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TPEPP ~ A Beacon of Hope

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A Beacon of Hope for the world is being lit in the Toledo District of Belize, CA.

The pristine Rain Forest in the foothills of the Mayan Mountains of Belize has been the home of the Ke'kchi and Mopan Mayan for hundreds of years. Visit Toledo District with me from a base in Punta Gorda, stay in a Mayan or Garifuna village and experience their way of life. See the surrounding country side and experience caving, canopy walking and canoeing. See Mayan ruins a thousand years old. And while you are at it support the local arts and craft makers and eat local cuisine.

I am now raising funds to get this project off the ground. You can help by buying books and telling your friends to buy books.

Go to Books by Ralpapajan

Check out Belize on this Table of Contents</b>

  1. Check out my Blog...
  2. My Life's Work
  3. The Toledo Ecotourism Association
  4. Have a look at Belize here!
  5. Corozal, Belize, Central America
  6. Ambergris Caye, Belize, Central America.
  7. Now for something a little different ~ The Flora of Belize
  8. Caye Caulker
  9. Placencia
  10. Cayo District ~ an incredible experience
  11. Ralpapajan's Guestbook ~ Please tell me what you think.
  12. Love This Lens?

Check out my Blog...

... I am reaching for the stars!

It was a few years ago now that I decided that the world was not running as well as it could be. In South Africa I helped start an initiative in Merewent in the Durban South Local Basin. We investigated the production of growing vegetables for self- consumption in a home for "other-abled" people, many of whom were destined to live out their lives in wheel chairs. We proved that vermiculture provides a simple and effective method of composting. We showed that we could really help people to become more enthusiastic by enabling them to work their own gardens.

I came overseas to raise the funds for this project. I didn't make it. However, simply by having that intention the people I left behind, all from the poorer strata of society have grown to become far greater human beings.

I also discovered that the elite group of people who control the major money in the world aren't really interested in helping anyone other than as a means to increasing their own share of the consumer related industries. The ideas we discovered would work to make people independent of oil producers, fertilizer producers and drug companies are the very ones that they are most frightened of, for they are seen as a threat to their very existence. Accordingly I decided to "go it alone." This is my attempt at doing this.
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My Life's Work

Changing the Consciousness of a People

"I doubt if there is any living person who has not asked him/herself, 'What is the purpose of my life?' Unfortunately most of us come to the frustrating realisation that we are likely to end our days without having achieved anything by which to enjoy real self satisfaction or by which to be remembered. [Eddy Norris - Rhodesian Air Force (Ret'd)]

I am reaching the age at which I, too, have been thinking along these lines.

What I have discovered is a cause, a raison d'etre. The uplifting of an entire people; changing their consciousness to enable them to realise their full potential and take their rightful place in the social structure of their homeland.

Hi. My name is Rob Thurman ~ Have a look here to find out more.

"Rob "Ralpapajan" Thurman



Through this lens I am firing the first salvo of my battle to win the hearts and minds of others all over the world who can join in to assist me by getting involved with me in this enterprise. At the same time they will be able to enjoy incredible holidays, not only in Belize, but in many other places all over the world.

Read on, and have a look at this - Nature's best kept secret.

The Toledo Ecotourism Association

Beacon of Hope

The indigenous people of Toledo, indeed the whole of Belize, are the Mayans. Whilst Europe was still a primitive civilisation the Mayan had their own calendar, the wheel, astronomy and astrology. They used tooth brushes, grew self-sustaining organic vegetable, and utilised the worm to cleanse human waste.

Their medicine, extracted from the Rain Forest meant that their health was second to none. They built huge pyramids that are still there to this day. They gave the west the dahlia, the potato, cacao (from which chocolate is made) and plantains and bananas. Their gold was 24 ct red gold and was to them merely a means of ornamentation.

From 1492 European conquerors moved in. Slaves from Africa and the Black Caribs (now called Garifuna) brought their own mixture of cultures. east Indians were imported as indentured labourers as were Lebanese and Chinese people. Each added their own unique blend to the cultural mix.

