Category: Belize Resort and Vacation Blog

“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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS4WFp-cb94

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.

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.

Is there a difference between award-winning Belize resorts and those who don’t make the cut? The question is easily answered when guests arrive at Placencia’s Chabil Mar.

What does it take for a Belize resort to beat out the competition on the popular TripAdvisor website? The resort must be unique. Gorgeous. Upscale. And it helps that guests rave about their personal experiences, sharing details that are so descriptive, readers hungry for vacations are compelled to see the property for themselves.

Word is spreading fast that Chabil Mar, a full-service resort on the Placencia peninsula, is the recent recipient of TripSavvy’s “Best Overall Resort” designation. Located near charming Placencia Village, Chabil Mar is known for being meticulous about the tiniest detail. From the moment guests arrive to be handed a cocktail and greeted by fresh flowers, they’re on tropics time.

A haven far away from the real world

Today’s hectic pace can turn even the most tranquil individual into a bundle of nerves and caring staff at Chabil Mar Villas understand that. You’ll be escorted to your lush lodging where every room faces the sea and marvel at the size of your accommodation. Suites run between 950- and 2000-square feet; some have personal verandas. For larger parties, digs with lofts and two bathrooms are available.

Not every frequent visitor to Chabil Mar is interested in taking advantage of the resort’s exciting tour menu because they’re in Belize to chill and decompress, but exploration of the 18-mile stretch of the peninsula-—on either the Caribbean or the lagoon side—-is one of the more popular ways to get to know more about the area.

Ride a bike around the peninsula or spread your aquatic wings by borrowing a resort kayak or paddleboard when you’re not enjoying either of Chabil Mar’s infinity pools. Of course, you can take tours–but there’s a way to do just that and save money, too!

The very best deals of all

What’s the best way to get your money’s worth at this newly-recognized “Best Overall Resort” in Belize? By selecting one of the vacation packages designed to cater to every traveler under the sun. Browse the menu and see so many options, deciding could be tough.

What is the ultimate advantage to opting for a package? Everything is included–your suite and gourmet meals at Chef Daniel’s Café Mar, in-country transport, taxes and service charges plus select tours all appear on one bill. If you don’t want to open your wallet again during your stay, you don’t have to!

Large enough to get lost on the grounds but small enough to feel like heaven, Chabil Mar delivers on service, beauty and value, but if you’re still on the fence about booking your vacation in paradise, this virtual tour could make the decision for you.

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.

The “Battle of the Drums” has been an annual event within Belize since it began in 2006. This cultural highlight has groups competing to best represent five different categories of Garifuna-style drumming; a form of performance that mixes the musical flow of the Caribbean with traditional African instruments.

History

The first Battle of the Drums occurred in Punta Gorda Town on November 17, 2006 and was well-regarded by Belizeans and visitors. 2007’s Battle drew an even larger audience and “drummed up” even more interest. Since 2008, the event has changed to an international competition for drummers, featuring troupes from Belize, Guatemala and Honduras.

Cultural Enrichment

As one might expect, the Battle’s lengthy presence has made it a major attraction within Punta Gorda, attracting interested parties with money to move the economy. The event occurs on whichever Saturday comes before the national holiday of Garifuna Settlement Day (November 19th). 2018’s winner was Ecumenical Junior College, hailing from Dangriga.

All of the money directly spent on the Battle, such as the $20 ticket price, goes toward funding Garifuna cultural projects within Punta Gorda and other Garifuna communities. These projects include summer camps for children age 5-13, programs to teach the Garifuna language and drums in primary schools, a Garifuna translation contest and so on.

On Garifuna Music and Drumming

The music of the Garifuna people is incredibly energetic and the drums used in such performances are made of hardwood and shrouded in animal hides. Drumming has been a part of the Garifuna identity since before they arrived in Belize and continues to be taught to this day.

For those visitors who still want to rock out and jam on after the Battle concludes, the Belize Garifuna Musical Festival is scheduled to begins bright and early on the day after the Battle. Because Garifuna music covers more than just drums, anyone visiting this follow-up festival will have a chance to experience genres like gunjei, hungu hungu, paranda, punta and even the punta rock subgenre.

If you happen to be a music lover or are otherwise planning to visit Belize when the Battle is going on, you will need a place to stay and recover from being so amped up with energy from the performances. To this end, we suggest Chabil Mar, a top-tier resort located within Placencia Village and which is very close to Punta Gorda.

For more 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.