* Any views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
This is a guest post authored by Shayla du Plooy.
Ken duPlooy, originally from Rhodesia and his wife Judy from Maryland, met in Aspen where Judy worked for 6 years after college and Ken worked videoing skiers for instruction and fun evening bar videos. They were married in 1970 and from there ventured to first to Africa and later settled on Sullivan’s Island, S,C with an interim year in Guatemala and Belize. Adventurous by nature, they had five girls, born in three different countries by the time they moved to Belize in 1988. Family life had had them anchored to a home, two businesses and a petting zoo in Sullivan's Island, S.C. Now in their forties, Ken and Judy reminisced about their travels in Central America and the idea of starting a small lodge in Belize, despite lack of experience, seemed a cake walk to these two entrepreneurs. Their combined resumes included: Air force pilot, commercial deep sea diver, videographer, contractor, daycare owner, crabber, accountant, bartender, and world travelers. The du Plooys noted the lack of diversity and cultural richness prevalent in SC, so, determined to get their girls some culture, they packed up their family of seven, and golden retriever into a Suburban and high tailed it to Belize.
Being an island family, the du Plooys set out for Placencia, Belize. After months of camping in tents, dubious toilets and what the girls dubbed " déjà stew" the family was somewhat relieved to break down in San Ignacio where their car gave out.
Within 3 days of their arrival in Belize, they purchased the original 20 acres which is the site of duPlooy’s Jungle Lodge. In 1993 an additional 80 acres was purchased and registered as Belize Botanic Gardens in 1997. 45 acres now encompasses the gardens and the remainder is a rainforest area, untouched since it was a cattle pasture in 1988. Upon viewing the lush valley below, with rolling hills and a river running through it, the du Plooy's were smitten. Even the dubious country roads and notorious hill they barely made it over could not deter them: du Plooy's were settled and the hotel began it's growth. In those days there was no running water or electricity and only a dory with a motor for a school bus. The young girls were in heaven while the teens...were not.
Belize Botanic gardens, officially established in 1997 started as a collection of native orchids and palms and the idea to experiment with tropical fruits which could be grown organically and command higher prices on the market than the traditional bananas and citrus. Other species, both native and exotic were added to draw birds and to attract the public to the gardens.
Judy was the backbone of the operation with her business savvy and can-do attitude. Today BBG and du Plooy's exist in a sort of symbiosis. The garden is a great draw to people locally as well as internationally. The hotel brings people to the garden. Over the years the mission of both has been to attract those interested in conservation. Education is a priority and the evolution of this unique property is centered on those interested in learning. The majority of our guests at the hotel are seeking to educate themselves through travel. Whether you’re interested in: botany, birds, socio-cultural connections, or archaeology - Belize with du Plooys and BBG as a catalyst - offers diverse learning and vacation experiences.
We believe our business is successful because we offer a comfortable, clean, environmentally conscious accommodation on an organic property (except for termites – we poison ‘em!) in conjunction with friendly, casual and good humored staff. We strive to create a family-friendly and affordable jungle experience. It doesn't hurt that we think we have the best beach on the Macal river with Belize’s only botanic garden right next door.. Our guests are fully emerged in a cacophony of fauna living in a grand and plush display of flora to create a truly unique experience for those who hold nature dear to their hearts.
We are interested in conservation because we understand the impact that we humans have had on nature. We want to do our bit to spread the word. All beings are connected in a complex chain of dependency. Humans depend on plants to breathe, eat and sleep! Think: oxygen, corn, wheat, coffee, lumber and paper! We ask: why wouldn't we be interested?
The biggest lesson about building a place in harmony with nature is to always remember that balance is key: pick your battles. If nature created a hill on the road to your property that washes out in the rainy season and wreaks havoc on cars -- well make it your slogan that "Belize is not for everyone" meaning it is for the unique, strong spirits who know that on the other side of that hill lies a botanical paradise and every bump is worth it to get there. If you don't want to contribute to extra waste - but people demand straws in their drinks; let them sip from pasta - we do!
What's next for Belize Botanic Gardens? The future of du Plooy's...well Ken, who died in 2001, is buried in his beloved garden, a baobab tree is planted there as a symbol of his African roots. The girls have flown the coop, as far north as the U.S. and as far south as Panama. The middle child has just returned this summer to give it another go! But du Plooy's and BBG live on, stronger than ever under the brilliance of their founder and idea machine - Judy du Plooy. Judy sees the great opportunity for people worldwide to utilize her property as an educational mecca. She has recently converted her own family home into the Casona which is marketed towards families and student groups. BBG was honored to recieve a grant from the European Union in 2012 to create a job skills training for Belizeans to learn gardening. In Belize people are very poor and many cannot afford much formal education. This free 10-week makes people who are interest in plants job-ready and over 70% of our students have secured employment or are self-employed. We are seeking further funds to be able to continue the free program and will be calendaring shorter courses for which there will be a charge for employed people. This will contribute to the sustainability of all of our education programs. The hope is to continue in this vein and become a recognized Training Programme throughout the Caribbean and to be able to offer courses for credit through universities abroad.
What’s next for duPlooy’s?
Physically we will add to our solar system, explore ways to further conserve our environment, simple room upgrades and better marketing. Philosophically, we will continue with our path to provide the best possible nature-based experiences to our guests.
Shayla du Plooy, in the words of her parents "was predicted by a Shona n'anga in Zimbabwe", was conceived at Tikal ruins and born in Xela Ju, Guatemala. She is the middle child of five wild girls and was raised in South Carolina, Belize and Guatemala. These days, she lives in Belize with her husband Chris and works for Belize Botanic Gardens and du Plooy’s Jungle Lodge.