"Have a look here to see a modern Ke'kchi Mayan Village.

Laguna Village, Toledo, Belize



Lately, it has been the turn of the Americans and Canadians. The first Americans to arrive were confederate supporters following the American Civil War. British and American Pirates used Belize , not only as a refuge but as a source of timber for their ship repairs. Belizean mahogany was a prized acquisition for their ship's masts.

Generally, the wealth of Belize is concentrated on the hands of the few but times are changing and the local people are now expanding their consciousness. Like mined people all over the world are now helping them, not by giving aid, but by putting together a plan that takes away the "charity," replacing it with an earned income and providing them with a market for their wares. This is what this site or Lens is all about. To give everyone a means of making money, providing travel at reasonable cost, whilst at the same time uplifting a temporarily poor people who have a glorious past and are capable of an even more glorious future.

And we are not only aimed at the Mayans of Toledo District. All the other people who live there are included, the Garifuna People, East India descendants, Creole, Mestizo, descendants of Europeans including those who arrived via North America and Canada, all should benefit from what we are doing.

With the help of the Universe we will provide a Beacon of Hope to the world and all its peoples.

We are setting up a system whereby anyone in the world will be able to earn holidays in Belize and also receive a goody pack every couple of months. This will also enable everyone to see how there help is helping others and give that "warm feeling within" that comes from altruistic endeavour. There will be more about this later on. In the meantime we are concentrating on getting the infrastructure sorted.

Have a look at Belize here!

Explore Belize and see the country through the eyes of its people!

After using this lens to explore this corner of the Caribbean then you will probably see what I saw when I visited there.

This little country could be a Paradise for all its people and a Beacon of Hope for the rest of the world.

Firstly visit then become a Friend of Ko'ox Tun by clicking on the link below!
Visit the Friends of Ko'ox Tun by clicking here. Register as a Friend. It costs nothing!

The Marketing Plan is coming along. It takes work. The Purpose of the Friends of Ko'ox Tun Ning Site is to recruit like minded people who wish to share in this endeavor and to eventually visit Belize enjoying a holiday whilst staying with the local people in the Toledo District. Once this Marketing Plan is working at its best we will be developing a system that will enable the Friends to visit the country at a greatly reduced cost.

Corozal, Belize, Central America

The rest of Belize is just as beautiful.

You cross from Mexico in the north at the Border town of Chetumal. Corozal is on the Bay of Corozal and is a town of great beauty. When you stand overlooking the Bay you can see a Mayan Trading Post well over 1000 years old. From here trading boats left for South and North America. This was the gateway to the Mayan world on the Continent of Anahuac, the true name of the Americas. Today you can travel by sea south to Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker or north to Mexico.

I was lucky ~ I managed to get a booking at the Hotel Maya, run by the lovely Rosita and her very professional staff. Have a look at the hotel via the link below.

Hotel Maya Your No 1 stop on La Ruta Maya

Ambergris Caye, Belize, Central America.

Largest Caye and from here the Barrier Reef is on your doorstop.

Portal to Ambergris CayeThe Caye or Island of Ambergris Caye is the largest island in Belize. There are few motor vehicles and the usual mode of transport is the Golf Cart. From here there is a wealth of Diving and Fishing expeditions to see. Fine hotels and Restaurants make a visit to Ambergris a holiday to remember!<./b>

Do you want to find out more? Click on the Photograph to go to the Caye's biggest and best Web Site.

Now for something a little different ~ The Flora of Belize

Through my camera lens - shows the beauty but is not scientific!

One of the many things that impressed me about Belize was the beauty of its flowers and trees. I am not an expert in this subject but I do appreciate the beauty of nature. So everywhere I went I took photographs of flowers , shrubs and trees so I have put them together in an album for your enjoyment (and to whet that old appetite.)

Have a look at an amateur's efforts! This Picasa Album contains many photographs taken during bith my visits to Belize when I visited every District in the country. I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I enjoyed the taking.

