My Blog

My journey so far:
Belize Part 70 (Feb 23 to March 5)

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...

read more
Belize Part 69 (Feb 12 to 22)

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...

read more
Belize Part 68 (Feb 4 to 11)

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...

read more
Belize Part 67 (Jan 29 to Feb 3)

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...

read more
Belize Part 66 (Jan 24 to 28)

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...

read more
Belize Part 65 (Jan 18 to 23)

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...

read more
Belize Part 64 (Jan 11 to 17)

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...

read more
Belize Part 63 (Jan 6 to 10)

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...

read more
Belize Part 62 (Dec 30 to Jan 5)

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...

read more
Belize Part 61 (Dec 23 to 29)

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...

read more
Belize Part 60 (Dec 18 to 22)

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...

read more
Suffocating

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...

read more
Belize Part 59 (Dec 11 to 17)

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...

read more
Belize Part 58 (Dec 4 to 10)

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...

read more
Belize Part 57 (Nov 30 to Dec 3)

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...

read more
Belize Part 56 (Nov 25 to 29)

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...

read more
There is an ocean inside my head

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...

read more
Belize Part 55 (Nov 22 to 24)

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....

read more
Belize Part 54 (Nov 16 to 21)

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...

read more
Belize Part 53 (Nov 8 to 15)

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...

read more
Hi and Welcome to my website

Hi and Welcome to my website

Hi and welcome to my website and blog.  My name is Arie Hoogerbrugge originally from Canada and for over the last two years, I have been living in the jungles of Belize.  I started my blog in 2019...

read more
Belize Part 52 (Nov 3 to 7)

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...

read more
Belize Part 51 (Oct 29 to Nov 2)

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...

read more
Belize Part 50 (Oct 24 to 28)

Belize Part 50 (Oct 24 to 28)

October 24 Life in the jungle: I started my morning by basically sending my paralegal one last threat about producing my corporation papers and my deeds.  The business registry office is open on...

read more
Great

Great

I don't long to be great as a person because I am arrogant.  I want to be great as a human being because it is within us and part of our design to be great. Written November 20, 2022  Awake my...

read more
Belize Part 49 (Oct 16 to 23)

Belize Part 49 (Oct 16 to 23)

October 16 Life in the Jungle: I didn't sleep great last night.  I woke up this morning determined to stick to a Sabbath habit I started last Sunday.  I started reading The Divine Conspiracy by...

read more
Belize Part 48 (Oct 9 to 15)

Belize Part 48 (Oct 9 to 15)

Sorry, almost no photos with this blog post. October 9 Life in the Jungle: It's Sunday (of course).  I was all prepared to head to the ponds to chop.  Over the last few months, I have struggled with...

read more
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

It's your smile The way the new day dawns You don't notice me watching, but I am watching Every detail, every expression A breath of fresh air, I miss nothing I thank God for the moment I feel my...

read more
One Week

One Week

I recently watched a movie I really enjoyed called One Week (2008).  I enjoy movies that make me reflect.  The film is Canadian.  The short and sweet of the plot is about a young teacher living in...

read more
Stauffer’s Tree Frog

Stauffer’s Tree Frog

Stauffer's Tree Frog - Scinax staufferi Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scinax_staufferi A very small tree frog common around the house and sometimes find their way into houses. More...

read more
Belize Part 47 (Oct 4 to 8)

Belize Part 47 (Oct 4 to 8)

October 4 Life in the Jungle: Waiting for a load of gravel to be delivered I planted seedlings in the coconut field.  Saul from the village brought me a yard of gravel from the hardware store.  He...

read more
Belize Part 46 (Sept 30 to Oct 3)

Belize Part 46 (Sept 30 to Oct 3)

September 30 Life in the Jungle: It's amazing how I was so exhausted to do anything yesterday but it took so long to fall asleep last night.  I don't know what the temperature was last night but for...

read more
Belize Part 45 (Sept 21 to 29)

Belize Part 45 (Sept 21 to 29)

September 21 Life in the Jungle: I finally finished the hen house pen.  I let out the hen with the oldest chicks to make sure everything would work out well.  And everything did.  So tomorrow both...

read more
Dreams & Goals – Emptying the Monkey Mind

Dreams & Goals – Emptying the Monkey Mind

A few weeks ago, I had an unusual sense about my mood and attitude.  I was actually what I would refer to as half-happy.  Which I understand is a weird thing to say.  Happiness has never been part...

