Nate Womack
CA DRE# 01369153
+501-633-0880
925-954-5040 (US)
nate@nateinbelize.com
CA DRE# 01369153
+501-633-0880
925-954-5040 (US)
nate@nateinbelize.com
Nate's Neighborhood Notes
August 2022
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Emancipation Day
On January 8, 2021, the Belize parliament passed a proposal to join other Caribbean countries in making August 1st a national holiday to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in the Caribbean from the British Empire. The holiday commemorates events that took place on August 1st 1834, but it may be celebrated on different days in these countries.
In the US, Emancipation Day was on April 16, 1862. The Compensated Emancipation Act was signed by Abraham Lincoln. Although this day is mostly observed in Washington DC, Juneteenth has become the national holiday as that commemorates the last recognized act (General Order No. 3) ending slavery in Texas on June 19, 1865 in the United States.
For further information and references regarding Emancipation Day, click here.
On January 8, 2021, the Belize parliament passed a proposal to join other Caribbean countries in making August 1st a national holiday to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in the Caribbean from the British Empire. The holiday commemorates events that took place on August 1st 1834, but it may be celebrated on different days in these countries.
In the US, Emancipation Day was on April 16, 1862. The Compensated Emancipation Act was signed by Abraham Lincoln. Although this day is mostly observed in Washington DC, Juneteenth has become the national holiday as that commemorates the last recognized act (General Order No. 3) ending slavery in Texas on June 19, 1865 in the United States.
For further information and references regarding Emancipation Day, click here.
Moneta Casino Open
I had the chance to make it over to Pedro's Inn during the month of July and experience "Ladies Night". Not including a brief appearance during LobsterFest, I had not been at the venue to enjoy its Wednesday night tradition since Covid had hit the country in 2020. As usual, Belizeans don't go out until late, so even though we arrived around 11:15pm, things didn't get going until midnight. By the end of my stay, I had witnessed plenty of tourists enjoying the music with Belizeans and the local Belizean vibe. The event is hosted at Pedro's Inn, but the specific location onsite was Moneta (nightclub & casino). I actually made it into the casino, which had two blackjack tables, a poker table, and about 20 slots machines. This was all on the 2nd floor. I was told that the 3rd floor was reserved for poker on Thursdays. They do have a kitchen serving food, but I am not sure how late it is open (at least midnight).
I had the chance to make it over to Pedro's Inn during the month of July and experience "Ladies Night". Not including a brief appearance during LobsterFest, I had not been at the venue to enjoy its Wednesday night tradition since Covid had hit the country in 2020. As usual, Belizeans don't go out until late, so even though we arrived around 11:15pm, things didn't get going until midnight. By the end of my stay, I had witnessed plenty of tourists enjoying the music with Belizeans and the local Belizean vibe. The event is hosted at Pedro's Inn, but the specific location onsite was Moneta (nightclub & casino). I actually made it into the casino, which had two blackjack tables, a poker table, and about 20 slots machines. This was all on the 2nd floor. I was told that the 3rd floor was reserved for poker on Thursdays. They do have a kitchen serving food, but I am not sure how late it is open (at least midnight).
Wahoo's Lounge Relocates to Corona del Mar
Wahoo's Lounge, which had been located just beneath the Spindrift Hotel for many years, has relocated about 1 mile south to the outdoor restaurant/bar at hotel Corona del Mar. I had heard rumours of the venue change, but the sign is literally there and the infamous "Chicken Drop" continues in its new location. While heading south via a golf cart is certainly and option, a mile walk down along the beach is an easy way to access the new venue. There is certainly more beach area to have an event and the new place will accommodate many more customers than the old one. It also brings another tourist venue to the southern part of town, which along with other places, is creating a more balance throughout town of "places to go". I actually attended the first two weeks to see hour things were going and the crowd literally doubled from one week to the next. Tourists are finding their way down to the new location.
Wahoo's Lounge, which had been located just beneath the Spindrift Hotel for many years, has relocated about 1 mile south to the outdoor restaurant/bar at hotel Corona del Mar. I had heard rumours of the venue change, but the sign is literally there and the infamous "Chicken Drop" continues in its new location. While heading south via a golf cart is certainly and option, a mile walk down along the beach is an easy way to access the new venue. There is certainly more beach area to have an event and the new place will accommodate many more customers than the old one. It also brings another tourist venue to the southern part of town, which along with other places, is creating a more balance throughout town of "places to go". I actually attended the first two weeks to see hour things were going and the crowd literally doubled from one week to the next. Tourists are finding their way down to the new location.
Barefoot Iguana to Re-Open!
You may have recognized a green building while driving on the south end of Coconut Dr. (across from the proposed "Marriott Residences") and on the corner of Hurricane St. The last few years, the building had been the location of the Roadkill Bar on the outside. The Barefoot Iguana has been standing since before the turn of the century. It closed down around 2006, but the building still has been standing all of this time. Roadkill Bar has relocated near the drive to Secret Beach (west end of Grand Belizean Estates) and now I am hearing that the Barefoot Iguana is supposed to re-open. I was a little late on the news, but I have confirmed that it was purchased by a previous club owner that sold their establishment in another location on the island. The south end of Coconut Drive is really going to turn into "a place to be" in the near future.
You may have recognized a green building while driving on the south end of Coconut Dr. (across from the proposed "Marriott Residences") and on the corner of Hurricane St. The last few years, the building had been the location of the Roadkill Bar on the outside. The Barefoot Iguana has been standing since before the turn of the century. It closed down around 2006, but the building still has been standing all of this time. Roadkill Bar has relocated near the drive to Secret Beach (west end of Grand Belizean Estates) and now I am hearing that the Barefoot Iguana is supposed to re-open. I was a little late on the news, but I have confirmed that it was purchased by a previous club owner that sold their establishment in another location on the island. The south end of Coconut Drive is really going to turn into "a place to be" in the near future.
Taken 07-26-22
Picture courtesy of ambergriscaye.com
Taken 07-14-22
New Video Releases
I've had a few video releases on my YouTube channel "Nate in Belize". Many of the recent ones have been of the social nature, but there is some good information for tourists and ex-pats living here.
I've had a few video releases on my YouTube channel "Nate in Belize". Many of the recent ones have been of the social nature, but there is some good information for tourists and ex-pats living here.
Picture courtesy of Islenutt
Tourists Plentiful in July
For the month of May and a week or two in June, it looked like we were headed for our normal off-season crowds, but the streets seemed to keep busy with golf carts and tourists walking around. That has kept up through the opening off lobster season (July 1st) and has carried on through July. The end of July had the new Belize Tourism Board (BTB) International Music and Food Festival and there was also the 6th Annual Grand Caribe Deepsea Classic fishing tournament.
For the month of May and a week or two in June, it looked like we were headed for our normal off-season crowds, but the streets seemed to keep busy with golf carts and tourists walking around. That has kept up through the opening off lobster season (July 1st) and has carried on through July. The end of July had the new Belize Tourism Board (BTB) International Music and Food Festival and there was also the 6th Annual Grand Caribe Deepsea Classic fishing tournament.