Belize Part 154 (Feb 12 to 16)
February 12 Life in the jungle: First thing I shared my Belize’s Amphibians: An Essential Guide blog post to 20 Belize and Reptile Facebook groups I then headed to the ponds to chop. I finished...
Belize Part 153 (Feb 7 to 11)
Rain continues to fall daily or every other day. We should be well into the dry season now, but wet and muddy conditions are causing daily frustrations and grief. February 7 Life in the jungle: This...
Belize Part 152 (Jan 29 to Feb 6)
January 29 Life in the jungle: First thing I shared my scorpion blog post to a dozen Belize Facebook groups. I also decided to get my village trip out of the way first thing. The road is a real...
Montezuma Oropendola
Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montezuma_oropendola One of my favorite bird calls on the farm. Their calls are commonly heard but not often seen. Photo credit goes to Andy Wilson...
Belize Part 151 (Jan 21 to 28)
Photos of the Morelet's Crocodile Andy took last week on the opposite side of our river bank January 21 Life in the jungle: I couldn't believe I woke up to light rain, and the forecast was calling...
Belize Part 150 – San Ignacio (Jan 17 to 20)
January 17 Life in the jungle: Today was my weekend getaway to San Ignacio. After an hour and a half bus ride to Belize City, it took another two and a half hours to arrive in San Ignacio. I...
Belize Part 149 (Jan 10 to 16)
January 10 Life in the jungle: Today didn't go smoothly at all. I missed the morning bus by two minutes. A friend in the village driving by witnessed this. I caught a ride with him to the...
Belize Part 148 (Jan 1 to 9)
January 1 Life in the jungle: Last night, my allergies hit me hard, and then the New Year’s Eve fireworks started. I think I can now imagine what it might sound like at night in a worn, torn...
Belize Part 147 (Dec 23 to 31)
December 23 Life in the jungle: Because of less-than-ideal outdoor working conditions (mud), for the last two weeks, I have mostly been working on my computer, either editing my book or working on...
Belize Part 146 (Dec 17 to 22)
December 17 Life in the jungle: This morning I noticed that the ground was quite wet, but I didn't remember hearing any rain. I took a walk to the river and discovered that the river bank was...
My Taco Girl
I wasn't even supposed to be there that day My life figured out My heart of stone My life alone I could see the kindness in your face Your eyes said it all Your smile melted me You have me...
Belize Part 145 (Dec 10 to 16)
December 10 Life in the jungle: Yesterday I met a Swedish cyclist biking around the world. I convinced him to stay the night. The day before I had decided to start going to bed earlier and set my...
Belize Part 144 (Dec 2 to 9)
Things are very muddy after two back-to-back Tropical storms. December 2 Life in the jungle: Today was not the busiest of days. The first thing I did was head to the village for groceries. It's...
Belize Part 143 (Nov 26 to Dec 1)
On November 15 less than a week after flood waters from Tropical Storm Nadine subsided we got hit with Tropical Storm Sara. On November 16 we experienced top-gallon again. Top-gallon means the...
Belize Part 142 (Nov 19 to 25)
On November 15 less than a week after flood waters from Tropical Storm Nadine subsided, we got hit with Tropical Storm Sara. On November 16 we experienced top-gallon again. Top-gallon means the...
Belize Part 141 (Nov 8 to 18)
After 16 days of flooding, the floodwaters from Tropical Storm Nadine receded on November 7. Because of recent flooding outside work is almost pointless. November 8 Life in the jungle: This morning,...
Belize Part 140 (Nov 6 to 7)
Since Tropical Storm Nadine, on October 22nd my yard, the road, and everywhere surrounding my house and jungle have been completely flooded with flood waters higher than I could imagine happening....
Belize Part 139 (Nov 1 to 5)
For over a week I have had a Staphylococcus infection (short-form staph infection) below my right elbow that has been getting worse. Also, since Tropical Storm Nadine - October 22 my yard, the road,...
