S P R I N G 2 0 1 3

Y E A R 6 , I S S U E 2
I N S I D E T H I S
I S S U E
Chocolate Festival
1
Nim Li Punit
2
Ashas Culture
Kitchen
3
Calendar of Events
4
Dreamlight Internet
Cafe
5
Road to the Border:
update
5
PG Town Map
6
Map of Front Street,
PG Chocolate
Festival Weekend
9
Toledo Tour Guides
List
9
Village Buses
Schedule
10
Transport Schedule
11
Southern Voices
Interview: Kamela
Palma
12
Wats Cookin?
13
Restaurant Guide
13
Golden Stream Spice
Farm
14
BTIA Toledo
Members List
16
Birding with Lee
Jones: Christmas
Bird Count
17
Arzu on Medicinal
Plants: Theobroma
Cacao
18
Toledo District Map
20
Belize Birds Record
Committee
17
Newspaper of the Toledo Chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association
Chocolate Festival of Belize Chocolate Festival of Belize Chocolate Festival of Belize
CacaoisnativetotheAmericasandthe
seeds,orbeans,areusedtomakeco
coaproductsand,ofcourse,chocolate.
CacaoisamajorexportcropinToledo
prizedforitsqualityanddistinctivefla
vourandBelizeproducessomenotable
chocolateproductsofitsown.
EveryCommonwealthDayholidayweek
endtheToledoDistrictofsouthernBelize
holdsafestivaltocelebratethismarvel
lousfood,andmanydevotedfollowers
returneachyeartofindoutwhatsnewin
theworldofchocolatemaking.Thiswill
betheseventhFestival,andthefirstinits
newguiseastheChocolateFestivalof
Belize.ThenamechangefromToledoCa
caoFestisareflectionofgrowingaware
nessoftheexceptionalqualityofBelizean
chocolateanddesignedtocaptureabig
gerinternationalaudience.Onceagain
thefestivalwillbeorganizedjointlyby
theToledoCacaoGrowersAssociation
andtheToledoChapteroftheBelize
TourismIndustryAssociation(BTIA)with
supportandsponsorshipfromtheBelize
TourismBoardandNICH.
TheFestivalkicksoffwithaglamorous
galaopeningnightsponsoredbyBelikin
whowillbeproducingtheiruniquechoco
latestoutfortheoccasion.TheWine,
ChocolateandBelikineventwillbeheld
thisyearatBelcampoLodgeandFarm,
severalmileswestofPGTown.Belcampo
iswellknownforitsbeautifulsettingand
upscaleaccommodation,andtheopening
nightwilltakeplaceintheplazaattheir
newpurposebuiltAgritourismfacilities.
Guestswillenjoylivemusic,andthelat
estchocolatecreationsfromtheBelizean
boutiquechocolatemakersKakawfrom
SanPedro,GossChocolatefromPlacen
cia,andCottonTreeChocolateandIxca
cao(formerlyCyrilasChocolate)from
Toledoitself.Withhorsdoeuvresfrom
Belcamposownfarmandkitchen,anar
rayoffinewinesandBelikinsspecially
brewedChocolateStoutthispromisesto
beapremiereventinthisexquisitejungle
setting.
OnSaturdaythefocusshiftstoPunta
GordaandTheTasteofToledostreetfair
thatwillbeheldalongFrontStreet.The
dayisexclusivelysponsoredbyBTLand
Digicellwhowillbepromotingtheir4G
internetservices.Thedayoffersyetmore
chocolateexperiencesfromourchoco
latiers,alongwithanarrayofboothsfea
turingchocolatethemedfoodandcrafts.
Toledoiswellknownforitsdiverserange
ofcultures,andculturalexhibitsshow
caseToledo'sfivelargestethnicgroups:
Kriol,Maya,Garifuna,MestizoandEast
Indian.Eachareadisplaysart,foodand
musicfromtheirculturewhereelsecan
youpassfromaMayavillagetoaGari
funatowninjustafewsteps?
WithaChocolateCookeryContest(sweet
andsavourycategories),anarchaeologi
caldisplaybyNICHandtheDepartment
ofArchaeology,localdancegroupper
formances,aBelikinbar,andlivemusicat
thestagebyPGshistoriccourthouse
theressomethingforeveryone,and
more!
Asalways,theFestivalcatersforchildren
withspecialFestivalevents:activitiesin
cludevolleyball,basketball,andsoccer
competitions,aswellasabicyclerace
aroundPGTown,finishingatthenorth
endofFrontStreet.
ToledoiswellknownforitsstrongMayan
culture,andLubaantunisafittingand
majesticsettingfortheMayathemed
FestivalFinale.TheSundayfinaletothe
festivalatLubaantunissponsoredbyUS
CapitalEnergy.
LocatedinthefoothillsoftheMaya
Mountains,Lubaantunflourishedinthe
LateClassicperiod(AD730toAD860),
butseemstohavebeenabandonedsoon
after.Lubaantunisfamedforitsmany
claywhistlesfoundatthesite,exemplary
stoneworkincludingitsroundedcor
nersand,ofcourse,forthelegendof
theCrystalSkull.Withitsrichsoilsand
highrainfalltheareawas,andistothis
day,perfectlysuitedtogrowingthehigh
qualityToledocacao,andmanyTCGA
membershavetheircacaofarmsinthis
area.
Comeandbrowsethelocalcraftstalls
andenjoylocalMayanfood,followedby
traditionalmusicanddanceinthePlaza
thisisagreatpicnicintheparkevent
withaMayatwist!Bringyourfriends,a
blankettositon,acameraandsparebat
teries,andenjoyatrueculturalextrava
ganza.
Formoreinformation,visitourwebsiteat
www.ChocolateFestivalofBelize.comand
likeourwww.Facebook.com/
belizechocolatefestivalpage.

The Creole section of the Saturday cultural fair in PG 2012

The Toledo Howler
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2

Nim Li Punit Archaeological Site
NimliPunitwasthesecondmajorsitetobe
settledinToledoDistrict.LikeUxbenka,it
wasfirstoccupiedduringtheEarlyClassicpe
riod.Atpresentwehavedatedtheearlyoc
cupationofNimliPunitonlyfromthestylistic
analysisofpottery.Thisdemonstratesthat
thefirstinhabitantssettledatthesitesome
timeintheearlyfifthcenturyA.D.,about400
yearsafterUxbenkawassettledandabout
150yearsbeforePusilhathelargestcityin
southernBelizebyfarwasfoundedabout
A.D.570.
LikeUxbenka,NimliPunitisasmallplace.It
isbettertothinkofitnotasacity,butasa
ruralmanorsitefoundedbyoneormoreelite
families.Fromitsfoundingca.AD400450,
however,NimliPunitdidserveasaregional
administrativecenter.Structure8,along
platformlocatedalongthewesternedgeof
thePlazaoftheTombs,wasbuiltaround
thistimeandservedasapopolnahorcouncil
house.Overthecourseof400years,the
buildingwasenlargedandrebuiltfourtimes,
butitalwayskeptthesameformandfunc
tion.Mayacouncilhousesarenotcommonin
BelizeorGuatemala,butaremuchmoretypi
calofsitesinYucatan.Theysuggestdecen
tralizedrule,wheredifferentlineages,fami
lies,orfactionsmadejointdecisionsundera
kingwithrelatively
weakauthority.
AfterPusilha,Nim
liPunithasmore
readablehiero
glyphicmonu
ments(8)thanany
othersiteinsouth
ernBelize.The
writtentextsof
NimliPunit,how
ever,werecarved
duringjusttwo
veryshorttimepe
riods:A.D.734741
andA.D.790830.
Thesetwobriefperiods
representthehighpoints
ofthesiteasaregionalpower.Thefirstof
thesetwoperiodsprobablycorrespondsto
thelifetimeofasingleruler.Whatismost
fascinatingisthatatthesametimethatthe
rulersofNimliPunitbegantoerectmonu
ments,greatpoliticalunrestwasseennottoo
farawayatQuirigua,Guatemala.Thatsite
declaredindependencefromCopan,Hondu
rasduringthisperiod,andbothNimliPunit
andQuiriguaemployedthesamestrangeti
tle,EkXukpiajaw,whichmightrefertoinde
pendencefromCopaninfluence.Aftera50
yearhiatus,claimsofpoliticalindependence
againappearedatNimliPunitduringthe
timeperiodofthefamousMayaCollapse.It
maybethatinthechaosofthedeclineofPu
silhaandUxbenka,othersitesincludingNim
liPunitandLubaantunwereabletoflourish.
ArchaeologistsfromtheUniversityofCalifor
nia,SanDiego,willcontinuetoworkatNimli
Punitduringthe2013dryseason.

