Another Sunday Board Meeting

It's Sunday, and it's a beautiful day here in Belize. The wind that has been blowing for the last week, has died down to almost nothing. Just enough to keep it a little cooler as it heats up during the day. There has been virtually no bugs during the entire time I've been here, just a few mosquitoes here and there.

Things are really starting to happen at the house. A large portion of the windows were installed Saturday and has made a big difference in the look and feel of our home. The windows and the stucco together, really seem to make the place change from a concrete shell to a home.















The bedroom, bathroom and patio doors will be installed on Monday and it won't be long until we can seal the place up. That's a big step because it will allow the installation of the cabinets and fixtures along with fans and other important items.

But, today is Sunday, a usual day of rest. Not for me. It is a tough, seven day a week, work schedule during my entire time here. I had to attend another board meeting, this time at the Don Quixote Resort, to discuss with the various attendees the trials and tribulations of building in Belize.

Tom and Terri, have a house across the street from us, are now in Belize full time and their house is completely finished, except for the extras. Mario and Karen have property in the Shores and Mario is currently the contractor for a house being built nearby. Dave and Dianna, of Winjama, have a home in town and are expanding their homestead with the addition of a guest house. And of course, our hosts at the Don Quixote, Tanya and Kayo.





We started off the meeting by immediately calling for a sushi and beer break. After all, you can't do good work on an empty stomach.






After the break, we broke into discussions of building in Belize, buying Mexican beer in Belize and the trouble getting good avocados and lettuce. After much discussion we have decided to secede from Belize and form the Republic of Consejo. Tom will design us a flag and we have already decided on a motto. "We don't give a shit". Then it was time for another beer and brauts break and to enjoy the pool.





Another tough day at the office. But I can't wait until tomorrow. I love this job!

The Windows Are Here !!!

It has been just over a month since I arrived in Belize. The main reasons to be here was to finalize the doors and cabinets, pick tile for all the rooms and to see our windows installed. The doors are almost complete, the bathroom cabinets are done and the base for the kitchen cabinets and the island will be done by next week (Belize time). The tile for the entire house is due to arrive by noon today, from Mexico. They will start the tile installation in the kitchen and living room first, so they can begin to install the kitchen cabinets, some time next week. But the painting will hopefully be done inside before any of the tile goes down, so we need to squeeze some time in for those guys. But if the tile needs to go in for other parts of the project to continue, the painting will have to wait. Things are really starting to move and it will be busy here for the next few weeks.

But, the best thing is that the container that had our windows came in last week. It cleared Customs Tuesday and the windows were delivered yesterday to the job site.







Along with the windows came our kitchen counters and sinks, electrical plugs and switches and pressure pump for the sprinkler system.






They had to cut off the vinyl wood frame attachments on the windows so they would fit properly in the window openings.






Once that is done, the windows will finally be installed and the final push to the completion has begun.

The Easter Sunday Sarteneja Sailing Regatta

It's Easter Sunday here in Belize and everything is closed, including the Chinese stores. Last year the police actually took some of the store owners to jail for not closing on Easter Sunday, so it's a big thing here. Most people were off all day for Good Friday, which is a holiday, then had Saturday, Easter Sunday and Monday, which is another holiday. A nice four day weekend for most people. My contractor gave the guys the option of an extra Saturday's pay or take the day off. About ten of the guys decided to work, knowing they still had two more days off after that.

I had planned, with a couple dozen other people, to take a boat over to Sarteneja to watch the Easter Sailing Regatta. So we loaded up at 9:30AM, at the Mayan Seaside dock, for the hour plus boat trip over to Sarteneja.




Casablanca Hotel and the Customs station with Bob and Martha's apt. right behind it.

