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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

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Light Lunch and Interesting Conversation at Cocoblanca

by tacogirl 25/02/2016
written by tacogirl 25/02/2016
coco beach restaurant

I was recently invited to attend the Belize Humane Symposium hosted by Saga Humane Society at CocoBlanca, the Coco Beach restaurant. Since my mom is here on a one week visit and is willing to do what ever was on my schedule that she was interested in, she was happy to join me.

After Pilates class we got cleaned up and headed north to Coco Beach Resort. There were many new and also many familiar faces at the event.

Among the attendees there were 5 groups represented:

  • Belize Hopkins Humane Society
  • CAWS Cayo Animal Welfare Society
  • Caye Caulker Humane Society
  • Saga Humane Society
  • Judy Yablonski – No formal organization yet, but has been saving animals for years with the help of Vivien Patterson.

The groups came together to brainstorm, and share best practices on how they can all work smarter not harder. Importing and sharing of medication came up, as sometimes one group may be out of a particular medication and a different one has a surplus. Another interesting comment shared by the Cayo Humane Society is that they use high tech pet ID tags to help track dogs and get their info out to the public.

The event went really well and everyone was very grateful for the opportunity to come together and learn new things. As a result a new animal welfare group was formed and duly named the Humane Societies of Belize Coalition.

Dawn Locasio, Saga volunteer and board member gave the following comment and on behalf of Saga would like to thank to Mike Barnett and Sandy Point Resorts for hosting the event.

“The 2016 Belize Humane Symposium was a huge success for all who attended and participated in identifying needs and goals. Saga Humane Society may have played host to the first ever round table discussion of Humane Societies in Belize, but we are just a facilitator of communication and conversation. Each organization brought knowledge, compassion and resources. The day was meant to open the door to collaborative efforts in the future and that is exactly what was achieved. It is our dream that one day there will be one unified voice for all companion animals in Belize, and this is the first step towards that goal.”

Coco Beach Belize

Saga Symposium at Cocoblanca

Cayo Animal Welfare Society

Use of Qrp code pet id tags were introduced by Cayo Animal Welfare Society

Coco Beach Belize

Seafood chowder

Coco Beach Belize

Salad – pie went down instantly and never made it to picture stage

On our way home we had to do a road side stop because we saw my friend Walter doing a construction job. My mom had met him the last time she was here. That was 7 years ago when he was still cooking at Pedro’s Pizza. They enjoyed chatting and of course we snapped a few pictures – Walter is still my most photographed person to date.

North Ambergris Caye

Walter and my mom

North Ambergris Caye

My mom and I

It is amazing how fast a week passes – she leaves tomorrow morning. The next  7 pictures are different places we have end up. We had fun eating out lots and she met a bunch more of my friends. She even got to experience our radical weather changes. Last night when Chef Bruce and Jane were delivering our dinner the wind picked up within seconds as a cold front started rolling in. We literally saw dust flying south and this morning it was “sweater weather” at a mere 70°F or 21°C.

San Pedro Belize

View from my roof top

Palapa Bar Belize

Enjoying a Piña colada at the Palapa Bar

Banana Beach Resort

Romeo, favorite bartender to many at an impromptu Banana Beach live music night

Holiday Hotel San Pedro Belize

View while eating diner at Holiday Hotel Restaurant, Caprice

Belize Red Cross

Red Cross blood drive total units of blood given was 15 including two O negatives and an A negative with $529.00 in Donations

Ecologic divers Belize

Friday night Sunset Sail with Ecologic Divers

San Pedro Belize

Fresh off the plane and taking dock pics by Ilana Frank

Related

tacogirl

Laure Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

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2 comments

Carol Fiedler 25/02/2016 - 5:05 pm

Hi Taco Girl: I’ve been reading your blog for about a year now and enjoy it. Since you were just at the Saga Symposium I am wondering who I should contact about a dog that can use some attention. He hangs out at Marina’s Grocery Store but looks very neglected. I stopped and petted him today and he is very thin and his nails are so long I’m sure they cause him problems. I’m from Missouri and am in town until next Tuesday. I would love to pay for him to have a “spa day” but don’t know if that’s a possibility. Would he be eligible to be picked up by Saga so they could find him a good home? Let me know who I should contact. I appreciate any help or advice you can give me. Thanks.

Reply
tacogirl 25/02/2016 - 5:16 pm

Glad you enjoy my blod Carol and kudos for helping a dog in need of tlc. I am sending a group email between you and Dawn (Saga volunteer and board member) She will advise you on how best to proceed.

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Corey Holm
Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton! I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s... always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and... local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do... what everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation.

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3 childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age.Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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