San Pedro Sun takes a vacation

For news updates and more...check out www.sanpedrosun.com

New Year's Greeting

New Year’s Reflections

Looking back on the months gone by,
As a new year starts and an old one ends,
We contemplate what brought us joy,
And we think of our loved ones and our friends.

Recalling all the happy times,
Remembering how they enriched our lives,
We reflect upon who really counts,
As the fresh and bright new year arrives.

And when we ponder those who do,
We immediately think of you.

Thanks for being one of the reasons we'll have a Happy New Year!

Christmas Raffles make many people happy!!

Shopping during the Christmas rush generally means a chance to enter a special raffle at the various establishments one patronizes. This year was no exception as a variety of items were raffled off close to the Christmas holiday...below are the results of two more raffles that were held recently...

Castillo's Hardware Raffle:

1st Prize - 1 Heavy Duty Washing Machine - Amin Carillo

2nd Prize - 1 Leisure Patio Set - Clarissa Nuñez

3rd Prize - 1 DeWalt Heavy Duty Worksite Radio/Charger - Allan Paz

4th Prize - 1 Microwave - Robert Bailey

Her Worship Mayor Elsa Paz was asked to say a few words on air while at Castillo's during the raffle.

Atlantic Insurance - 19" TV raffle

Winner: Mr. Pete Graniel

Brave the Outdoors with Discovery Expeditions.

It is best to get an early start to allot enough time to have just the right experience with Discovery Expeditions’ adventures. This all day, fun filled activity sees you travelling from the tropical island paradise of San Pedro, through the city of Belize along the Western highway, through villages, and finally culminating at Caves Branch Outpost.

Discovery Expeditions provided The San Pedro Sun a chance to experience one of the many tours that they offer: Zip Lining/Cave Tubing. Richard of the local office, located on the dock at Exotic Caye Beach Resort, was instrumental in making all the arrangements for our day’s adventure.

We arrived at the San Pedro Belize Express water taxi at 6:45am for a 7:00am departure. There, we were met by a couple of smiling, welcoming baggage handlers who took our supplies for the day’s trip. At the office on the dock, we were given our round trip vouchers to board one of San Pedro Belize Express’ many comfortable vessels complete with cushioned seats and enclosed to provide shade from Belize’s usual sunny days.

An hour onboard the boat provided a scenic ride over calm, crystalline waters to Belize City. Once there, we were met by our tour guide, who introduced himself as Roberto Lopez. We were able to grab a quick breakfast from one of the many vendors at the terminal, and shortly after, we joined the remainder of our adventure team for the day, Katie and Nicki Smith.

We soon found ourselves in a spacious, clean, air conditioned van moving through the city streets heading for the highway. As we traveled, Roberto explained a little about our journey. The journey to Caves Branch Outpost was a 37 mile drive from Belize City, which saw us moving down the Western Highway and through the small village of Frank’s Eddy to our final destination at the Outpost. Complete with restaurant, bar, ample bathroom facilities and even your own private lockers, Caves Branch Outpost is ideally situated within the NoHoch Che’en National Park, just a stone’s throw away from your first zip lining platform and a five-minute walk from the river; making both activities super accessible.

The Zip Lining Team! Yeay!

Our first adventure for the day was Zip Lining. We found ourselves under a large canopy, occupied by hundreds of harnesses, gloves and hard helmets. Roberto announced that Elmer Ramos would be zip-lining guide for the adventure, and Elmer greets us all with a warm smile. In no time flat, we are suited with harnesses, helmets and gloves and we find ourselves walking up about 10 stairs to our first zip, known as the “Chicken Run”, this short and low zip gives newcomers a chance to decide whether they want to continue onto the following seven zips which gets higher and longer as you progress.

Gearing up for the Zip Lining Adventure!

Just one of the many gorgeous birds you have a chance to see while zipping through the jungle!

After braving the chicken run, all four of us decided that zip-lining was definitely an experience we were intent on seeing all the way through. Our true adventure began as we walked up about 200 stairs to our second platform. Stepping towards the edge as we get strapped to the cross cables, we’re somewhat scared as we look down and realize the height we are at.

Zipping through the Tropical Rainforests of Belize!

“Letting go”, allowing ourselves to simply fall! That is the hardest part. Once you can get yourself to do that, the adventure that follows blows your mind. Gliding at such a height, over foliage and alongside tropical birds, whooshing high above the ground on cables stretching 200 – 600 feet, the feel of defying gravity; it’s an experience that you simply have to have!

