Three Years in the Jungle: My Life in Belize, A life I Never Expected
I still remember November 1997 - my first time on a plane. As we descended into Belize, the jungle canopy stretched as far as the eye could see. Disembarking onto the tarmac at Philip S.W. Goldson...
Belize Part 123 (June 8 to 15)
June 8 Life in the jungle: First thing this morning I was back to digging the new cabana septic hole. I noticed my first baby green iguana of the season. I finished the septic hole (4ft x 4ft x...
Belize Part 122 (May 31 to June 7)
May 31 Life in the jungle: I started my morning back working on my (compost-making) chicken coop. I had one small coop door and the main door left to build. An excavator operator came by but I...
Belize Part 121 (May 18 to 30)
May 18 Life in the jungle: Today I turned 51. I guess that's proof there is no going back from old age. Truthfully, I have nothing else to add about turning 51. Today was killer hot out. I...
Belize Part 120 (May 8 to 17)
At some point, somehow, I lost/deleted my Belize blog Part 119 (April 27 to May 7). Based on some photos in my photo collection all I know about that I installed an exterior wall in Andy’s bike...
Belize Part 118 (April 19 to 26)
April 19 Life in the jungle: This morning I was informed that guests of Andy on motorcycles were ahead of their schedule and now showing up tomorrow. That put me into house-cleaning mode. This...
Belize Part 117 (April 10 to 18)
April 10 Life in the jungle: The morning was filled with assorted small jobs. Before breakfast, I headed to the village to pay for yesterday's delivery of building materials and to pick up 100 ft...
Belize Part 116 (March 30 to April 9)
March 30 Life in the jungle: Before breakfast, I was able to lay 100 cement blocks in the main chicken coop area for a raised floor. The purpose of the floor is the solution to dealing with the mud...
Narrow-bridged Musk Turtle
Narrow-bridged Musk Turtle - Claudius angustatus Locally known as Toe-biter. The smallest musk/mud turtle found in Belize. To be honest I don't see these guys often, but I found my first one in...
Belize Part 115 (March 15 to 29)
March 15 Life in the jungle: First thing I made patio stones and framed a form to make a ramp into Andy’s new dirt bike lean-to. I had to go to the village to pick up four broiler chicks. I (we)...
Belize Part 114 (March 3 to 14)
March 3 Life in the jungle: Even though this is my day off I started my morning digging my septic trench. I need my mornings to myself. Jamie from across the river now comes over Saturdays and...
Belize Part 113 (Feb 20 to March 2)
February 20 Life in the jungle: The last few mornings have been kind of cold. I spent a short time starting to dig my future septic trench. I had an earlier breakfast than usual so I could start...
Belize Part 112 (Feb 11 to 19)
February 11 Life in the jungle: I did a little yard work first thing. It's my day off but I prefer to give Andy his mornings to make breakfast etc. Jamie spent the night on the hammock so they...
Belize Part 111 (Feb 4 to 10)
February 4 Life in the jungle: I did some small jobs around the house first thing. Today is my day off but I have realized I need to be out of the house first thing in the morning while Andy makes...
A Comprehensive Guide to Living in the Jungles of Belize
The following article is largely a Belize-oriented comprehensive guide to living in the jungles of Belize but the information can easily be applied to living in any jungle in the world. That being...
Belize Part 110 (Jan 26 to Feb 3)
January 26 Life in the jungle: Andy left first thing in the morning for Caye Calker to visit a friend visiting from Canada. I have the whole place to myself until Monday. I mixed a half bag of...
Are you interested in living in Belize? Here’s a unique opportunity.
A unique living opportunity in the jungles of Belize Hi, I have a unique opportunity for like-minded individuals looking to live in Belize. My situation is that I am a 51 year old single male...
Belize Part 109 (Jan 18 to 25)
January 18 Life in the jungle: First thing this morning was making patio stones. Then I laid the cement blocks for the floor perimeter of the dirt bike shed. Then I got a message from Jamie...
Belize Part 108 (Jan 7 to 17)
January 7 Life in the jungle: Today is my day off and I posted Belize blog Part 54, 55, 56, 57, and 58 and my poem, There is an Ocean Inside My Head to my website. I feel like I should spend my...