The excavations at Nim li Punit in 2012

3

Ashas Culture Kitchen
TheHowlerrecentlyvisitedAshasCulture
KitcheninPuntaGorda.Thisseasideres
taurantislocatedonFrontStreetsouthof
themarketandspecializesinfreshCreole
seafood,vegetarianandBBQ.Theyare
alsooneofToledoBTIAsnewestmem
bers.
OwnerAshtonMartinopenedAshasCul
tureKitcheninJuly2011.Therestaurant
wasoriginallylocatedonMiddleMain
Streetbeforemovingtoitspresentseaside
location.AshasCultureKitchenisactually
builtoutoverthewatersothereisade
lightfulsenseofbeingsurroundedbythe
sea.Thisplacearguablyhasthebestviews
inPG,lookingoutacrosstheGulfofHon
durastowardsGuatemalaandpoints
south.Theownersaysthestarsatnight
areequallyimpressivefromtheverandah.
Ashtonswife,Stacy,isinchargeofmar
ketinganddecorating.Ashton,originally
fromPuntaNegrainnorthernToledo,isin
chargeofthemouthwateringmenu.He
hasapassionforcookingandsayshismain
ingredientislovealthoughhealsouses
coconut,cilantro,freshvegetablesand
herbs.Theseafoodisfreshdailysothe
menuchangesaccordingtoavailabilityand
seasonbutusuallyincludes
avarietyoffish,wildshrimp
andlobsterdishes.
Oneofthemostsurprising
itemsonAshasmenuis
lionfish.Mostofusknow
thatlionfishhavebecomea
problemintheCaribbeanin
recentyears.Theywere
probablyintroducedby
aquariumownerswhore
leasedthemintothewild
anddidntrealizethatthe
invasivelionfishreproduce
atamuchhigherratethan
thelocalspecies.Addtothat
thefactthatlionfishpredatetheeggsof
commercialfishandtheproblemquickly
becameamajorheadacheformarinecon
servationists.WhattheHowlerdidnt
knowisthatlionfisharealsoextremely
tastytoeat,withamildflavorsimilarto
snapper.Sowecanallhelpkeepthelocal
numbersoflionfishdownbycatchingand
eatingthem!
AshasCultureKitchen
alsopridesitselfinpro
motingCreoleculture.
OnSundays,from6pm,
theyhaveajamsession
withCreoledrummers
alongsideinternational
guestmusicians.Visi
torsarewelcometo
comealongandjam
withthemusiciansor
justsitandenjoythe
musicwhilesippingon
aglassoffreshfruit
juiceorbeer.
Ashascaterforspecialeventssuchas
weddingsandcanseatatotalofsixtyfour
customersinsideandontheverandah.
AshasCultureKitchenisopenfordinner
dailythroughouttheyearfrom4pmto
midnight.Seetheiradinthisissueandlist
ingintheRestaurantGuide.
Phoneoremailformoreinformation:
6328025orashasculture
kitchen@gmail.com.
Musicians gather to play at Ashas on Sunday evenings
Cant beat this view from Ashas verandah
Asha shows off a catch of fresh lobster destined for the menu.
Lobster season runs from the 15th June to 15th February.

4

Date Event Venue/Time OtherInfo
March11th BankHolidayNationalHeroesandBenefactorsDay RegattaandaquaticgamesatMarket
Wharf
CelebratingBaronBliss
March24th AnnualMayaDay:incCortezDanceandMayaBallGame. TumulK'in,BlueCreekVillage
March29th BankHolidayGoodFriday Localbusinessesclosed
April1st BankHolidayEasterMonday Localbusinessesclosed
May1st BankHolidayLabourDay Localbusinessesclosed
May24th WineandChocolateEveningfirstdayofChocolateFestivalof
Belize
BelcampoLodgefrom6pmto10pm Ticketsinadvance$40,atthedoor$60.
Moreinfocontactbtiatoledo@btl.netorcall
7222531
May25th TasteofToledoseconddayofChocolateFestivalofBelize FrontStreet,PuntaGordaCultural
foodandentertainmentfrom9am6pm
Moreinfocontactbtiatoledo@btl.netorcall
7222531
May26th LubaantunFinalethirddayoftheChocolateFestivalofBelize SanPedroColumbiaVillage,Lubaantun
MayaSitefrom10amto4pm
Moreinfocontactbtiatoledo@btl.netorcall
7222531
May27th BankHolidayCommonwealthDay Localbusinessesclosed
Sept10th BankHolidaySt.George'sCayeDay CarnivalparadeinPuntaGorda Localbusinessesclosed
Sept21st BankHolidayIndependenceDay
FlagraisingceremonytowelcomeIndependenceDay
Paradeandjumpup/blockparty.
CentralParkatMidnight
October11th SeafoodGalafirstdayofTIDEFishFest Venuetobedecided info@tidetours.orgorcall7222129
October12th YouthConservationCompetitionseconddayofTIDEFishFest Venuetobedecided info@tidetours.orgorcall7222129
October13th FishFestlastdayofTIDEFishFest TIDEHeadquarters,Hopeville info@tidetours.orgorcall7222129
October14th BankHolidayPanAmericanDay Localbusinessesclosed
16thNovember TOLTEX2013:ToledoTourismExpocelebratingdiversityofcul
turaltourismbusinesses
CentralPark,PuntaGorda9am4pm Contactbtiatoledo@btl.netorcall7222531
16thNovember BattleoftheDrums SportsComplex,PuntaGorda7:30pm FormoreinfocontactBeyaSuites:7222188
November17th ParandaTop10:liveradiobroadcastonLoveFM.Musicper
formedbylocalPGParanderos.
BeyaSuites,Hopeville BeyaSuites7222188
November19th YurumeinGarifunaSettlementReenactment PGCooperativeWharf6:30am
Calendar of Events
5