Elder Ramos, our zipping guide for the day!

With adrenaline pumping through our system, we head off to the outpost for our buffet-style lunch. There is a choice of green salads, pasta salad, potato salad, coleslaw and fresh fruit, followed by white rice or rice and beans, and creamy cheesy vegetables. Then the bounty of meats: stewed chicken, beef and even beef patties. Even empanadas make the cut, as do fried plantains and steamed corn on the cob.

There is bound to be stimulating conversations at the lunch table after such an adventure. Needless to say, lunch was spectacular. Combined with good conversation and a delectable meal, lunch was truly a satisfaction.

The exquisite food provided by Caves Branch Outpost was absolutely delectable!

After that delightful meal, and with ample time to spare, we commenced our hike across the river, through the terrain that would lead us to our starting point for the Cave Tubing. Our next adventure would take us through the winding waterway through ancient caves once inhabited by the Mayas. Cave tubing is an all encompassing activity. Hiking across the river, through a pre-determined trail for about a half an hour; helmets, life vests and floating tube in hand, we journey through lush vegetations with informative stops, where Roberto volunteered explanations of the varied vegetation that surrounded us.

After about a half an hour, we arrive to our point of entry. The journey grants visitors a chance to take in the cave systems; dark, mysterious passageways through which an impossibly blue-green stream meanders. Stalactites and stalagmites pepper the caves and occasional squeaks and cold drips keep one alert and focused on the task at hand.

Maneuvering the flotation devices takes a little effort at the beginning, but once you get the hang of it, and learn how to navigate either backward or forward, floating downstream becomes leisure time. The downstream currents carry you through your entire experience with just a little effort to steer the tube in the right direction. For the less adventurous, the guide offers somewhat of a train situation where you are attached to his tube. In this situation, all you have to do is simply lie there and take in the breath taking view of the caves’ roofs and the unbelievable formations that you come across.

With little light to no light in the entire length of the caves system, headlights are important, and offer such an insight to the travel methods used by the Mayans eons ago. As often explained by guides, the caves were used for all manner of things, including sacrificial rites, as a shelter during especially hard storms and hurricanes, and as a means of travelling from one area to the other, perhaps as escape routes.

Our journey downstream comprised of going through three caves systems, the middle one containing a loud, refreshing waterfall near the exit (or entrance if one were to look upstream). After several minutes of darkened pathways, slowly paddling downriver, the airflow generated from the falling waters was a welcoming refresher.

Following these mind blowing experiences, it’s time to return to reality; back in the city just in time to nab the last SP BZ Express water taxi heading to the island.

Caves Branch Outpost now offers a photo of your zip lining experience at no additional costs. Discovery Expeditions Belize Ltd. is a professional destination management services company dedicated to service, value, comfort, safety and excellence. Offering competitive prices while providing services that surpass all others, Discovery Expeditions is the choice for all your “Discover Belize” tours.
The scope of service offered by Discovery Expedition covers the entire country with offices in several locations, including at the International airport and in San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. The main office and reservations center is located in Belize City and is opened all year round. Discovery Expeditions represents all major hotels and resorts throughout Belize; as well as, domestic airlines, land transfers, tour operators, dive operators and all other tourism based services available in Belize.

Discover Expeditions Belize has been in operation for over 25 years and features a well informed, professional staff. Among the trips offered are Lamanai & New River Safari, Cave Tubing and Aerial Trek, Xunantunich, The Belize Zoo, Wildlife River Rafting, Altun Ha, Rainforest ATV & Kayaking, Robinson Crusoe’s Jungle Adventure with Rappelling and Mayan Caves and many more. If you can think of a trip you’d like to do, Discovery Expeditions is able to accommodate you. They are also the franchise in Belize for SNUBA. Discovery Expeditions may be reached at www.discoverybelize.com, info@discoverybelize.com or at telephone 226-2882.

SPSUN Employee, Kainie Manuel Confesses to Embezzling

PRESS RELEASE

Valdemar Graniel, Chairman,
Lions Zone 59
San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize, C. A.