read more
Belize Part 44 (Sept 12 to 20)

Belize Part 44 (Sept 12 to 20)

September 12 Life in the jungle: Another sleepless night.  But I didn't have the motivation or energy to get out of bed and be productive.  I think tonight I just won't go to bed until I am sleepy. ...

read more
Belize Part 43 (Sept 6 to 11)

Belize Part 43 (Sept 6 to 11)

Last week was a very stressful week dealing with Belize Immigration.  That blog post link is at the bottom of this post. September 6 Life in the jungle: I slept in quite late this morning.  It is...

read more
Striped or Brown Basilisk

Striped or Brown Basilisk

Striped or Brown Basilisk - Basiliscus vittatus Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_basilisk Brown basilisks are probably the most common lizard to be found.  Babies are always...

read more
San Pedro Part 2 (Oct 12 – 14, 2023)

San Pedro Part 2 (Oct 12 – 14, 2023)

This is Part 2 of a recent holiday that I took when I went to San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye.  You can check out Part 1 if missed it HERE. October 12 Life in the jungle: I attended a 7 AM Catholic...

read more
San Pedro – Part 1 (Oct 10 & 11, 2023)

San Pedro – Part 1 (Oct 10 & 11, 2023)

After a grueling 5 months, finally finishing my greenhouse floor and about 9 months since my last vacation, I decided I had earned one.  This vacation was a little different.  I was determined to...

read more
Belize Part 42 (Sept 2 to 5)

Belize Part 42 (Sept 2 to 5)

September 2 Life in the jungle: I slept like crap last night again.  It rained all through the night and was still raining when I woke up.  I didn't even bother bringing my city footwear, I was...

read more
Belize Part 41 (Aug 24 to Sept 1)

Belize Part 41 (Aug 24 to Sept 1)

August 24 Life in the jungle: I woke up at 5 AM, with the stress of a rotting and costly house deck falling back asleep was not possible.  [See photos in last blog post.]  I started my morning...

read more
Belize Part 40 (Aug 20 to 23)

Belize Part 40 (Aug 20 to 23)

August 20 Life in the jungle: Orlando and Joseph came this morning.  We finished installing the door on the apartment and we put the roof on the front entrance of the greenhouse.  [The door was...

read more
Belize Part 39 (Aug 9 to 19)

Belize Part 39 (Aug 9 to 19)

August 9 Life in the jungle: Orlando and Joseph showed up this morning.  We replaced the larger section of the house roof with the new zinc roofing that was delivered the other week.  We got lucky...

read more
Tired

Tired

I’m tired.  I can’t see my way forward [in this life] but I realize that there is nowhere else to go but forward.  And I am not afraid of moving forward.  But I feel like I am on a highway, and I...

read more
Belize Part 38 (Aug 1 to 8)

Belize Part 38 (Aug 1 to 8)

August 1 Life in the jungle: Over two months ago I got sick.  This morning I had another cough attack.  Everything is pretty wet outside.  There is no point in working outside today.  Everything...

read more
Belize Part 37 (July 27 to 31)

Belize Part 37 (July 27 to 31)

July 27 Life in the jungle: In four days it will be two months ago that I got sick with a chronic cough and the coughing returned again last night.   Another sleepless night.   This morning I was up...

read more
Huntsman Spider

Huntsman Spider

Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huntsman_spider More Belizean Creatures Boa Constrictor Red Eye Tree Frog  

read more
Belize Part 36 (July 21 to 26)

Belize Part 36 (July 21 to 26)

July 21 Life in the jungle: Somehow my morning got away from me again!  But it didn't help that I slept like crap last night either.  I did wake up to a reply from the Labor Department regarding my...

read more
Lizard eater or Dryad snake

Lizard eater or Dryad snake

Lizard eater - Dryadophis melanolomus I don't think these guys are rare but I have only ever found one of them (in my basement). More Belizean Creatures...

read more
The emptiness inside me

The emptiness inside me

An emptiness inside me that won't go away Years and years of desires Looking over the horizon as far as these eyes can see Feeling like the old man on the outside Hiding the little boy in the inside...

read more
Belize Part 35 (July 15 to 20)

Belize Part 35 (July 15 to 20)

July 15 Life in the jungle: I slept in as planned.  Today I made two trips to the village.  The first one to pick up my cans of paint that I had left at Verna Mae’s the other week and the second...

read more
Belize Part 34 (July 10 to 14)

