Below are some of the comments from guest that visited us during the month February 2013.  Thanks to everyone you choose Hamanasi as your vacation destination. We hope that you all had an amazing Hamanasi experience!  We do hope to see each and every one of you again sometime in the near future. All the best from The Hamanasi Team!

“All of the staff we came in contact with was great.  So I must congratulate Management.  All of your staff has been oriented to all aspects of the organization and are helpful and knowledgeable.”

Bob and Elaine Hiatt, Topeka, KS

“Can’t imagine any better service!  Beautiful touches everywhere.”

Laura, Dennis and Tess Renfro, West Hartford, CT

“You are doing an incredible job!”

Ron and Dana Teitler, Middleton, MA

“Everything was absolutely wonderful.  We really enjoyed the beach setup. Really enjoyed the fresh produce and local focus; local products, local people and environmentally friendly is why we choose you”

Amanda and Cody White Lake, MI

“Keep up the excellent work!  Your eco friendly efforts were one of the best aspects for us, especially the vegetable garden, fruit trees.”

Steven Curtis and Family, Ontario, Canada

“We had a wonderful time, and Hamanasi made our honeymoon absolutely perfect!”

Kate Willcox and Andrew Deeringer, Sacramento, CA

“Done to perfection! Showed great respect for heritage and environment.”

Carol Robinson and Family, Sioux City, IA

“You have a magic atmosphere here already.  Whatever you are doing is working perfectly.”

Zachary and Shelly Cihak, Denver, CO

Wishing everyone a Happy and Prosperous 2013.  A big “Thank you” to all our December 2012 guest! Thanks for coming and we hope you had a great time with us and we can’t wait to have you back soon!  From the Hamanasi Team.

“The service was impeccable. Every staff person we encountered went out of their way to make this the best vacation.”

Deborah and Mark Buel, Gainesville, FL

“Love the attention to detail. Top notch – Perfect. This resort could teach service and hospitality to other!”

Zocher Family, Clyde Hill, WA

“Don’t expand too much. The small, community-like feeling of the resort is part of why it’s so great.”

John and Brenda Schulz, Hamburg, NY

“Everyone was special and gracious. Keep doing what you are – place is fantastic.”

Florence Sofer, Mount Kisco, NY

“Service was very, very good! Appreciated all of the personal attention.”

Tracy and Mike Killion, Humble, TX

“Amazing and very personalize service. Everyone made my stay very enjoyable.”

Mary Grabowsky, Albuquerque, NM

“It’s beautiful here! Don’t change a thing.”

Mike and Arletta Hitch, Rose Hill, AL

“Exceptional service, thank you all so much. We will be back many times, our wedding here was perfect.”

Omar and Shalane Rodriguez, Wichita, KS

“I always wondered what it would be like to be treated like royalty – now I know. Thank you for a wonderful vacation.”

Helen and Christine Hill, San Francisco, CA

“Everyone did what they could to help me solve problems and enjoy my stay – more than expected!”

Jim Mahoney, Greensboro, NC

“Service was exceptional. Value with the package was exceptional. We stayed inland for the first half of our vacation, it was nice but Hamanasi had them beat in every category! Great job!”

Theodore Rinehart and Sandra Callez, Los Angeles, CA

December 1st was a big night for Hamanasi as 3 of our staff members competed in the Belize Tourism Board’s “Taste of Belize” event held in the Cayo District. This competition determines the best chef, cake decorator and bartender in Belize. Hamanasi’s chefs took home 2 of the coveted prizes and our bartender came in second! The Minister of Tourism and Culture, Hon. Manuel Heredia opened the event, which consisted of 3 different competitions, Cake Decorating, Bartending and Master Chef for 2012. The evening kicked off with Hamanasi’s very own Executive Chef Sheridan Polanco creating an absolute masterpiece. The cake, which had a Mayan theme in honor of Maya 2012, took her just under 3 hours to decorate and won her the title of Belize’s Cake Decorator of the Year. Her inspiration was the Mayan chocolate fruit also known as “Black Sapote” which she tied into the whole story of the Mayan calendar and the history of the Mayan traditions here in Belize. Yum!! (Chef Sheridan image courtesy of San Ignacio Hotel)

The second event featured three bartenders competing for the title of Belize’s Top Bartender. Hamanasi’s “mixologist” Mark Jacobs invented 3 outstanding cocktails. The first was a Belizean Beauty, second was The Energizer and finally he wowed the crowd with his Monkey Business Creation. The final challenge was a mystery box in which he only had a few minutes to create a drink with Craboo Cream and Traveller Bitters. The result was the tangy Belizean Stinger. Mark earned second place in the competition!

The third and final event saw chefs countrywide going head to head for the title of Master Chef. The challenge: cook three meals with four mystery ingredients in one hour. After preparing a full meal made with all the mystery ingredients the panel of four judges chose Hamanasi Chef Marcia Nuñez as Belize’s Master Chef for 2012! The first elimination round was an appetizer, where Chef Marcia made a Zucchini & Sardine fritter sprinkled with a watermelon salsa. The second challenge was the main entrée. This time she created a delicious pan-fried pork chop and hibiscus cilantro potatoes drizzled with a papaya, cashew & white wine sauce. This put her into the top two ending the final challenge with dessert. This time Chef Marcia made a bacon, peanut & cream cheese wrap served with a stout reduction. Chef Marcia exclaimed, “I was so happy to win! I enjoy cooking and love to experiment with food and create new dishes filled with flavour.” And we love to eat your food, Marcia! Well done. (Chef Marcia and Bartender Mark images courtesy of The San Pedro Sun)

Hamanasi congratulates Chef Marcia, Chef Sheridan and Bartender Mark for competing well in Taste of Belize 2012. We hope to share their delicious creations with you!

“Everything was fantastic! The best thing was how everyone remembered our names.”

Kathy and Greg Mordue, Hawkins, TX

“Every member of the staff was very friendly, knew who we were and took very good care of us.”

Andrew Moriarty and Family, Manhattan Beach, CA

“You guys are top notch – no other suggestions. Always thinking one step ahead of guests needs is your specialty. Thanks for everything! We couldn’t ask for more.”

Marilyn Leung and Barry Low, Vancouver, Canada

“We can’t express how special this vacation was for us. Thank you for making our honeymoon the trip of a lifetime. We will truly miss Hamanasi!”

Allison David and Matt Friend, Sterling, VA

“This is a wonderful paradise – on par with resorts in Fiji we have visited but so much closer to home. You are all so professional and helpful.”

Cliff and Marie Bennet, Harpswell, ME

“Staff was genuinely friendly and helpful. Real positive, I appreciate the transparency. Excellent experience overall.”

Linda and Howard Kline, Pittsburgh, PA

“Wonderful service! We felt very taken care of. Thank you, we had a great time.”

Lisa Vogel and Lia Willebrand, Berkely, CA

“We love the intimacy of the resort ~ don’t ever expand too much! The resort blends perfectly with Hopkins and seems to respect and uphold the local culture! We have traveled 5* worldwide and your service is unparalleled.”

Hannah and Ben Witten, Fortworth, TX

“Hard to improve perfection! Just keep doing what you’re doing! Very impressed with efforts toward waste reduction, conservation, sustainability, organic food production and composting. Keep up the great work. “

Tahne and Adam Corcutt, Denver, CO

“Everyone always had a smile on their faces.”

Melinda Britt and Family, Escondido, CA

“The entire staff was amazing. We could not have asked for a more amazing experience.”

Brian and Toni Hovey, Hampden, ME

Hamanasi Resort believes and practices environmental sustainability, and in its ecofriendly quest, it has empowered and motivated its Dive crew to participate in the reduction of lionfish population through its spear fishing adventures. They saw a desperate need to minimize the numbers of Lionfish that poses a serious threat to our reef. This is a means of eliminating the rapid increase in the numbers of lionfish spotted along the entire coast of Belize and around the world; therefore, the Hamanasi Dive crew aims to double their lion fish hunt to 4 trips weekly for the month of March. Martin Carr, the Green team ambassador for the department records their daily catch.

From data gathered, marine guides and guests are doing a great job in their lionfish spearing efforts. In total the guides have speared over 200 Lionfish since February. Sam Noralez speared the most Lion fish followed by Martin Carr. We acknowledge Mr. Espinosa, Elvis, John, Roy and Terrill for their hard work and consistency in increasing the number of catches. Thanks to our guests for participating in this adventure.

After guests have completed this adventure for the day, they can have their catch sent to the main Kitchen so that Chef Sheridan Polanco prepares delicious Lion fish cuisines for lunch or dinner.

The Dive crew and Hamanasi Green Team Steering Committee (HGTSC) are doing their best to sustain this adventure by organizing hunts and providing guests with the relevant information about the danger that these invasive species of lionfish post to our reef. If anyone is interested in Lionfish hunting with our dynamic dive crew call or sign up at front desk, and they will willingly assist in every means possible to arrange a Lionfish Adventure that suits your needs. 

Do you your part in conserving our reef and make a difference!

Hamanasi’s Napolean Shrimp Salad

Ingredients:

Shrimps~10 Sautéed (seasoned w/salt & pepper)

Romaine Lettuce~1/3 small chop

Flour Tortilla~ 1, cut in quarters and fried

Ranch Dressing~as desired

Cucumbers, medium~¼, small dice

Tomato, medium~ 1/3 wedge, small dice

Method:

• Place 1 tsp. of dressing in center of plate.
• Place one ¼ of the fried flour tortilla on top of the dressing.
• Layer tortilla with lettuce and shrimps and repeat until complete.
• Top with a sprinkle of the diced cucumbers, tomatoes, shrimps and a good drizzle of dressing.

