I have to say, I really enjoyed the Belize episode. Even though I have been there before (very briefly) I really knew hardly anything about it. I felt that this episode was a bit different than the others, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. After reading Sam's journal, I guess I have somewhat of an idea. It did seem more touristy, and I was reminded a bit of Great Hotels. Which isn't necessarily bad, as I would love to see an entire episode about the Xanadu resort- it looked like paradise! Just seeing that blue Caribbean water made me just melt. But it seemed like the episode didn't go as much into the country as some of the other episodes. Don't worry, Sam and crew! It was still a great addition to all the other Latin America shows! Especially since not many other shows even mention Belize.

Part of what I loved so much about the episode was seeing places I had been. That is, the dock and some of the streets, and, one of my absolute favorite things I have ever done on a trip, cave tubing!!! I was so excited to see Sam floating down the same river I did, wearing the goofy head lantern. Sam, when you were floating, did your guide advise "Bottoms Up"? That was such a fun thing to do, and unlike anything I had done before or done since (the lazy river at Disney's Blizzard Beach doesn't count). Actually, when I went we did an excursion and we all went on a bus, and afterward we went for lunch at a Belizean restaurant where one boy in our group experienced Belizean HOT sauce. Now that was funny.

Oh, one more question for Sam, if she reads this. I have to ask (for my friend, really)... did you go past the University of Belize? It's kind of an inside thing between me and my friend... don't ask.

Props to you, Sam, for facing your fear of the ocean to go snorkeling! That took guts, especially since there were sharks (though nurse sharks have a really good reputation). I personally love being in the ocean, and I snorkel every chance I get. But I understand the fear of not knowing what's swimming around underneath you. So, Sam, so far you've been swimming with sharks, dolphins, and stingrays (Stingray City! Woohoo! Love that place). What's next? Shamu?

Well, thanks to Sam, the crew, and the TC for showing off Belize! It was a fun episode... though I'm sorry Sam had the scary experience she had. I promise to listen to the hairs on the back of my neck!

Hey cruiselover! Great review! It sounds like you had a great time when you were there. Belize is actually one of my favorite Sam episodes of any show. She looked so beautiful and it was a joy to watch! She sang Olivia, tubed, snorkeled, ate a lot and just did what Sam does which is entertain us all! She is my favorite travel host of all time.

<ahem> Well. Where to begin ...

There's no way to say this politely and I deliberately didn't tell SB recently: the most frequent shark bites on people are by [drum role] nurse sharks. However, this is not because they are people predators. Nurse sharks enjoy warm shallow waters in the sun and seemingly enjoy languishing there during the day. Occasionally swimmers entering the surf accidentally step on a resting nurse shark - and the shark does what sharks do - they bite with a remarkably efficient set of teeth. For those old enough to remember, recall that Hooper in the movie Jaws was bitten on the calf by a nurse shark and showed off his scar to fisherman Quint.

It's always worth remembering that animals in the wild are by definition, WILD animals and should be regarded as one would regard a stray dog. SB's guide was comfortable with the sharks as were the sharks apparently comfortable with him. Nevertheless, a bit risky for our heroine.

By the way, the way you keep from entering the water into a nest of nurse sharks, shuffle your feet going in - pushing them out of the way with your shin is a better way of wildlife management than kicking them with a foot - the same goes for rays too. I usually wear a pair of polarized sunglasses (on a neck cord), which eliminates the glare and so I can see to the bottom when wading in. Very helpful to avoid sea urchins and coral too.

And for the record, the most frequent fatal attacks in this hemisphere are from the bull shark, a rather tubby looking fellow with a nasty habit of hunting - us.

Be careful out there!

Intl Doc

I used to snorkel with stingrays, and now I'm afraid of them after what happened to Steve Erwin, the Crocodile Hunter.
I know that was a fluke what happened to him, but I just can't enjoy stingrays after that. Sam was swimming with them, and I wonder if she thought about that.
Intl Doc, you are a real Jacques Cousteau!!

Thanks, LPT, a very nice compliment. A number of decades ago I owned a firm that (among other things) conducted environmental research, and this is where I picked it all up. I continued to SCUBA dive until about 10 years ago when my location made it impossible/undesirable. [I worked with one environmentalist with a PhD in microbiology named Bill who used to announce his presence by shouting, "Oh no, the Dr Bill is here!"] Whereas, Cousteau & Sons and I ran in the same circles for awhile, we never met, which is a shame.

I checked my stats, and discovered that the number one cause of shark bite injury to swimmers is indeed stepping on a nurse shark. The number 2 cause of shark bite is called "evironmental tourism," in which a swimmer/diver attempts to feed a nurse shark.

SB, never ever do that again, OK?

Meanwhile, the rays are beautiful and the attacks are rare. But then again, so are we, true?

Be careful out there!!!

Best, Intl Doc

Good grief! I had read your journal before watching the show, Samantha, and I completely understand your opening scene. Then you went snorkeling...with sharks! I think I spent much of the show making cringing sounds and thinking, poor Samantha. I'm not one to make people do things they don't want to, so I felt bad for you. With that said, I did crack up at your promise to stay in a budget hotel rather than snorkel.

Think happy thought. Xanadu....Xanadu...now we are here in Xanadu...

I was so sad when Sam was so afraid, she said she would stay in a budget hotel! I felt sad for her but at the same time I thought she was funny. She was so adorable on this show! She can be so child like. That is part of her charm!!

My husband and I and our two children took a cruise in February and one of the stops was Belize. We took a Mayan ruins tour and after the tour we asked our guide where he thought the best local restaurant was to have lunch and it happened to be Neary's - when we saw the show on Belize we couldn't believe that Sam went to the same restaurant! We were all excited. My husband had the "gimnut". I just love all the shows Sam does. Her excitement for her job really comes through in the presentations! Keep up the good work!

Yes, I definitely cracked up with the budget hotel comment. I got a picture in my head of Sam in the fetal position in the corner of a Motel 6 room repeating "Pretend it's the Ritz, pretend it's the Ritz..."
Personally, I'd rather swim with sharks. I have before, at Typhoon Lagoon water park at Disney. But the sharks were small.

I would still swim with stingrays again, even after that awful incident with Steve Irwin (I am still so sad about that- he was part of what made me love animals so much... we'll miss you Steve!). It almost never happens, and all you have to do, like with sharks, is shuffle your feet.

Yes, we've known of Sam's fear of the ocean for some time now- we learned that way back in Great Hotels. I hope they didn't make her do anything she was too afraid of. She was a trooper though- and once you actually get used to looking down and breathing out of a tube, it's really relaxing. I could snorkel for hours.

As Sam has said in other threads, her time is limited and she can't go everywhere. For anyone who liked what they saw on the Belize episode, I would suggest taking a trip and soaking in Belize for yourself. I have a home at Sapphire Beach on Ambergris Caye (the island Sam visited), so you know I'm biassed. But, I think you will find some of the nicest beaches, the friendliest people and the most relaxed atmosphere you will find anywhere.