Spring of 2013: Old Pictures I Just Found of San Pedro

I moved to San Pedro in Spring of 2007 – I was going to try it out for a year and see if it was possible for me (33, unemployed, single) to live here.

I was worried that I hadn’t brought enough stuff ,that I wouldn’t be able to find a job and that I would run out of money before I did but…I didn’t think about massive changes on the island. I grew up in a well-established town in suburban New Jersey in a house built in the 1880s. A “village” where it was against the law to even tear down an existing home – where you were subject to a fine if you didn’t trim your lawn. BIG structural change wasn’t in my lexicon. And it should have been. I mean…did I think I found this quiet, perfect island and that no one else would discover it?

Things change FAST on Ambergris Caye. You can add this to my list: 16 Things No One Tells You When You Move to Belize – things will constantly be changing! MAN…have things shifted in the last 5…10…15 years. The bridge was built. The town center was cobblestones and then paved. Buildings went from 3 to 6 stories. The north road was formalized and partially paved. Hotels went from a handful of rooms to over 100. Streets that used to have dogs lounging on them in the sun are now busy highways. And that’s just in my time. I can’t even imagine the whiplash for those who grew up here. Or maybe that’s just part of their lives.

I’m just rambling…reminiscing. I found an old hard drive, located the missing cord, and found some older photos back to 2013. And I thought I’d share some with you in case you too are interested.

There are thousands…so I’m only looking at a few months at a time. But here’s Spring of 2013. I hadn’t met Jeff yet and I lived about a mile south of town at Royal Palms.

The beach at the old Banyan Bay and Grand Colony. Now it’s the Alaia property.

Now a few pictures around town. Jaguar’s Night Club (it was torn down last year)

The back football field was under construction…now the International Water Taxi terminal is there (you can see the cinder blocks below)

Let’s head north of the bridge. At this time in my life, living south of town, heading north was AN ADVENTURE. There was no real road – a path, really, that turned to mud in the rains. So going more than a mile or two north of the bridge, meant taking the water taxi or a private boat.

The water taxi was fantastic – filled with visitors, school kids and people headed to work. But when the road was finalized, many folks started driving and it became unsustainable as a private business. On my wish list: The GOB subsidizes a water taxi north to cut down on traffic on the island and enhance the visitor experience.

Rendezvous Winery and Thai Restaurant! This property is now for sale…

I had lunch at Rojo Lounge – and watched the butler service (Finn and Danny and Finn’s dog Shrimps) head out to meet guests coming in…

This was BEFORE I knew the co-owner and chef at Rojo – and I’ve now been living with him for 9+ years! (A look at Rojo in 2014)

And then 14 miles north by boat – just north of Tranquility Bay. This COOL house over water called Turtleman’s House – you used to be able to rent it for a night or a few nights and it was TRULY the middle of now where…

Enough tripping down memory lane…I’m going to head to town while the sun is shining! We’ve had a very grey and rainy start to the new year…

I want to check out the new water taxi terminal in town. I will definitely report back.