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From El Remate in northern Guatemala, we took a 5:30 a.m. bus to Belize City, which sits on the Caribbean Sea on the eastern shore of Belize. Upon crossing the boarder into Belize, the biggest change we immediately encountered is that English is the official and most widely used language of Belize. We were dropped off at the Marine Terminal, from where we took a speedy water taxi (it reminded us of the cigarette boats in Miami Vice) to Caye Caulker (pronounced Key Caulker). Caye Caulker is an island that is part of the second longest barrier reef in the world, the longest being the Great Barrier Reef off the north-eastern coast of Australia. The coral reefs around Caye Caulker are world renowned to diving and snorkeling enthusiasts for the extensive coral reefs, variety and quantity of marine life, warm waters and the amazing visibility in these clear blue waters. We were here principally to enjoy these things as well. Caye Caulker is very small and very relaxed. What is also notable about Caye Caulker, and Belize generally, is the very distinct Caribbean influence upon the country and its people. We were later told by some that Belize does not rightly consider itself part of Central America, but rather as part of the Caribbean nations (for instance Jamaica), and this influence is clearly visible. Rastafarian and Reggae music and style are pronounced features of Caye Caulker and contribute mightily to its laid back and relaxed atmosphere....mon.
Our view from the main dock upon our arrival by water taxi at Caye Caulker. Palm trees, sand, boat, and clear, clear, blue water. Nice.
Rich on the dock at our home; Tom's Hotel. Right on the beach, with a wonderful view of the Caribbean Sea and a dock for relaxing and swimming, it was a rarity; a good value in expensive Belize. $13 a night.
Front Street, the main drag of Caye Caulker. Being very small (only 600 meters across at its widest point), and with no land connection to the mainland, there are no vehicles on the Caye; only a few golf carts that ply the sandy roads. It makes for a very peaceful atmosphere.
After watching the sunrise, we had a great breakfast at Glenda's, on the west side of the island.
After breakfast, it was off for a full day of snorkeling, consisting of snorkeling at three different locations around Caye Caulker. The first stop was at Shark and Stingray Alley, where we had the thrill of seeing both of these creatures swim very close to us in the waters around us. The sharks were nurse sharks, which are not, we were told, aggressive. But they still eat meat. Here is our guide, Carlos, getting ready to go in. Rich is in the background, yelling at Kelly to drop the camera and get in the water.
Our second snorkeling stop was the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, where we saw an amazing abundance of marine life together with coral of all shapes, colors, and sizes. The water of the Caribbean around Caye Caulker is very warm and the depth of the sea where we snorkeled rarely exceeded 20 feet. Couple all this with amazing underwater visibility (we agreed that the visibility was better than both The Galapagos and The Great Barrier Reef) and it makes for excellent snorkeling.
The water was blue. You better belize it!
After our full day of snorkeling, Kelly decided to get her hair braided. As the process took 45 minutes, Rich sat on the porch of the home drinking Belikin Beer, and fighting off these dirty kids. They were, however, awfully cute. Here they pose for a picture, with Kelly and Antoinette in the background. If you are wondering what the little girl on the left has in her mouth (together with all over her small body), it is the fallout from a bag of orange drink (think of a juice box, but in a small plastic bag).
Typical home, Caye Caulker.
Caye Caulker Cemetary.
Rastas out for a stroll.
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The
bus station at Belize City, as we prepare for what was to be a torturous 8 hour
bus ride to Punta Gorda, in southern Belize.