Dreamlight Internet Caf
Dreamlightinternetcafissomethingofan
Aladdinscave!LocatedonMainStreetthe
modernwhitecementbuildingbeckonstour
istsandlocalsaliketomakeuseoftheirinter
netfacilities,but,walkingthroughthedoor
wayrevealsamuchwiderarrayofgoodsand
servicethanyoumightatfirstexpect!
DreamlightwasopenedbyTimothyDamiin
May2007,whenhesawaneedforadditional
internetfacilitiesintown,primarilythrough
hisworkasateacherandrunningcomputer
classesatthelocalleducationcentre.Oneof
hisstudentswasKenrickColeman(ofCoe
mansCaffameinBigFallsvillage)and,hav
ingsuccessfullycompletedthecourseand
seeinghisaffinitywithcomputers,hewasof
feredajobbyMrTim.Kenrickisoneofseven
localemployeesatDreamlight,andbetween
themtheyhaveover35
yearsprofessionalex
perience.Wespoketo
KenrickaboutDream
lightsmanyandvaried
services.
Asyoudexpectwithan
internetcaf,Dream
lighthasseveralcom
putersavailablefor
internetaccess,and
theychargeBZ$1for
thefirsthalfhour,and
BZ$1foreveryaddi
tionalquarterhour.
Kenricktellsusthat
manystudentsusethe
internetfacilitytohelp
withtheirstudies,and
theservicehasprovedsopopularthatthey
havenowexpandedtoofferasecondcom
puterlabtokeepupwithdemand.Thecafis
opendailywithhotcoffeeanddonutsavail
abletokeepenergylevelshigh,andtheyhave
nowopenedagamesroomwithPlayStation
andXboxforwhenpeopleneedafunbreak
fromstudies.
WhilstSkypeservicesarenotavailable,their
answeristoprovidecheaprateinternational
calls,whichstartatjust25centsaminute.
Dreamlighthasalsobecomesomethingofa
onestopshopforinternet,technologyand
officesupplies,sellingarangeofgoodsfrom
phonetopupcardstopaperandprintingser
vices,cameraaccessoriesandIDphotos,to
DVDsaswellassouvenirs.Ifitscomputeror
officerelated,thenDreamlightistheplaceto
go.
Computertechnologyisstillverynewtosome
people,andDreamlightofferstenweekcom
puterintroductorycourses,coveringWord,
Excel,Powerpoint,internetandemail,and
typingskills.Onsuccessfulcompletionstu
dentscanthenmoveuptotakeafurtherten
weekadvancedlevelcourse.Theyarealsoa
corepartnerineducationandprovideonsite
trainingforITVETToledo,JulianChoTechnical
HighSchool,andToledoCommunityCollege.
Aswellastheireducationalpartnership,
Dreamlightbelievesinbeinganactivepartof
thecommunity,andtwosuchexamplesare
theirweeklyrafflewhereeverycustomer
hasthechancetowinBZ$25andtheircom
munitywebsitewww.PGbelize.com.Theirgoal
istolisteverybusinessandorganizationin
Toledosoastoprovideacomprehensivedi
rectoryofToledoservices.Thewebsiteaver
agesaround2,500visitseachmonth,butthe
numberofnewvisitorsissteadilygrowing.
ManysmallbusinessesinToledocantafford
thetime,ormaynothavetheexpertise,to
buildawebsiteandPGBelize.comoffersan
easysolutionforthem,designingandhosting
awebpageforBZ$50ayear.
DreamlightInternetCafislocatedonthecor
nerofNorthandMainStreet(nexttotheBe
likinDepot,closetotheUnoGasStation),and
isopenfrom6.30amuntil8.30pmMondayto
Saturday,and9amto1pmonSundays.See
theiradonPage2ofthisissue.
Formoreinformationcall7020113.
The Road to the Border
EveryonelivingintheToledoDistrictknowsthegov
ernmentisintheprocessofpavingthehighwayto
theGuatemalanborder.Therehavebeenmixedfeel
ingsaboutthisdevelopmentbutweattheToledo
Howlerbelieveitwillbeagoodthingallaround.
Oncetheroadispaved,gettingintoPGwillbefaster
andeasierforthoselivinginremotevillages.A
smooth,allweathersurfacewillreducewearand
tearonvillagebusesandvehiclesgenerallyaswellas
reducingfuelconsumption.
Fortourism,thenewroadwillmeaneasieraccessto
someofthemostbeautifuldestinationsinthedistrict,suchas
BlueCreekandRioBlancoNationalParkandfalls.Travelling
timestothesebeautyspotshavealreadybeengreatlyreduced.
Theprojectalsoincludesimprovedsignagealongtheroadwhich
willhelpvisitorswiththeirownvehiclestofindtheirwayaround
moreeasily.
Wearetoldthepresentphaseoftheprojectisduetobecom
pletedinApril2014weatherpermittingofcourse!Completion
ofthisphasewillmean20milesofpavedhighwayfromthejunc
tionknownasDumptoTreetops,theBDFsoutpostnearthe
border.Therewilleventuallybeaformalbordercrossingpoint
althoughweunderstandtheexactlocationhasnotyetbeencon
firmed.
Themostchallengingaspectofthisproject,accordingtoour
sources,istheearthworks.WesternToledoisveryhillyandbe
comesmoresoasyougetclosertotheborder.Thisisofcourse
onereasonToledoissopicturesquebutitalsomeansthecon
structionteamhavetoexcavateintohillsideswithheavyequip
menttomakewayforthewidenedhighway.Thattakestimeand
asmuchdryweatherastheycanget.Welookforwardtoseeing
completionoftheprojectnextyear.
Kenrick Coleman, manager of Dreamlight Internet Cafe
6

Sketch map of PG Town
7

8

9

Map of Front Street, Punta Gorda,
Chocolate Festival Weekend 24th26th May
Location Name Location Name Location Name
Aguacate RafaelBul Hicattee
AgapitoPop
PuntaGorda LionelMartin
Aguacate FelixCus Hopeville
GeorgeAlford
PuntaGorda AnaMutrie
Aguacate SylvestreCus Hopeville DanielCastellanos PuntaGorda WilfredMutrie
Aguacate ElvisTush Hopeville EmmanuelM.Chan PuntaGorda PatriciaNightingale
Aguacate FranciscoTush Hopeville GeorgeColeman PuntaGorda ArmandoRamirez
BigFalls AndrewCaliz Hopeville KyroneN.Leonardo PuntaGorda DesmondRamirez
BigFalls EstevanChoco IndianCreek
SipiranoCanti
SanBenitoPoite ManuelCucul
BigFalls PerfectoCholum IndianCreek RosendoCoy
SantaCruz
JoseMes
BlueCreek WilliamAck IndianCreek NathanielMas SanFelipe Juan Cho
BlueCreek
HeraldoPop
MonkeyRiver
AlfonsoZuniga
SanMiguel ChristinaAck
BlueCreek IsidoroSho MonkeyRiver BrentA.Young SanMiguel MartinAck
BlueCreek RosalioSho PuntaGorda GuillermoAvila SanMiguel GabrielChoco
BlueCreek Sylvano Sho PuntaGorda AbrahamColeman SanMiguel MarioChoco
CattleLanding
ThomasGarbutt
PuntaGorda DennisGarbutt SanPedroColumbia FelicianoPop
CriqueSarco
AntonioRash
PuntaGorda OliverGarbutt SantaTeresa MarioChub
CuxlinHa
LorenzoCoc
PuntaGorda BicenteIcal SantaTeresa PedroChub
CuxlinHa Celiano Pop PuntaGorda VictorJacobs SunCreek BrunoKuppinger
ForestHome
BradfordC.Johnson
PuntaGorda AlexLeonardo
MembersoftheToledoTourGuidesAssociation
Thetourguidelistingisforguidanceandusebytouroperators.
VisitorsareadvisedtouseonlytheservicesoftouroperatorsthathavesatisfiedthelicensingandinsurancerequirementsoftheBelizeTourism
Boardaimedatensuringvisitorenjoymentinasafe,legalenvironment.
Marimba players perform on Front Street in 2012
Mandy Tsangs artisanal soaps and massage oils attract visitors at the Taste of
Toledo Street Fair
10

