Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre Belize

Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre Belize
posted from the Channel 7 News in Belize

Andrew Zimmern is known for eating the most bizarre things...all kinds of insects, all kinds and forms of animal reproductive organs, basically anything that moves, he’ll eat. If you’ve seen his show on the Travel Channel, you’ll know what we’re talking about but if you haven’t, you’ll want to watch it next season because Zimmern is shooting a show in Belize. Keith Swift got a preview.

Keith Swift Reporting,
He’s eaten Volga – a kind of dried fish in St. Petersburg Russia, nibbled on cow tongue in Russia, and eaten a fried pattie made out of the flesh from a brown bear - and he did all that in just one episode of his show - Bizarre Foods.

But when we met the Travel Channel star behind the scenes last week in the lush jungle of Arenal in western Belize he wasn’t eating anything exotic. In fact he wasn’t eating at all, he was creating …………….art.

Andrew Zimmern, Travel Channel
“I took a tour of the art park. I love art, so I was really interested in coming here. It is a great story that installations are left to allow nature to sort of surround the pieces here and morph and change the pieces and allows people to experience art in a different sort of gallery if you will and then I joined the students who have been working on this project for a year. So we spent the last hour or so finishing it and installing my monitor that I personalized and the little kid who is watching it sort of stunned.”

Zimmer took us inside the filming the first episode of his new show – “Bizarre World” at the Poustinia Land Art Park in Arenal.

Andrew Zimmern,
“This is our first show in the Bizarre World series. So it is a really a momentous occasion for us and we’re just thrilled to be ale to kick it off in Belize.

Bizarre World allows me to cover stories that aren’t about food. The show will be about half food and allows me to do things like this, art installation stories which is certainly unusual. It is a provocative idea. It is something we believe belongs in this show about Belize but I am not eating anything.”

But he still plans to sample bizarre foods in Belize.

Andrew Zimmern,
“I will be eating some stuff in Bizarre. We are eating some jungle rat, I am doing some Creole hot pot drop cookery, some traditional kind of stuff, and along the way I am finding anything from stinky fruits to termite nests that I like to snack on because I am kind of addicted to the taste from spending a lot of time in the outback of Australia.”

Keith Swift,
Has there been anything you’ve refused to eat?

Andrew Zimmern,
“The only thing that I’ve said no to was tap water in India.”

Keith Swift,
Why is that?

Andrew Zimmern,
“Because that is a three day trip to the hospital.”

Zimmern filmed the episode along with an 8 member crew. He says there is a reason why he chose Belize.

Andrew Zimmern,
“There are is more than just ancient Mayan cultures and beaches here. Now we are exploring both of those because we think there are stories interesting for folks who will never make it here but we also want to talk about the Creole population, we also want to talk about the indigenous food, we also want to take our cameras into the art park here. We want to connect people in the rest of the world, it shows in 70 countries, with the citizens of this country and show them really what makes Belize tick.”

Brent Toombs, Oxa Productions
“We will go to ATM for a day there, then we spend some time in Xunantunich. After Xunantunich we go over to San Pedro to spend a day there doing some stuff on the water and then some bizarre food type stuff at Rojo Lounge up in North Ambergris Caye and then we go down to Toledo in San Pedro Colombia Village doing kind of a Mayan feast with a family there and then we wrap up in Gales Point. We’re going to do a traditional Sambai with the people in Gales Point.”

Andrew Zimmern,
“I’ve been here for about a day now and it is a place I’ve always wanted to come for the last ten or fifteen years, very badly, and sadly I do too much travelling for work so I’m glad that I am finally here.”

No air date has been set for the show. Zimmern left the country over the Easter.

ALL ABOUT BELIZE

A comprehensive guide to planning a Belize vacation, doing business, and living in Belize.

The stable, democratic, English-speaking country of Belize lies in the western Caribbean on the coast of Central America. Belize is home to an interesting mix of over ten different cultures including Garifuna, Maya, Creole, Mestizo, East Indian, and German Mennonites. Belize also lays claim to hundreds of ancient Maya temples, large tracts of intact tropical rainforest, and this hemisphere's longest barrier reef.

Belize offers a myriad of exciting adventure possibilities:

• A network of picturesque rivers and cascading waterfalls winding from the Maya Mountains to the Caribbean Sea. Spectacular limestone caves strewn with Maya pottery beckon you to canoe, cave tube, and bird watch.

• With 40 per cent of the country's landmass under some type of protection and dotted with restored and unexcavated Mayan sites, you are enticed to hike rainforest trails and climb ancient ruins and temples.

• Offshore, hundreds of coral sand islands (or cayes) with swaying coconut palm trees and sun-kissed beaches invite you to snorkel patch reefs, dive the Blue Hole and drop offs, kayak, fly-fish, or just relax.

