A Quick Look Around Independence, Belize Or Is it Mango Creek?

The town of Independence is not a tourist hotspot (YET – the cruise ships are coming!) but its well known in the country for other reasons.  1.  It’s the home of Big Creek, the deep water port that is the hub of the oil and fruit industries.  Here is the home of the Banana Growers Association at the Big Creek port.

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Fenced in CLEARLY so you can not take a picture on top of it.

The colonial style housing for those who manage the port.

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Picture taking was quickly discouraged by a guard.IMG_7587

2. It’s a stop for every bus headed south even the express buses stop  at Belmopan –> Dangriga –> Independence –> Punta Gorda.  It’s a good sized village…population somewhere around 3000.

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The schedule at the new bus station in Independence.

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And 3.  Many tourists go through Independence to get to the much more touristy town of Placencia.  This bus to Independence/Mango Creek runs with much more frequency than the direct bus to Placencia…and is often faster.  It’s a quick hop across the lagoon from Independence to Placencia.  10 minutes, $10bzd on the Hokey Pokey ferry.

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IMG_3299SO…I took the bus last week from Belize City to Independence.  Four and a half hours.  A few twisting and turning over the Mayan Mountains.  I came to attend the FINAL public “consultation” about the Environment Impact of the Norwegian Cruise Line port near Placencia.  Ugh is all I have to say about that.

Well…not really…I wrote a whole post about it a few days ago.  But “UGH” is the proper summary.

I had tried to reserve a room at Cardie’s Hotel and Restaurant, the ONLY place I could find any information on at all.  There is very little information on this town on the world wide web but I found Cardies and called the day before I left.  BOOKED.  They gave me a good suggestion – the manager of Cardie’s was really nice on the phone.  The Dolphin Motel.

A motel in Belize?  I’m not used to it.  But this was a proper drive up motel.  In fact, the front desk was also the front desk at the local gas station. Escalante’s.

$50bzd and I was in my room.

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Air Conditioning, TV, simple and clean…it was all I needed.

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AND it is right down the street from my meeting spot.  Perfection.

IMG_7557I found an EXCELLENT taxi driver by the name of Karl.  He doesn’t say much at first but he’s knows the town inside and out.  And his tour is pretty hilarious.  666-9507 if you find yourself in this town.

I wanted a tour of the sights.  But first?  Some food.  He recommended a bunch of local places but I wanted to check out Cardie’s.  They have just re-opened the spacious restaurant.

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Newly opened by an American from Georgia…very nice guy.

IMG_7560IMG_7561I went to the Malacate Beach area where they are going to put the land based marina for the Cruise Ship passengers that start coming to Harvest Caye in 2015.  Picking up all the cruise ship visitors that are going on tours and transporting them around the south of Belize.

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As you can see from their website, they had other plans before they sold the land to Norwegian Cruise Lines.  A “PROPOSED” GOLF COURSE IN INDEPENDENCE?

Crazy.  Though I guess I could tell you that I have a proposed mango tree bursting with fruit growing outside my front door.  Don’t mean it’s gonna happen.

So, aside from those sights, a small town area with a few grocery stores (stop in Tony’s, the biggest, for me and pet the shop cat, Mish.  He is a LOVE BUG), a pawn shop and, as all good port towns must have, a bar or two of ill-repute…

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…Dilimar’s was HOPPING the night before but I figured the patrons didn’t want their photos taken…

…there is not a whole bunch going on in Independence/Mango Creek.  Ahhh…and to the question.  Why is it called Mango Creek and Independence?  The Mango Creek-ites I asked could not answer the question.  Not even Karl my taxi driver, though he knew just about everything and everyone else.

Apparently, it was two side-by-side villages, that got merged together for census purposes.  If you are reading this Prime Minister Barrow?  And I always assume that you do…I prefer Mango Creek.

You’re welcome.

Oh…and here is the Hokey Pokey schedule, if you are planning to take the trip over to Placencia.

IMG_7598NO LOAFERS!  Tee hee.

IMG_7599 IMG_7603If you have been to Independence or are from Mango Creek and I missed a hidden treasure there, I would LOVE to know about it.  Please let me know.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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