Belize Part 34 (July 10 to 14)

July 10 Life in the jungle: I ended up sleeping in from a late-night last night.  I started my day at the ponds to plant papaya seeds.  Twice I dropped the container of seeds.  TWICE!  I couldn't...

read more
Belize Part 33 (July 3 to 9)

Belize Part 33 (July 3 to 9)

July 3 Life in the jungle: It's Sunday so it wasn't my most productive day.  With a late start to my day, I retrieved some more 1/2" PVC pipe that had previously been laid and buried out towards the...

read more
Titan Beetle

Titan Beetle

Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titan_beetle I only ever found of these guys. Click on image to enlarge More Belizean Creatures Pepper Tree Frog...

read more
Belize Part 32 (June 27 to July 2)

Belize Part 32 (June 27 to July 2)

Of note, last week I finally started building my greenhouse. June 27 Life in the jungle: I had a much better sleep last night.  Orlando and Joseph showed up this morning.  No concrete work today. ...

read more
Belize Part 31 (June 21 to 26)

Belize Part 31 (June 21 to 26)

June 21 Life in the jungle: I slept okay last night but at 6 AM I woke up with a horrible cough.  So bad I got up and took a walk around the yard and went back to my hammock and fell asleep until 11...

read more
Belize Part 30 (June 13 to 20)

Belize Part 30 (June 13 to 20)

June 13 Life in the jungle: It rained all morning.  My allergies were at their worst and my cough was bad.  It took some Jack ass bitters that I had picked last week.  Last week Verna Mae showed me...

read more
My confession

My confession

I fall to my knees I look away in shame I bury my face in my dirty hands Darkness rolls in The rain drops begin to splatter upon the earth Lightning streaks across the sky I confess, I confess, I...

read more
Belize Part 29 (June 2 to 12)

Belize Part 29 (June 2 to 12)

June 2 Life in the jungle: It rained and thundered hard last night with a power outage.   Because I couldn't run a fan during the power outage, I spent the first part of the night in my hammock....

read more
Royal Palm

Royal Palm

Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roystonea_regia# Royal Palms are common in the area and on the farm. I have a local harvest the bark/outer skin of the tree to use for natural and...

read more
Central American Wood Turtle

Central American Wood Turtle

Central American Wood turtle - Rhinoclemmys areolata Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furrowed_wood_turtle Locally know as Black-bellied turtle. Reasonably common at certain times of...

read more
Belize Part 28 (May 28 to June 1)

Belize Part 28 (May 28 to June 1)

May 28 Life in the jungle: It must have rained most of the night and into the morning.  The road is drenched and it was a wet bike ride to the bus in the rain.  I bussed it to Belize City and then...

read more
Belize Part 27 (May 22 to 27)

Belize Part 27 (May 22 to 27)

May 22 Life in the jungle: I was expecting to wake up to heavy rain.  It never came.  I woke up and went down to my hammock and ended up sleeping until 10 AM.  My day was spent completing my...

read more
Weevil

Weevil

Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weevil More Belizean Creatures Green-headed Tree Snake Passion Flower

read more
Cry of the heart

Cry of the heart

I lie in the darkness Memories drift through the fog of this life A single tear rolls down my cheek In a moment, my eyes are wet with regret Where did it go wrong And where did it go right So many...

read more
Red Eye Tree Frog

Red Eye Tree Frog

Red Eye Tree Frog - Agalychnis callidryas Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agalychnis_callidryas This the first and only (juvenile) Red Eye tree frog that I have ever found on my farm...

read more
Belize Part 26 (May 17 to 21)

Belize Part 26 (May 17 to 21)

May 17 Life in the jungle: Because of how I felt last night before bed I didn't set my alarm.  While I don't feel sick my allergies are really bad and it feels like I have a cold when I sneeze but I...

read more
Happiness

Happiness

At some point in early 2016 I thought about the word “happiness”.  Happiness has never really been part of my vocabulary.  It was a word that makes me feel rather uncomfortable.  I don’t want to say...

read more
Alone

Alone

Always alone Always have been alone In a crowd, I am even more alone Will always be alone Die alone Written December 10, 2022 I don't trust you I still feel empty

read more
Belize Part 25 (May 7 to 16)

Belize Part 25 (May 7 to 16)

May 7 Life in the jungle: I started my morning chopping in coconut field.  It was a very hot morning and even a hotter day with no breeze.  I then took a walk out to the ponds.  I haven't been there...

read more

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This