Special Advertising Supplement to International Living

Palm trees sway in a Caribbean breeze … beneath your feet, warm
waves dance on powdery beaches … and in the distance you hear the melodic, majestic ‘call of the wild.’ Welcome home.

Now, you can own beach property in one of the
Caribbean’s most beautiful private resort communities –
at the lowest pre-construction prices ever offered!

Cash in now on Belize’s tourist boom and get in on the ground floor of Central America’s #1 growth industry

Dear Reader,

Very soon, a select group of private investors will begin to acquire some of the most beautiful beachfront property … in a pristine Caribbean resort community – at the lowest pre-construction prices ever offered.

Once this special pre-construction offer comes to a close (very likely within the next 60 to 90 days), these properties on the tranquil, tropical coast of Belize will be allowed to seek their own market level.

So, if you have ever dreamed of sitting back on the beach, soaking up the Caribbean sun, and enjoying the quiet ambiance of your own exquisite resort home … well, this is your chance to make those dreams come true – at a fraction of the price you would expect to pay.

The all-new Orchid Bay resort community offers you the rare opportunity to immerse yourself in a beachfront, bayside lifestyle most others can only envy. Plus, because you can still get in at the pre-construction stage, you can save thousands of dollars off of Grand Opening retail prices!

Even as I write, construction has already begun on the sales office/welcome center overlooking the tranquil waters of the Chetumal Bay. That’s why it’s important for you to act now to own your own property in this beautiful community. Prices will never again be so low. And your chances of living the life of your dreams may never again be so good...

Welcome to “The Garden of Eden” …

One of the world’s leading travel guides recently called Belize, “The Garden of Eden.” And when you see Orchid Bay, with its soft, sandy beaches, its enchanting canopy of exotic hardwood rainforests, and its fascinating array of exotic wildlife, you’ll understand why. And yet, for all of Orchid Bay’s natural beauty, you will never find another community that so totally provides all of the comforts of home – at a mere fraction of the price. Orchid Bay’s collection of home designs defines modern elegance. Plans are already in place for cutting-edge cable and high-speed wireless Internet connections giving you instant access to family and friends anywhere in the world, at the push of a button. Steaming hot showers with pulsating pressure. And state-of-the-art satellite technology opening your venue to every channel under the sun.

And, what’s outside your door will be just as exquisite as what’s within …

The resort plan at Orchid Bay will include sumptuous restaurants, boutique retail shops, and convenient services all within the town center grand plaza. Plus, you’ll be within walking distance of pools, beach clubs, equestrian stables, a space-age observatory, and first-rate conference facilities. And, when you decide to take a break from the beach, you’re only minutes from endless miles of trails, parks, and paths for jogging, hiking, and horseback riding through endless miles of organic gardens and citrus groves.

Its all part of a grand plan – masterfully designed with you in mind ... the carefully orchestrated concept of the world-class “Dream Team” I’ve already put in place.

But, before I tell you more about the dream, or the team – or Orchid Bay’s enticing “New Urbanism” -- ambiance, please allow me to introduce myself and my business partner… My name is Phil Hahn. I am the CEO. Along with Dave Drummond, my partner, we are the founders, and primary developers of Orchid Bay at Pointe Alegre. Nearly two years ago, I happened upon what I considered some of the most enticing property I had ever seen, occupying nearly 115 acres of a pristine peninsula known as Point Alegre. It was in the Corozal District of Belize, a relatively obscure Central American country my trusty travel guide proclaimed “fulfills every adventure fantasy.” Ironically, Dave had just bought International Living’s Belize The Owner's Manual. And no sooner did I arrive back home, than he walked in my office, tossed it on my desk, and announced, “Now, there is where I intend to join old Jimmy Buffett ‘nibblin’ on sponge cake, watchin’ the sun bake.’ You coming?” Well, let me explain that Dave and I grew up together in the quaint, but cold, Midwestern town of Holland, Michigan. So Belize fulfilled one of our dreams – which was to have a serene and secure piece of land … in a country that would protect our privacy and our assets …and give our families a pristine, picturesque setting to wile away the hours hiking, diving, sitting in the sand under the tropical sun, and dangling our feet in an emerald bay. (Did I mention we grew up trudging the frozen tundra?)

So, we bought the 115 acres. And Dave and I even came up with a name for it: Orchid Bay. Though, I have to admit, that was a no-brainer – because this lush landscape boasts more than a mile and a half of untouched oceanfront wrapped around the Chetumal Bay. And its towering trees are home to thousands of breathtaking Belizean orchids.

For over a year, I didn’t give a lot of thought to any sort of community development. And then my first love asserted itself. You see, my entire adult life has been devoted to bringing together the best team for the job, then working tirelessly to be successful. For more than 20 years in the residential design industry, I have dedicated myself to building businesses and creating first-rate opportunities for clients, customers, and colleagues.

