Little did I know that twenty years later I would be
returning to the tiny paradise of Belize were Mark (my husband) and I spent our
honeymoon. Despite the many changes I
see now, mostly for the better, I still remember my first trip back in 1992 as
if though it was merely a year ago. We
spent most of that one week vacation in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye at Victoria
House. The entire experience was
magical. Coming from Chicago, a honeymoon in the tropics is quite a treat.
I first landed at the San Pedro Airstrip on a small flight
from the international airport and was taken aback with the quaint fisherman
image of this sleepy town. I was
initially concerned whether the town or the hotel would even have the amenities
or facilities it claimed to have. Well, even then, Victoria House exceeded my
expectations. Mark and I are as much in love today as we were back then but
with the intense butterfly feelings that newlyweds often have. Every moment and
every second was glorious. The room was impeccable and elegant. The ocean view
was break-taking. The food was exquisite, the indoor dining hall was superbly
elegant and private dining on the beach with torch fires was beyond romantic.
The service was exceptional and all staff members seem so genuinely happy to be
providing a superior service. Going to the outer cayes and snorkeling in Hol
Chan Marine Reserve with the overly abundant marine diversity reminded me of
Brook Shields in the Blue Lagoon. I could not have been any happier, if I could
only hold on forever to that fairylike feeling of overwhelming happiness. Beyond any doubt, the island represented
great memories for Mark and I. So much so, we swore that one day we would bring
our kids one day to visit Belize.
This year, my son Andrew completed twelve years and my daughter
Jessica will turn 16 and I thought that perhaps this year my family is much
deserving of a vacation. Surely enough my husband and I made well on the
promise to introduce our kids to Belize- the place where we consummated our
marriage. Indeed, twenty years was plenty time to bring about serious changes
in a destination we visited two decades ago. I was elated to note that the country had
since grown substantially since our trip in 1992. The small town of San Pedro
is now booming with several more resorts, restaurants and even more people.
Placencia was a top priority this time around. Mark is very fond of sports fishing and my
two children are huge diving enthusiast.
Jessica and Andrew took intermediary diving lessons with our local dive
and tour operator, Splash Dive Center, who also arranged our family excursions
to Caracol Maya, Monkey River, horseback riding and to the Belize zoo.
My family and I spent the final two days of our vacation in
Toledo District at Machaca Hills lodge.
The property itself is rustically divine and chic. The view from the
exquisite and award winning restaurant perched on a hill top was just
stunning. Mark and I made much use of
the sunsets and sunrise from the balconies of our private cottages looking at
the dense Machaca Forest hills and the sea in the backdrop. It was the perfect
setting for us to re-commit our vows to each other and we did!
These are memories that my family and I will cherish
forever. I am very happy that we decide to visit Belize a second time and I
know that every member of my family has gained so much more from the
experience. Thank you Belize for a wonderful time, it truly was a perfect and
indelible family vacation!