• A country alive with hundreds of bird species, colorful fish, exotic tropical plants and animals combined with friendly Belizeans throughout colorful towns and villages makes Belize an adventurer's paradise.

Discover, explore, learn, invest, relax, enjoy.

The Mayan Civilization in Belize

Belize is blessed with an outstanding
archaeological heritage of Maya temples
and palaces. It is known that the Maya
occupation began as early as 1500 BC,
and although it began its decline in 900 AD,
some Maya cultural centers continued
to be occupied until contact with the
Spanish in the 1500's. During the Classic
Period (250 AD to 900 AD), the population
of Belize exceeded over one million people,
and it is believed that Belize was the heart
of the Maya civilization at that time.

Although large Maya cultural centers
no longer exist, there is still a significant Maya
population residing within many small villages.

For those who are interested in
archaeological sites, the Belize Institute
of Archaeology has committed to developing
locations which are easily accessible for the
casual tourist. This does not indicate the Institute's
total commitment to the vast archaeological
potential of Belize, but it does
allow visitors the opportunity to appreciate
Maya history, as well as to appreciate the
tremendous undertaking that is required
to restore the Maya Sites.

BEAUTIFUL BELIZE

Belize is located in the Northern Hemisphere, within Central America.

Belize is bounded on the North by Mexico, South and West by Guatemala, and the beautiful Caribbean Sea washes its 174 mile coastline to the East.

Geographically we're located between 15° 52' 9" and 18° 29' 55" North Latitude, and 87° 28" and 89° 13' 67" West Longitude with an area of 8,866 sq. miles including 266 sq. miles of islands.

SAN PEDRO BOAT PARADE

It was a magical night for San Pedro residents as Saturday night they were witnesses to the dramatic evening spectacle; a flotilla of decorated lighted vessels glided through the Caribbean Sea shore for the 3rd annual Holiday Lighted Boat Parade. What could be more fun than celebrating the holidays and boating all at the same time? Every year, boaters and sight-seers of San Pedro participate in the holiday boat parade sponsored businesses on the island. After careful deliberation, it was no easy task for the judging panel as they had to choose winners of the night.

The parade kicked off north of downtown San Pedro in the Boca del Rio Area and made its way south to Coconuts Resort where they turned around and returned to the park for the awards ceremony. And, the winners of the night were: First place in the 15 foot to 18 foot powerboat went to #12 “Velie” captained by Milo Paz whilst second place went to #11 “Denise” captained by Wayne Alfaro Construction and Waterfront Realty. In the 26 foot to 34 foot powerboat category; fist place went to #7 North Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch (Search for Santa) captained by Harriette Fisher and Scott Harnish. A close second place went to #1 ‘Island Waves’ which was captained by Alex Chan of Extreme Adventures. First place in the 35 foot powerboat category went to #6 Sueño del Mar (Reindeer) which was captained by Jesus and Kevin whilst second went to #10 “Ecologic 1” captained by the crew at Ecologic Divers. For the only Sail Boat that entered the competition, George Eiley’s “Rum Punch” took that prize. In the Catamaran category, #15 ‘Escape” of Searious Adventures took first place honors whilst #14 “Dios da Vida” of Reef Radio and Ambergris Divers took second. Other prizes for Junior Division in schools went to “Outreach” of Holy Cross; “Escape” of Searious Adventures took Most Artistic; Best Religious went to “Outreach” of Holy Cross; Best Overall Boat went to Reef Radio’s and Ambergris Divers “Dios da Vida”, whilst a new addition of “try harder next year’ went to #8 ‘No Rush’ by the 4C Class of the San Pedro High School. Finally, the Mayor’s Trophy went to “Outreach” of Holy Cross. Boats were decorated with dazzling lights and some even carried elaborate displays representing their chosen theme, like Santa and reindeers, to dolphins and palm trees. Spreading the holiday cheer as trophy sponsors were: Dalia’s Store, Lily’s Treasure Chest, Funtasea Jungle Tours, Nasser Grocery Store, Blue Water Grill, Julie Babcock of Caye Casa, and Gil Carlson of Re/Max Isla Bonita.

After the spectacle, land-lubbers and party goers joined DJ Debbie at the Central Park in anticipation of the results. Children also had the opportunity to take a picture with Santa who was on hand to spread the cheer at the Saga Humane fundraiser booth. Other booths included the sale of the new and exciting Belizean produced calendar called “Belizean Cocktails,” as well as the official boat parade t-shirts.

While the idea might be fairly new to some of us, this tradition has been around for three years now. It took the planning committee months to prepare for the event that provided twice the sparkle of the season as twinkling lights reflected on the sea. The Christmas Boat Parade, which has been hailed as one of the top holiday happenings in the nation, was truly a magical memory to jumpstart the Christmas season. Happy Holidays to all!!

SAN PEDRO SUN

MSNBC VIDEO ON TODAY SHOW!