In fact, that’s what drove me to team up with Dave. Dave’s 20-plus years of experience in the rarified atmosphere of multi-national corporations were the perfect compliment to my grassroots know-how. Our efforts have contributed to building vibrant local communities, while protecting the culture and environment. And along the way, we have created the opportunities in which our friends and clients have been able to invest – and prosper.

So far, the results have been all that we have hoped for. And more. In fact, we have never lost a dime on a development. And I personally believe that with Orchid Bay at Pointe Alegre, the best is yet to come!

Now, please understand, this doesn’t mean that every lot and home at Orchid Bay will continue to increase at exponential rates. No one can guarantee that – and if they did, you shouldn’t listen. I can, however, tell you this: there will never be another chance to buy in at these pre-construction prices.

But, first, let me tell you what my vision is for Orchid Bay’s beachfront resort community – right now, as the fertile ground is being broken.. Then, you decide for yourself if it isn’t the kind of luxurious lifestyle you’d like to enjoy for yourself …

The scenery and serenity of a beachfront luxury community in an untouched tropical paradise …  I think by now you can see that this is a unique opportunity for you. It’s an opportunity for you to get in on the ground floor of a project whose value, I’m personally convinced, could soon go through the ceiling. And it’s an opportunity for you to get in on the cutting edge of what many believe could be the next great tourism explosion in Central America.

You saw (hopefully, firsthand) what happened in Acapulco … in Cancun … and in Costa Maya – where early property owners saw up to 500-fold returns. Now, as the popular Moon tourism handbook says, “The word is out – Belize is hot!”

And, as an International Living reader, you have the opportunity to get in early – at pre-construction prices that will not last long.

So, if you’ve ever dreamed of having your own Caribbean vacation getaway … if you’ve ever dreamed of being surrounded by people who share some of your own values, interests, and ambitions …if you’ve ever just once wanted to be one of those people who’s “at the right place, at the right time” – well, welcome to Orchid Bay, where your future is now.

Orchid Bay is the most idyllic and innovative resort community ever conceived in the tranquil, tropical nation of Belize. Hewn out of some of the world’s most beautiful rainforests, with the rolling waves of the turquoise Caribbean lapping up on its white sand shores, Orchid Bay will offer a sense of serenity and security rarely found in today’s world.

Yet, Orchid Bay also promises to be a vibrant and exciting community; a close-knit neighborhood where old and new friends alike can gather at the planned town center for small talk and great times. It’s a community where you will enjoy the amenities you’ve come to expect – and can expect exciting new adventures you’ll quickly come to enjoy. Let me put it this way: If you’re a person who likes all of the conveniences of the modern era … and all of the comforts of a Mayberry on the beach -- all rolled into one – look no further. Someone once wrote that there’s “a tide in the affairs of man” which seized at the right time can “lead onto to fortune.” At Orchid Bay, the tide’s coming in on pleasure and profits. I’d like for you to be among the fortunate who gets your share of both.

Worldwide, people are seeking their place in the sun …

“As millions of Baby Boomers approach retirement age, many are finding traditional American retirement locations less appealing. The hold Florida and Arizona have had on retirees is loosening, and the options are growing … places like Mexico, Costa Rica and Belize have been popular retirement destinations with cheap living, warmer climates and close proximity to the US...” – Associatedcontent.com

It’s no surprise to anyone who has felt the sting of a blistering wind on a cold day that “soaking up the sun” is far preferable. And with today’s Babyboomers having more disposable income than any generation in history, moving south to a warmer clime has become an inviting option.

Trendwatching.com calls this southward migration “Floridasation.” For two decades running, Florida has gained more new retirees than any other state in the country. And, in fact, from 2003 to 2004, it picked up an average of 1090 new residents a day!
But, I don’t want you to think for one minute that “Floridasation” is restricted to the “Sunshine State” alone. According to Trendwatching, the trend toward treading south has caught on worldwide, and, “Now it is Southern Europe’s turn to accommodate hundreds of thousands of soon to be retired citizens from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Holland, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Austria.”
It makes sense, doesn’t it? If you can afford to live where there is an abundance of sun, sand, and the sea, why stay cooped up indoors? So retirees are moving south.

But, of course, with the rising populations come rising prices. A dozen years ago, buying south Florida oceanfront land for redevelopment cost roughly $10,000 to $15,000 per future condominium unit. Today, it’s $200,000 to $500,000 per door. And experts in that area predict it will soon increase to $1 million to $1.5 million in better neighborhoods.

In Costa Rica, just 20 years ago, you could get a two-bedroom home in San Jose for $19,500. Now, those homes sell for $200,000-plus. And they’re not even on the beach. Over the past decade, land prices in Acapulco have risen an average of 40% per year.

That’s why I’m so excited about the opportunities at Orchid Bay. It’s like settling into southern Florida’s prime properties a dozen years ago. Or, like buying in Acapulco 20 years ago. The prices in Belize are still affordable because the land is relatively undiscovered. But, that’s changing quickly. And, now is the time to beat the crowd.

