The extreme sport of kite surfing has become a very popular sport worldwide and in San Pedro it has gained much ground in the popularity ranks amongst thrill seekers and sports enthusiast. One young man in San Pedro is taking up the challenge of setting a world record of being the first Belizean to be in the Guinness Book of World Records by being the first to kite surf the entire length of the Meso American Barrier Reef.

Twenty one year-old Martin John Leslie will attempt to set the record of kite surfing in one continuous direction for 600 miles and he plans on doing so in four days. Martin John is set to kite surf the largest Barrier Reef in the Western Hemisphere at the end of this month. His journey will begin at Isla Contoy, Mexico (just above Cancun) and end at the Sapodilla Cayes in Toledo.

Martin John has been kite surfing for five years now and has been arduously practicing for the event for more than two months. He has managed to kite surf from San Pedro Town to Belize City in one and a half hours this past Sunday.

Representatives of the Guinness Book of World Records will be coming to the country to witness the event that is being sponsored by SEAduced by Belize, The Belize Tourism Board and Hol Chan Marine Reserve. More contacts are being made to obtain more international media coverage for the event.

We will keep you posted on Martin’s progress and have full coverage of his amazing fete. Ambergris Today wishes martin John the best of luck! Make us proud Martin John!

Isla Bonita Elementary School is heading for the Band Fest in the Cayo District to be held on April 4, 2009. To prepare, the school’s drum line has been preparing for the past six months under the leadership of band leader John Thompson.

Band Fest is a three-day event with competitions in elementary, high school and elite categories. The marching competition takes place along a three-mile stretch of road where judges will be watching. The winners take home $10,000.

The band will be holding a drum-a-thon this Saturday at 8:00a.m. starting at Caminantes Store. They will be drumming all the way to town asking for donations from businesses on their way. The Isla Bonita Drum Line needs to raise funds mainly for transportation and lodging, so any assistance to them would be greatly appreciated. To pledge your support please call 226-3754 or 610-2402/607-0885. Or look out for them parading the streets this Saturday and extend your support to the school.

- Press Release - Residents of Ambergris Caye have come together to form the Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development (ACCSD). The Stated mission of the newly formed organization is to support and promote sustainable development on Ambergris Caye and in its surrounding area through education, awareness and citizen involvement. Sustainable development meets the needs of the present while protecting and enhancing natural resources without compromising the livelihood of this and future generations.

The ACCSD was created by residents of the island who see an urgent need for planned sustainable use of our coastal and marine resources. Members of the organization come from varied backgrounds and professions but share a common interest of conserving the environment through proper planning as responsible stewards.

Ambergris Caye is an important tourist destination in the Belize, catering to approximately 60% of overnight tourist arrival in the country. However, the success of the tourism industry on the island has attracted mega-developments that do not confer with the ecotourism tourism product being marketed for Ambergris Caye.

This uncontrolled development now threatens the long term health of our coral reefs and associated ecosystems. Additionally, it will affect the livelihood of many locals who depend on a healthy coastal and marine environment for their sustenance.

A perfect example of this is the proposed South Beach Mega development which proposes to alter over 500 acres of perfectly healthy and productive mangrove wetlands. The proponents of this project fail to understand the vital role that mangrove play by providing a habitat and nursery for many species of fish and invertebrates; serving as a breakwater that dissipate wave energy and help stabilize the shoreline; filter nutrients and pollutants that would otherwise contaminate the reef. South Beach development is not consistent with sustainable tourism. The most dangerous aspect of this project is its proximity to Hol Chan, which is important to the island’s economy, both today and in the future.

The group is also calling for a master plan for Ambergris Caye. We need planned development that follows sustainable practices of resource use. Each new development must be considered within the context of the sensitive nature of our island’s environment and the effects of previous developments.

Coral Reefs, Sea grass meadows and mangrove wetlands are all interconnected and each is dependent on the other for their survival. Therefore it is important that we develop initiative that promote sustainable use of our coastal resources and guarantee long term benefits to our community.

Tourism Concern call for end to mega-resorts

Mega-resorts are destroying communities and are environmentally unsustainable and lead to widespread alienation and displacement of people from their land, according to a new report from lobby group Tourism Concern.

Poor communities in developing countries, which depend heavily upon their natural resources for their livelihoods, are the hardest hit.

Huge tracts of public and privately owned land are being ‘grabbed’ and sold off to real estate developers by governments keen to expand tourism in pursuit of economic growth. In reality, little of the profit from internationally managed resorts stays in the local economy.

