Belize City Travel Guide

I went to Half Moon Caye, Belize.  This is not to be confused with the Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas or Half Moon Bay in California. My friend Jill Bennett and me went to Belize in October 2005 for some Scuba Diving.  We had quite the adventure as we set out for a 5-dive trip on a boat from Caye Caulker to the Blue Hole.  Scuba Diving the Blue Hole was an experience in itself, descending to the 125-150 foot depths, being surrounded by sharks and finding air pockets built in the hole that we actually took breath from at depth.  But after the Blue Hold and after another beautiful dive, we ended up on Half Moon Caye to have lunch on the boat.  This Caye is actually a Natural Monument, National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary.  We went on land to explore the park and use the facilities.  It was here that I almost died.

I went to Half Moon Caye, Belize.  This is not to be confused with the Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas or Half Moon Bay in California. My friend Jill Bennett and me went to Belize in October 2005 for some Scuba Diving.  We had quite the adventure as we set out for a 5-dive trip on a boat from Caye Caulker to the Blue Hole.  Scuba Diving the Blue Hole was an experience in itself, descending to the 125-150 foot depths, being surrounded by sharks and finding air pockets built in the hole that we actually took breath from at depth.  But after the Blue Hold and after another beautiful dive, we ended up on Half Moon Caye to have lunch on the boat.  This Caye is actually a Natural Monument, National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary.  We went on land to explore the park and use the facilities.  It was here that I almost died. While my scuba diving compadres were on the boat and my friend Jill was in the bathroom, I found myself somewhere in between, walking in the sand amongst the palm trees.  Suddenly, a crushing pain came across my left shoulder, side, and back.  I was dizzy.  My left side went numb!  My ears heard ringing and I thought I might pass out.  As I was trying to think straight and understand what had happened, a coconut rolled between my feet.  I had been hit by a coconut. Two inches right and it would have hit my head!  
As I looked around on the ground around me I suddenly realized that coconuts were all around.  These trees threw fruit at tourists pretty regularly as it appeared to me!
Lesson learned - if you end up on Half Moon Caye, Belize, beware of falling coconuts. 

Belize! I lived here for like 1 1/2 years for medical school. We lived in Los Lagos. Ladyville is on the out-skirts of Belize City. Its an okay kind of place. I would check out the Baboon Sanctuary, The Belize Zoo, Old Belize, and go Cave Tubing. All you gotta do is ask any local, they will let you know how and where to go. People are very friendly there. You can exchange your U.S. dollars easily for Belizian dollars with anyone. Much better exchange rate than at banks and stores! Make sure you check out those Mayan Ruins if you can. They are beautiful. Plus, if you get a chance, take a propeller plane from the airport, or go to downtown Belize City and take a motor boat to Caye Caulker and San Pedro (islands of the coast of Belize), trust me, you won't be sorry you went. Beautiful islands full of snorkeling, water skiing, diving, adventure sports, and much more. Don't forget to get your hair braided! Also, make sure not to miss an opportunity to go clubbing at the Princess's club in Belize City. Plus, make sure you try the national favorite "rice & beans & chicken!!!!!!!!!!!"