Winds had kicked up a bit and the seas were a little choppy. We were in two pangas, with about 12 or 13 in each one. As we moved into the bay, the first 5 minutes gave us an idea of what to expect for the rest of the ride. Patches of not so bad water, then patches of bone shattering pounding, as we went into the wind and waves. It would have been just as bad if we did the 3 hour drive over the road to Sarteneja. It can pound you just as bad. Gordon and Illianna had the best plan. They flew their private airplane over. Eighteen minutes, no bumps, no spray, no problem. Some people have all the toys.

Our boat ride was the longest hour, with the waves, the spray. the pounding. I wasn't even able to take any pictures of the trip over except just as we arrived at Sarteneja. But what a beautiful village as you arrive from the sea with all the sail boats, ready for the regatta.





We docked at the pier, just before the start of the first race. Boom, the sound of the starting gun, and they were off. It was a beautiful day for the regatta.





People were lining the pier, watching as the boats raced to the first marker. For me, I headed down the pier and into town.





There was a local band from Corozal playing some great Bob Marley songs, just after the beginning of the pier.




Locals were showcasing their artwork and conservation groups highlighting kayaking and backpack tours. Vendors with rice and beans, even fresh coconut milk. Not too bad. I even got a frilly straw with my coconut.



But Capt. JIm said it's time to gather the sailors, cancel shore leave and head for home. We gathered on the boat, expecting to get the same ride as when we arrived, but were pleasantly surprised when the sea was fairly calm and the trip was made in less than 45 minutes and was quite enjoyable.




I bought some art work from the local vendor and the shirts off the Belikin distributors back.




I'm back at the Don Quixote Hotel, as I struggle through another day at the office. More decisions to be made. Isn't it time for another Belikin?

The House Gets a New Look

Today began the sprint to the finish. I extended my trip by one week, just so I could see the progress that was about to happen. The exterior stucco was applied today and after the holiday for Easter, things will really start to pick up (I hope. After all, this is Belize). It's hard to pick a color from a test strip that is one inch by two inches and apply that to the whole house. But we made the right decision going with a light mint green. It sets our house off from our neighbors, that have gone with a more colorful, southwest style.











The container with the windows should be in Belize by now. We just have to wait for the Easter slowdown to finish, then it's back to normal, what ever that is. Hopefully there's no problems with Customs and the windows will be delivered and installed while I'm here.

I went over to the house on Friday, while all the workers were gone on holiday. Using "Straightline", I was able to visualize different tile patterns on the floor, with chalk lines, and decide where to install diamond patterns or squares. Again, I am hoping that the tiles will be delivered and installed while I am here so I can make any changes if necessary. We are using 20 inch tiles for the kitchen and living room.





Each of the bedrooms and baths will have 12 inch tiles and the patio will have 18 inch tiles.






But before they can start laying tiles, the entire interior space needs to be painted. We will start with white, for now. That will allow us to make color choices once we are here and get the feel of the house and furnishings.

The pool tiles should also be arriving this week, so we will need to get the DiamondBrite from the pool store in San Pedro and have it shipped over so work can begin again on the pool.





It's going to be quite busy at the house over the next month or so. Sure wish I could be here the entire time, but I'm looking forward to seeing Mischelle and our Kids.

Another Friday Board Meeting

It's Good Friday and virtually everything is closed. And I'm stuck at a board meeting with a couple o'dozen other board members, wondering what's going on.







It seems that a few of our Board members are heading back to the northern hemisphere to finish getting their Belizian tans. I don't think that'll happen, but they can dream. Belikin Bob is outta here tomorrow, Debra and Neil just left. Wayne and Lorraine are out of here next week with promises (or threats) that they'll be here longer next year. We are starting to get a lot more full time residents. And a much younger crowd. Between Consejo Shores and the Mayan Seaside, we have a great variety of people and party habits. It's all fun in the sun. The members of the board have decided to do what every other large corpoation does. Put off the major decisions until later. Let us think about it for a while.





Finally, the board meeting is done and it's time for some serious partying. It's Belikin time!!!





Tomorrow is just another Slice of Paradise in Belize.