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Hello!
Thanks for stopping by. I'm Michelle, founder of Belize In Yourself. I am a Belizean-American from Brooklyn, NY currently based in South Florida. My family is from Belize City, Caye Caulker and Crooked Tree. I became a Certified Belize Specialist in 2020. My career background includes TV, Radio, Gaming and Travel and Hospitality. As a photography enthusiast, I am always ready to capture the beauty and essence of my surroundings. In addition to photography, I find joy and inspiration in the world of fiber arts as a crocheter. Join me on my journey in Belize where every step reveals a new layer of natural beauty and cultural richness.
How Belize In Yourself Began
Going Home
I’ve spent significant time in Belize, but my March 2023 trip was different because I took family with me who had never been and my mom also joined me on this trip — she had not visited Belize in almost 40 years. On the plane I could see she was nervous about going home. She didn’t know what to expect. Her most vivid memories of her childhood were going to Caye Caulker during summer breaks and Hurricane Hattie.
Hurricane Hattie
Hurricane Hattie made landfall on October 31, 1961 and is Belize’s strongest and deadliest storm to date. Hattie was a category 5 that swept through many coastal communities including Turneffe Islands Atoll, Mullins River, Caye Caulker, St. George’s Caye and Belize City. Over 300 people perished during Hattie. My mom was a child and saw the urgency of people moving around but had no clue a storm was coming. She saw people making Johnny Cakes and bread so for her it was just another day. My mom almost drowned during Hurricane Hattie. It is an event that affected her for a long time. Going back home was emotional for her. You can read more about my mother’s experience during Hurricane Hattie here.
Staying Grounded
My father moved to the states in the 1960s. He served in the Army and Navy. He transitioned in 2004 from side effects of Agent Orange (Vietnam War). My mom had never fully explored Belize so I was very happy to see her face light up when I was driving her around. By the way, I drove in Belize for the first time! Normally, there is someone driving me around but on this trip I wanted to get a feel of the road. Honestly, driving around Belize and Cayo Districts wasn’t difficult.
The roads in the urban areas and the main highways are in good condition. The traffic in Belize City is hectic during peak hours but for the most part I was able to get around without any issues. I still have more to explore so I will share my experiences of driving around the other districts.
Certified Belize Specialist
Exploring Belize is important to me because it keeps me connected to my roots. I created Belize In Yourself to document my journey and share travel and tourism information from firsthand experiences.
Belize boasts a rich cultural heritage, pristine beaches, lush rainforests, ancient archeological sites and vibrant communities of friendly locals. With so much to see and do, Belize is the perfect destination for travelers who are seeking to explore the natural wonders of the world.
Experience the Magic of Belize!