Sun, Beach and Rainforest=Perfect

So, I am back from my quick trip to Belize and getting back in the grind. There were so many great things about the Belize. The people were really nice and sweet. The food was amazing.  I love Caribbean and Spanish food so it was right up my alley. There were so many choices and restaurants were accommodating a with my vegetarianism.  Belize kind of reminds of you the Caribbean but kind of doesn't. The beaches are different not sandy white and sky blue( at least not walking on the beaches I saw). Now when you were in the boats farther out the water was blue and you could snorkel and see so much. However,  their vibe is extremely relaxed . As opposed to St.Kitts and Nevis  where every thing is extremely laid back and easy. I did not feel like things were on island time. I know it does not seem like a big thing but its noticeable. I mention St. Kitts because that is where my family is from( fathers side).  Its the island that I visit the most.


The highlight of my trip was when I went to the Mayan Ruins,  Cave Tubing and Zip lining. It was one of the best experiences I ever had. To see the Mayan Ruins was mind blowing that something so magnificent could be built like that so long ago. I was impressed how maintained the ruins were.

The Cave Tubing was spectacular. To see the bats and the indentation of animals that were in the cave. In addition, a hot water spring was in the cave as well. By far the best thing I did on the trip. I dont have any photos because no water proof camera. Next time I will be ready. I am searching for one now.

Zip lining is something I am a big fan of. I try to participate in this kind of activity if offered. This time it started raining at the 4th platform. I was a little nervous. However the guide said " Its a rain forest of course it is going to rain." I laughed so hard my stomach ached. It was grape size rain though and that is big to me. I think he thought I was a wimp and I am!

  The beach near the hotel I stayed

My golf carting around

 Mayan Ruin

 Me and My Mom

 Zip Line

 Walking up the stairs to Zip Line

 Belize flag

The police station kind small and looks like a cute house

Lastly, just rented a cart and toured the island. Saw resorts, houses, turtles, snakes, monkeys etc.

Smiles

Great food and little planes

Landed in Belize city and then had to take a 15 minute flight to San Pedro. The plane is super cute but not much room. I could barely hold my back pack. I also got to ride right next to the pilot. I think that is a sign that is trip is going to be amazing.

Checked into the hotel and we are starving. We ask a local guy for recommendations. He says several places. We settle on Belzian/Latin( yes I make up my own words) restaurant. The food is fantastic. They even had vegetarian things.

San Pedro is small and cute the people are all smiles. The food for the most part reminds of the Caribbean. There is alot of rice and peas, curry, jerk, fresh fish, lobster, Johnny cake, stew chicken and beef etc. I am in heaven. Except I am not eating meat right now. Sad face!!

The photos below are our meals. I had the veggies with beans and corn tortilla. My mother had fish stew which smelt so good the people at the next table asked her what she orders. They had fresh juice. You will see watermelon juice with star fruit! I love the islands !

Smiles

Fruits and veggies.

So it seems as if I have to pack my meals daily. I am trying to get used to the regular grocery visit.

So the photo below is my breakfast , lunch and snacks for the day. For dinner I had cabbage and collard greens. I love cabbage but for some reason it just does not taste the same without the salt pork, ham hock or bacon. I live in the south and ham hock in greens is a must! Some kind of meat.

Its like when people say a turkey burger is just as good as a beef burger. Eh no! Turkey burger is good but there is nothing like the good ok beef burger in my opinion. Back to my veggies my body felt really good and light. I hope I continue to feel this way. Wishful thinking :).

I also went to the gym today and had a great work out. I wonder if it is because I changed my eating habits? Well I will claim it because it just sounds good and gives me motivation.

Smiles

Bye bye friend. Hello fitness

Tomorrow I will change my diet for 28 days. I can't have bread, sugar, potatoes(white), meat, fish, shell fish, rice(white) and pasta. I am really going to miss my sweets. Those nice cupcakes, muffins and cookies. Yummy
I will see my friend again just in a month. Maybe I will appreciate the cupcake more. Savor it. Lol

Look at these shoes. They look like they make you fast. I have to do the shoes justice and run like and ostrich and not a turtle.