Babyboomers and Belize – a perfect match …

“A baby boomer turns 50 every seven seconds. And they are in the highest-earning period of their lives. They are looking for resorts, vacation homes and second homes. And if you look at where people in the U.S. are moving, they are going to warmer climates.” Honolulu Star-Bulletin

As good as the property prices are, and as warm and welcome as the climate is, they’re not the only reasons babyboomers are drawn to Belize. The fact is, Belize has rolled out the welcome carpet with one of the most enticing retiree benefits package in all of Central America.

There are no taxes on income earned outside Belize. And that applies whether the income is earned or passive. Nor are there any capital gains or estate taxes. In addition, you can import your car, your personal belongings, and your household effects one time duty free. In fact, if you happen to own a plane or boat, you can bring those in free, too – one time.

For Babyboomers, always looking to stretch a dollar, this is good news. To capitalize on it, you need to be on the ground when they arrive – because once they start to spend, prices will begin to soar. They’ll come to Belize looking for privacy, safety, warm weather, convenience, relaxation, and adventure. And they’ll find it all at Orchid Bay.

How big is the potential market? Beginning in 2000, Babyboomers started turning 50 at the rate of just under 10,000 a day. Already, more than 14 million are 50 and up -- and some aren't waiting until 55 to take early retirement. They’re the “Instant Gratification Generation.” So they want to start enjoying the good life now. And they don’t care where they need to go to find it.

The International Herald Tribune has reported that, in the past 30 years, the number of Americans living abroad has more than quadrupled. In fact, according to the U.S. State Department, it has risen from 2.3 million to 3.3 million just since 1990.

Time Magazine recently reported: "Many of the 76 million American boomers are more likely than their parents to consider retiring to a foreign land, because they have traveled more, have higher hopes for retirement, and tend to be more active and adventuresome."

For more information about this opportunity contact info@orchidbaybelize.com	And as Open Road’s Belize Travel Guide points out, “Belize fills every adventure fantasy. It is nearby, it’s spectacular, and still virtually unknown.” Sounds like Belize and Babyboomers are a perfect match, doesn’t it?
Now, I don’t want you to get the idea that Orchid Bay is a retirement community. Not at all. Though it could be a perfect second home, vacation getaway, or retirement mecca for IL readers. The prices are certainly low enough (especially now). And the atmosphere easily lends itself to an incomparably carefree bayside lifestyle. Orchid Bay is a meticulously planned resort community. It offers those who live the promise of elegant living on the edge of Eden found nowhere else in Belize. And rarely found anywhere else in Central America. One would have to visit some of the most attractive and amenable communities in the United States – communities like Celebration and Seaside, Florida – to capture the charm and beauty planned for Orchid Bay. And even then, the price, privacy, and pristine beauty could not compare.

I invite you to come and see for yourself. And when you do, here’s what you’ll find…

Where do I find Orchid Bay?

Orchid Bay is snuggled along the shore of the Chetumal Bay some 90 miles from Belize City, the former capital and home to the Philip Goldson International Airport. It’s less than an hour by car – and 30 minutes by boat – from Orchid Bay to the Mexican city of Chetumal. And it’s only a short jaunt from Corozol, the picturesque seaside fishing village famed for its breakers, breeze, and fragrant canopies of poinciana trees adorning its central park.

But, that textbook description merely scratches the surface. In fact, for most people who have been there, the answer to the question “Where do I find Orchid Bay” might be something like: Orchid Bay is as near as your dreams – and as far as you’ll ever have to go to find all that you need for the life that you want.

Orchid Bay is …

• A luxurious stretch of beachfront with 115 acres of untouched rainforests and one-and-a half miles of coastline on a tranquil turquoise bay perfect for swimming, diving, snorkeling, fishing, sailing, or simply strolling along the shoreline admiring the powder-blue sky.


• Conveniently located just two hours from Belize City by car, or less than 15 minutes by the inexpensive charter planes that hop about Belize like water spiders on an Orchid Bay lagoon.


• Only 10 miles across the Bay of Chetumal away from the beautiful, bustling metropolis of Chetumal, Mexico, with its modern American-style mall, state-of-the-art cinema plazas, crowded city sidewalks, beachfront eateries, first-class restaurants, vibrant nightlife – and prices about one-tenth what you’d find in most U.S. cities.


• A short boat-ride away from Ambergris Caye, the alluring tourist hot-spot made famous by Madonna for its “Tropical island breeze … All of nature wild and free … This is where I long to be … La isla bonita.” And, perhaps, made just as infamous as the first choice for FOX Network’s tantalizing mini-series, Temptation Island.


• Within driving distance of the 2,000-year-old Mayan ruins at Altun Ha. It’s here the Temple of the Sun God reaches 60 feet above the jungle floor. And only a few yards away lays the Temple of the Green Tomb, where archeologists uncovered the solid jade head of Kinich Ahau, the largest jade carving ever found in any Maya country.

If, as the experts say, the top three criteria for real estate value are location, location, and location – the community at Orchid Bay shouts here, here, here. Whether you choose to relax at home or take to the road or wide open seas, Orchid Bay is the place to be.

And, that’s not by accident. From the moment of its inception, Orchid Bay was designed to be both a destination and a point of embarkation … a self-contained luxury community and a launching pad for adventure and exploration. Let me tell you why …

Meet your Dream Team – their business is your pleasure …

The simple fact is, every person I chose to work with me in developing Orchid Bay was brought aboard with a single purpose in mind: to create a total lifestyle community in which you would want to live, work, and play – and enjoy every second of it.

Each member of this team is an acknowledged expert in his or her field. Each is committed to the vision of building a vibrant resort town that recalls the quaint charm of the past -- while rising to the rewarding challenges of the future. I call them my “Dream Team.” And once you’ve examined their bona fides, I think you will too.

Let me introduce them to you …

A business leader, high-tech maven, and committed environmentalist …

David Drummond, my partner, is Orchid Bay’s chief operating officer. With nearly 20 years in the high-tech space industry, Dave has hands-on experience in organizing and managing all aspects of customer service organizations. In short, he’ll keep the wheels turning and the capital churning.

Through both the boom and bust of the high-tech market, Dave was focused on two objectives: producing a quality product and driving profitability. Whether with fledgling start-ups or established software companies, Dave’s teams consistently hit the highest customer service marks, while outperforming revenue and profitability projections. Now, Dave brings these same organizational, management, and business skills to Orchid Bay.

But, that’s only part of Dave’s value to Orchid Bay’s families. Dave feels it’s important to give something back to the environment – and the people – of Belize. It was his idea, for example, to create a manatee study center in Orchid Bay, with a manatee rescue team, veterinarians, an animal hospital with holding tanks for rehabilitation, and a museum with classrooms. And it is Dave who has taken the lead to work with the government making sure Orchid Bay serves as a model community for tomorrow’s Belize.

One of the world’s most revered architects – at your doorstep …

Alvin Holm is Orchid Bay’s chief architect. And one of the pre-eminent architects of our time. Let me tell you just little bit more about him. Because the more you know about what he’s done, the more confidant you’ll be in what he’s about to do -- for you.

Thoroughly grounded in the Modernist Movement (Yale ’58 and Penn ’62), Alvin was the project designer at the prestigious Vincent King Partnership in Philadelphia for 10 years while teaching the Bauhaus Foundation program at the Philadelphia College of Art, and studio courses at Drexel University.

He opened his own office in 1976 and quickly gained international renown for his meticulous restoration work and historical architecture. So respected is his work that for 20 years he served as President of the Philadelphia Chapter of Classical America.

Site engineers with unmatched infrastructure expertise …

Brent and Cary Shumaker own and operate Premier Engineering, one of North America’s leading infrastructure development firms. They have more than 25 years of hands-on experience in the field, and they use their experience and expertise in every aspect of site development.

They carry both commercial and residential engineering licenses. So they are able to provide complete site development, including roads, onsite sewer treatment systems, water systems, power systems, pools, spas, and water features. In short, with Brent and Cary on the job, you can be sure everything is going to work – perfectly.

Premier Engineering and Development has been featured in Caterpillar Magazines “On Your Own,” and they have a wide range of state certifications throughout the U.S. Now, they are bringing that experience and expertise to Belize to help make sure that for you, “the living is easy.”

Targeted sales by a focused director …

Penny Ranew has a highly successful history in the real estate sales arena as the National Sales Director for Homes and Land Publishing and Homes.com. As an integral member of the Nautilus Associates team since its inception, she keeps the sales targeted on the types of customers you’ll want as your neighbors. And she keeps the entire sales effort focused on quick – and continuing success.

A young, aggressive on-site manager who knows Belize –
as only a Belizean can …

Fernando Alamilla knows the manners and mores of his native land from the ground up, as only someone born and bred on its soil can. And he knows the ways and means of its corporate and political community as an educated accountant and experienced banker.

From the day I brought “Ferni,” as you will come to know him, aboard, I knew I had found the perfect individual to help form the interface between Orchid Bay and the Belizean people. English speaking, as all Belizeans are … affable and industrious, a Belizean national trait … and committed to both his people and our project, Fernie will help you feel at home in both your New Community and the Old Country.

Clearly, all of the members of Orchid Bay’s Dream Team are proven experts in their own fields. But, they also bring to the project a unique affinity for an exciting concept that in many ways sets Orchid Bay apart from almost any other resort community in Central America. It’s called “New Urbanism.”

