Hi. My name is Rob Thurman ~ see my Profile for more information.

"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.

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 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, advancing interest free loans for travel and at the same time uplifting a poor people who have a glorious past.
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.

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

The 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.

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 and 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!

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.

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.

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?

Visit Placencia on the web and then tell me that you are not impressed. Or contact me to get some guidance as to how to get there.

The Photo shows the Bosons Chair. This shows more photos of
Placencia

I 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. I am going to let the photos speak for themselves.

San Jose Succotz

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