More pictures

Troy was nice enough to post the photos he took to an online gallery. It includes wedding pictures, nice underwater shots from one of our excursions, and views from the our hotel and the plane ride to Ambergris Caye. Check it out.

If you have pictures you'd like to share with the rest of the guests, shoot me an email at buddhaofdisco@mindless.com. Kisha and I are trying to assemble as many shots as we can in one place. We'll post links to more here as they become available. Stay tuned.

Meet the Verduscos

Well, we're officially husband and wife.


Thanks again to those who could make the trip to Belize with us. You know how memorable it was. For those who couldn't make the trip, you can catch a glimpse of our special day here.

If you follow the link, you'll see a gallery of pictures from our photographer. We're just beginning the process of gathering other photos from the weekend. Stay tuned for more.

Excursion ... are you in?

Join us for a day trip on Friday, May 4 aboard the Seaduction catamaran. There's no more luxurious way to see what Ambergris Caye is famous for, and we've arranged for a discount through the Seaduced by Belize tour company.

Snorkel along the world's second-longest barrier reef. We'll visit the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley and sail to nearby Caye Caulker, Ambergris Caye's sleepier sister island.

Don't want to snorkel? No worries. The boat is a great way to relax and see the reef and all its marine life.

With 20 people or more, we'll have the boat to ourselves, so please let us know in the next week whether you are interested in this excursion and how many in your party would attend.**

Cost: $60 U.S., if paid in cash or traveler's check. Regular cost: $75. The cost includes snacks, water, rum punch and lots of the local Belikin beer.

For more information about the trip, visit their site. Just scroll to the bottom and click on Caye Caulker.

** Reply in the comments section of this blog with your name and number in your party.

Getting to the ceremony

Azul Resort and Rojo Lounge, where the wedding and reception will be held, are on the North side of Ambergris Caye, which is only accessible from San Pedro by boat.

We've chartered a boat that will pick guests up in San Pedro beginning at 4 p.m. on the day of the wedding. More details on this to follow.

Sunday Brunch

At 10 a.m. on Sunday we'll host a beachside Belizean/Mexican brunch at Caliente Restaurant, which is a short walk away from our hotels. We hope you can join us!

Tours

If you're interested in doing tours and excursions while you're in Belize, we recommend going with Seaduced by Belize. They do tours in San Pedro, Caye Caulker and the mainland.

They're extending a 20% discount on all tours to our party, if you pay with cash or travelers cheque.

Among their excursions are:

• Mayan Ruins
• Jungle Tours
• Cave Tubing
• Snorkeling
• Manatee Watching

For more information, visit their site.

Passports

According to new federal rules that took effect this year, you'll need a passport for your trip.

If you don't have a current passport, you should apply as soon as possible. It takes about eight weeks to process each application.

Here are the fees:
Age 16 and older: $97
Under Age 16: $82

Get more information here

You're getting married where?

Friends and family have asked us occasionally the simple question, "Where is Belize?" Here's a quick geography lesson.

Belize is flanked by Mexico on the north and Guatamala on the west and south. The Caribbean is to the east.


As you can see, there are dozens of islands dotting the coast. One of these islands, Ambergris Caye (pronounced "key," as in the Florida Keys), is our destination. Ambergris was first settled by Mayan fisherman. The long, thin island was once connected to mainland Mexico. According to Frommer's Belize, it was the Maya who cut a channel across the then-penninsula, making Ambergris the island it is today. The channel allows fisherman safer passage to the coast of Belize, dodging the reef that lines the eastern coast of the island.


Ambergris is popular for scuba diving, fishing and general tourism. As you can see in the above picture, the streets are unpaved. The truck shown in the picture is the exception, not the rule; the main means of getting around are golf carts and flip-flops.

Staying in Ambergris Caye

We plan to stay at Blue Tang Inn, a small facility on the outskirts of San Pedro, and hope you can join us there. We’ve arranged for a 10 percent group discount there and at nearby Aquamarina Suites.

Rates will depend on which room you select. If you plan to stay at Aquamarina, please reserve your room by Dec. 31 to ensure that you get the discounted rate.

If you are interested in sharing a suite with someone, please e-mail Kisha or Jeremy.

For information or to book:

Blue Tang Inn
1 (866) 337-8202

Aquamarina Suites
1 (800) 641-2994

You can also find other hotel options here.

Getting to Belize

About the trip

Most of you can expect to take two flights. One will be from your home city to Miami, Florida, or to Dallas/Fort Worth or Houston, Texas. From those airports, you can expect a 2-hour flight to Belize City. For information on getting to San Pedro after you arrive in Belize City, see the "Getting to San Pedro" blog entry.

Group Discount on American Airlines

We've arranged for a group discount on American Airlines, which seems to have the best prices and most itinerary choices for Belize. You'll receive a 5% discount on fares between May 1 and May 10, so you can come before and stay after the wedding, if you'd like.

Booking your ticket

To book travel to Belize City (airport code BZE), visit www.aa.com or call American Airlines Meeting Services Desk at 1-800-433-1790.

• The authorization number is: A0757AE.
• The group name is "Verdusco Dunn to Wed."

Getting to San Pedro

International flights arrive in Belize City, Belize (airport code BZE). From there, guests need to make their way to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. The caye sits 36 miles north and a tad east of Belize City.

There a few options for getting from Belize City to San Pedro. What follows is our recommendation for the choice with the least amount of hassle and expense.

You'll take a puddle-jumper (15-minute flight) from Belize City to the San Pedro airstrip, where your hotel can arrange to have you picked up and transported to your home away from home for the duration of your stay.

Group Discount on Tropic Air:

We've arranged for a group discount for guests who fly Tropic Air, one of two local companies that offer service between the mainland and San Pedro. They offer several flights each day. For intineraries, check out their website. Be sure to have your flight info from the U.S. to Belize City on hand so you know what time to book your flights to and from San Pedro.

Reservations:

To reserve your ticket, you can call them toll-free at 1 (800) 422-3435 or e-mail reservations@tropicair.com. Either way, let them know you are with the Dunn/Verdusco wedding party so you can get the discount.

In booking, you'll have two choices: Flying from Belize International or flying from the Belize City Municipal Airport. We recommend using the Municipal Airport, because it's pretty close and a bit cheaper than leaving from the International Airport, plus, you'll get to see a little of the city.

Cost:

International Airport, with discount: $93.90 roundtrip for children or adult fares.

Municipal Airport, with discount: $51.80 roundtrip for adult fares, $38.70 for children. Expect a $20 cab fare to get you to the Municipal Airport.

When you arrive...

Once you arrive at the international airport in Belize City, go outside and hail one of the many waiting cabs. Have them take you to the Belize City Municipal Airport, which is about 10-15 minutes away. The cab ride will cost about $20 U.S. If you're traveling alone and are interested in sharing a cab with someone in our party, please let us know and we'll try to coordinate that.

Announcement

Kisha and Jeremy have big plans. They involve you, dear family and friends, a small island off the coast of Belize, and a wedding.

Join us on Saturday, May 5, 2007, in the town of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, as we get married. Look here for details as we work them out. Mark the date.