T O L E D O V I L L A G E B U S E S
Service DepartP.G. Destination VillagesVisited Days ReturntoP.G.
Kan 11:30am Aguacate Dump,Mafredi,BlueCreek MontoSat 5:20am
JnL 12pm Barranco SanFelipe,SantaAna,Midway Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 6am
Chub 11:30am CriqueSarco SanFelipe,SantaAna,Midway,Conejo,SundayWood Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 5:15am
Ack 12pm Dolores
Dump,Mafredi,Jordan,SantaTeresa,Mabilha,SanLucas,Corazon
Creek,Otoxha
Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 3am
Pop 10:30am GoldenStream Dump,BigFalls,Hicatee,IndianCreek Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 6:45am
Pop 1pm GoldenStream Dump,BigFalls,Hicatee,IndianCreek MontoSat 7:30am
Pop 5pm IndianCreek Dump,BigFalls,Hicatee MontoSat 12pm
Pop 9pm IndianCreek Dump,BigFalls,Hicatee MontoThurs 3:30pm
Chunny 11:30am Jalacte Dump,Mafredi,SanAntonio,SantaCruz,PuebloViejo,Jalacte MontoSat 3am
Bol 4pm Jalacte Dump,Mafredi,SanAntonio,SantaCruz,PuebloViejo,Jalacte Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 3pm
Bol 6am Jalacte Dump,Mafredi,SanAntonio,SantaCruz,SantaElena,PuebloViejo MontoSun 5:30am
Shol 12pm Laguna Elridgeville Wed/Fri/Sat
Pop 11:30am MedinaBank Dump,BigFalls,Hicatee,IndianCreek MontoSat 5:30am
Chunny 12pm SanAntonio Dump,Mafredi MontoSat 6am
Coc 12pm SanAntonio Jacintoville,Dump,Mafredi MontoSat 6:30am
Coc 5:15pm SanAntonio Jacintoville,Dump,Mafredi MontoSat 1:30pm
Teck 12pm SanBenitoPoite Jacintoville,Dump,Mafredi,BlueCreek,Jordon,SantaTeresa Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 4:30am
Sho 11:30am SanJose Dump,Mafredi,CriqueJute,NahLumCah Wed/Sat 4am
Choc 12pm SanJose Jacintoville,Dump,Mafredi,CriqueJute,NahLumCah Mon/Fri 5am
Chen 12pm SanVicente
Dump,Mafredi,SanAntonio,SantaCruz,SantaElena,PuebloViejo,
Jalacte
Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 2am
Chen 5:30am SanVicente
Dump,Mafredi,SanAntonio,SantaCruz,SantaElena,PuebloViejo,
Jalacte
Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 2pm
Bobby 11am SantaAna SanFelipe Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 7:15am
Cucul 11:30am SilverCreek Dump,SanPedroColumbia,SanMiguel MontoSat 6am
Cal 11am SilverCreek Dump,SanPedroColumbia,SanMiguel MontoSat 7am
Cal 4:30am SilverCreek Dump,SanPedroColumbia,SanMiguel MontoSat 1pm
Cucul 4pm SilverCreek Dump,SanPedroColumbia,SanMiguel MontoSat 12:30pm
Cucul 9pm SilverCreek Dump,SanPedroColumbia,SanMiguel MontoThurs 4pm
BugCorner
ThestrangehabitsoftheSapho(heliconiussapho)
So,aswellasthewettestdistrict(readmostlush)thebugquestion
oftenoccurswhentalkingaboutToledo.Therealityisthatwedohave
somemosquitoes(althoughfewerthansomeotherareasinBelize),but
alsoawholehostofweirdandwonderful
creatures.
TheSaphobutterflyisoftenseenflitting
aroundtheToledoDistrict.NimLiPunit,
withitsplethoraoffavouredbutterfly
plants,isagreatplacetoseebutterflieson
thewing.TheSaphoisoneoftheheli
coniusspecies,andisverysimilarinap
pearancetotheCydno.Sometimescalled
theHolsteinbutterflyforitsblackand
whitemarkingsitwillactuallyappeara
beautifuldarkmetallicblueundertheright
lightingconditions.
Theheliconiusbutterflieshavetwounique,
derivedecologicaltraitsfeedingandmat
ingbehaviour!
Whilstbutterfliesgenerallyfeedonfluids,andareusuallysplitintoei
therfruitfeedersornectarfeeders,someheliconiusspeciescollect
pollenforitsnutritionalvalueintheformofaminoacids.Thenutrients
increaseeggproductionandcanincreasetheadultlifespantouptosix
months,andtherelationshipbetweenthebutterflyandthepollen
producingvineisaclassictextbookcaseofcoevolution.
Thesecondratherbizarretraitinvolvessomestrangematingbehav
iour,wherethemalebutterflywillappearto
matewithafemalepupa!Butterfliesarevery
choosyaboutwhichplantstheylaytheireggson
andhaveonlyafewselectlarvalfoodplants,de
pendingontheirbreed.MalesofsomeHeliconius
species,includingtheSapho,willsearchthefood
plantsforfemalepupae,andthensitonthepu
paeadaybeforeemergencethisisknownas
mateguardingandsimilarbehaviourhasalso
beenobservedinsomeaquaticcrustaceans,
frogs,andsomeotherinsects.Themalesthen
matewiththefemalethenextmorningasshe
startsbreakingfromthepupalcase,butwhileher
wingsareunextendedandsosoftthatthisstrat
egyisknownaspupalmating.
11

T R A N S P O R T S C H E D U L E S
Flights
DepartPuntaGorda ArriveBelizeCity ServiceProvider DepartBelizeIntl. ArrivePuntaGorda ServiceProvider
06:45 07:55 MayaIslandAir 08:10 09:15 MayaIslandAir
06:30 07:30 TropicAir 07:50 09:00 TropicAir
09:30 10:35 MayaIslandAir 10:10 11:15 MayaIslandAir
09:20 10:20 TropicAir 10:20 11:30 TropicAir
11:30 12:35 MayaIslandAir 12:20 13:30 TropicAir
11:35 12:35 TropicAir 14:20 15:30 TropicAir
13:35 14:35 TropicAir 14:40 15:45 MayaIslandAir
16:00 17:05 MayaIslandAir 16:40 17:45 MayaIslandAir
16:00 17:10 TropicAir 16:40 17:40 TropicAir
JamesBusLineSchedule
DepartsP.G. ArrivesBelizeCity DepartsBelizeCity ArrivesP.G.
03:50 10:30 05:15Express(exceptSun) 10:30
04:50 11:30 06:15 12:45
05:50 12:30 07:15 13:45
06:00Express 10:45 08:15 14:45
07:50 14:30 09:15 15:45
09:50 16:30 10:15 16:45
11:50 18:30 12:15 18:45
13:50 20:30 13:45 19:45
14:50 21:30 15:15 21:45
15:50(exceptSat) 21:15 15:45Express 20:30
BoatsTo&FromPuertoBarrios,Guatemala
ServiceProvider DepPuntaGorda ArrivePuertoBarrios DepartPuertoBarrios ArrivePuntaGorda
RequenasCharterService 09:30 10:30 14:00 15:00
Pichilingo 14:00 15:00 10:00 11:00
Memos 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00
BoatstoLivingstondepartonTuesdaysandFridaysat10a.m.
Marisol 16:00 17:00 13:00 15:00
WheretogetyourcopyofTheToledoHowler
Distributionpointsinclude:
TourismInformationCentresthroughoutBelize
TropicAirandMayaIslandAirterminals
BTIAToledomembers
RequenasCharters,PuertoBarrios
Majorgasstations
Aswellasawideonlinepresenceinelectronicformat