Hi and Welcome to my website
Hi and welcome to my website and blog. My name is Arie Hoogerbrugge, I am originally from Canada, and for almost three years, I have been living in the jungles of Belize. I started my blog in 2019...
Belize Part 107 (Dec 30 to Jan 6)
December 30 Life in the jungle: It rained all night and this morning was the coldest temperature in two years (16C/61F). And everything is very muddy. This morning I tried uploading videos to a...
Belize Part 106 (Dec 20 to 29)
On December 19th 3 guests from Poland arrived and Andy moved into his new apartment (greenhouse). The guest's names are Bob and Marlena and Marlena’s father Hendrik. December 20 Life in the jungle:...
Belize Part 105 (Dec 14 to 19)
December 14 Life in the jungle: I didn't even know so many things could go wrong in a day. Last night I discovered that I had let my utility water vat run dry. I ran the river pump for about 30...
Belize Part 104 (Dec 4 to 13)
December 4 Life in the jungle: First thing I went up to the village for groceries. I posted Unlocking True Wisdom: The Power of Following Your Own Advice to Substack, Medium, LinkedIn, and my...
Belize Part 103 (Nov 27 to Dec 3)
On November 8th a Canadian riding through Belize on his dirt bike decided to stay and live in Belize on my farm. A week later two stray and malnourished dogs showed up out of the jungle to stay as...
Belize Part 102 (Nov 19 to 26)
On November 8th Andy Wilson arrived from Canada and became my new roommate. On November 17th and then the 18th two malnourished dogs showed up out of nowhere. Their names are Saucy and Pepper....
Belize Part 101 (Nov 11 to 18)
On November 8, a Canadian guest named Andy arrived to stay with me. The weather continues to be rainy. November 11 Life in the jungle: Today was on-and-off rain all day. I wrote multiple life...
Prince Edward Island – Part 2 – Aug 17 to 23, 2024
August 17 Home in Canada: I spent virtually the entire day in front of the computer. I had it planned that I would try to get some work done on my book about my bike ride while in Canada. I am at...
Prince Edward Island – Part 1 – Aug 9 to 16, 2024
I just spent the last week traveling by bus from Belize to Monterrey Mexico to spend a few days there and caught a flight the night before to Charlottetown, PEI to visit my family. August 9 Home in...
Headed On An Adventure to Mexico and Canada – Part 2 – August 4 to 8, 2024
I was in need of a vacation from the jungles of Belize, and visiting Canada has been on my mind for the last few months. I thought I might add a small Mexican adventure to my vacation. This post is...
Headed On An Adventure to Mexico and Canada – Part 1 – August 2 & 3, 2024
I was in need of a vacation from the jungles of Belize, and visiting Canada has been on my mind for the last few months. I thought I might add a small Mexican adventure to my vacation. August 2 A...
Belize Part 100 (Nov 2 to 10)
November 2 Life in the jungle: I spent the first part of the day rewriting and updating an older bike touring blog post called How to document your bike tour or adventure. Last week I decided to...
Morelet’s Crocodile
Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morelet%27s_crocodile Sometimes I see Morelet's crocs in my fish ponds. Years ago there was a pair of them that were always having babies. I think...
Belize Part 99 (Oct 24 to Nov 1)
October 24 Life in the jungle: I spent the day in front of my computer. I started by watching some YouTube videos on TikTok. And then ended up on some video chats with my website developer and his...
Belize Part 98 (Oct 19 to 23)
October 19 Life in the jungle: My allergies were fine today (last week they were bad). The weather continues to be nice (not too hot). I am trying a young guy out from the village to do property...
Fer de Lance Snake
Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bothrops_asper Latin Name - Bothrops asper Local Name - Tommygoff North, Central and South Americas most dangerous snake. I don't see too many adults...
Belize Part 97 (Oct 4 to 18)
October 4 Life in the jungle: The greenhouse floor is officially and finally finished. I started mixing cement and making patio stones in the first week of May. It only took me 6 months to...
Belize Part 96 (Sept 25 to Oct 3)
Last week I started I started laying my greenhouse floor. September 25 Life in the jungle: I started my morning headed to the village for groceries. After a late breakfast, I headed to the ponds to...
Belize Part 95 (Sept 10 to 24)
September 10 Life in the jungle: Today is my day off. I did very little today. I did the laundry and I cleaned my bedroom loft, and before bed, I posted Belize blog post Part 38. There was no...
