Belize

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Hi everyone
I think we have just about found the closest thing to paradise here. After arriving in Belize City (flying via San Salvador on what was the most efficient of Taca flights) we grabbed a water taxi across to Caye Caulker. Of course as it's us we arrived in the edge of a tropical storm so we ended up getting a local to take us to some places he recommended to stay which was much against my better judgement. What it meant was we are staying with the most lovely local lady called Chila in her first floor apartment overlooking the sea which is just 10 m away. Instead of paying the budgetted 50 quid a night we are paying 25 and have hot and cold, air con and the best position on front street - not too noisy but loud enough to never need our ipods on. This island is tiny with no roads just sand and the most smiley happy people you would wish to meet - it's like living in the middle of a tourist office promo video and it's real! Food is amazing and two large lobsters with two large g and ts cost a tenner each and of course all the street sellers selling warm banana bread and it goes without saying we are piling on the pounds! Been out on a full day tour with Ragamuffin tours on their sail boat Ragga King yesterday for Neil's birthday and we snorkelled and free dived with rays, turtles and reef sharks!
Anyway if you want to come somewhere were a day feels like two then this is the place!
love to you all
kirst and neil xxx

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Photos

Caye Caulker
Just one of our amazing daily views

Lazy Lizzard bar
The way to spend what is the first day of world travel market!

Morning coffee...
The way to start the day...

Turtle
Snorkelling with turtles at the Hol Chan Marine Park. Belize has the second largest barrier reef in the world - Auz having the largest

Post Office
Caye Caulker's post office where we went to send back our not needed portable speakers back to the UK. BMI will see an envelope covered with stamps arrive in the next month or so!

Fish Tank
Just one of the many pics I took under water - this one on the reef a mile from shore

Neil snorkeling
Getting some exercise at the reef ...

Jaws!
OK not quite but just to show we did swim with some very gentle reef sharks!

Sunset
o holiday is complete without me taking a million sunsets - this one from the Split - the area between the two parts of Caye Caulker. Caye Caulker was split in two by Hurricane Haiti in 1961

Kirsty with the Stingrays!
Fantastic - so many rays in these waters and a first for me

Waiting...
Sitting just outside our room waiting to go on a snorkel trip

Catching Dinner
If locals fancy fish for tea they literally turn up throw a line and two minutes later a fish is there. The captain on our boat said he can have fish in the pan in ten minutes from leaving his house

The Split
Morning juice at the Split - just a few minutes walk from our room

Our House
Our first floor home for the 10 days here. In the foreground you can see a golf cart taxi - only cars allowed on the island

Hammock time
Having our own hammock is just fab particularly as Neil is happy to let me hog it!

High Street
A view of Front Street from our lodgings

Kids playing
Kids are so relaxed here - not a DS in sight and these guys spent about an hour taking turns in pushing each other around

Sobra Las Olas
A view from the restaurant on Front Street - a favourite for breakfast

Beliken Beer
A essential holiday pic of Neil checking out the local beer

Fire engine
This is the island's fire service - a truck with some hoses on top. The police car is even better - only one brake light

Football ground
The local football pitch - last night we watched a game - about 15 players to each side and everyone wearing a different shirt!

Linen Lady
Local lady who sells her linens. People here are not pushy which is great

Shells
The island is covered in huge shells and coral.

The Split Snorkelling beach
This is the main beach / snorkelling area without going out on a boat.