OCEANA, a non-profit foundation dedicated to supporting ocean advocacy, has declared several citizens of Belize an “Ocean Hero” in recognition of their commitment to environmental conservation and helping to educate the public about the importance of protecting the waters of Belize. OCEANA’s 2017 Ocean Hero awards were given to Madison Edwards, age 11, and Luz Hunter, a lifelong tour guide and outspoken environmental advocate.

Despite her young age, Madison Edwards is an internationally-known marine conservationist, particularly focused on sea turtles and manatees, both endangered species now making a comeback in Belize. Speaking to the press, Edwards described an Ocean Hero as, “A person that is working to help marine life, not just sitting down and hoping for something good to happen. No matter your size or age, everyone can make a difference.”

Earlier this year, Edwards spent a week sailing the length of the Belize Barrier Reef to collect and remove discarded plastic bottles, fishing nets and lines, and other debris that can cause damage to marine wildlife. Edwards regularly blogs on the iTravelBelize website and is a native of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye.

Luz Hunter began her career as a guide on the reefs near Ambergris Caye in 1980. Working as a cook, guide and deckhand on chartered boats sailing the reefs of Belize, Hunter began pursuing an academic career in naturalist studies in 1986. She now teaches marine ecology to visiting American university students, is a certified tour guide trainer for the Belize Tourism Board, and spends her free time exploring new areas of the reef.

Speaking to the press, Hunter said, “I wish I could speak the language of the animals on the reef. I wish I knew what they were saying. But what’s important is that you make a connection with wildlife.”

OCEANA was founded in 2001 as a cooperative effort by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Oak Foundation, and the Marisla Foundation in order to achieve measurable change through advocacy and awareness by focusing solely on the importance of protecting oceans. Since 2001, OCEANA has helped protect more than one million square miles of ocean.

The staff and management of the Chabil Mar resort warmly congratulate Madison Edwards and Luz Hunter for being selected as this year’s Ocean Heroes. Chabil Mar is firmly committed to the protection and conservation of the world’s oceans, including the vital role played by Belize’s coral reefs. Chabil Mar offers guests the opportunity to visit the reef and enjoy activities such as snorkeling, sailing, and scuba diving.

Last week, the World Cup of Poktakok was held in Guatemala between teams from several Central American countries. After progressing through to the final round and facing stiff competition from teams from El Salvador and Mexico, the team from Belize prevailed as the 2017 World Champions of Poktatok.

Sometimes known as Pok-ta-Pok, Poktakok was the ancient Maya version of the classic Mesoamerican ballgame known as Tlachtli to the Aztecs. Although largely unknown to the outside world, Poktakok has recently undergone a revival in many Maya communities. Somewhat like a cross between volleyball and soccer, Poktakok involves two teams using their forearms and thighs to keep a large, five-pound rubber ball in play.

Throughout Central America, including in Belize, nearly every major pre-Columbian city featured a large ball court for playing Poktakok. It is believed that the Poktatok competitions were partly a sporting event and partly a religious ceremony, the outcome used as an omen to decipher the mood of the gods.

Team Belize featured members of the indigenous Maya community, including the village of Yo Creek. Following their victory, Team Belize held a victory parade in Orange Walk Town.

The staff and management of the Chabil Mar resort warmly congratulate Team Belize on their victory in the 2017 World Cup of Poktatok.

Happily ever after begins with a wedding or honeymoon in Belize. With a reputation for romance quickly growing among young trendsetters, the azure sea found here coupled with pristine sands, lush jungle and mystic Maya temples all serve to create a gloriously exotic celebration destination. And, the sultry tropical weather, affordable luxuries and warm hospitality of the Belizean people make this a perfect setting to host any type of wedding gala – from extravagant or intimate to exciting or tranquil.

Many people choose a Belize honeymoon because it offers the perfect combination of luxurious relaxation at a top resort with fun and exciting activities to enjoy before and after the wedding. And in Belize, romance seems to bloom thanks to unforgettable sunsets and sunrises, sugar sand white beaches, and romantic activities like enjoying candelit dinners underneath the stars.