The trickle down of tourism revenue to those who have lost their homes and livelihoods is minimal, particularly in the face of rising living costs associated with an influx of tourists and owners of expensive second homes. Cheap migrant labor is often drafted in from abroad to work on the developments, while opportunities for employment in the exclusive five-star resorts are limited to the most menial, poorly paid roles.

Tourism Concern has joined with campaigning groups from all over the world to call for a moratorium on the construction of mega-resorts and in support the “Declaration of Belém”. Issued at the World Social Forum in Belém do Pará, Brazil, the Declaration presents an alternative vision of the future of global tourism, and urges for more just and sustainable practices on the part of industry and governments.

Patricia Barnett, Director of Tourism Concern, says: “The development of mega-resorts and all the social and environmental problems that go with them is an issue facing communities from Scotland to Bulgaria, from Spain to the Bahamas, India to Thailand. Tourism has to be developed in a more sustainable, transparent and democratic way. That means listening to the needs of local people and the environment, and demands an abandonment of the ‘economic growth at all costs’ attitude that is seeing communities dispossessed of their homes and their means of earning a living the world over”.

Tourism Concern says despite fierce public opposition, the development of the sprawling Bimini Bay Resort on the tiny island of North Bimini in the Bahamas has caused irreparable damage to the marine ecosystem, which local people depend upon for their livelihoods.

It also points to the West Indian island of Grenada, where the government has sold off state land for a luxury development spanning 400 acres and including 170 private villas, a private island, a golf course and marina. The resort will also incorporate part of the Mount Hartman National Park, despite it being a protected area and the last remaining habitat of the rare Grenada dove. Local people are angry about the lack of public consultation and say that no compensation has been paid to the rightful owners of the land.

“The needs and rights of local communities are being pitched directly against those of mega-resorts, with the resorts winning out almost every time. Golf courses, landscaped gardens, swimming pools and showers all consume vast quantities of water, much more than the local communities, who often have to walk a considerable distance to fetch water that is barely drinkable”, says Barnett.

The group attacks governments and developers that espouse “responsible tourism” policies, covering issues such as sustainability, community participation and damage to the environment. However, all too often this amounts to little more than a marketing tool to win popular support and attract tourists. (Hopefully our Belizean Government and authorities can learn from the mistakes these countries have made and take a closer look at these mega-resorts which can pose a bigger problem to the tourism industry than what the aim to improve on.)

The staff of Ambergris Today experienced a great restaurant review when Hidden Treasure first opened its doors. The first time, the staff experienced dinner in a romantic atmosphere, but this past week we were invited for a second treat - to have lunch at the restaurant that recently has opened back its doors for lunch.

Our host for the afternoon was bartender Luis Velasquez, who prepared some one-of-a-kind drinks for us such as Cantelope Martini, Frozen Mojito, and their signature drinks such as Hidden Treasure Margaritas and Pino Craboo Punch. One can actually say that they are the best drinks in town, not too strong or too light just perfect!

For all of you meat lovers you don’t want to miss the great T-bone steak and ribs that Hidden Treasure has to offer. The T-Bone steak is marinated in red wine for twelve hours and cooked to perfection. And let us not forget the ribs (Spare Buhurie) which is marinated in Garifuna spices and cooked tenderly, the meat actually dissolves in your mouth. The Blackened fish was served with a fruit sauce and the Bacon wrap is done with smoked chicken, both scrumptiously delicious.

After having enjoyed these great dishes we still had room for dessert - cheese cake, caye lime pie and coconut pie were a must. They also have a one of a kind liquid dessert section of which we had a Mudslide. Mmmm!

Our first experience was great but we all agreed that the second experience was excellent as they have perfected their delicious dishes! Thumbs up to the management and staff of Hidden Treasure for providing great service and food in an enchanting atmosphere. Hidden Treasure located in the Escalante Subdivision, call 226-4111 for reservations and don’t forget to tell them Ambergris Today sent you!

Ms. Rosita Baltazar received the Chatoyer Recognition Award for the Promotion of Garifuna Culture from the National Garifuna Council on Saturday, March 7, 2009. The award recognizes her work teaching dance to young people in Belize City, district towns, and the cayes.

Also, Rosita has returned each summer for the past six years to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Garifuna homeland, to teach modern and Garifuna dance. Her choreography often infuses modern, contemporary, and folk styles. Her work grows from her love of dance and by sharing her gift; she has taken the Garifuna Story to audiences far and wide.

Rosita is the Acting Director and Teacher for the San Pedro Dance Academy, where she teaches ballet, modern, folk and contemporary to young people 4 to 21 at the Lion’s Den on Fridays and Saturdays.