September is for Celebrating in Belize!

This past week I took my first drive in the truck to Belmopan, the capital city. The journey takes roughly 2 1/2 hours with the scenery turning to jungle  through the beautiful Maya Mountains. With it being the rainy season, it was so incredibly green and lush. My trip was a quick one, stopping in to see my Belizean lawyer and helping a friend check on his car.
On the return trip we stopped at Over the Top bar/restaurant for a cold beer.  It was a lovely spot to view the greenery and there were no bugs, which surprised me.  I will keep it in mind in the future when I need a pit stop!

My new friend, guide and favourite bar tender, navigated me safely there and back, knowing every turn, speed bump and one lane bridge. He laughed at me cause I slowed down so much going over the bridges. But, they are narrow. I really don't know how the buses fly through them. We made it back to Placencia just in time for him to catch the 6pm boat back to Independence, on the other side of the lagoon. It was a great day and I am grateful I had company who knew the city.

September 10th is a National Holiday in Belize. It commemorates the Battle of St. George's Caye that took place in 1798, between the invading Spanish navy, and a collective force consisting of British settlers (The Bayman), pirates and liberated slaves. Spain never did invade Belize and it is celebrated here. Lots of flags. parades, and patriotism. I happened to see the kids  parade on Monday. The kids were not in uniforms but in red white and blue for their national colours. I caught a picture of the kids and the sign of my new spot, the Pickled Parrot. 

 

September is party month in Belize as September 21st is their Independence Day. Belize got it's independence in 1981. It is celebrated with Carnival celebrations all over the country but the best activities are apparently in Belize City....and more parades.


Here are some of the latest blooms in my garden.