Belize Part 94 (Aug 31 to Sept 9)
August 31 Life in the jungle: I started my morning chopping in the coconut field. Chopping in the coconut field has been this monthly priority. Before breakfast, I went to the village for...
Belize Part 93 (Aug 24 to 30)
August 24 Life in the jungle: There was some rain last night with sporadic sprinkles throughout the day. I started my morning chopping at the ponds. The Cribo snake that I caught the other day got...
Dwarf Gecko
Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphaerodactylus_glaucus Latin Name - Sphaerodactylus glaucus I find these guys with regularity inside the house. More Belizean Creatures Meso-American...
Spitting Spider
Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spitting_spider I had never seen one of these before and know nothing about them but I was told that it's a spitting spider. More Belizean Creatures...
Belize Part 92 (Aug 17 to 23)
For months I have been making a dozen patio stones almost every morning for my new greenhouse. August 17 Life in the jungle: There was a rain shower early this morning. The sky also looked a little...
Belize Part 91 (Aug 12 to 16)
August 12 Life in the jungle: I am still wiped from the last few days. I couldn't understand my exhaustion until I looked at the weather on my phone. It was 102F by 9:30 AM. I didn't bother...
Belize Part 90 (Aug 3 to 11)
Every morning I mix half a bag of cement and make a dozen patio stones for my new greenhouse floor. August 3 Life in the jungle: After making my patio stones I did a little bit of yard work and...
Two-spotted Snake
Two-spotted Snake - Coniophanes bipunctatus Local name - Garden snake I doubt these snakes are rare but this is the first one I have found. More Belizean Creatures Meso-American Slider Turtle...
Meso-American Slider Turtle
Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meso-American_slider The same Family and Genus as the common pet turtle, the Red Ear Slider. Meso-American sliders are fairly common in any permanent...
Belize Part 89 (July 26 to Aug 2)
July 26 Life in the jungle: I got about 95% of the way through making my patio stones and then I got hit with a soaker of a rain shower. After breakfast, I spent most of the afternoon continuing...
Belize Part 88 (July 18 to 25)
I have recently started a print-on-demand (POD) t-shirt website store. And first thing every morning I mix a half bag of cement to make a dozen patio stones for my new greenhouse floor. July 18 Life...
Belize Part 87 (July 11 to 17)
I have recently started a print-on-demand (POD) t-shirt website store. And first thing every morning I mix a half bag of cement to make a dozen patio stones for my new greenhouse floor. July 11 Life...
Belize Part 86 (July 1 to 10)
I have recently started a print-on-demand (POD) t-shirt website store. And first thing every morning I mix a half bag of cement to make a dozen patio stones for my new greenhouse floor. July 1 Life...
Belize River Canoe Adventure – Post #3 – May 28 to 29, 2024
On May 23, 2024, Jamie Madrill (from the village) and I embarked on a 300+ kilometer canoe adventure from the Macal River in San Ignacio to all the way down the Belize River to Haulover Creek...
Belize River Canoe Adventure – Post #2 – May 25 to 27, 2024
On May 23, 2024, Jamie Madrill (from the village) and I embarked on a 300+ kilometer canoe adventure from the Macal River in San Ignacio to all the way down the Belize River to Haulover Creek...
Belize River Canoe Adventure – Post #1 – May 23 to 24, 2024
On May 23, 2024, Jamie Madrill (from the village) and I embarked on a 300+ kilometer canoe adventure from the Macal River in San Ignacio to all the way down the Belize River to Haulover Creek...
Belize Part 85 (June 23 to 30)
June 23 Life in the jungle: There was thunder and lightning and a little bit of rain last night. I made my patio stones first thing this morning. I decided to take a break from my clothing website...
Belize Part 84 (June 10 to 22)
June 10 Life in the jungle: After I finished my patio stones this morning I headed to the village for groceries. I spent the rest of my day going through and organizing my computer notes on an...
Belize Part 83 (June 4 to 9)
June 4 Life in the jungle: Being my Sabbath I sort of did nothing today and maybe, possibly spent too much TV today which contributed to me going to bed way too late. Oh well. I did write the poem...
