Last night was the annual Mistletoe Ball. It's held at different places along the peninsula each year... usually the nicer, larger resorts. It's the party of the year for the area. And when they party here, they REALLY party. It's a fund raiser but I'm not sure for what. I think for the Placencia Tourist Office. The band sponsor was the national Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) but the rest of the event and prizes were sponsored by local businesses. Most of the locals and expats go. At least ones who can afford the modest $20US fee. Well worth it.
Most people dress up, at least the women do. Beach-side casual I guess you call it. Not the overly done, show-offish look that is so common in the states but very tastefully, elegant, simple dresses with some of the jewelry locally made. I met a talented young lady who has a kids clothing store and locally made jewelry shop. You can see her work at: https://www.facebook.com/Kajexpressions
The Ball is divided into two parts - the dinner from 7-10pm, and then the band from 8 until who knows when. I heard it is usually 3-4am before the last ones stagger out. This year's event was at Roberts Grove Resort, one of the nicer, well established resorts about 5 miles out of town. It's the place where I've been looking at condos to buy.
The meal was outside on the deck on the beach-side of the resort.
Very nicely decorated and quite the beach view during a full moon with only a few clouds. It was a very tasty buffet-style menu of 'traditional' Christmas fare. Turkey, ham, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, and to make it 'local', of course, beans and rice. Or it may have been rice and beans. The two dishes are slightly different but I can never remember which is which. I had the server pour lots of gravy on them anyhow.
A super delicious coconut creme pie topped off the meal. Yum.
Then across the road to the lagoon-side restaurant/marina for the partying. (The peninsula is only about 1/3 mi wide in this area so the resort spans both sides of the road.) One of the best bands in the country, great sound, but loud. Wow! That's the style here. Nonstop, reggae music with lots of bass from 5-ft speakers. I couldn't even stand being within 50-ft of the stage but many were right up there dancing the night away.
I wanted to see what it was like but it's not my thing so I left early. Just as many of the locals started coming in. And they were having fun. I guess I'm too old now for all that. I really never did enjoy it even when younger.
No comments:
Post a Comment