The Flora of Belize - an Amateur's View



I have always been an avid Orchid fancier and Belize has the most amazing diversity of these beautiful flowers. Unfortunately, forest areas are being chopped down and razed so many plants are being lost. A group of people, including Kate and Ian Morton of Hickatee Cottages - for Adventure Vacations in Toledo, Southern Belize are helping to prevent that loss by recovering the endangered plants and re-planting them in their own jungle gardens. Have a look and see why YOU should be visiting Belize. The photograph shows some recovered Orchid Plants being collected.

Caye Caulker

This is beautiful. One of my favourite places.

It was at Caye Caulker, swimming in the warm waters of the Caribbean, experiencing the pure air and warm sun, that I finally got over a motor car accident some 7 years before. I visited Caye Caulker needing a stick to walk; and left without the stick! Not being able to swim well due to me leg I relied on a dear friend, Karen, from Florida and the two Belizeans, Mark and Edward, who manned the boat, to look after me. I swam for 3 hours, snorkelling the off shore Cayes and Shark and Ray Alley, all the time accompanied by Karen, a licensed diver and with the boat hovering nearby. The photos show some of the underwater scenes I was able to photograph at the Split - formed in 1961 by Hurricane Hattie (making it a Halloween to remember) - where I was able to walk into the water and swim against the current.

A super experience! And the bar at The Split is also an experience of Belizean life. Have a Belikin - the local beer - relax in the sun or shade and life becomes brighter.

From Caye Caulker you can hire a Sailing Boat and with 14 others, plus the crew - you don't need sailing experience! - you can sail down to Placencia in Stann Creek District diving, snorkelling, fishing, camping on the beach or just lazing. Everything is provided within the all in price. (US$250 in May 2008) including local Rum and Coke. You camp for two nights on the cayes. The second has a bar if you like beer. This is what life should be.

Placencia

What can I say about Placencia?

It would form a book, really. Strangely, it is NOT my favourite part of Belize, but it is where I spent the most time. I was lucky, I booked in at the hotel that best catered for what I like in a hotel.

The Sea Spray owned by the Leslie Family since 1961. It is right on the beach and near to a supermarket, hairdressers and the Sidewalk - the famous longest narrowest street in the world. It is stones throw from everything in Placencia. It has a restaurant, called De Tatch - that serves first rate meals every day. I tried elsewhere in Placencia but almost invariably had my main meal at De Tatch. Their daily special - in May 2008 - cost as little as BZ$8 (US$4) and was enough for me for the day.

At the end of the Sidewalk lies the harbour where one can see sailing craft from all over the world anchored in a safe haven. There is a Coffee House, the Boson's Chair (no spelling mistake-Google Boson!)where the coffee is served, usually by Paul, a Canadian computer fundi, and is out of this world. Despite getting good coffee free at the Hotel I used to visit Paul every day to sample his Coffee. BZ$2 for the first cup and BZ$1 for the second and thereafter. (There is no washing up as you use the same cup, so the coffee is cheaper! Logic!) Put it into perspective - where can you get two big cups of first class coffee for US$ 1.50? /

Have a look at Placencia through the lens of my amateur's camera!

Cayo District ~ an incredible experience

This different from the coast.. Like cooler? Then this is the place for you!

Sign Post to the pastI spent quite a long time here and could quite easily settle here. So much to see and do and wonderful people.
Have a look here for I am going to let the photos speak for themselves. Simply click on the Photograph ----------------->>>

I stayed at the Trek Stop, and this reminded me so much of my Air Force days that I felt quite "homesick" for those days ~ now when I look at the photos I took I feel homesick for Belize.

Have a look here ~ my favourite hostelry in Cayo District

The Trek Stop

Ralpapajan's Guestbook ~ Please tell me what you think.

Whatever criticism you proffer helps me spread the word about the Toledo Peoples' Eco Park Plan

This is the beginning of a quantum shift in the well being and prosperity of all the People of Toledo and you can be a part of it. Join us and improve your own human condition and prosperity by so doing.

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Ralpapajan

When I first went to Belize three years ago I stayed at high class resorts and hotels and ate my meals in world class restaurants. I managed to get t... more »

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