KISS icon Gene Simmons in Belize

Gene Simmons and wife Shannon Tweed are on location in Belize filming new episodes for their popular TV series "Family Jewels." They were spotted today in southern Belize in Punta Gorda where they not only enjoyed local food and fun at Waluco's, but indulged in Cotton Tree Chocolate's that is grown and produced in Belize.

Photo courtesy Juli Puryear, Cotton Tree Chocolates

Now Available: Croc Pops!!

Alexis and the delicious Croc Pop

The Cotton Tree Chocolate factory in Punta Gorda has made a donation to the ACES founders, now relocated to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. After the devastating loss of their sanctuary and home last month, Vince and Cherie Rose (founders of ACES) have been working towards rebuilding their lives and of course, to continue their work with the American Crocodiles.
Helping the couple is Cotton Tree Chocolate Factory, a company based out of Punta Gorda. They have created the fun Croc Pops – chocolates in the shapes of crocodiles – which will be sold in stores in Punta Gorda and Ambergris Caye. The sale proceeds will go towards the rebuilding of ACES on Ambergris Caye. Juli Puryear of Cotton Tree Chocolate Factory was in the San Pedro Sun office dropping off some delicious treats for the staff, along with Cherie Rose and ACES friend Alexis.
The Croc Pops will be sold for $2.50 a piece, and again, all proceeds go towards the rebuilding of ACES.

Juli and Cherie

Toledo Cacao-Fest 2010

Chocolate aficionados from all corners of Belize and beyond migrated to the southern end of Belize last weekend to attend the fourth annual Toledo Cacao-Fest in Punta Gorda.
The festival, organized by a group of volunteers from the Toledo community,including Ya’axche Conservation Trust,Toledo Cacao Growers Association,BTIA Toledo,Sustainable Harvest International,Punta Gorda Town Council and with support and assistance from National Institute of Culture and History (NICH),the Institute of Creative Arts, the Institute of Archaeology, the Belize Tourism Board, Love FM, Tropic Air and BRC Printing offered a weekend full cacao celebration as well as promoting other tourism opportunities in the district.

The festival kicked off on Friday night the 21st with a Wine & Chocolate Reception. Guests tasted chocolate samples from Belizean producers Goss, Cotton Tree and San Pedro’s own Kakaw. Kakaw proprietor Chris Beaumont was on-hand to showcase a decadent chocolate fountain where guests could sample a variety of fresh tropical fruits drenched in melted chocolate, yum!
Saturday the Taste of Toledo was an all day beachside affair featuring arts,crafts, music, dance, food and more. The festival moved to the nearby Labaantun ruins on Sunday where an opening performance of the Monkey Dance was staged by the villagers of San Jose. Archaeological presentations were held throughout the day and the event ended with a concert with the “Three Kings of Belize”, Paul Nabor, Florencio Mes and Mr. Peters accompanied by Carlos Perrote

Read more in our Visitor Guide this week: