What began as a plan for retirement down south turned into a published memoir of one couple’s eye-opening experience.
Hugo and Tershia Lambrechts had vacationed in Belize in the past and when they discovered an attractive retirement package they decided to return for the long-term.
Hugo, who was 63 and nearing the end of his 40-year practice at Manzini Animal Hospital, never thought he would retire, said Tershia.
“He couldn’t sit and do nothing, so we had to adventure,” she said.
Tershia said they chose Belize because it was a stable, English-speaking country, where they could bring their animals. In January 2003, the couple attended a Belize Relocation Conference and Tour and were sold on the idea when they found out they would be considered the same as residents and could bring in all of their household items and car duty-free.
They sold their house, and when they left Port Alberni in November 2003, they arrived in Belize with their two cats and two dogs.
The couple found a home there and cleared an acre of land with machetes. They made a tropical garden, which Tershia said was one of the joys of living there. Born in South Africa, she was still familiar with tropical plants.
An important part of their stay quickly became evident. The couple’s love of animals inspired them to reach out to provide support, care and housing for neglected animals.
“At first it was all exciting and new,” she said. “But there is a lot of animal neglect and very little compassion, so that bothered us all the time.”
One of the first things they did was become a part of the humane society committee, which was formed by a Canadian woman.
“We tried to do what we could,” Tershia said. “The vet service was appalling and the vets poorly trained.”
They also became aware of the nest robbing of parrots, which are consequently sold to Europeans. Over the ten years, the Lambrechts rescued 22 parrots, many of which had to be hand fed.
“We raised them and had cages everywhere,” Tershia said.
They also rescued a coati and ensured its health was up to standards before sending it to a wildlife rescue centre, which was set up by an English couple.
“There is a monkey rescue, too, and nothing like that is government-sponsored,” Tershia said. “Nest robbing is across the board there.”
Tershia said dog control was accomplished through poisoning the animals.
“There is very little compassion,” she said.
Although they decided to return home after 10 years, living in a foreign country for a decade proved a memorable experience. As residents, the Lambrechts saw daily life through a different set of eyes, unlike what is touted by the tourism industry. That is not to say they would not recommend Belize as a vacation destination, but when she returned, Tershia felt compelled to write about her experience.
“I was so full of experiences and the sights and sounds of Belize that I couldn’t keep it in,” Tershia said.
When the Lambrechts initially decided to relocate south, their plans to remain there were not written in stone and they kept their packing boxes in case they were needed. By 2013, with health issues becoming more predominant, they realized it was better to be closer to Canada’s medical services.
“I also wanted to get back to creature comforts and away from the disfunction,” Tershia said. “Although it is a beautiful country with nice people, the government has gotten more corrupt and there is a lot of poverty.”
When they returned to Port Alberni that year, Tershia began writing about the experience everyday. Reuniting with friends and family, they were asked about it all the time and she wanted to be able to share it in a book.
“I wanted our record of living there,” she said. “All of the magazines and the tourist board promote it as a fantastic place to retire, but it is not necessarily all true. There are a lot of negatives, but if a person likes roughing it and chaos, then they should try it.”
In her self-published book, Tershia wrote about the corruption, poverty and the use of bribes to obtain licenses and permits. She said they witnessed the harsh life for women and girls who were often the subjects of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
“It is not about writing a critique about the country,” she said. “It is my experience, my memoir, and all of these things I know personally.”
Although the Lambrechts got used to most things, it was the humidity that Tershia found to be the worst.
“For me it was a joy to come back home,” she said. “I realized Port Alberni has been home since 1974. It is nice to live in a functional country and enjoy the conveniences.”
Tershia said that by travelling first-hand she gained an appreciation of foreign countries and their differences. To that end, she titled her book, The Grass is Greener Til You Get to the Other Side.