use in exploring the area.

For 12 consecutive years, Chabil Mar has been the recipient of several hospitality awards, including the Best Hotel in Belize, a Top Hotel in Central America, and a top location for Service, Family Vacations, and Romance by members of TripAdvisor. Chabil Mar was also chosen as Fodor’s top pick for “Choice for Luxury in Southern Belize.”

The resort elegantly blends both the modern and traditional in its uniquely Belizean beauty design with an intimate and inviting atmosphere ideal for weary travelers after a fun-filled day exploring all of the amazing sights and sounds in the country.

Visit our website chabilmarvillas.com for more information on Chabil Mar and Belize, 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 your Belize vacation.