Welcome letter

SStress kills. We all encounter stress, and it can be overwhelming to the point that it has serious negative health effects such as contributing to strokes and heart attacks. Finding a way to decompress and at least find a temporary escape is critical to breaking the sometimes suffocating grip of stress. Few places I’ve ever been cure you of stress quite like Royal Belize, the private island a few miles off the Belize mainland owned by Cordillera Ranch resident Bill Poston. (And, no, this is not a paid endorsement for Royal Belize).

In this issue, Bill answers the burning question of “How in the world does one own a private island,” but I can tell you first-hand that describing this place as simply ‘a private island’ unfairly generalizes Royal Belize and understates the experience you get there. It’s the antidote to the demands of life. The island staff snatches your bag the moment you hop off the boat taking away any faint memory of deadlines, projects or responsibilities with them, and they fill the void in your open hand with their signature Rum cocktail. Their bottomless glasses pose no problem because you’re on the island alone with only your group of friends and the staff. That’s right you have this slice of paradise – including three villas and a main gathering place, the Palapa – all to yourself.

Speaking of the staff, the team of 8+ is led by Tracy and Lynh who add to the whole experience with stories about their background and the history of the island and other local knowledge that make you feel at home. You quickly sense their passion for the place and that this isn’t just a job to them. Being waited on for each waking moment adds to the relaxation factor, but the custom-designed multi-course meals prepared by their chef for breakfast, lunch and dinner really puts you over the edge.

There is no doubt that you can painlessly scratch off your Royal Belize days by doing nothing more than lounging on the beach as the island’s happiest staff member, Joe, refills your drink. Or you can leisurely circle the island snorkeling the shallow, crystal clear water with sting rays, nurse sharks, lobster and other fish. Take a kayak or wave runner a little further offshore and go fishing. Take a short 30-minute boat ride to dive the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world. Be as lazy or busy as you want at Royal Belize because, for a few days, they make you feel like you own a private island and there’s no pressure to do a single thing you don’t want to do.

Enjoy Bill’s story on how he came to own an island, and do yourself a favor and go kill some stress at Royal Belize.

LIVING

www.cordilleraranch.com 830.336.3570 www.facebook.com/cordillera.ranch

PUBLISHERS: SMV Texas Design Group, LLC / Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation

SMV TEXAS DESIGN GROUP, LLC CEO/PRESIDENT Benjamin D. Schooley ben@smvtexas.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Benjamin Weber ben.weber@smvtexas.com

CORDILLERA RANCH DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION VICE PRESIDENT Charlie Hill cphill@cordilleraranch.com

CONTACT: Ad Sales Sara Hill shill@cordilleraranch.com

Cordillera Ranch Real Estate 830-336-3570 www.cordilleraranch.com

Clubs of Cordillera Ranch 830-336-9000

Charlie Hill Vice President Cordillera Ranch

Sunset view from the end of the pier looking back at your island.

Cordillera Ranch Living is published bi-monthly through a joint venture between Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation and Schooley Media Ventures, LLC. No reproduction in any form is authorized without the consent of both Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation and Schooley Media Ventures, LLC. Cordillera Ranch Living is a registered trademark of Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation. 930 E. Blanco, Ste. 200, Boerne, TX 78006. Printed in the USA. All rights reserved 2008. All rights reserved. No responsibility is assumed for unsolicited submissions. Manuscripts, photographs, and other submitted material can be acknowledged or returned if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The content contained does not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation, Schooley Media Ventures, LLC, or Cordillera Ranch residents. Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation and Schooley Media Ventures, LLC assumes no liability for misinformation, omissions, or errors.