Belize Part 138 (Oct 26 to 31)
October 26 Life in the jungle: Today did not go as planned. I woke up to no water and when I listened carefully through the window, I could hear the river pump running dry. After almost three...
Belize Part 137 (Oct 20 to 25)
Tropical Storm Nadine reached Belize over the last few days with lots of rain. October 20 Life in the jungle: It rained all last night and this morning, but not nearly as much as expected or in...
The Key to Surviving the Jungle Lifestyle in Belize – Discipline
As an expat, the jungle living lifestyle is likely a completely new concept. Moving to a country like Belize is immensely exciting but comes with an entirely different way of living, from...
Belize Part 136 (Oct 12 to 19)
October 12 Life in the jungle: A full day. First, I went to the ponds and finished fertilizing my papayas with sheep manure. The road is dry. My brain has been trained to think that from June to...
Belize Part 135 (Oct 5 to 11)
October 5 Life in the jungle: I started my morning chopping in the coconut field. With the coconut field freshly bush-hogged giving a quick chop around seedlings and the fence lines is quick and...
Belize Part 134 (Sept 29 to Oct 5)
September 29 Life in the jungle: As I always do a little outside work Sunday mornings before I mostly take the day off, I woke up to rain. I planned to chop at the ponds, instead, I laid in my...
Belize Part 133 (Sept 20 to 28)
September 20 Life in the jungle: This morning, reaching Belmopan for my passport stamp I was informed that my police investigation was complete. I was able to catch the very next bus back to Belize...
Belize Part 132 (Sept 13 to 19)
September 13 Life in the jungle: I started my morning chopping in the coconut field. The heat and humidity made work difficult. It didn't take long before I was forced to cool myself in the...
Belize Part 131 (Sept 4 to 12)
September 4 Life in the jungle: It rained on and off most of the day. I continued working on painting bookshelves. I am getting closer to finally completing this project. I spent most of the...
Belize Part 130 (Aug 24 to Sept 3)
From August 2 until August 23, I took a much-needed vacation. I spent a part of the first week traveling by bus from Belize to Monterrey, Mexico where I spent the remainder of the week. I then flew...
Belize Part 129 (July 24 to Aug 1)
A motorcycle guest arrived just the other day. He plans to stay on the farm for a whole month while I prepare and leave for a trip to Mexico and Canada. July 24 Life in the jungle: I am mostly...
Belize Part 128 (July 18 to 23)
July 18 Life in the jungle: Today was a trip to Belmopan for my passport stamp. Except technically, I was not planning to get my next stamp in Belmopan. I had planned to take a trip to Monterrey...
Belize Part 127 (July 10 to 17)
July 10 Life in the jungle: I headed to the village first thing to get a section of PVC pipe for the new cabana septic system. I need to get the pipe section that goes under the cabana in place...
Belize Part 126 (July 4 to 9) and a Aha Moment
July 4 Life in the jungle: I started my morning chopping in the coconut field. After breakfast, there was a little on-and-off rain which kept messing with my plans. So, I went back to the coconut...
Belize Part 125 (June 24 to July 3)
June 24 Life in the jungle: It rained virtually the entire night. First thing I bagged 23 seeds from my Provision tree seed pod that I collected during my canoe trip back in May. I learned that...
Belize’s Amphibians: An Essential Guide
Belize is a tropical paradise, not only for its stunning landscapes but also for its incredible biodiversity. Among its many natural treasures are 33 unique species of frogs, tree frogs,...
Belize Part 124 (June 16 to 23)
June 16 Life in the jungle: It rained throughout the night and into the morning causing me to linger in bed. I discovered three sick chickens including my original alpha male rooster. I didn't...
Discover Boa Constrictor Snakes in Belize: A Complete Guide
Finding and seeing a boa in the wild can be an amazing opportunity, and there's nothing quite like encountering one in Belize's lush rainforests! From the ancient Maya, who revered them as...
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....
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 About Living in Belize
Hi and welcome to my website and blog. My name is Arie Hoogerbrugge, I am originally from Canada, and for 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...