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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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The Story of Jolly Pete

by tacogirl 13/02/2012
written by tacogirl 13/02/2012
San Pedro Belize beach pictures

Recently I was having a six degrees of separation moment with Mac Pete on trip advisor. He wrote me asking about Ambergris Caye vs Caye Caulker and before long, we discovered that we had both lived just outside of Montreal and moved to Toronto, Ontario.

Here is a small part of Mac Pete’s conversation – “OK now we REALLY have to have that drink, you’re proof it IS possible as long as you’re prepared to take a leap of faith’. And the story behind the tacogirl name? I’ll put the story behind the photos for you – a real tale of me and my big mouth! It took over 48 hours to get the goofy grin off my face as I lived the dream for one night. Very fond memories indeed”.

When I opened my email and looked at the first picture below and saw first hand Pete’s ‘goofy grin’ I knew the story to follow would be a good one and a great shout out to all my skilled grillin friends.

Thanks for sharing Mac Pete and if Carbunkle Trumpet ever does another Sauce off, I will make sure you are on the invite list. If you end up grillin in San Pedro this July, I volunteer for taste tester 🙂

The story of Jolly Pete

Our first dinner on Caye Caulker was pretty good – an Italian place up the road from Roger’s. We’re out for an after dinner stroll, when we come across this fellow with a charcoal grill cookin’ up catch of the day. He asks if we want dinner, sorry man, just ate up the road.

“Yeah, they’re not bad, but really you need to eat here for the local experience”

“OK maybe tomorrow night”, was our answer.

Next morning, my buddy Grant and I are up early, on the prowl for coffee for the wives. We come across Roger, who reminds us we’re eating at his place that evening. “Not unless we find coffee soon” was our reply. He took us to his Dad’s place around the corner and we started to chat about all things charcoal. We went back to his place and I checked out his rig, an old propane tank split lengthwise with a hinged lid. Basic, but effective.

We talk fuel, indirect heat and the like, Grant lets slip I have 4 BBQs back home and know my way around the grill. (For the record, I now have 5, with the addition of the “Halal Hibachi”, for when my my Muslim neighbors drop by)

“Ok big boy, you talk a good game. C’mon by tonight, 6:30. You’re cooking so don’t be late” I’ll never forget those words…

So 6:30 rolls around, I arrive and Roger has the grill lit. I start cooking for our party, 2 barracuda, 2 snapper, 2 shrimp. Easy right?

Roger is working the street, and more folks arrive. “Two more shrimp, don’t burn them”

Wait – what??

“Barracuda and another snapper. More shrimp”. Crikey.

“C’mon in folks, guest chef all de way from Canada, tonight only!”
The place is filling up, my wife and friends have finished dinner (cooked perfectly by the way) and have left to explore Caulker at night. I’m still grillin and grinnin’.

I ended up cooking until about 11 pm, had a well deserved cocktail with Roger.
“So, Boss, how’d I do?

He tells me 8.5 on 10, not bad for a new guy.

My dream job, 20 feet from the beach and a face that I would need a belt-sander to get the grin off.
Thanks Roger, for making me one very happy guy that night.

(And ever the business man, Roger charges me full pop for 6 dinners. STILL can’t figure that one out.)

jolly roger caye caulker restaurantsjolly roger caye caulker belizeFor those of you who do not know the story behind the name tacogirl: When we were still green here I found the Ambergris Caye Message Board and decided to join it to make friends. I figured I would find people who have Belize in common and try to meet some locals – boy did I ever on both counts. I tried beach girl for my user name but it was taken and good thing for me because it got me thinking, what else do I love about Living in Belize and island life? Of course  food was the next thing that came to mind and tacogirl was born. A few days later Paul came along and said ok I joined the board as tacoboy – dos tacos pour favor.

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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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1 comment

Carbunlke Trumpet 13/02/2012 - 3:41 pm

Oh how I do enjoy finding a fellow griller. Yes we need to figure out a good time to have another Sauce off and to get everyone back so I can defend the title. Love how Jolly Pete got stuck grilling, reminds of when I manned the grill at Coral Bay when Chunky’s knee was ailing him a couple years back.

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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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