RE: Belize Lions Zone 59 Clubs: San Pedro Town, San Estevan, Burrell Boom, Belize City and Belmopan City

April 26, 2010

The Belize Lions Zone 59 hereby announces that Ms Kainie Manuel is no longer associated with the Lionism movement in Belize. Her dismissal as a Lions Member follows an unfortunate incident that has brought embarrassment to the efforts of Lionism in Belize.

Ms. Manuel was nominated and elected to serve as the Belize Lion Zone 59 Cabinet Secretary/Treasurer for the year 2009-2010 and as such was given the responsibility to oversee the funds pertinent to the Zone. Sometime in March 2010, the members of Lions Zone 59 Cabinet were informed that monies raised for a past Lions member receiving medical attention in New York, USA were not delivered by the Zone Secretary. In addition, the Cabinet members were also informed that a check from the Belize Lions Zone 59, written to the Belize City Lions Club, was returned because of insufficient funds.

As a result, the Cabinet voted that the Belize Lions Zone 59 carry out a complete audit and investigation into the Zone’s funds. As part of the audit and investigation, Ms. Manuel was questioned and she confessed in embezzling and exhausting the Zone’s funds. After agreeing she had misappropriated the Zone’s funds, Ms. Manuel signed a promissory note in which she outlined how she would repay the Zone of its funds. Ms Manuel refused to comply with the promissory note she signed. Furthermore, Ms. Manuel has continuously refused to hand over financial documents belonging to the Belize Lions Zone 59. As such the Chairman of the Belize Lion Zone 59, on behalf of the Lions Organization in Belize, has proceeded to file criminal charges against Ms. Manuel.

We regret that the Lions Organization in Belize has had to go through such embarrassment by one of its members, but at the same time promise to make every effort to investigate the matter to the fullest and press charges accordingly. We want to reassure the Belizean people that despite the unfortunate incident, we remain committed to serving the nation of Belize with pride and dignity.

End

--------------------------------------------- 0 ------------------------------------

PRESS RELEASE

Ron and Tamara Sniffin
Owners/Editors
PO Box 35
San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize, C.A.

April 26, 2010

In June, 2008 Ms. Kainie Manuel, an employee of The San Pedro Sun confessed to embezzling over $50,000 from the business over a period of three years. In an attempt to give Ms. Manuel the opportunity to redeem her self, as well as repay the amount embezzled, San Pedro Sun owners, Ron and Tamara Sniffin gave Ms. Manuel the option to enter a binding, legal agreement in lieu of pressing criminal charges. Two months later, in August, 2008 the contract, drafted by Barrow and Williams Attorneys-at-Law, was signed by all parties and filed with the Supreme Court.

Manuel remained to be paid her full salary of $452/week until March 2009 when her wages were garnished by $200/week. In July, 2009 based on non-compliance with her contract, and within the binding agreement The San Pedro Sun began to retain her salary in full to expedite the repayment process.

Although a portion of her debt has been paid, there remains a balance of over $45,000. Since then Ms. Manuel has been in violation of the contract on several occasions and has admitted to embezzling at least an additional $7,000 from the company and misrepresenting the company on her behalf.

In light of Ms. Manuel’s indiscretions with the Belize LIONS Zone 59, as well as an on-going investigation of additional criminal acts, The San Pedro Sun has the legal right to terminate the contract and press criminal charges accordingly, which they are in the process of doing so.

End

--------------------------------------------- 0 -----------------------------------
Follow-up story: Channel 7 News

http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=16766&frmsrch=1

RC School Art class gets creative!

As part of their Expressive Arts Class, 117 Standard II students of the San Pedro Roman Catholic School hit the beach and expressed themselves with Sand as their art medium. Many shapes and sizes of sand castles sprang up, and it was quite a spectacle for those on the beach.After some fast and furious sandcastle building, onlookers were asked to judge the end products. Taking the top prize was the Mayan Ruin sandcastle. Great job kiddies!

Fun Images

What does this image seem like to you? What a cool shot right?

Try your hand at guessing what people thought it was!

Our friend Cullen looked out his window one morning and what should he happen to see? A small, 8-10 foot boat cruising along in the Caribbean, with a true lady holding her "parasol" high in the air as the gentleman drove her around! It certainly brings to mind the good old-fashioned times. And makes us long for just such a drive!

UPDATE:

Re: Anonymous - you would think it was a whale shark; the girls who took the shot thought so too...but then, THIS happened! Can you believe it?! Driftwood! It made for an interesting morning though!