Smiles

Garden Route Game Lodge

So we went to the game lodge for 2 nights and 3 days. This was such a peaceful place. The food was excellent. I tried antelope, ostrich neck and curried pickle fish.  The was an endless supply of game meat. Plus the had the best cheddar biscuits. Even better the Re d Lobster. Everyone knows that Red Lobster has cornered the market on cheddar biscuits.

I love animals in the wild it makes you feel at peace to see animals in their natural habitat. Even sometimes I want to pet the lion like he is a big kitty cat. ha ha.

The chalets at the lodge were a good size and very cute. They felt like you were in the wild. While I know I was not roughing it it was nice to for me to trick myself even if for a couple of days. :)

 The lodge

 The walkway into the main building of the lodge

 Inside a chalet

 Outside of the chalet

Female lion

 Female lion a closer photo

 Rhino family

 Rhino family

 The menu at the restaurant

Me feeding the cute elephant

 Ostrich - These little animals run fast

Cape Buffalo- They seem to always have a mean scowl on their face

 

Giraffe- I always think of Fossil Rim a place her in Texas that you can feed the giraffe they stick their head in your car. It is so neat and their tongue are super heavy!

I saw the Big 5 while on the safari. The big 5 are lion, leopard, rhino, cape buffalo and elephant.The members of the Big Five were chosen for the difficulty in hunting them and the degree of danger involved, rather than their size. I had the opportunity to feed an elephant that was the highlight of my safari. He was so sweet and just sucked the food right out of my hand.

Smiles

Game lodge

Arrived at the Game lodge today and the ride was excellent. The tour guide was from Cape Town and stopped a little points on the drive. He explained the history of many provinces and gave a good amount of political commentary. I tried biltong which is similar to beef jerky. In my opinion not nearly as good. I am ok with a little chew on meat but this was ridiculous ! I had to chew way to long. The other thing I tried today was antelope. It was ok. I must try again to get a real feel for it. Lastly, I tried curried pickled fish. It was actually quite flavorful. I would not order it any time soon, but I will eat it again.

So I will leave this post with photos from the game reserve drive. This was amazing. I saw cheetah that just finished killing its prey. Animals and nature ... Spectacular !

I will also do a full post with photos from my camera when I get home.

These photos are from my iPhone. Sorry the photos aren't that good.

Smiles

I won and sweet potato fries

First thing first.... I won a ultimate pedicure. I am so excited. I love to have my feet done and right now, I can knock the winter off the toes and get them glammed up. I went to a holiday party with a friend and had a great time smiling and meeting new people. The back story on the pedicure is, that I actually won a hairstyle, cut and color. Well I have locs and I super particular about who does them and not into coloring my hair. Well at least not yet. When the raffle was happening, I whisper to my friend " We are not going to win and wouldn't be crazy if I won the haircut color and style because I cant keep that. Well right after I said that they call my name. My friend and I cracked up laughing. Luckily, a lady at the table had just won the ultimate pedicure. She looks at my face and asks if I want to trade. I said "of course."  So that is how I won the ultimate pedicure.

I do believe many stylist can style and maintain locs. However, I have gone to same stylist since I started my locs. She is the best I feel comfortable with her in my hair so I stick with her. :)

Now on to sweet potato fries. I went to lunch today and had a turkey melt. I had to pick between regular fries and sweet potato fries. I want to say I pick the sweet potato fries because they are healthy, but that is only about 35% of why I pick them. The main reason is because they are sweet and I love sweet things. Plus you add the sugar and cinnamon to the fries...Bliss!


Smiles

The first step

I have thought about blogging for a while. I supposed I was nervous or just did not know what to say. But, a new year is coming and "why not." I live in the south and I dislike snow. However, I love how snow looks. I mean who doesn't love the winter wonderland photos. I am always trying to travel when I can. I love fitness. Well if you call soccer fitness and me attempting to become a half marathoner. My eyes are always bigger then my stomach when I think about food. Boo on that .

Lastly, I will always have a spot in my stomach for creme brulee

Smiles