Belize Part 82 (June 1 to 3)
June 1 Life in the jungle: I couldn't believe it. I left the chicken coop door open last night and nobody was eaten. Orlando called me first thing this morning. His wife had set three pullets...
Red-cheeked Mud Turtle
Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scorpion_mud_turtle Also known as Scorpion Mud turtles (Kinosternon scorpioides). Locally known as Swanka These turtles are by far the most common...
Belize Part 81 (May 24 to 31)
May 24 Life in the jungle: I sort of slept in this morning. It's when I have goofy dreams that I can never remember that I seem to sleep in. Leaving the house to first feed the chickens I sensed...
Belize Part 80 (May 17 to 23)
May 17 Life in the jungle: I was expecting the public works guy to stop by sometime today. First, I started putting the patio stone materials together. I then headed to the village to see Saul's...
Belize Part 79 (May 9 to 16)
May 9 Life in the jungle: As per my usual morning ritual now, I mixed cement and poured another dozen patio stones for my future greenhouse floor. This is pouring number 5 with 63 stones now. Once...
Belize Part 78 (May 1 to 8)
May 1 Life in the jungle: Orlando showed up this morning. I pulled the deck post forms off the posts we poured last week before he arrived. They did not pour very well. I wasn't very pleased. We...
Belize Part 77 (April 22 to 30)
April 22 Life in the jungle: Today was killer hot with no breeze. I started my morning cleaning up my chickens and moved my large broilers to their new coop. I should mention that every day as a...
Belize Part 76 (April 15 to 21)
April 15 Life in the jungle: My rooster let me sleep in a bit this morning. I spent the whole day painting. My first priority was the internet tower. I had to finish priming two sections and I...
Collard Aracari
Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collared_aracari It can be a real hit and miss how often these birds visit the farm. In 2024 we had a flock of them visit the tree behind the house for...
Belize Part 75 (April 6 to 14)
April 6 Life in the jungle: I started my morning chopping in the coconut field until the internet guys showed up and dropped off my internet tower. It turns out I needed to make the main tower...
Belize Part 74 (March 30 to April 5)
Earlier this month I started rebuilding the rear section of my deck. March 30 Life in the jungle: There were no cracks in the deck floor this morning. I am very thankful for that. But I am also...
Belize Part 73 (March 23 to 29)
Currently, I have been working on rebuilding my rear deck and getting an internet connection. March 23 Life in the jungle: Things went great with my cycling guests and they got back on the road late...
Belize Part 72 (March 16 to 22)
Last week I started to replace my rear section of deck due to wood rot. March 16 Life in the jungle: After Orlando arrived, we mixed 2 and a half bags of cement and poured four of the six columns...
Belize Part 71 (March 6 to 15)
March 6 Life in the jungle: I spent my day finishing moving all my seedlings to a location away from the house. I am planning to replace my rear deck and need working space by the house. It took a...
Belize Part 70 (Feb 23 to March 5)
February 23 Life in the jungle: I dragged my morning for a bit. I am physically tired from all the chopping and chainsaw work these last few days. I eventually did a little bit of chopping at the...
Belize Part 69 (Feb 12 to 22)
February 12 Life in the jungle: All day it was an overcast and cool day. After feeding the chickens I actually got back into bed to stay warm. Today is my Sabbath. I spent the first part of my...
Belize Part 68 (Feb 4 to 11)
February 4 Life in the jungle: I started my day finishing my chicken coop with lumber that Saul brought yesterday evening. After lunch, I planned to start working on my book. I can't remember when...
Belize Part 67 (Jan 29 to Feb 3)
January 29 Life in the jungle: Today was my Sabbath. My day to do nothing but try to spend some time reading and of course a nap. Elton my bushhog guy did come first thing to finish cutting the...
Belize Part 66 (Jan 24 to 28)
January 24 Life in the jungle: It was hard to get out of my hammock this morning. After yesterday's bull shit at immigration, it's hard to find motivation. Which sucks because I have so much to...
Belize Part 65 (Jan 18 to 23)
January 18 Life in the jungle: Today was a work day. I painted, I did some minor chainsaw work around the house and coconut field and I went to the ponds to water my papayas. January 19 Life in the...
Belize Part 64 (Jan 11 to 17)
January 11 Life in the jungle: I started my day getting a job out of the way that had only been partly started a while back. I finished putting a cement block perimeter around my apartment septic...
