Month: December 2019

“FLIGHT,” is a short film made by Jamaicans that continues to wow audiences as it tours the international film festival circuit, including the esteemed “Belize Film Festival” which has been receiving and judging films since 2005. It was at the Belize Film Festival that FLIGHT took home “Best Short Film.”

Kia Moses, co-director of the film, expressed how surreal it was to her to have made such a prestigious film. Her wish was to produce a film that would reach people all over the planet. Despite the praise of critics, Moses is also humble enough to admit her doubts that her film had anything special to it. This attitude changed after receiving accolades from the “Black Women Film Network.” Between receiving commendation from that organization and then Guadeloupe’s Nouveaux Regards Film Festival, bolstered her faith that she had created something special.

FLIGHT is a story about a young Jamaican boy who longs to travel across the stars and explore the cosmos, if only to become closer to the mother he lost. The boy’s father, still quite active in his life, repeatedly shoots down the boy’s optimistic dreams until he discovers the reason why his young son aspires to join a space program. Wishing to help his son achieve his dreams, the father not only supports his son with all of his heart but is even brought on as the co-pilot of the boy’s imaginary space shuttle.

While each film festival has its own stipulations for submission and excellence, Moses believes that the human element of her story is what has continued to grab the hearts and minds of audiences. Moses opines that the natural development of the characters, the realistic, at-home depiction of Jamaica and the dynamics between father and son are the major draws.

When asked about other film-makers, Moses believes that it is never too late to begin a career as a director. Despite the imminence of her 35th birthday, Moses has no formal film training, only some familiarity with advertising. She advises anyone with dreams of filming to not overthink themselves or their decisions, just run and see how things turns out; fight any perfectionist tendencies, allow the picture to flow naturally and you will be amazed at what you have when you step back and see the final product.

Chabil Mar Villas wishes to congratulate Kis Moses and Adrian McDonald and wishes the duo continued success.

She’s beautiful. She’s charming. And she’s Belizean! Imagine the excitement this nation felt on November 26, 2019, when Jalyssa Arthurs was crowned Miss Central America.

Beauty pageants come and go, but that doesn’t diminish the excitement an entire nation feels when a crown is placed on the head of “one of their own.” That dream came true for Belize when the 5th edition of the Miss Central America pageant was held at the Јоѕé Dе Lа Сruz Меnа Тhеаtеr іn thе сіtу оf Lеón, Nісаrаguа.

Belizean beauty ambassador Jalyssa Arthurs may only be 19, but she exhibited the poise and elegance necessary to take the crown over all other contestants on that warm September evening. Jalyssa was so thrilled to win, she could hardly believe it had happened. “Тhіѕ іѕ thе fіrѕt tіmе thаt Веlіzе hаѕ wоn thіѕ раgеаnt!” she exclaimed.

“І lеаrnеd а lоt,” she told reporters eager to interview her after her win. “Representing mу bеаutіful јеwеl Веlіzе was the thrill of a lifetime,” despite the fact that she experienced what many travelers do when visiting foreign lands. “Belize is thе оnlу Еnglіѕh-ѕреаkіng соuntrу іn Сеntrаl Аmеrіса, so there was a lаnguаgе bаrrіеr. But not only was I able to соmmunісаtе wіth fellow contestants, I еvеn lеаrnеd some Ѕраnіѕh!”

What will Jalyssa do now that she has achieved this honor? No mystery. “І hоре tо rерrеѕеnt nоt оnlу Веlіzе but аll оf Сеntrаl Аmеrіса іn thе mоѕt impactful way I can. І wіll dеfіnіtеlу uѕе thіѕ рlаtfоrm tо hеlр іmрrоvе Belize’s role on the world stage and I intend to be an ambassador for Сеntrаl Аmеrіса, too.”

Having represented Belize in the 2018 Miss World Pageant without a win, Jalyssa offers this advice to women eager to achieve success: “Don’t give up if you don’t win the first time!”

Chabil Mar Resort is proud to congratulate this bright, talented young woman. Resort management and staff can’t wait to see what Jalyssa accomplishes for herself and her homeland in the years ahead.

Are you an intrepid traveler or would you like to step out of your comfort zone? Visit Belize in 2020 and before you leave, you could call yourself intrepid!

What’s on your 2020 resolution list? Lose some pounds? Stop spending so much time at the office? Perhaps your resolution is to travel more. Would you like to put a healthy twist on that plan? We suggest going somewhere you’ve never been because when you travel somewhere new, you gain all sorts of mental health benefits.

Psychologist Todd B. Kashdan talks about people’s propensity for going back to the same place year after year out of habit, but it’s only by going somewhere new that you gain “enhanced emotional agility.” Must you spend a bundle and travel around the globe to develop this healthy attitude?

Not when Belize is a few hours away by plane, yet visitors step into an entirely new world the moment they arrive. Today’s hottest Belize destination is Placencia, so it’s an ideal haven for newbies and frequent visitors alike.

What you can expect from your Placencia vacation?

More than you imagine. The Placencia peninsula is just 18-miles long and surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and a tranquil lagoon. Beaches are pristine, several quaint villages are within walking distance of resorts and exploration is as easy as getting your hands on a bike, kayak or travel by foot.

Where to stay? At one of Placencia’s top-rated resorts: Chabil Mar Villas (https://chabilmarvillas.com/). As the closest full-service resort to Placencia Village, guests have access to any number of resources; beach bars, shops, and restaurants plus close proximity to jungle, cultural and historic sites, all of which can be booked through the Chabil Mar concierge. Of course, you’ll return to your lush accommodation and the resort’s 400 feet of private beachfront after each foray.

Placencia is the ideal destination for everyone

Dr. Kashdan’s study into adults and kids visiting new places reveals a secret that may surprise you: It’s human nature to suspend judgments about people of other cultures when traveling to other nations. Bring your youngsters to Placencia and introduce them to Belizeans with deep Maya, Mestizo, Creole, Garifuna, East Indian, Mennonite, Arab, Chinese and European roots. Placencia’s cultural scene is vibrant and exciting.

Stay at Chabil Mar to enjoy the best of both worlds—a fact not lost on honeymooners who flock to Placencia to unwind and relax. After all, Chabil Mar is a self-contained, award-winning paradise that’s not only home to a highly-rated gourmet restaurant but gorgeous suites that are hard to leave because they’re so beautifully appointed.

By the way, it’s been proven that people engaged in international travel to new places find that they think more creatively at the end of a visit to a foreign land. That’s a bonus you may not have been expecting, especially once you realize that since everyone speaks English in Belize, you don’t have to bother with language apps, either!

Visit our website chabilmarvillas.com for more information about 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 a Belize vacation.

Olympic gymnast Simone Biles recently vacationed on Ambergris Caye in Belize, where she was presented with several honors.

Biles, one of the most decorated gymnasts in the world with more than 25 championship medals, is of Belizean heritage and retains Belizean citizenship. She was taking a break from her rigorous training routine before representing the U.S. at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Belize in Love

Biles was vacationing with her boyfriend, NXT wrestler Stacy Ervin, Jr., and the two sent a series of romantic photos while strolling the stunning beaches of Belize. Fans swooned over one picture of the happy couple that Ervin posted with the caption, “I Belize in a thing called love.”

As we all know, it’s easy to fall in love when you’re in Belize. Ervin and Biles soaked up the sunshine and spent a few days in tropical bliss before heading back to their training schedules in the U.S.