As we wind down in the final days of our build, the Pirate and his wench are finally able to explore. Here I am, searching for pirate treasure in Guatemala 🙂

As I wind down this blog about building our new house in Belize, Central America, my posts are getting gearing towards their final destination, publishing my third book about Belize. The new book will release by end of 2018, will be everything about purchasing property, selecting an honest builder who actually has integrity, and knows what he is doing, building your new home, and everything else you need to know. I will guide you through the entire process, including where to purchase everything for your home, from refrigerators, to alarm systems, lighting and pots and pans.

Watch for “Building your new house in Belize, the Good, Bad and Ugly”, available on Amazon later this year.

Wrong window ordered and installed a year ago, unable to open !~

But, enough about that, lets look at the “finishing touches” of our new house, which is at this moment 99% finished.

Our granite pass thru counter, sitting waiting to be installed under correct window for past year !

I will identify that 1% as the replacement of the incorrect folding kitchen window, and “pass thru” counter window. My builder, Nelson Montalvo has ordered the correct window from his supplier along with the massive amount of windows ordered for one of the other houses he is presently building. It is due to be delivered and installed within the next few weeks, and we are confident it will be with Nelson.

Calypso…guarding our beach and home 🙂

As security is an ever present issue here in Belize, we have an addition to our family, and a “girlfriend” for Oliver. Her name is Calypso (pirate wench of course), a full blooded Rottweiler from the states.

Beware…you are warned !

As Calypso will have the run of the property, we wanted a barrier for her to identify with, so as not to engage with beach walkers, creating heart attacks. Our solution was to have our construction handyman Rigo build a fence and gates along the side and back of the house, with “finish-line fencing material. With this as it is on our decks, it causes no barriers, in fact, as you can see through it, it almost disappears from sight.

When Rigo finished the installation, he asked me if I was worried that Calypso could walk or eat her way through the fence? I responded, she will be trained to only do that when someone outside the fence becomes a threat.

His response? “They are dead”!

Secure fence is installed, can you see it ?

Like I have often said to so many concerned about home safety, your two best defense options for your home are good lighting and a big dog. Nothing says stay the hell out like a sign that states “I can make it to this gate in 2.3 seconds, can you ?”.

We have been working on landscaping and our beach with the assistance of our groundskeeper, Rogillio, who makes me tired watching him work away in 90 degree heat, with a smile. We brought in a load of sand and he has been working on out beach to make and keep it beautiful.

See the small coconut trees on left ? They were 1 foot till a couple months ago.

I would like to say a little about landscaping, especially palm trees, when you decide to build your new home. Back when I first started this endeavor, I have a local nursery bring in three medium size palm trees and plant on right side of the beach, to mirror the three palms on the left. A couple months ago after deciding we needed some additional palms on out property, i invested in a few small coconuts with palm trees sticking out of them. I paid like $10 BZ each for these little guys, instead of $150 BZ for big guys.

See three small palms on right side ? $800 BZ !

I wish that two years ago I had done this, because they would be medium size by now ! Just saying.

If you have been watching the Facebook pages here in Belize, you probably heard about our assault by sargassum on our beaches. It appears we are finally over this wave fore 2018, I hope. Through the efforts of Rogillio, our beach is again looking awesome.

Today, post sargassum assault !

I will end with a view of the original one and only three piece wall painting created by my good friend Walter Castillo, the famous French Artist living here in Belize. We had this rather large wall over our folding doors to the deck, and engaged Walter to create a masterpiece, which he did. Let me say, it looks much more impressive in person.

 Our latest addition, after Calypso 🙂

Be well, safe and live each day as if it is your last…. with Rum I would suggest.

Cheers,

Gary…..The Pirate