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Thanks for all of the info. We have solidifed our dates and a place to stay - now I only wish it wasn't so far off!!!
Thanks- Mo

Re Gifts...they are a little pricey, but Belizean Arts at Fido's has some nice stuff. Some is imported, much is not. They'll let you know whats from Ambergris, if you ask. Ask to the paintings by local people. I take a couple home every year. They run under $100BZ. There's also a guy on Caulker named Hugo who takes conch shells and makes them into serving dishes, spoons and hair pieces. Quite nice, very different. They sell them at BA, but at a markup.

Hey Marie- I do love the very authentic items. Is there a place/area you would recommend on the mainland that would be a good haven for the masks and other items? Maybe a cultural area where local artisans are located? My middle son loves to collect wood carvings - any idea about those? We are actually not too picky - I just love to sit back and relive all my adventures when I look at my room of masks...We are planning on staying at Captain Ron's. For 5 people he had a very reasonable offer- in the hotels, Paradise and others is was hard to fit 5 at a reasonable price - 2 would have been easy... maybe after they are all off to college. Thanks for the help- Mo
Good luck with the ear thing (on the dive site)- my hang-up is HEADACHES!

Hi we5play,

I hope sept. isn't to bad of a time to go .We are going the first of sept. Do you have airfare yet?
I was worried about this war and the airlines going broke.I wouldn't care if I was in AC and got stuck in paradise,but I wouldn't want to lose my money and not get there.

Have fun,jazz

We5: I am a huge mask collector and have quite a collection from all over the world hanging on my bedroom walls. I have a very special one (wooden carved) that I bought in Bomba Village on the mainland. It was on the Lamanai trip. It is one of my favorites.

RE: wood carvings... if you happen to take a tour of Lamanai and go there by boat, chances are you will stop in a small village called Bomba en route. The main occupation in Bomba is wood carving... there are a number of small "shops" right along the river where you can find BEAUTIFUL carvings (bowls, etc) made from the native hardwoods (at a fraction of "gift shop" prices I might add.)

Thanks for the suggestions for the masks.

Jazz - I think you will be fine at the beginning of Sept. It happens to be hurricane season but I live in NC and we have that season too...not usually a big deal. In the 9 years I have been here we have had 1 really big one come through and a small one- didn't slow us down much. Used to live on Guam- typhoon season - had 1 really big one in 2 years but you know hurricanes are actually quite amazing! I know that we will be blessed with great weather! We leave Spet. 28th. I happen to be using miles for all of us. I own my own business (HA - it owns me and it has been having a tough time) and all of my invoices are paid with a US Airways card and I accumulate quite a bit- we save up for a trip once a year with my miles. It is great to go in the fall because it does not require too many miles- 30,000. I tried to get to London in July and they want 60,000!

lmarquis- Have you ever happened to find a place to buy mask stands in the USA- the ones that would hold a mask up off the floor about 3 feet. I have a few masks that are full head gear and I really would like a stand- have had no luck in shops or calling around. Have you ever purchased a stand?
Thanks! Mo

We definitely rent a golf cart at least once each trip to explore the island, great fun. We got to see the crocks last year too!
My bro uses wig stands to hold his masks. They can be real cheap at wig shops!
Belize it!

Hi Mo! I'm not a big shopper, and already have filled the room dedicated to Caribbean stuff, so far from the best person to ask. Given my limited knowledge...as I said Belizean Arts in Fido's courtyard has lots of masks and other crafts. I believe they have a website, or are part of a greater site. You could ask them. There are lots of masks for sale in most of the shops, but not sure if they are all Belizean. There is a lot of stuff from Guatemala. You can ask. If you go to Lamani, Bomba is, I hear a good choice as others have said to you. On AC, there are lots of folks selling carvings from the Zicote (or is it Ticote....someone will know) tree. Its a smallish tree that grows on Ambergris. If its the one I'm thinking of, it has bright orange flowers and is quite attractive. The carvings from these mostly take the form of sharks, fish, etc. They are everywhere. I don't recall masks. Re the mainland, I haven't been shopping there in a number of years, but there used to be a place in Belize City called the National Handicrafts Centre, on Fort Street. I'm not sure if it is still there, but it would be easy enough to check on. It's not huge, but as I recall had a really nice choice of Belizean crafts. Happy shopping! I collect hand done pictures and sun figures, so I know how we get on our missions to fill up our nests!