I’ve mentioned it before, but now, let me tell you what it could soon mean for you …

Introducing “New Urbanism” – for your pleasure and profit …

Simply put, New Urbanism is the architecture movement that creates a true sense of community by putting people first … with neighborhoods where shops and homes are within walking distance … with tree-lined streets and picturesque walkways … and with parks where residents of all ages play and relax.

Now, take that warm and friendly concept -- add beautiful white-sand beaches, a crystal-clear turquoise bay stretching as far as the eye can see, and palm trees swaying in a Caribbean breeze – and you have a feel for Orchid Bay.

Right now, there are some 600 New Urbanist projects throughout the world. Most are in the United States. But, the neighborhood lifestyle trend is also sweeping Europe and reaching down into Australia. And, Orchid Bay is the first-ever in Belize.

Like other popular New Urbanist communities, Orchid Bay will feature an attractive and convenient town center – in our case, the Corazon at Orchid Bay -- creating a common gathering place. Necessities – retail stores, restaurants, theaters, services, and neighborhood centers – will be located within a five-to-10-minute walk of each home. And well-tended parks and playgrounds will be close at hand.

And that’s just the beginning. New Urbanism isn’t only about the quality of life, it’s also about the value of the homes. Where towns have conformed to the principles of New Urbanism, homes have a track record of selling faster and for a premium, compared to conventional developments.

Recent studies by Market Perspectives and the Urban Land Institute that compared New Urbanist developments with standard subdivisions showed a minimum 15% premium for houses in New Urbanist communities. The projects were also selling faster than those in conventional subdivisions.

Seaside, Florida, the very first New Urbanist community, has proven that property values in communities designed to replicate traditional towns can be a bonanza to those who get in early. Lots began selling for $15,000 in the early 1980s -- and slightly over a decade later, prices had escalated to about $200,000. Today, some lots sell for close to a million dollars, and houses sometimes top $3 million. The town is a tourist mecca.

Now, you can get in early on one of the very first New Urbanist communities in Central America -- at low pre construction prices that will never be offered again. But, the number of Orchid Bay lots and homes is limited, and the demand is rising. So, if you’re interested, I urge you to act now.

And, it gets even better …

As good as all of that is, it may get even better. Let me share a secret with you that isn’t even up on the Orchid Bay web site yet.

Just a matter of days ago, I finalized the details on a contract that could make Orchid Bay not only the most luxurious -- but also one of the largest beachfront resort communities in Central America.

The contract adds an additional 4,000 (that’s right, I said four-thousand) acres of lush rainforest to the existing 115 already under development. Plus, it adds another five miles of waterfront . And it adds fresh-water lagoons teeming with tropical fish.

As you can imagine, this unprecedented purchase allows me to start considering a 20-year master plan that could very well multiply the value of the current lots and homes many times over. And that’s important to me. No matter what we add as enhancements, the community center at Orchid Bay, with its luxury homes, shopping plaza, beaches, and parks will always be the heart and soul. And its net worth, I hope, can only increase.

Now, my Dream Team and I haven’t made any firm decisions yet on how we’ll develop the additional 4,000 acres. But I can’t say we haven’t batted around some ideas – a few of which are already producing some pretty impressive pen-and-ink sketches.

I want to share some of them with you. But first, let me give you a caveat that I’ve lived by with every development I’ve ever bought into: Buy what you see – not what you hear. If everything I have in my “brainchild blueprint” was already in place, the current lots and homes at Orchid Bay could be going for two, three, four – even five – times what they’re selling for now.

But, I haven’t even walked the entire 4,000 acres yet – let alone built on them. Still, as you know by now, I’m a dreamer who likes to share the wealth. So, let me share with you some of what I’m thinking – and see if you like what you hear …

• Imagine 1,500 to 1,700 new luxury homes, all built to the same exacting specifications as those currently under development. That’s nearly 2,000 exclusive new homes interwoven throughout a tropical rainforest, with easy access to some of the most beautiful beaches on the face of the earth – any one of which could be yours!


• Imagine a custom-designed 27-hole golf course with rolling fair lanes winding around tranquil tropical ponds, magnificent ancient mahogany trees oaks, and well bunkered, terraced greens that make each round an inviting challenge. And off in the distance, stunning panoramic views of the vast Caribbean Sea.


• Imagine tooling your open-air four-wheeler over a picturesque drawbridge spanning Laguna Seca to Copper Bank – and making your drive to scenic Corozol and exciting Chetumal a breezy, sun-baked 30-minute jaunt?


• Imagine your sailboat, custom-built by native baymen, moored at the end of your private pier jutting out into your own exclusive lagoon marina. Fire up the engine and you move effortlessly up the canal connecting your lagoon to Chetumal Bay and the Caribbean Sea.

Well, perhaps one day soon you can stop imagining and start enjoying all of that, and more. But, again, remember my earlier admonition. I want you to: Buy what you see – not what you hear. So, let me tell you more about what you’ll see when you visit beautiful Orchid Bay.

A truly unique development … unparalleled, unprecedented

Orchid Bay is unlike any other planned resort community in Belize. In fact, with its plan of close-knit neighborhoods, main street shops, and tree-lined streets, you’ll find very little like it anywhere else in Central America, either.

Within the next 18 to 24 months, there will be as many as 60 single-unit detached homes. Plus, above the shops in the town center, another 50 luxury condominiums will soon be available. Each is beautifully appointed, with all the amenities of the most advanced homes in the United State’s most modern developments. Yet, they’re all now being offered at prices unheard of in comparable resort communities.

Once the last roof is raised and the final vista is paved, Orchid Bay will be a set piece showplace for Belize’s booming tourist industry. A modern oasis carved out of pristine jungles, it will combine the best of both worlds.

Now, admittedly, to some who come to Belize, the agrestic environs can at times be almost overwhelming. While many covet diving the lee of the barrier reef to swim with eels and manta rays … and others enjoy a trek through exotic rainforests to catch a glimpse of a tapir or toucan, or a howler monkey … there are those who also long for the comforts and convenience of home. And for them, there is Orchid Bay.

For a country like Belize that was once a colony, achieved its independence, and is now striving to establish its own identity, Orchid Bay marks the passing of the Old Order and the arrival of a New Golden Era. For Baby Boomers moving south in search of a place where life is simpler, the people are warm and friendly, and the cold rigors of harsh reality are often held at bay, Orchid Bay holds forth the promise, as the song says, to “take the winter and make it summer.” As I sit now finalizing this letter to you, the sounds and sights of a burgeoning community whirl around me. Shirtless Belizeans, machetes in hand, clear the undergrowth with lapidary skill. Mennonites from nearby Shipyard drill the wells that will assure an abundant supply of fresh spring water. And off in the distance, I hear the sounds of bulldozers, dump trucks, and graders preparing to lay the circular vistas that will keep this community close knit. Quite literally, not a stone will be left unturned when it comes to making Orchid Bay a state-of-the-art, neighborhood-lifestyle, model community. From the ornate street lights reminiscent of an earlier era to the flower-bordered all-brick sidewalks, Orchid Bay will be as pleasing to the eye as it is to the pocketbook.

Construction is progressing quickly, with much of the infrastructure already in place. Plans are already in place for Orchid Bay’s groundbreaking for grand plaza condominiums above the retail spaces on the Paseo de Caracol next year at this As I mentioned, all told, 50 condos will be built, and all indications are that they will go quickly. So if a condo in the Caribbean is your idea of living in style, I would advise you to consider reserving your place now.

Because of Orchid Bay’s easy access to the air and sea ports of Belize City, it could quickly become a destination of choice for tourists looking to find a modern, family-friendly resort community. If you decide to take advantage of this feature, you will have a full-time rental management team on-site to take care of the details.

As you can see by now, your Dream Team at Orchid Bay is fully committed to making an unprecedented -- and unparalleled -- effort not only to meet, but to anticipate, your every need. And, it’s a commitment that will continue to grow as the community – and the country -- continues to develop.

Belize, a country on the grow!

I’ve mentioned the character and the culture of Belize several times now, and I would be remiss if I didn’t share a little bit more about it before I close. After all, once you stroll its unspoiled beaches and explore the flora and fauna of its rain forests, you may become afflicted with what’s known here and about as the “Belize Factor.”

Simply put: you may find that once you return home, you’ll have an uncontrollable compulsion to return. Time and again ... Perhaps even to stay.

After all, where else in a country the size of Massachusetts do you come upon mile after mile of fragrant pine, counter-pointed with swaying palms; tarzanian jungles where no man has set foot for over 1,000 years; atolls, islands, and barrier reefs with a rainbow kaleidoscope of tropical fish; parched savannah; majestic mountains; and Caribbean waters so crystal clear you can see the shifting sands of the sea floor 150 feet below?

Belize is a land with more than 4,000 species of flowering plants (including 250 varieties of orchids) … 700 different types of trees … 100 species of birds (including the awe-inspiring jabiru, with a wingspan of up to 12 feet) … 200 types of butterflies (some as large as a foot wide) … and, of course, the largest cat in the Western Hemisphere. (Think your kids would love to ogle those exotic sites? I know mine did.)

Now, I think you’re starting to understand why Destinations Magazine recently called Belize “A showcase of natural phenomena that takes your breath away.” Why AAA’s Go Magazine termed it “one tropical paradise that lives up to its postcard depictions.” And why Modern Bride rated it “On of the Top 50 Honeymoon Destinations in the World.”

Most noticeable in Orange Walk country, however, are the Mennonites who gathered here from around the world to escape persecution and practice their picturesque way of life. With their simple denims and frocks, their horse-drawn carts, and their freshly picked produce, the Mennonites lend an aura of archaic rural life to Belize’s laidback tropical ambiance.

For those who like the “city life” the Belize District beckons further east. Here, near the banks of Haulover Creek, the country was founded, some would say by the Spaniards in the mid-16th Century, others would insist by the Mayans 2500 years ago. The Belize District today encompasses a wide variety of habitats, including mangroves, marshes, crowded city marketplaces, and hundreds of Caribbean cayes.

On the District’s easternmost point lies Belize City, a bustling town of 60,000 with seaside lodges, seafood restaurants, pulsating punta rock nightlife – and, for the kids, the renowned Belize Zoo with the world’s largest collection of Central American animals. Perhaps, Open Road’s travel guide describes it best: “An 1842 print shows one and two-story tin-roofed wooden buildings with shady verandas lining the shore. Sailboats and skiffs dart across the water … It could, but for the period dress, be a view of the city today.”

To the southwest of Belize City, you’ll find the Cayo District with its vast, wild interior serviced by only a handful of passable roads. Bordering Guatemala’s impenetrable Peten Wilderness, the Cayo can best be toured by hiking, river rafting, or on horseback. And for a real “inside view,” you’ll want to bring your spelunking gear.

But, it’s well worth the effort, because once you venture in, you’ll find working cattle and horse ranches reminiscent of America’s Wild West … the Rainforest Medicine Trail, with natural herbs to cure whatever ails you … Thousand Foot Falls, the largest, most breathtaking falls in Central America … and the Caves Branch River Valley, with more than 50,000 acres of crystallized caves and five spectacular underground rivers.

When you come up for air, you’ll want to hasten east to the Stann Creek District where the majestic Victoria Peak rises 3675 feet skyward, “enveloped,” as British explorer J. Bellamy wrote in his report to the Royal Georgraphic Society, “in a cloud of mystery.”

High on the list of “must sees” for any visitor to Stann’s Creek is the sleepy Bohemian village of Placencia, on the Caribbean coast, just off the Southern Highway. With sands whiter and deeper than most of the Cayes, its seaside resorts are instantly captivating. Its surrounding jungles offer endless adventures, and its little-explored offshore reefs are irresistible to serious divers.

Farthest south is the sleepy, rustic Toledo District. Once known as the “forgotten corner” of Belize – and still a long day’s journey in to night – Toledo is best known for the tiny, relaxed town of Punta Gorda. Situated on the coast, just north of the Guatemalan border, “P.G.,” as the locals call it, is airy, breezy, open, and affable. For those who simply want to get – and, perhaps, stay – away from it all, the Toledo District offers a safe, secluded, hassle-free haven.

Once you’ve completed your journey, the best part, as they say, is coming home, back to Orchid Bay. So, once you’ve enjoyed the far flung wonders of this remarkably diverse country, I have a feeling you’ll long for that moment when you can open the door of your modern new home, throw open the windows to a cool Caribbean breeze, slip off you shoes, sit back in your easy chair, curl your toes in the plush rug, and listen to the sounds of the waves lapping up on your own Orchid Bay beach. Sound inviting?

Well, in just a moment, I’ll tell you how you can make sure your dream property is awaiting your arrival. But, first, let me fill you in on some of the development details so you’ll know which plan fits you best ...

Orchid Bay’s master plan is built around one central theme: We want you to have the comforts and convenience of a modern, close-knit, luxury community -- while enjoying the easy ambiance of your own beach front, tropical resort.

And, top of that, we want you to have it all at the most affordable pre-construction prices ever offered.

That’s why we have designed and constructed Orchid Bay with meticulous attention to every detail of New Urbanism’s family-friendly, old-town texture. Combining state-of-the art amenities with a warm, small-town atmosphere, Orchid Bay will have the feel of a modern Mayberry – by the beach.

Once fully completed, Orchid Bay will include a variety of exquisite bay front and bay view homes, village homes, cottage homes, and three-story townhouse condominiums. The streets will all be interconnected, creating an easy-access network grid that eliminates the need for high-traffic thoroughfares. Limestone pavers and Belizean hardwood boardwalks crisscross the community to encourage walking and biking, while narrow tree-lined streets will serve to reduce traffic speed.

Parks and playing fields will be within walking distance. And Orchid Bay’s circular, grand plaza “main street” assures that botiques, restaurants, and other neighborhood gathering centers are all within easy reach of each dwelling.

Phase I, with its 70 plus single, detached luxury homes, has already been released. Sales have begun, though active marketing has not. So, you are among the very first to have the opportunity to get in early, at pre-construction prices. To date -- though sales have been limited to my personal clients, family, friends, other “insiders,” and a few “outside the circle” contracts -- 25 lots already have been sold. So, I encourage you to make your move as soon as possible.

Phase II, including the 50 luxury condominiums, will begin no later than the fall of 2006. We will not put any condos on the market until ground has been broken – and those who have already purchased a bay front, bay view, or village home will be given first call.

Estimated prices for single-unit homes in Orchid Bay are as low as – if not lower than – any comparable homes elsewhere in Central America. And considering the tourism boom in Belize, the values may be even higher.

The price of top-quality home construction for lot buyers will be as low as $60 to $70 per square foot. With lots running from just $50,000 to $150,000, this equates to total construction costs for a elegant resort home ranging from under $100,000 to $300,000, depending upon the modifications you choose.

But, whatever you decide, don’t worry about reading blueprints, managing contractors, or overseeing every details. That’s what we’re here for. It’s what we do best. And we can do it all for you – every step of the way.

Here are the choices you’ll have …

The homes at Orchid Bay – the choice is yours …

Lot owners at Orchid Bay can take advantage of the affordable cost of building with an abundant supply of local raw materials. The world’s most sought-after Belizean hardwoods lend an aura of beauty and stability. The thatched roofed casitas and cabanas are culled from resources endemic to local acreage. The limestone blocks are baked in kilns less than an hour away.

I have included below some of the exquisite plans now on the drawing boards you can choose from once you have bought your lot and decided to build. Of course, you can modify these plans any way you wish. Or, you can start from scratch and build the entire edifice of your own dreams.

And, no matter which home you choose, the quality is built in from the foundation up …

Easily affordable Cottage Homes

Two-story Cottage Homes feature a spacious family room, a modern kitchen, a separate dining area, and a tiled veranda on the first floor. On the second-floor, you’ll find two roomy bedrooms, two full baths, abundant storage space, and two walk-out decks overlooking the scenic rainforests and nearby beaches. Cottage Homes will vary in size from 750 to 1250 square feet, depending upon your specifications.

Village Homes with room to spare

Village Homes offer you the convenience of having everything you need on one floor, centered around a unique cathedral ceiling interior foyer providing easy access to every room. Yet, the floor plan is laid out in such a manner as to protect your privacy even when the house is full of family and friends.

The spacious master bedroom features an expansive sitting area and an oversized bathroom highlighted by a tiled Jacuzzi. The two additional bedrooms on the opposite side of the house are adjoined by their own private bath. The modern kitchen is graced by a cozy dining area, and the wide-open family room leads out onto a sunlit veranda.

Estate Homes for luxurious living

The Estate Home makes you the lord or lady of the manor from the moment you walk in the door. Enter the arched portal, and you are greeted by an ascending center foyer punctuated by a stunning mahogany staircase. To your right is the vast living room with its adjoining veranda and myriad windows overlooking the serene, scenic bayside beaches. To your left your private library, modern kitchen, and spacious family room.

On the second floor, you’ll find three or four bedrooms (your choice), a cozy den, three baths, and a terra cotta terrace where you can entertain your guests in grand style, or simply relax in regal privacy with the sound of the nearby waves echoing in your ears.

With up to 3000 square feet of luxurious living space, this beautiful two-story home defines the parameters of gracious living.

Remember, all of the homes at Orchid Bay can be built with the highest-quality reinforced concrete construction, masonry exteriors, the most modern appliances, beautiful hardwood finishes, Mexican tile floors, and exquisite architectural detail will also be available.

A word about covenants and restrictions
to protect your property …

To promote the rapid development of Orchid Bay – and to protect your property– the community will be governed by a mutually agreed upon set of covenants and restrictions – which you will help to establish. These are designed to help ensure that you can continue to rely upon the highest quality of life and design standards for as long as you own your home.

Orchid Bay gives you everything you want –
and more … for less!
Now, give yourself a chance to see what it’s like …

If you’ve read this far, I have a feeling you will agree that for anyone who wants to enjoy the luxurious lifestyle of a Caribbean resort … with all of the comforts and convenience of modern living … and the close-knit camaraderie of friends and family, the community of Orchid Bay is well worth considering.

It’s affordable. It’s amenable. And it’s a world removed from the hustle and bustle, the hurry and worry, we’d all like to occasionally escape. Plus, it’s a ground-floor opportunity to get in early on an exploding market.

Belize is in the midst of a tourism bonanza that has already sent property values skyrocketing. Net inflows of foreign investment are increasing by a remarkable 60% per year. Belize is the only Central American country to enjoy consistent increases in tourist arrivals since 1998 – including post 9/11.

And, if, as many predict, Belize is destined to be the next Acapulco, Cancun, or Costa Maya … well, I think you’d agree that the next boat that comes in could well be yours.

Right now, you can purchase your lot and/or home in Orchid Bay for pre-construction prices. Once the infrastructure is fully in place and the first homes are erected, these base prices will begin to rise.

That’s why I am urging you to strongly consider taking advantage of the increases by taking action now.

When you consider the pre-construction prices for these luxury homes in Orchid Bay, I think you’ll agree this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that warrants your careful attention.

For a full package of information regarding lot and home packages offered at Orchid Bay, Belize please contact Penny Ranew at info@orchidbaybelize.com.