Holy Moly December is here! Things Going On…

Morning all! I feel like I haven’t written a blog post in months…and I don’t like this feeling at all. But we’ve been so busy…busy with visitors at the new camp and Thanksgiving for 14 or 15, SO busy with driving back and forth, up and down this island – so much of my time is now golf carting on a really really bad road.

Both carts in the shop at the same time!

Putting golf carts made for puttering over carefully groomed, perfectly flat lawns to the TEST. Mud, salt water, roots, coral hunks, rocks and holes and the golf carts – for the most part – are flailing and failing miserably.

Muddy roads
Water in road has been replaced with thick mud and rocks, this photo at about 9 miles north

Apparently, there are things like bearings and shafts and leaf springs and all sorts of breakable items that aren’t made for this type of sandy, salty, sludgy action.

Jeff is dreaming and plotting for a more serious vehicle. One more suited to the drive. But as you may guess – there is no small pick-up truck dealer or Polaris showroom in Belize. And then the plan if/when we have said vehicle – can it be repaired on island, are there parts, can we get a permit?

While I’m driving a few hours a day up and down the island, here are some things I’ve been thinking about and doing over this last week or so..

Our Christmas Tree is up

We got a new tree from Castillo’s Hardware, upgrading from our 5-footer to a 7-footer for Rocky Point Permit Camp. I think she looks good – not fancy but just…homey.

Some of the Christmas trees at the hardware store
Some of the trees at Castillo’s Hardware

Some of my favorite ornaments are the 2004 Metal Bicycle Licenses from Belize City I found on a sale table in the city a few years ago.

Bicycle Licenses
The licenses (pic from 2018)

If anyone sees these around in Belize, I wouldn’t mind getting a few more! (There is one on Ebay but $35US is crazy. I think I got 4 for $20bzd in 2017)

Thanksgiving Has Come and Gone

The Thanksgiving Menu at Rocky Point
The Thanksgiving Menu at Rocky Point

The food was great – and it was a GORGEOUS day and sunset. Our brand new GIANT aluminum Belizean Mennonite pot has already been used twice. One for cooking the turkey legs…and then Albert, our chef, uses it to make rice and beans on the grill!

Many Belizean households have one of these pots for rice and beans and for tamales.

Giant Rice and Beans pot
Sunset at Robles Point
Sunset looking down towards Robles Point

The Town Tree Going Up a Bit Later than Usual in Central Park, San Pedro

But it’s looking great. I was passing yesterday JUST as the star was going on top.

The Tree going up in Central Park

The official lighting party should be December 8 at about 6pm (though it hasn’t been officially announced)

We will get in the groove of things…figure out how NOT to run back and forth to town each day…and get things moving more smoothly. 2025 goals. We are almost there!

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14 Comments

  1. Cynthia Ramirez on December 3rd, 2024 at 11:20 am

    Oh yes the road!
    Rebecca, please let me know when you figure out how NOT to run to town everyday for food, supplies and fixes…the fun of running a small guest resort🤪
    Your new place looks amazing! We saw it during the build and thought it looked great then, but your finishing touches makes it perfect- good luck to you both.



    • San Pedro Scoop on December 4th, 2024 at 8:21 am

      The running to town everyday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m glad we are not alone. It’s not just groceries…it’s the bank or the SS office or a meeting or…oof. You get it 🙂



  2. Lisa on December 3rd, 2024 at 12:05 pm

    Love your tree!!!



  3. Robert Heldrich on December 3rd, 2024 at 12:28 pm

    Good afternoon.
    Looks like they put some fill in the road.
    Once it dries it should flatten out. We will be back in early March.
    Hope to get up to RPPC.



    • San Pedro Scoop on December 4th, 2024 at 8:20 am

      They put very sludgy, VERY rocky fill in and then the big trucks just keep going over it…and it’s never flattened out. It just dries (very slowly) in a rocky, hilly mess. Driving is at about one mph. It’s rough!



  4. Mike McKee on December 3rd, 2024 at 8:14 pm

    Love your blog and love Belize. Vacationed there twice and we’re hooked. Pure Paradise. Desperately want to find a niche there. I’d like to relocate. My wife isn’t onboard yet. But she is open to a vacation home/investment home. It’s a start. Thanks for your blog. Brings great memories and future aspirations.



    • David Martin on December 3rd, 2024 at 11:16 pm

      The Central Park tree lighting ceremony might be festive. But of course – you’ll never see that, eh? Sleepyhead… 🥱



      • San Pedro Scoop on December 4th, 2024 at 8:17 am

        I went last year…and was standing out there…15 mins…30 mins…45 mins…and I bailed! I’m not a sleepyhead…I’m an IMPATIENT sleepyhead.



    • San Pedro Scoop on December 4th, 2024 at 8:19 am

      That’s definitely an opening! Thanks so much for the kind words.



  5. Maria on December 3rd, 2024 at 9:22 pm

    We’ll be there next week for our first visit. Can’t wait!



    • San Pedro Scoop on December 4th, 2024 at 8:18 am

      The town will be all lit up for Xmas 🙂 Hope you have a great trip.



  6. Cynthia McLean on December 4th, 2024 at 7:24 am

    I am curious what your research on Polaris maintenance turns up. It would probably be a good gig for a qualified mechanic on the island.



    • San Pedro Scoop on December 4th, 2024 at 8:16 am

      There must be folks that do it…there are more and more of them on the island these days. 50? More? SO many questions…buy one used and get the mennonites in Shipyard BZ to make a stainless steel body for it…treat it before shipping down…we shall see!



  7. yearlymagazine on December 27th, 2024 at 11:12 am

    Your blog has quickly become one of my favorites. Your writing is both insightful and thought-provoking, and I always come away from your posts feeling inspired. Keep up the phenomenal work!