April Blogging A to Z Challenge 2026: U is for Uxbenka in Belize

 Uxbenka is a Mayan Ruins site in the lowlands of Belize in the southern region called Toledo. Dating back to 250-500 years CE.

Above is a video of that site. One of the daytrips I made while in Belize was to visit a Mayan site and I was glad to take a day to appreciate that culure.

April Blogging A to Z Challenge 2026: Royal Rat in Belize

 A rat fit for a Queen! Once fed to Queen Elizabeth II the Pacas or what locals call Gibnuts were also called Royal Rats. We did see some on our trip I did not eat any.

Here is a video of eating them..

It could be similar to rabbit or squirrel. Would you be adventurous enough to eat a Paca?

 

April Blogging A to Z Challenge 2026: Q is for Queen Conch in Belize

I had conch first as fritters and then I had them in a couple other foods, Queen Conch is one of the largest conch species. I believe they are threatened or protected in Florida, but Belize has a very protected marine area. 

Above video about Queen Conch, below about Conch in general...

April Blogging A to Z Challenge 2026: P is for Placencia in Belize

 Placencia is the place I spent the majority of my time in Belize. The town is a beach town in southern Belize. Great access to the lagoon, nearby jungles and mountains. The sea was right there for Caribbean views, scuba diving, snorkeling, cruises and more!

Small shops, coffee shops, eateries, rum all easily available. No big chains, no super stores, and health food was cheaper than junk food. 

April Blogging A to Z Challenge 2026: Lagoon in Belize

 

above is a video of the Placencia Lagoon. Most of our crocodile research and some mangrove planting was along this waterway.

April Blogging A to Z Challenge 2026: K is for Kriol in Belize

 The primary language in Belize is English as the country was British Honduras until 1982. The second biggest language in Belize is Spanish which makes sense considering the countries location. the third most popular language is Kriol also known as Belize Creole. 

The language mixes influences from English, African (from slave days), Native Tongues, Spanish annd other influences to create it unique language.

April Blogging A to Z Challenge 2026: G is for Garifuna in Belize

Above is about the Garifuna in Hopkins,

Below cooking...

Drumming...

Garifuna are the descendants of a shipwrecked slave ship who intermarried with the Arawak natives. My experience friendly, welcoming people. Belize is a mixing bowl of many cultures!

 

Thoughts on: Disney, Jennifer Lee and A Wrinkle In Time

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle was one of my favorite books to read when I was a young child. It was cool to see when my son read the book and I am sure it won't belong until my daughter reads it.





I'm glad to see the book coming to the big screen. I am sure the movie will inspire more people to read the book. Will the movie surpass how you imagined the story as you read the book? It is possible and to some it will not. It isn't fair to ask a movie to do that. Your imagination is fluid, always changing while a movie is recorded. You as a reader have your own perspective on the story and the movie creators will have their own too.  How true to the book will the movie stay is another question to be answered.

Jennifer Lee had enormous success with her last project Frozen. Disney will have the talent and resources to enable Ms. Lee to create something special. Here is the trailer for Frozen..

I've heard some folks that are disappointed that Disney is making the movie. Perhaps someone else could make it. However, Disney has the ability to turn it into a blockbuster. It is a children's book and Disney has a way with making things special for children. I'll watch it with my daughter. If the movie doesn't go like my interpretation of the book maybe I will re-read the classic. I might not even wait for the movie, I might just read the classic to my daughter!