Real Life Recess - A blog for & about Aspiring Expats, Vacation Addicts, and Beach Bums

Belize Private Island Retreat- Ray Caye Weekend

Aug 05 2020

Take a break from the “real world” on a private island surrounded by magnificent coral reef and tepid turquoise sea. Can you imagine a better place to self-isolate than a boutique luxury resort on a wee island a stone throw from Belize’s beautiful barrier reef?

Jul 30 2020

There are a surprising number of South Africans living in Belize. At least, I am surprised by the (growing) amount. I don’t think I’d ever met a South African before Belize but now my best friend is one. The Placencia Beach Club held, last night, what I believe was their best attended theme dinners yet. A collaboration with our friend, Dean Uren, GM and former executive chef at Itz’ana Resort and Residences. (Yeah, you guessed it- he’s South African. He’s also Julia’s husband) The menu featured all the…

trip to banana bank lodge and horseback in cayo belize real life recess

Jul 25 2020

We had the good fortune of discovering a profoundly uncommon, singularly special, peculiar and prismatic property this week: Banana Bank Lodge and Jungle Horseback adventures. The animals, architecture, owner, art and artifacts all make this place fascinatingly special.

art auction fundraiser at Muna rooftop bar

Jul 24 2020

We’ve had a busy week. “Busy” being a relative term when you live a laid-back lifestyle. We’ve just returned from a trip up to Cayo but before I tell you about that, I’ll recap some village happens from Placencia this past week. Art Auction Fundraiser at Muna On Saturday night we attended a fundraiser for Greta Leslie, owner of Art n Soul Gallery on the sidewalk here in Placencia. Loads of beautiful pieces from different Belizean artists were on auction at Muna Rooftop Restaurant & Bar. You could…

Jul 19 2020

I had the pleasure of participating in a video shoot for my neighboring property, Captain Jaks. They now have the biggest and best golf cart fleet in probably all of Belize.

Getting back to normal/ new normal in Belize

Jul 10 2020

I’m feeling very optimistic this week as life in Belize is beginning to get back to normal… or rather the new normal. The State of Emergency that began April 1st with the closure of our borders and strict shelter-in-place regulations ended on June 30th and signaled an end to restrictions like curfews and group gatherings.

Big Sipper boat in Placencia Belize realliferecess

Jul 06 2020

No fireworks this year as the borders are still closed and there are nearly no North American tourists to cater to but we enjoyed a short and splendid cruise around the Placencia lagoon aboard the Big Sipper on the Fourth of July.

Jul 03 2020

#BelizeActive is the brainchild of Patricia Ramirez, owner and operator of Splash Dive Center in Placencia, Belize. Originally from Honduras, Patty, as she’s known to friends, has called Belize home for a long time. She is a community champion, environmental activist, mother, conscientious business owner, meticulous event organizer, and top-notch motivator. She’s taken the idea of a local running club and united athletes (and wannabe athletes) from across the country and beyond- Mexico, the US, even Holland. In addition to the local kids running club she’s organized in…

Jul 02 2020

Last week Belize’s Prime Minister, Dean Barrow, announced the plans for the reopening of the international airport in what will be Phase 3 of 5 in the official Travel Reopening Plan. (phase 1 and 2 went mostly unnoticed by the general public as there was not much fan fare over the repatriation of nationals- unless they tested positive and inched our country count towards the 30 cases mark, we’re still not there!) August 15th is the date the country has its eye on. When we’ll reopen to tourist……