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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

You came to the right blog for Belize Resources and Information.

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A Short Celebration at Casa Picasso and a Poolside BBQ

by tacogirl 24/07/2015
written by tacogirl 24/07/2015
belize restaurants

It’s not a bad day when you can say you met some cool new people from around the world, enjoyed a short celebration at Casa Picasso and attended a poolside BBQ, as was the case for me last night. Plans magically came about hours prior which is a common phenomenon of Island Life – short notice fun and too many choices at the same time.

Another great thing about living on a tropical island that everyone loves to visit are vacation party invitations. Many repeat visitors will host a party every time they come to town because it is an easy way to get everyone in one place and a more intimate setting than a bar. This time the fiesta was thrown by Leahann and Rick who are staying at Paradise villas. They are long time repeat offenders and often turn up on the island unannounced and surprise “gift bomb” their friends.

This time around Leahann gave me a week’s notice and asked if there was something I was looking to buy but could not get it here or she could find cheaper. My wish list included both thoughts so I asked for 4 flash drives as they make great gifts and I also asked for a crystal and a roll on rock salt deodorant. I ended up with two 8 gig and two 16 gig for $24 USD. She gifted me the rock salt deodorants. Since Kendall had asked his visiting friends to bring one also at my request, I got to pay it forward gift x 2 – Shirlee was extremely happy with her crystal and Kendall got the roll on. (If you have not tried this stuff consider doing so, it is environmentally friendly and healthy. I swear buy it and have not used traditional deodorant in at least 15 years.) Muchas gracias for the gifts guys and being my personal shoppers. Paul has said to put him down for an 8 gig drive so the tech toys are also getting gifted already.

Leahann and Rick are very gracious hosts and they always have room for one more. So when I told her I had plans to go with Shirlee, Aimee and Walter to Casa Picasso for a drink, she said “bring them along and show up anytime”.

Jackie and Adam are also very gracious hosts and they do a great job of making sure everyone who sets foot through the door of their restaurant has a great experience from start to finish. We enjoyed sitting at the bar chatting with Nicolai and Jackie and Adam when they were not attending to others. Our reason for going to Casa Picasso for a drink was to celebrate and collect a check for $302 dollars for the San Pedro Belize Red Cross. Casa Picasso has generously agreed to donate a portion of their proceeds from Group Volunteer dinners and individual volunteer meals.

Thanks to our last two volunteer vacation groups Johnstown United Church for having their welcome dinner there and FAVACA who opted to have their goodbye meal there. I attended both and without a doubt had very two delicious altruistic moments. Enjoying fabulous food with big groups of people who came to help our community become more resilient and a enjoy a Belize vacation – very rewarding.

After a couple of drinks we were off like a herd of turtles to find supplies to finish off our group party contributions. Of course it was pretty much guaranteed we would not get one stop shopping. We stopped at Island City for drinks, chocolate and marshmallows and did slow drive by’s at the shops along back street till we saw one that had bananas and the veggies we wanted. Our destination was  just north of town at Paradise Villas – a very cute long and short term condo rental option.

After parking the cart all we had to do was follow our noses to find the party, we could immediately smell tastiness in the air. Sometimes I like being early and watching people arrive and sometimes I like walking in to a good party already in process. The latter was the case and by the time we got there the BBQ, it was rocking.

Although everyone had already eaten, both our dishes were a big hit. We whipped up mini sausage veggie kebobs and a dessert barbecued banana and plantain with chocolate and marshmallow. It was a great party, intimate and fun, with both familiar and new faces. We ate, drank, swam and shared stories.  There were a couple of good six degrees of separation folks in the crowd.

After my Wednesday night sunset cruise and a Thursday night like last night it reminds me of how blessed I really am. This island takes good care of me.

Belize Restaurants

Watermelon Cooler – My favorite Virgin drink at Casa Picasso – regular one has vodka

Belize Restarants

Handing over the check

Belize Vacations

Pool area at Paradise Villas

Vacation Rentals in Belize

Swim up pool bar

Belize Vacations

Pool Bar Party

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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

Rebecca Coutant 24/07/2015 - 7:45 pm

Nice Casa Picasso and the Red Cross! Go Laurie!

Reply
tacogirl 24/07/2015 - 7:58 pm

Thanks Rebecca, The San Pedro Branch is very excited to be growing volunteer vacations and working with local businesses as a way of sustaining our branch in addition to the first aid program. Thanks for any Red Cross support on San Pedro Scoop we appreciate everyone helping us get out there.

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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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ABOUT ME

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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SPARKING MY DESIRE

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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