Belize, a diver's paradise. Host of the second largest barrier reef in the world.

      Even if you never dive yourself, you absolutely must put Belize on your bucket list!  Snorklers, Hol Chun is your personal crystal clear top of the line aquarium that just happens to be in the sea.  You are behind a reef so that you have warm pools of water 40-50 feet deep (15-18 meters) that has unlimited visibilty and friendly fish used to begging treats from divers (though not a bright idea of doing something that allows wild animals to lose their fear of man for several reasons).  There are nurse sharks at the bottom you can just about touch (never touch a wild animal unless you are looking to die), and huge silver with neon yellow stripe down the side Jacks that belie the speeds they can reach, like a city dragster.  Plenty of colorful corals and lots of others, yet never crowded, so you are fairly safe while you play.  Like any activity involving wild animals, even friendly ones is to expect the unexpected and never put yourself in harms way intentionally.  Remember these famous last words, "Let's poke it with a stick!"  Enjoy the views and be thrilled with the close encounters, but be smart.  For the diver, you cross the reef in a shallow boat with your diver master, the skipper and mate helping you with your needs.  The dives easily reach 120 feet (40 meters) to sandy bottoms white as snow.  Follow coral canyons, hover and watch the reef animals, it always is a disappointment to need to come up for DeComp.  You can easly do three dives in one location and still not see it all.

     Now what is the best way to dive and enjoy my stay?  Well, you can rent a place on St. George Caye, a privately held island with two resorts one specifically for divers, where you can walk to the British military R&R station and chat with the soldiers who are relaxing after intense jungle training.  Friendly people, but very priviate, so if you wonder around, respect the signs and everyone will get along.  Another Caye I would highly recommend, is Caye Caulker, a fishing village on a 2 mile by a 1/4 mile (1.3km x 0.5km) wide island.  There a diver shop and tour center was created by a retired US colonel and her partner, so these expatriots understand your needs and concerns first hand and always great to work with.  They also sponsor the cat and dog neutering program to control the animal population of farel/abandoned pets.  On the island of Ambergrys the local police shoot stray dogs and cats, espeally at night, on other occations the use poisons to kill of the former pets.  It is also the most Touristy place in Belize.  Seriously enjoy the land and the people, bypass that place and check out the really undeveloped nature of a country with 250,000 people whoe speak Enlish and a 2 for 1 exchange rate against the US dollar and use MPH for speed limits.  Go see the various ruins, not just the well known ones, there are dozens and usually uncrowded no matter the time of the year.  It is a trip worth while as you see the inland highways, the rivers that transported the Mayan people and their goods for many centuries.  

    So, if you want to see a great little country, Belize is it, but don't be disappointed when you first land, Belize City is way 3rd world, but the rest of the country is amazingly beautiful.  Though I will say, even in that city the bums are friendly and don't keep at you.  All you have to do is say Shove off Mate, and they apologize and wish you a great time while visiting.  They give it the old college try, but know with bad press things get bad fast, so locals know how to behave themselves.  Interestingly, it was pirates that founded British Honduras (it's colonial name), and to this day still run the politics of the land.  A neat place to enjoy and free at ease wherever you are in the country.  It's no surprise expatriots flock to the warm weather, low cost of living and privacy few places in the world have any more.  So, don't be suprised to get an American accent when yo ask a question of a local.