March was such a busy month I almost didn’t have much time to blog. Here’s what happened.
A year ago, we moved to Gran Canaria to start a business. Unfortunately our visa was denied and so we moved to Placencia in Belize. We decided to open a smoothie business in Maya Beach and plans to do that began. Last month we rented a small shop
and work began on the counter and workspace. Michael was still in Canada at this time so a carpenter friend of ours very kindly offered to build it for us (I love where I live!).
In the meantime, we sorted out all the boring legal stuff (incorporating etc.) and made and tasted smoothies like crazy.
And we also hired our first employee – a lovely lady who I’m hoping will grow with our shop.
Also in March, Big Kenny from the country duo Big & Rich visited Placencia for a holiday and we spent a lovely Sunday afternoon at The Other Side – Inn Place & Poolside Bar, hanging out with him and listening to him sing a few songs accompanied by our own local duo, Island Vibes. He also donated a signed guitar for one our charity organizations here in Placencia.
Mid March saw my ladies’ group and I at Ixcacao Chocolate Maya Belizean Chocolate
where we learned all about how Mayan chocolate is made from the cacao plant to the finished product.
This is where it all starts – with the cacao plant.
We started off in the cool dining area where our guide handed us various pieces of chocolate to try from 100% cocoa (not sweet at all) to the chocolate that we buy in the stores and everything in between.
and then we took a break for a very delicious lunch
Before moving onto the second half of the tour, we admired the beautiful view
and then our guide told the story about how his family came to own the farm and get into the chocolate business. He was a very good story-teller and kept us entertained the entire time.
He then demonstrated exactly how the chocolate is made
It was fascinating and not at all what I expected. Afterwards, we had an opportunity to buy their products in the shop. I bought some ceremonial cacao and a few bars of delicious chocolate – orange is my favourite.
We continued on to the Belizean Spice Farm and Botanicals gardens. Michael and I have been there on a previous occasion, so I won’t repeat myself here. To read about our tour there, click here.
On the way out, I noticed that the houses are so very different to what we see in Placencia. These are true Mayan houses.
We also came across this church along the way.
There’s always something different to see at the Belizean Spice Farm and Botanical Gardens. The beautiful Bougainvillea wasn’t in bloom the last time we were here.
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