Belize Part 63 (Jan 6 to 10)
January 6 Life in the jungle: I woke up in the middle of the night (early morning) and I never fell back to sleep. This morning I spent the whole morning lying in my hammock with my eyes closed. I...
Belize Part 62 (Dec 30 to Jan 5)
December 30 Life in the jungle: I started my morning finishing the framing for my screen-enclosed greenhouses. I wanted to get that job out of the way quickly, as 2x2s warp quickly in the sun. The...
Central American Cribo or Indigo Snake
Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_American_indigo_snake Latin Name - Drymarchon corais Local Name - Black-tail Black-tails are the most common snake found around the farm and on...
Belize Part 61 (Dec 23 to 29)
December 23 Life in the jungle: By going to bed early last night, I got an early start this morning. I had to plant pineapple (tops) at the ponds so I spent my morning chopping at the ponds. I was...
The Power of Naiveté: Turning Innocence into an Entrepreneurial Asset
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In a world that often values experience and expertise, the concept of naiveté might seem counterintuitive. However, embracing a certain level of...
Belize Part 60 (Dec 18 to 22)
December 18 Life in the jungle: Today is my Sabbath. I continue reading Walking with God by John Eldredge. Of course, I also took a nap. In the afternoon I was thinking about a question I wrote...
Suffocating
I can’t breathe My chest tightens My heart beats faster Why do I feel so alone inside? This feeling never leaves How am I to know that you are real? Days turn into weeks Weeks turn into years Why do...
Belize Part 59 (Dec 11 to 17)
December 11 Life in the jungle: Today is my Sabbath. I did take a walk to the river to check on the rising level. The level was actually perfect for pumping water as my vat was getting dangerously...
Belize Part 58 (Dec 4 to 10)
December 4 Life in the jungle: Today is my Sabbath and I do nothing but read. Somehow my morning dragged out and then I ended up cleaning the bathroom and then the kitchen. They do say cleanliness...
Belize Part 57 (Nov 30 to Dec 3)
November 30 Life in the jungle: Today was my second trip to the city this week. It was all about working on my Belize residency. The first thing was a tuberculosis test. I will have to go back...
Crafting Legends: Why If You’re Going to Have a Story, Have a Big Story
Written by Sophia Wisdom for Arie Hoogerbrugge In a world saturated with information and narratives, storytelling has become a powerful tool for capturing attention and leaving a lasting impression....
Belize Part 56 (Nov 25 to 29)
November 25 Life in the jungle: One year ago, today I arrived at my home in Belize from my two year bike ride. What a year from hell. You can read a condensed breakdown of my last year blog post...
There is an ocean inside my head
The waves crashing into my emotions They pound the desire right out of me The depths of eternity are without reach Feelings just below the deep waters of uncertainty Anger and sadness crash against...
Belize Part 55 (Nov 22 to 24)
On November 2nd Hurricane Lisa hit and I have been basically without power since then. Check Belize Blog posts #53 and #54 for more hurricane details. Sorry for lack of photos in this blog post....
Belize Part 54 (Nov 16 to 21)
On November 2nd Hurricane Lisa hit and I have been basically without power since then. Check Belize Blog post #53 for more hurricane details. November 16 Life in the jungle: The power shut off at...
Embracing the Challenge: It’s Hard to Do Hard Things and How to Overcome
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In the pursuit of personal and professional growth, we often encounter challenges that seem insurmountable. The journey of accomplishing difficult...
Belize Part 53 (Nov 8 to 15)
November 8 Life in the jungle: Today I was able to get half the coconut field clean of all hurricane debris. I finally pulled out the chainsaw to tackle larger branches and one big tree. There is...
Belize Part 52 (Nov 3 to 7)
November 3 Life in the jungle: I woke up at 6 AM and did a walk around. The yard is a complete disaster with many mature trees down. The river lot is basically decimated. Virtually every mature...
Belize Part 51 (Oct 29 to Nov 2)
October 29 Life in the jungle: I started my morning as usual chopping in the coconut field. I ended up disturbing a nest of large wasps. I never got stung but I had a wasp come at me. He buzzed...
Unlocking Success: The Power of Persistence and Grit
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In the journey towards success, one undeniable truth stands out – persistence is the single biggest indicator of triumph. Without a doubt, achieving...