PleasecontacttheToledoHowlerteamat7222531ifyouwouldliketobecomea
distributorforthevoiceoftourismdevelopmentinBelizesdeepsouth!
ToledoTourismInformationCentre
FrontStreet,PuntaGordaTown
MontoFri8amto4pm,Sat8amto
11.30am
Tel:7222531
Email:BTIAtoledo@btl.net

Wine,ChocolateandBelikin:WherecanIgetmytickets?TicketsavailablefromtheToledoTourismInfor
mationCentreonFrontStreetinPG,BTIAofficeonNorthParkStreetinBelizeCityandtheBTBofficeonRegentStreet,
KakawChocolateinSanPedro,GossChocolateinSeineBightand.theBTIAOfficeinPlacencia.
Wine,Chocolate,andBelikinFriday24
th
May(ticketsBZ$50inadvance,BZ$60atthedoor)
LubaantunfinaleSunday26thMay(adultsBZ$10,highschoolstudentsBZ$5,primaryschoolstudentsBZ$2)Ticketsat
theentrance;noadvancedticketsales
12

Southern Voices: Kamela Palma

KamelaPalmaisaresidentofPuntaGordainToledo.She
hashadavariedcareer,atonetimehavingbeenPrincipal
ofStPeterClaverCollegeinPuntaGordaTownandLecturer
attheBelizeTeachersTrainingCollege,CEOintheMinistry
ofHumanDevelopment,thenDeputyAmbassadoratthe
BelizeMissioninGuatemalaCityandmostrecentlyshehas
returnedfromapostingasBelizesHighCommissionerin
London.

HaveyoualwayslivedinToledo,Kamela?Mygrandfather,
GuillermoPalma,cametoBelizewithhisfamilyfromSanta
RosadeCopaninHonduraswherethefamousMayansiteof
CopanislocatedjustamileacrosstheborderfromGuate
mala.Hecametoworkasamanuallaboureronafarm
knownasElDoradoclosetoForestHomeandthepresent
daydolomitequarry.Thoughuneducatedhewasobviously
someonewithavision,forafterafewyearshewasableto
acquirepropertyintheareaofwhatisnowBigFallsvillage.
Hecalledhisplace,amilesquare,Missourianditislocated
eastofthebridgedownstreamfromthepresentdayvillage.
Hewasthefirstlocaltoplantsugarcaneandtoproduce
brownsugarforcommercialpurposes.Eventuallyallhis
brothersarrivedtoworkwithhim.HemarriedAngelinaPat
ticoandtheironlydaughterwasIsabelPalma,mymother.
ThisisthesameIsabelPalmawhomthenewclinicinSanAn
tonioisnamedafter.Sheworkedthroughoutthecountryas
aRuralHealthNurseandshewaspostedformanyyearsin
SanAntoniovillagetoserveallthevillagesofToledoWest.
MyFatherwasCarltonFairweather,adistinguishedgentle
manwhohadservedtheMotherlandbytravellingtothe
UnitedKingdomtojointheWorldWar2effortandwhore
turnedtoserveintheGovernmentServiceofhisbelovedBe
lize.
SoyouareofHispanicorigin?WellIamatrueCreole.Ihave
Mayan,Spanish,AfricanandScottishblood.WhenIdrink
thatistheScottishsidecomingout.TheAfricansideshows
itselfwhenIdanceandtheSpanishwhenIargueorsingand
myMayansidewhenIamspiritualandintrospective.
Whatarethemostsignificantchangesyouhaveseenin
Toledoinyourlifetime?Formethebiggestchangeisthe
roadlinkwiththenorth.Irememberasalittlegirltravelling
toBelizebyboat.Therewerethreepassenger/cargoboats.
TheHeronH,TheMayanPrinceandTheHonduran.It
wasalongovernightjourney.Therewerecabinsavailable
withtwobunksoryoucouldsitondeckoninthelounges.I
rememberthepigssquealingdowninthehold.PuntaGorda
wasnottheendofthelinesincetheboatswentontoPuerto
Barrios.TheythenreturnedtoPuntaGordaandmadethat
returnjourneytoBelizeCity,stoppingatallthecoastalset
tlementsontheway.Ibegantotravelbyroadinthelatesix
tieswhenIwasattendingsixthformcollegeinBelizeCity.
Areyouoptimisticaboutthedevelopmentoftourismin
Toledo?Iammostoptimisticabouttourismdownhere.
ToledoreallyisagembutIamconcernedabouthowwego
aboutit.Ithinkthatwecanbecomeanexampleofbest
practiceinsustainabletourismbutweneedtocreatethe
rightimageandattractthekindoftouristconcernedabout
sustainabilityandculturalpreservation.
WhatcanPGTownCouncildotosupporttourism?When
thenewroadthroughthevillagestoGuatemalaiscompleted
itislikelytohaveanimpactonPuntaGordatownitselfbe
causeitwillnolongerbeattheendoftheroad.TheCouncil
needstohelpmakePGsodesirablethatvisitorswillstill
wanttocomehere.IthinkthereisaneedinPuntaGorda
Townforaculturalcentreormuseumhighlightingtherich
nessofthedifferentcultures.
Doyoupreferthereeforrainforest?Thatisareallydifficult
choicebecauseIlovethemboth.Butifforcedtochoosethen
IwouldhavetosaythatIammoretakenspirituallybythe
rainforest.
AndifatouristcanonlyvisitoneplaceinToledowhich
woulditbe?WellIwouldlikeoneatseaandtwoinland.
WestSnakeCayeisawonderfulplacetovisitandIloveto
lookbacktothemainlandwiththesilhouettesoftheSeven
HillsandtheMayaMountains.InlandtheMayansitesof
LubaantunandNimLiPunitbothhaveagreatsenseofspiri
tualityandwhenvisitingIfeelsomuchapartoftheplace.
Whatisyourfavouritetimeoftheyear?IloveEasterwhen
thetradewindsareblowingfromthenortheastandthe
leavesshimmerintheheatandofcourseIloveChristmas
anywhereintheworld.
WhatisyourfavouriteBelizeandish?Itsasintoaskany
onetochooseonlyone.Ilovetamalitosknownas
dukunubymanyBelizeans.Thatisgreencorn,ground,sea
soned,wrappedandcookedintheleavesoftheyoungcorn.I
reallylovecohunecabbagethattheEastIndiansmakeand
anotherfavouriteisBoilUp.Thatispigstailboileduntil
tenderorsaltedorfreshfish(sometimesbothpigtailandfish
areincluded)alongwithgroundfoodsuchascassava,yam,
yampiandripeandgreenplantain.Itisservedwitharichon
ionandtomati.
Myfavouritericeandbeansismadewiththeblackeyed
beansandlotsofcoconutmilk.
13

RestaurantGuide
Wats Cookin?