Closer Than You Think!

The ultimate getaway romantic destination, Belize is just 2-5 hours’ flying time from major cities in the United States and Canada. There are non-stop flights from cities across North and Central America to Belize, including:

• American Airlines – Charlotte, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Los Angeles, Miami.
• Delta – Atlanta, Los Angeles.
• Southwest Airlines – Houston (HOU), Denver, and Ft. Lauderdale.
• United Airlines – Houston (IAH), Newark, and Chicago.
• Air Canada – Toronto.
• WestJet – Toronto and Calgary.
• Avianca – San Salvador (El Salvador).
• COPA Airlines – Panama City (Panama).
• Tropic Air – Cancún (Mexico), Merida, (Mexico), Roatan (Honduras), San Pedro Sules (Guatemala), and Flores (Guatemala).

Chabil Mar – The Perfect Belize Honeymoon Resort

If you’re looking for the perfect Belize honeymoon resort, look no further than Chabil Mar.

Chabil Mar blends a perfect amount of adventure, nature and relaxation in our Belize honeymoon and romantic getaways. We understand that everyone is different, and these itineraries offer couples the opportunity to pick and choose the level of adventure that they would like to include on their special trip.

There will be plenty of time to relax on the beach and around the pool, but a trip to Belize is not complete without an excursion or two to experience the jungle or the great Belize reef. Based on your desired level of adventure, we will make recommendations to ensure your activities are personalized.

Chabil Mar is an award-winning honeymoon resort located on the beautiful Placencia Peninsula, famous for its golden sand beaches and beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea. To find out more about Belize honeymoon vacations, contact Chabil Mar today.

On September 25, 2017, the world learned that two stone panels inscribed with ancient Maya hieroglyphs have been deciphered. The two stone panels were discovered at the Tipan Chen Uitz site in Belize and depict ancient Maya playing the ubiquitous ballgame sometimes known as ulama or simply as the “Maya ball game.”

Played in large courts with sloping walls and a large stone ring, the ancient ball game was considered both a sporting as well as a religious event by the Maya. Similar to modern racquetball, teams of 2-6 players would compete to keep a large rubber ball (up to 9 lbs/4kg) in play without using their hands.

Archeologists believe that the stone tablets unearthed at Tipan Chen Uitz date from around 700 AD during the heyday of the ancient Maya culture. The first tablet shows a ballplayer wearing a traditional protective belt, hitting a large, round ball. However, what makes this carving unusual is that the player is holding what appears to be a fan in his left hand.

As one of the largest carvings of a Maya ballplayer ever discovered, the engraving of the player measures about five feet wide and 28 inches high. A combination of aging and ancient vandalism has somewhat obscured the image, but archeologists have managed to decipher a nearby hieroglyph that states, “nine hand-span ball,” referring to the size of the enormous rubber ball used in the game. Next to that is the player’s name or nickname, “Waterscroll Ocelot.” The other panel depicts a second ballplayer, but, unfortunately, his name and face were scratched out by ancient vandals.

Mesoamerican ball game court in Monte Alban (CC BY 2.0)

Thousands of ball courts have been discovered throughout Central America, and it is clear that it was a popular event for the ancient Maya, Aztecs, and Olmec civilizations. While no one is quite sure what name the Maya gave for this game, or even exactly how it was played, all ancient Maya cities have one or more ball courts located in prominent positions next to temples and pyramids. A modern variant called ulama is still played by some indigenous communities in Mexico and Belize. It is believed that the ancient ballgame is the oldest known instance of an organized sport involving round balls.

Located in the beautiful Placencia Peninsula in southern Belize, Chabil Mar resort offers guests Belize jungle and sea packages that include tours to all of the top ancient Maya sites, including vast cities where visitors can learn about the ancient Maya culture and see things such as ball courts, engravings, carved monuments, palaces, pyramids, and hieroglyphs.