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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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CD Eating Fungus in Belize and How to Save Your Cart From Salt

by tacogirl 15/04/2014
written by tacogirl 15/04/2014
san pedro town

I noticed a few of my CD’s suddenly developed transparent squiggly lines on the surface. In the picture below you can see how it started at the outer edge, and was spreading as it devoured parts of the thin aluminum. I was not interested in any household science experiment involving fungus, so I trashed the CD and opted for some research instead.

I Googled the term “CD eating mold” and it brought me right back to Belize. This is not a new phenomenon; the articles I read were dated back to 2001. The first one said researchers in Spain discovered a fungus that eats holes in compact discs and corrupts the information stored in them. They went onto say that after visiting Belize in Central America, Victor Cardenes of Madrid’s National Museum of Natural Sciences, found one of his CD’s discolored, transparent and unreadable. The next one I read was a BBC news article with similar information, citing the fungus which belongs to the common Geotrichum family was brought back from the Central American country of Belize. They also reported many e-mails were sent from Panama, Costa Rica and Guatemala describing similar cases of a strange fungus eating CD’s that thrives in tropical heat and humidity.

belize weather

CD rendered useless due to tropical climate.

Another thing to consider is electronics care. I know some people who have set air conditioned spaces for all their important electronics gear and they keep it stored well to help it last longer. Since we do not use air con much at our house, one of my solutions to help our router (which can get very hot) was to raise it up a bit so that air could circulate underneath it and help it stay a bit cooler.

belize internet

Router raised on crystal caps to keep air circulating underneath.

This next bit of info is for our island vehicle owners; preventative maintenance goes a long way to helping your cart or other wheeled vehicles last longer. We all know that salt is a major contributor to rust and corrosion, and has a direct effect on a vehicle’s shelf life. I am taking that one step further for those living on Ambergris Caye, or thinking about it.

If you look at the first picture below, you will see one of the canals that leads out to the lagoon. This is where they get the spray water to keep the dust down. While the salt water spray does keeps things looking cleaner, it also mixes with the dirt and becomes a new kind of hazard, as it collects on the surface and underneath your vehicle. Not only can this cause rusting and corrosion which can have a negative impact on the mechanics, it can also be harmful your golf cart’s finish.

Make a habit of washing your vehicle once a week, especially if you drive on back roads like the truck in picture number two. This will help clean off the salt air and dust, as well as stop build up which can happen all too fast.

If you do not have the time or the inclination to do it yourself, I have seen a few reasonably priced guys with power washers on the island. Set up a routine wash schedule with one, you and your wheels will be glad you did. You could also show a local kid how to do a proper cart wash. Not only will you be teaching them how to care for things, you will be giving them a sense of responsibility and a way to earn some spending money.

san pedro town

This is where the water comes from that they use to spray down the roads and keep the dust down.

driving in belize

Salt mixed with the road sand and can cause faster corrosion on vehicles.

Worldwide kids are now happily enjoying Easter vacation and time off from school. The picture below shows some Belize kids enjoying time in their new pool on their veranda. I was so glad to see that versus the site I saw in my friend Dick’s backyard a while back, which was kids being allowed to take a dip in the canal; such an unsafe idea due to crocodiles.

easter in belize

What Easter vacation looks like in our neighborhood.

I knew this next picture would hit home when I posted it on tacogirl Facebook page this afternoon, and sure enough, the fruit man is popular with the ladies, as you can see by the following comments:

  • Martha Gibson: I miss that man. He used to ride by the house everyday.
  • Lisa Lee: I love to buy from vendors like that! First saw them when I went to Colombia. 
san pablo belize

Fresh fruit cart traveling through San Pablo area.

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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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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THE ORIGINAL BELIZE BLOG

THE ORIGINAL BELIZE BLOG

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.

If you have any questions or want Belize discounts, Contact me.

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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