TwistedCreoleLobster
Preptime:15minutes
Cooktime:7minutes
Serves4
INGREDIENTS
cupchoppedcilantro
cupchoppedonion
cupgratedcarrot
1mediumgreenpepperfinelychopped
1tbsmincedgarlic
tspsalt
tspCompleteSeasoning
tspbutter
1lblobsterdicedinto1cubes
cupfreshlysqueezedcoconutmilk
DIRECTIONS
1.Mixcilantro,onion,carrot,greenpepper,garlic,saltand
CompleteSeasoningtogether.Usethismixturetoseasonthe
lobstercubes.
2.Heatapottomediumheat;meltbutterbeforeadding
seasonedlobster.Simmerandstirfor3minutes.
3. Addcoconutmilk,stirandsimmer4moreminutes.

Recipekindlydonatedby:
Asha's Culture Kitchen
80 Front Street, south of market, only build-
ing over the sea
Creole/Seafood/BBQ and Vegetarian 632-8025 Daily from 12:00-14:00 (lunch
ONLY during high season) 16:00-
24:00 (dinner/bar year-round).
Belcampo
Wilsons Road Pan Central American and Interna-
tional
722-0050 Lunch: noon-14:30. Dinner:
19:30-22:00. (Reservations
preferred)
Bone Ville Cafe
Jose Maria Nunez Street, next to University
of Belize campus
Fast Food/Catering 702-2009/669-3299 Monday to Friday: 10:00 to
21:00. Closed on Wednesday
and school vacation time.
Colemans Cafe
Big Falls Village, near the rice mill Belizean 720-2017 Daily: 11:30-16:00 & 18:00-
21:00 (Reservations Preferred)
Drift Wood Cafe
Front Street, next to James Bus Line Vegetarian
Fajina Firehearth Food
Front St, PG Local Mayan Food 666-6144 Mon-Sat: 07:00-19:30. Closed on
Sundays
Gomiers Restaurant and Soy Centre
Alejandro Vernon St, near PG Welcome sign Local & international vegetarian /
Seafood
722-2929 Mon-Sat: 08:00-14:00 & 18:00-
21:00. Closed Sundays
Graces Restaurant
Main St. PG Belizean/ International 702-2414 Daily: 06:00-22:00, including
holidays
Hang Cheong
Main St, PG Chinese 722-2064 Daily: 10:00-14:00 & 17:00 -
midnight
Mangrove Restaurant
Cattle Landing, by the curve Belizean / International 623-0497 Daily: 17:00-22:00.
(Reservations preferred)
Marians Bay View Restaurant
Front St, south of the market by the sea East Indian/ Belizean/Catering 722-0129 Mon-Sat: 11:00-14:00 & 18:00-
22:00 Sun & Hols: noon 14:00
& 19:00-21:00
Martinas Kitchen
Main Street, beside tortilla factory Belizean 623-3330 Mon-Sat: 07:00-15:00. Closed on
Sundays
Moms Restaurant
Queen St, PG, by the park Belizean 620-1607/661-1359 Mon-Sat: 06:00-14:00 & 16:00-
21:00 Closed on Sundays
Rainbow Cafe
Queen St, PG, by the park Belizean 631-2309 Mon-Sat: 70:00-14:00. Closed on
Sundays
Rainforest Cafe
Big Falls Village, just south of the bridge Belizean 669-0080 Daily: 10:00-22:00
Reef Bar & Restaurant
Front St, upstairs by the market International/Belizean 625-8652 Daily: 10:00-14:00 & 16:00-
midnight. Closed on Tuesdays
Shos Local Restaurant
Entrance to Blue Creek Village Belizean/ Catering 668-6540 Mon-Sat: 07:0020:00. Closed
Sundays. Group reservations
required
Starz Diner
BTL parking lot, PG Belizean Mon. to Sat. 7:00 to 15:00
Closed on Sundays
The Lodge at Big Falls
Big Falls Village, near the rice mill International/ Middle Eastern / Be-
lizean
732-4444 Daily: 11:3014:00 & 18:30
21:00 (Reservations Required)
The Snack Shack
BTL parking lot, PG Breakfast & lunch/ Snacks, shakes,
juices & pastries
702-0020 Mon-Sat: 07:0015:00. Closed
Sundays
Walucos
Opposite TIDE pier in Hopeville Belizean/East Indian/Seafood/
Catering
670-3672 Mon-Thurs: 07:00-14:00 & 17:00
-22. Weekends: 07:00-late
14

Golden Stream Spice Farm
TheHowlerstaffhadpassedbythefarmin
GoldenStreamdozensoftimes,idlywonder
ingwhomightlivethereandwhattheywere
upto.Aboutayearagosignswentupalong
thehighwayadvertisingtheGoldenStream
SpiceFarmandBotanicalGardens.Thenthe
SpiceFarmbecameoneofBTIAsnewest
membersandtheHowlerdecideditwastime
togoandtakealook.
ThefarmbelongstoDrThomasandMrsTes
sieMatthewwhohavebeenhereinsouthern
Belizesince198990dividingtheirtimebe
tweenWashingtonDC,whereDrMatthew
practisesasananesthesiologist.Theyownan
areaof500acresthatincludesawell
establishedcitrusplantationbuttheirtrue
loveliesinalltheotherthingsthattheyare
growingthere.Theyincludebothindigenous
specieslikevanillaandexoticslikecin
namonandnutmeg.
Thefirstspeciesonourtourofthe
spicefarmwascardamom,another
exotic,nativetotheIndiansub
continent.Iloveusingitinmaking
curriesinparticularbuthaveal
waysboughtitontripsoutsideBe
lize.NowIcanfinditninemilesup
theroad!AndIwasverysurprised
todiscoveritgrowingatthebase
ofaplantthatlookedsimilartoa
ginger.Theplantsgrowinsemi
shadeinrows.Theintentionistode
velopthisasacommercialcrop.The
cardamompodsareharvestedanddried
betweenFebruaryandMay.
Anothercommercialcropis
thevanillaproductionthat
manyvisitorsaresurprisedto
learncomesfromthevanilla
orchid.Vanillacomesinboth
wildandcommercialvarieties.
Wefoundthemgrowingup
thetrunksofmadredecacao
treesthatweretheresimplyto
providesupportfortheor
chids.Thevanillaisnormally
harvestedinNovember.
Thefarmsblackpepperpro
ductionalreadyprovidestwo
thousandpoundsofpepper
cornsannuallyfortheBelizemar
ketandDrMatthewisworking
withtheToledoCacaoGrowersAssociationto
createfurtherincomestreamsfortheassocia
tionsfarmermembers.Decemberisharvest
timefortheblackpepperandnutmegispro
ducedinsmallquantitiesallyearround.
FaustinoChefromSilverCreekvillagehas
beenthelongtermmanagerofthefarmand
itstwentyfiveworkerswhoaremainlyem
ployedontendingthecitrusplantation.
Thespicefarmisalabouroflovethatbegan
morethantwentyyearsagoandtheloveaf
faircontinues.TheclimateofBelizeisnottoo
differentfromthatofDrMathewsnativeKer
alastateinsouthwestIndiaandquiteanum
berofspecimenshavebeenimportedfrom
there.Apartfromthecommercialcropsyou
canfindthefragrantsandalwoodgrowingthat
issuchadistinctivesmellinthemiddleeast
andsouthAsiaandwidelyusedforincense.
Therearealsostandsofseveralbamboospe
cies.
Thetourofthefarmcoversquitesomedis
tanceandmaybetoomuchforlessfitvisitors.
Buthelpisathandbecause,whentheHowler
visited,workerswereputtingthefinishing
touchestoacharabanconwhichguestswill
bepulledbehindasmalltractorfortheir
guidedtour.Arestaurantisalsopartofthe
plansforfuturedevelopmentofthefarm.
Formoreinformation:
Phone7324014orEmail
goldenstreamspicefarm@gmail.com
Seed pods of the vanilla orchid
Dr Thomas Mathew stands besides a banyan tree
Flowers and seeds of the cardamom
A ripe fruit of the nutmeg. The familiar dark brown nut is inside .
15