Our Organic Garden and Current Production

What is an organic garden?  An area where plants are produced by obeying the laws of nature — Industrial pesticide and fertilizer use is disallowed in our garden – Naturally produced fertilizers such as ash, compost, manure and organically produced pesticides and herbicides are encouraged – Integrated pest management systems (IMPS) practices are applied to prevent and combat pests and diseases. 

What are we producing?  A small scale fruit and vegetable productions is now at full swing in our newly established organic garden.  Healthier fruits, vegetables and herbs are now available for guests and staff in the restaurant and staff kitchen.  Watermelon, cantaloupe, pine apple, papaya, carrots, passion fruit, green onions, peppermint and basil, just to name a few, are now in production.

We invite you to come and get a tour of our organic garden! 

We continue to have a fantastic 2012 for the animals in Hopkins, Sittee River and nearby villages.   The Carroll County Vets Without Borders from Berryville, Arkansas, returned for their 5th visit to Hopkins! Dr. Tina Cone, Ramona Hambrick and Anita Beeson had a fantastically fun… and incredibly busy… trip to Belize.  Over the course of four days of surgery (including one day when the air conditioning went out), the team was able to complete 18 spays, 17 neuters, a limb amputation, a femoral head ostectomy, dentals, a tumor removal, and entropion (eye surgery), several lacerations and over 80 exams!  Amazing!

Tina, Ramona and Anita also made it by Saturday puppy class to help clean up the park, help hand out dog food (one of our best HBHS programs) and hand a few kids treats they had brought along with them.   Hamanasi contributed once again to the HBHS program with accomodations, lunches and allowed the vets to take some time off from their busy schedule and go on one of our snorkeling trips to the Southern Barrier Reef.

Every time the Carroll County Vet team visits Hopkins, things go well. Old friends are reacquainted, and new ones made.  As always, we look forward to their next visit.

On behalf of Hamanasi Staff and Management, we want to thank everyone that visited us for the month of February.  We hope that you all have a great vacation experience with us and we can’t wait to have you back!

“Keep doing what you’re doing and stay true to your vision and the Belizean culture.”

Michele Carroll, Dallas, TX

“Keep up the great work.  Staff could not be nicer. ”

Gail and Frank Julie, Larchmont, NY

“Our vacation was perfect above and beyond our expectations; thanks to Hamanasi ~ we wouldn’t change a thing!”

Cindy and Bruce, Calgary, AB

“Most friendly and welcoming staff we have ever experienced – Thank  you!”

John and Jane Pope, Greensboro, NC

“Exceptional, professional and friendly.   First class all the way.”

James and Martha Hannon, Colorado Springs, CO

“Staff was probably the friendliest and most eager to help of any resort I have visited – Five Stars!”

Sean and Linda Quinn, Ontario, Cananda

“Keep up the high standards.”

Ned Hickey Family, Marlborough, CT

“Absolutely excellent – friendly, accommodating, remembered names this sets resort apart from others.”

Jeff and Kristi Carius, Boulder, CO

“Overall lovedBelize, the resort and the exceptional staff.”

Barry and Maryl Featherstone, Pendleton, OR

 ”Staff was helpful, energetic, enthusiastic and always happy and available.  The most impressive group I’ve ever encountered.”

Adolf and Kelli Maas, Bothell, WA

A big “Thank You” to all our guest that visit us on January 2012. Because of you all we started the year 2012 with a bang!!! We hope that you all had an amazing Hamanasi experience! We do hope to see each and every one of you again sometime in the near future.  All the best from Hamanasi staff and Management.

“Everyone was so friendly.  Wonderful place to come to relax and get away from it all.  Thanks for making our stay an unforgettable experience!”

John & Cynthia Haynes, Magnolia, TX

“Hamanasi is perfect! Everybody we dealt with at the resort was exceptional. Thank you!”

Dylan Harrop and Brianna Israel, Ontario, Canada

“We really appreciate staying at a resort where there are efforts not only to have a small foot print but to make Belize even more beautiful.”

McPeake Family, Providence, RI

“The service here is the very best I have encountered anywhere!”

Phillip Von Mucke, New York, NY

“We love this place and will return, I can’t imagine anything being better than the experience here.”

David and Rebecca Kosmitis, Magnolia, TX

“The treehouse are built in a way that is very considerate of the surrounding nature. Very friendly and accommodating.”

Debra Brandwein and Raymond Muro, Los Angeles, CA

“Fantastic~ very friendly and great hospitality. Keep up the great work!”

Rob and Lisa Heiar, Albuquerque, NM

“Applaud your efforts to keep the environment pristine. Keep it low key and peaceful just like it is.”

Brenda and Dennis Conaway, Worthington, IN

“We enjoyed the educational experiences while being on vacation! A great time!”

Kari Sapris and Family, Decatur, GA

“Hamanasi really gives a good impression of Belize and its wonderful, safe, friendly variety of people and activates. I will encourage others to visit.”

Donna White, Bridgeport, CT

“All service personal was excellent ~ best service we’ve ever had in years of travel!”

Dean and Susi Mitchell, Leakey, TX