Nessie in Belize? Strange Sightings to Bring the Wildlife Experts to Umaya Resort
During the Lenten season, the stories of disturbing, unnatural occurrences seem to increase across Belize. Lent is attributed to such things like the reappearance of local legends like the Alux (a-loosh) and the Xtabai (ish-tah-bai), to the increase in unfortunate accidents along the highway. Belizeans try to take special care to avoid walking alone when dark settles, and anything out of the ordinary will receive full attention. The Belize Collection, with its resorts scattered across rainforest, beach and lagoon, has had its fair share of incredible stories.
During the Lenten season, the stories of disturbing, unnatural occurrences seem to increase across Belize. Lent is attributed to such things like the reappearance of local legends like the Alux (a-loosh) and the Xtabai (ish-tah-bai), to the increase in unfortunate accidents along the highway. Belizeans try to take special care to avoid walking alone when dark settles, and anything out of the ordinary will receive full attention. The Belize Collection, with its resorts scattered across rainforest, beach and lagoon, has had its fair share of incredible stories.
That’s why, when an especially excited couple of guests barged to the front desk at Umaya, General Manager Steve truly paid attention. After a lovely sunset cruise along the lagoon, guests John and Sarah (names changed to protect identity) didn’t even bother heading to the bar or their room. According to John, while the sun’s last rays twinkled across the water, he was caught off-guard by the sight of a protrusion in the water. Convinced it was a branch, he concentrated on the spot and as the boat drew a little closer, realized he may have sighted something akin to the Loch Ness.
That’s why, when an especially excited couple of guests barged to the front desk at Umaya, General Manager Steve truly paid attention. After a lovely sunset cruise along the lagoon, guests John and Sarah (names changed to protect identity) didn’t even bother heading to the bar or their room. According to John, while the sun’s last rays twinkled across the water, he was caught off-guard by the sight of a protrusion in the water. Convinced it was a branch, he concentrated on the spot and as the boat drew a little closer, realized he may have sighted something akin to the Loch Ness.
“I think you had way too many rum punches on the boat, John,” exclaimed his exasperated wife, Sarah.
“I’m telling you, that wasn’t a manatee! I swear its outline was too strange to be anything like a manatee or even a fish out of water. That’s why I thought it was a branch! But it was something…else,” John retorted.
With surprising calm, the general manager said, “You know, to be honest, this is not the first time I’ve heard of a sighting on the water like this. One of our boat captain’s first mate came back frightened one day too, saying he saw something weird in the lagoon.”
“I think you had way too many rum punches on the boat, John,” exclaimed his exasperated wife, Sarah.
“I’m telling you, that wasn’t a manatee! I swear its outline was too strange to be anything like a manatee or even a fish out of water. That’s why I thought it was a branch! But it was something…else,” John retorted.
With surprising calm, the general manager said, “You know, to be honest, this is not the first time I’ve heard of a sighting on the water like this. One of our boat captain’s first mate came back frightened one day too, saying he saw something weird in the lagoon.”
John looked at his wife smugly. “Well, thank you for not thinking I’m crazy! I even thought I was seeing things. But this was real…and I know the Loch Ness is on the other side of the world, but I swear that was the first thought I had…that I’d seen Nessie.”
Satisfied that they’d been heard, the couple headed out for a pre-dinner cocktail. In the meantime, Steve quickly texted the first mate that someone else had seen something out on the lagoon.
John looked at his wife smugly. “Well, thank you for not thinking I’m crazy! I even thought I was seeing things. But this was real…and I know the Loch Ness is on the other side of the world, but I swear that was the first thought I had…that I’d seen Nessie.”
Satisfied that they’d been heard, the couple headed out for a pre-dinner cocktail. In the meantime, Steve quickly texted the first mate that someone else had seen something out on the lagoon.
By the next morning, the Belizean Nessie was all the talk around the resort. John held court at Restaurant Laguna, answering the curious questions from other guests over a tasty Belizean breakfast of Belizean eggs, fry jacks and fresh fruit. At lunchtime, with the rumor mill still going strong, Steve decided to call in the big guns.
Dr. Marisa Tellez of the Crocodile Research Coalition (CRC) is known for her hands-on approach and fearless attitude. Working alongside equally brave companions, Dr. Tellez responds to a variety of wildlife rescues and operations, most often featuring crocodiles in distress or displaced and needing to be moved. The sight of Dr. Tellez atop a 10-footer has become commonplace, so a strange creature in the lagoon wouldn’t be too far out of her repertoire.
With the CRC based in southern Belize, Dr. Tellez was the perfect person to call in and investigate. She is scheduled to begin her investigation on Monday, April 1, April Fool’s Day.
Dr. Marisa Tellez of the Crocodile Research Coalition (CRC) is known for her hands-on approach and fearless attitude. Working alongside equally brave companions, Dr. Tellez responds to a variety of wildlife rescues and operations, most often featuring crocodiles in distress or displaced and needing to be moved. The sight of Dr. Tellez atop a 10-footer has become commonplace, so a strange creature in the lagoon wouldn’t be too far out of her repertoire.
With the CRC based in southern Belize, Dr. Tellez was the perfect person to call in and investigate. She is scheduled to begin her investigation on Monday, April 1, April Fool’s Day.