16

C UXL I N HA R E T I R E ME NT
V I L L AGE
For Rent
2-Bedroom Cottages
1-Bedroom Condo
Studio Apartments
Assisted living care
011-501-732-4747
cuxlinha@hotmail.com
www.cuxlinha.com

B T I A T O L E D O M E M B E R S 2 0 1 3
Business Contact Person Phone Number Email
Asha'sCultureKitchen AshtonMartin 6328025 ashasculturekitchen@gmai.com
Belcampo ShirelymaeParham 7220050 info@belcampobz.com
BeyaSuites LisaAvila 7222188 info@beyasuites.com
BigFallsExtremeAdventureandLasFal
das
AndrewCaliz 6346979/6203881 andrewcaliz@bigfallsextremeadventures.com
CatarinaChoco,DeputyManager
TheLodgeatBigFalls
CatarinaChoco 6346772 catarinachoco@gmail.com
Coleman'sCaf
Thomas&PearleenCole
man
6304069/
6304432
belizetom@aol.com
CoralHouseInn AleCho 7222878 coralhousebelize@yahoo.com
CuxlinHaRetirementVillage DonaScafe 7324747 cuxlinha@hotmail.com
DreamlightComputerCenter TimothyDami 7020113 dreamlightpg@yahoo.com
Garbutt'sFishingLodge DennisGarbutt
7220070/
6043548
garbuttsmarine@yahoo.com
GoldenStreamPlantation Thomas&TessyMathew 7324014 goldenstreamspicefarm@gmail.com
HickateeCottages Ian&KateMorton 6624475 www.hickatee.com
IxcacaoMayaBelizeanChocolate JuanCho 7424050 theorganicmaster@gmail.com
LivingMayaExperience AnitaCal&MartaChiac 6277408/6324585 livingmayaexperience@gmail.com
Requena'sCharterService JulioRequena 7222070 watertaxi@btl.net
TheFarmInn PetroSteunenberg
7324781/
6044918
info@thefarminbelize.com
TheLodgeatBigFalls Rob&MartaHirons
7324444/
6716677
info@thelodgeatbigfalls.com
TideTours DelonieForman 7222129 info@tidetours.org
ToledoTourGuideAssociation BTIAOffice 6372000 ttga@gmail.com
TranquilityLodge Lee&SusanOltmann 6779921 tranquilitylodge28@gmail.com
WarasaGarifunaDrummingSchool Ruth&RonaldMcDonald 6327701 warasadrumschool@gmail.com
17

13th Annual Christmas Bird Count
The13
th
annualPuntaGordaChristmasBird
Countwasheldon5January.Wehadanex
cellentturnoutwith33participantsorganized
into7teams.Werecorded5221birdsrepre
senting240species.Despitethelargeturnout,
wefellshortofouryearlyaverageof248spe
ciesand5958individuals,buttheresultsmay
havebeenaffectedbytheweather.Theday
startedoutbrightandsunnystart,butitbe
gantorainaroundmidmorninganddidnot
letupuntilmidafternoon.Thelowerthan
averagetotalwasalsoaffectedbyourinability
togetintoAguacalienteLagoonthisyear.This
costusatleasthalfadozenspecies.The
boardwalkisnowinsuchdisrepairthatitcan
nolongerbeused.Thewaterwas
alsohigherthanithasbeeninsev
eralyears,andmuchofthetrailwas
underwater.Itisapitythatallthe
hardworkthatwentintoconstruct
ingtheboardwalkhascometo
naughtforlackofmaintenance,
leavingoneofthecountrysbirdiest
wildlifesanctuariesessentiallyinac
cessibletothepublic.
CounthighlightswereCrestedCara
cara,AplomadoFalcon,andRufous
browedPeppershrike,allofwhich
werenewforthecount,andCom
monGallinuleandOlivesidedFly
catcher,whichwereseenforonly
thesecondtimeinthirteenyears.
Theeffectsofdeforestationover
theyearsarebeingreflectedinthe
changingtypesandnumbersof
birdsseenonthecountsinceitsin
ceptionin2000.WhitetippedDove,
unlikeitsclosecousins,theGray
chestedDoveandGrayheaded
Dove,isexhibitingadistinctupward
trendinnumbers.In1999,Toledore
cordeditsfirstWhitetippedDove,a
birdfoundjustacrosstheborderfromStann
CreeknearIndependence.Thefirstonewas
recordedontheP.G.countin2004.Thisyear
werecorded19.Ofitstwoforestrelatives,we
recordedonly6GraychestedDoves,andfor
thefourthyearoutofthelastfivewefound
noGrayheadedDoves.
CrestedCaracaraisanotherbirdofopenpas
turelandandsavannas.Itwasunrecordedin
Belizetwentyyearsagoandnotrecordedin
Toledountil2007whenonewasseenat
AguacalienteLagoonchasinganOsprey,intent
ondeprivingitofitsnextmeal,afishithad
justnabbedfromthelagoon.Onthecount,
onewasfoundinoneofthelargepastures
recentlycarvedoutoftheforestnearBoom
Creek.ThetwoAplomadoFalconswerealso
foundthere.TheRufousbrowedPeppershrike
wasfoundalongtheentranceroadtoCotton
TreeLodge,alsoontheedgeofapasture.
Onthedownside,wemissedeightspeciesfor
thefirsttimeinthe13yearcounthistory:
BlackcrownedNightHeron,LesserYellow
headedVulture,ShorttailedHawk,Killdeer,
SepiacappedFlycatcher,ScissortailedFly
catcher,TawnycrownedGreenlet,andRed
crownedAntTanager.
FindoutmoreabouttheBelizeRaptorResearch
Instituteatwww.belizeraptorresearch.organdat
www.facebook.com/pages/BelizeRaptor
ResearchInstitute.
The Belize Bird Records Committee
Segueingtoanotheraspectofbirding,Belizenow
hasabirdrecordscommittee.FormedinDecem
ber2011andnowinitssecondyear,theBelize
BirdRecordsCommittee,orBBRC,iscomprisedof
eightmembers.ChairedbyPuntaGordaresident
LeeJones,thecommitteealsohasoneother
memberfromToledo,StevenChoco,thebird
guideatTheLodgeatBigFalls.TheBBRCmain
tainstheofficiallistofbirdsrecordedinBelize.It
resolvestheproblemofwhattodowithreportsof
birdsrarelyseeninBelize,includingthosebeing
reportedforthefirsttime.Sincebirding,unlike
scientificcollecting,reliesheavilyonsightrecords,
thesevenBBRCvotingmembers(thesecretary
doesnotvote)decidewhichreportedspeciesto
acceptasvalidrecordsandwhichtorejectasun
supported.
TheBBRCstillhasanumberofolderrecords
tovoteonbeforeitcancomeupwitha
sanctionedlistofBelizebirds,butitislikely
tobecloseto590species.Withoneortwo
speciesbeingaddedeachyear,itwillnotbe
longbeforeBelizereachesthe600species
milestone.ThelatestspeciesnewtoBelize
havemostlybeenducks:Redhead,Gadwall,
andRuddyDuck,plusafewotheroddsand
endssuchasHermitThrushandBlackSwift.
Althoughnoneofthesehasyetbeenac
ceptedbyavoteoftheBBRC,allwerepho
tographed,whichcertainlyhelpstheBBRCin
comingtoaconclusionastotheirvalidity.
Aplomado Falcon photo courtesy of Ryan Phillips
Crested Caracara: photo courtesy of Ryan Phillips of the Belize Rap-
tor Research Institute
(Right) An Aplomado Falcon in flight
18

