I’m On My Way, What Should I Expect?

Over the course of my 10 years of on Ambergris Caye, this is the worst storm damage I have witnessed. Local John Nunez once told me stories from Hurricane Keith and how Middle street was suddenly open to Jet Skis.

In the face of adversity, you can really see how people come together to help one another.

Another story from years past that comes to mind was shared with me by the late Tim Callanan. He was faced with manning his San Pablo area house alone and after a hurricane and he had very little resources. Tim told me how two community-minded people, Melody and her mom Dulce made sure he got a daily meal delivery. He was forever grateful and I could feel the heartfelt emotion towards the mother-daughter duo in his words as he told me the story.

This time around I have seen so many people stepping up to help one another and heard a few good stories, including a staff member free diving for the bar stock at the completely leveled Palapa Bar.

United we stand, ready to rebuild and bounce back from mother nature’s stormy weather.

So You Are On Your Way

Current weather in Belize Hot and Sunny with a high of 30°C or 86°F – It definitely feels a few degrees warmer.

Many of you are on the fence about your vacation plans. So far of the 10 or so people that have asked me all of them have decided to come.

While it is true not everything may be open and there are many fewer docks to walk on, we are largely moving forward at a great pace. By coming down and supporting the local economy you will be helping the community through a trying time.

You will have a great time and see just how resilient and strong our community is in the face of Mother Nature and forces beyond our control.

Click through for a good read by Robert Hawkins – Lessons from Earl: No. 1, Not all disasters are alike.

How to Help

In case you missed it the first time, here is how to make a contribution.

If you would like to help click through to see two ways if you are in Belize or out: – A Few Days of Hurricane Earl Aftermath and 3 Donation Options.

If you or someone you know on Ambergris Caye needs help after the storm, look for San Pedro Red Cross crew around town in their red vests conducting needs assessments. You can also go directly to the ground floor back of the Town Council building to the conference room.

Check Donations can be made payable to San Pedro Lions Club Atlantic Bank Account #211 3829 02 (Can be used for wire transfers from abroad) Lions telephone number 011-501-226-2477

Belize City and Placencia

Amandala News aptly titled their article Earl the destroyer, click through to see how badly Belize City was hit by Hurricane Earl. They need a lot of support and help right now.

Another interesting read with pic – Hurricane Earl….from a Placencia perspective… by Pure Placencia Belize Blog.

Perfect Picture Weather

Since the storm, the skies have been bright blue interspersed with big white fluffy clouds. The first set of pictures are some that I took from my rooftop yesterday. The second set below are even better for aerial pictures as they cover the whole island.

Looking south-west from my roof

Water taxi dock for boats to Mexico

Rides set up on Saca Chispas football field

Looking down Black Coral St.

Looking South East

Southern view

These next amazing series of Ambergris Caye and two Caye Caulker aerial pictures came courtesy of Astrum Helicopters.

Landing strip at San Pedro Airport courtesy of Astrum Helicopters

San Pedro Aerial courtesy of Astrum Helicopters

South of town courtesy of Astrum Helicopters

Ambergris Caye Aerial courtesy of Astrum Helicopters

Airstrip to Phoenix courtesy of Astrum Helicopters

Sunbreeze Suites to Sandbar Hostel area courtesy of Astrum Helicopters

Grand Caribe Resort Aerial courtesy of Astrum Helicopters

Caye Caulker

These next two pictures are also courtesy of Astrum Helicopters and show the famous Split area

The split on Caye Caulker after Hurricane Earl courtesy of Astrum Helicopters

Aerial view of the split courtesy of Astrum Helicopters