Arzu on Medicinal Plants: Theobroma Cacao
Theobroma Cacao - The cacao is a true bo-
tanical team player by design, and insistently
dependent on the rain forest for its odd envi-
ronmental requirements. It is one of the easi-
est rain forest dwellers to identify. Native
cacao varieties are mostly found growing in
association with taller shade trees like the
aptly named "madre cacao" in order to pro-
tect young saplings from direct sunlight. The
cacao is not among the taller trees of the
rainforest, and only grows from 10 to 20m at
the most. The trees bark and branches are
covered with grayish brown mossy patches
of colored lichen and fungi. Young cacao
trees seldom drop their leaves. They are not
deciduous and you can see large old glossy
green leaves and new limp red leaves grow-
ing on the tree at the same time, and on the
same stems. But after the trees are well es-
tablished, they form a forest canopy of their
own, and the forest floor beneath them be-
comes thick with a mat of fallen leaves that
return nutrients to the soil. Those leaves,
together with the shade from the canopy,
inhibit the growth of weeds under the trees,
something that we cacao farmers obviously
welcome!
The pollen of the cacao is another oddity, it
is too thick and heavy for the wind to
carry. The plant is incapable of pollinating
itself, and requires the help and cooperation
of other species and microscopic insects of the rain
forest to produce and reproduce. The tiny pinkish
flowers of the cacao plant are also odd; growing in
cauliflower like clusters from stems of older
branches that were merely leaves the year before.
Cacao flowers are in such harmony with our plane-
tary solar system that they are fertile only from sun-
rise to sunset. They die and drop to the ground if
they are not pollinated during that daytime window.
If they are indeed pollinated by some loving creepy
crawler, we are blessed with a cacao fruit.
The cacao fruit develops as green oblong squash-
like pods that grow anywhere from four to twelve
inches long, depending on the species. In the six
months the cacao fruit take to mature, they gradu-
ally make their way through the spectrum of light,
going from green to yellow, to orange or to red,
depending on the variety. Some even odder spe-
cies go as far as purple before they mature. Each
pod contains a load of about fifty or so neatly
stacked seeds; each individually embedded in a
deliciously fragrant sweet and sour ivory white
pulp. As children growing up in Dangriga, we would
eat cacao fruit once or twice per year. We would
suck the seeds dry until our cheeks hurt before
discarding them. In our childhood innocence, we
did not know that we were rejecting the most valu-
able part of the cacao, the seeds that provide the
raw material used to make chocolate.
Indigenous people believe cacao was originally
planted by the Gods. There may be more truth
than folklore in the scientific name "Theobroma
Cacao." The scientific botanical name of the cacao
is a composite of two Greek words (Theos=God
and Broma=food) which literally translate as "Food
of the Gods". Unlike most fruiting trees, the cacao
can live beyond 200 years and continue to bear
fruit for over 25 years. There is reportedly a cacao
tree growing in Barranco that is believed to be over
one hundred years of age and still bearing cacao
fruit. The oldest trees on our property are at least
sixty years old, and are by no means the oldest in
the village...and they are still bearing. My uncle told
me that when he was a child in Barranco, just
about every yard in the village had a few bearing
cacao trees. Baranguna used to dry and process
the cacao beans and preserve them in balls that
could be made into a delicious chocolate
drink on demand.
Yes, chocolate drinks and candy really do
have medicinal uses and can even be con-
sidered a health food. High cacao content
chocolate drinks have been proven to have
stimulating and anti-depressant proper-
ties. They are nutritional and provide a
good energizing remedy for mental and
physical exhaustion. High cacao content
chocolate drinks are especially recom-
mended for women who suffer from PMS
and already like chocolate because it
makes them happy. The very fragrance of
chocolate makes us swoon and smile. We
crave it because our bodies know there is
something in it that is good for us, and its
all true. High cacao content chocolate is
rich in B vitamins, (riboflavin, niacin, thia-
mine), calcium, iron, potassium and mag-
nesium and also contains vitamins A, C, D,
and E. It is particularly rich in magnesium,
which may be the reason why chocolate is
often craved as a menstrual tension re-
liever. Magnesium influences female hor-
mone levels, which are responsible for the
mood swings associated with PMS. Mag-
nesium deficiency is also associated with
heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and
joint problems. Recent scientific research
suggests that chocolate may prevent arte-
rial plaque. Chocolate was found to contain
flavonoids that function as antioxidants of
the bloodstream. Increased antioxidants in
our bloodstream lower the probability of
artery clogging cells. Darker chocolate pro-
vides twice the amount of antioxidants than
light chocolate. However, both light and
dark chocolate are more antioxidant than prunes,
raisins, berries, and leafy green vegetables.
But the above statements only hold true if you are
referring to real unadulterated chocolate made with
enough actual cacao. The determining factors for
any possible health benefits depend on the amount
and quality of cacao used in the chocolate. The
chocolate bars in sweet shops with fancy wrappers
and big name brands are NOT what I
am talking about here. Most choco-
late bars and products contain only
enough cacao solids mixed in for fla-
voring, and more amounts of harmful
emulsified fats, sugars, pasteurized
cows milk, artificially extracted natural
flavorings, colors, and preservatives.
Milk chocolate candy bars contain (by
law) animal fats, and/or palm oil, both
of which are known to raise choles-
terol levels. Such chocolates and
chocolate products are no longer
healthy, and barely recognizable as a
byproduct of our sacred cacao.
The only chocolate products we can
count on for any positive effects on
our well-being are the ones we make
ourselves like we did in Barranco, or
those made locally by our own IXCA-
CAO Mayan Belizean Chocolate; all
produced from the same unadulter-
ated Theobroma Cacao originally
planted in Belize by the Gods.





Contributedby
ArzuMountainSpirit(LafuruguWubu)
GarifunaHerbalistandTraditionalHealer
arzu@arzumountainspirit.com
A farmer splits pen a ripe cacao pod to reveal the pulp covered beans
Variety of cacao know locally as balam and used as currency
by the ancient Maya
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