Blogs from Belize Barrier Reef, Belize, Central America Caribbean - page 25

The water taxi to Belize took about an hour. Leaving from a dock in Belize City, it eased through a tight canal with boats of all sorts on both sides, and passed shops that cater to the many cruiseships that arrive in the area, before taking to more open water at a higher speed. The water was not to rough, and the sun was out, so it was a pleasant trip in the 75 foot, passenger only, motor boat. We arrived in the afternoon sun at a older wooden dock and walked a few feet to the shore. The girls waited for their luggage, which was following on a second boat due to lack of room, and I hurried to Tina's backpackers, right near the dock, to check if there was space. There wasn't, and the ... read more

After a few days in the Mountains, Chris, Lily & I went to Cay Caulker which was about an hour boat ride off shore close to the main reef. The Cay was OK, small and intimate but nothing special. Howevere the sand flys were so bad they ran us off the beach. The snokleing was amazing on the reef. They only let a few boats have licenses and you must have a guide with you at all times to ensure the reefs protection, but it was by far the best snorkling I've ever done, and I met some one from Sonoma on the same tour boat!... read more

What a place to spend it, waking up on a paradise Island, with nothing planned till the afternoon! Awesome! Had the banana cake from cake man for breakfast, wandered around the island to try and find a t-shirt but as it was Xmas day toucan was closed :-( (oops!) Spent the day swinging on a hammock reading my book after a mojito in the cafe with Amy, Heather, Louis, Lara, Chester, Vicky and Carol. It had been very chilled and allowed me to get on the internet thanks to the tour guide leaving his mac in the hotel lobby so we could all have access to the internet!! Cheaply for once :-) Getting the water taxi in a bit and starting the 4 hour trip to San Ignacio, where hopefully I will go caving. Can't wait!! ... read more

Up early as a long travel day to Caye Caulker. Walked up to the bus station for the 5/6 hour ride to Chetumal, got a chicken bus over the border for 3/4 hours and then a water taxi to the Island. The chicken bus was entertaining, everyone for themselves! No issues at the border crossing over. For the last hour there was a screaming baby behind us that was deafening. The directly opposite me on the water taxi there were 2 mothers breast feeding and no where really to look! Eventually got to the Ocean Pearl Hotel, we were all knackered after the long day but got ready and went off to the Jolly Rodgers to put our orders in and went to Femes for a drink whilst we waited for our dinner to be BBQed. ... read more

13th - 16th November Arriving in Belize City we were immediately struck by the profuse culture shift, the abundance of the English language, the vibrant sounds and colours of the Caribbean replacing the Latin-Spanish atmosphere to which we had become accustomed. You could almost hear the cogs in our brain slow to a more relaxed rhythm as we settled back into our mother tongue. A boat ticket to Caye Caulker was bought and a plate of rice and beans eagerly consumed, washed down with the local brew, as we waited for our water taxi to the Cayes. Caye Caulker is the cheapest of the Caye’s, though still relatively expensive when compared to the mainland. We found the cheapest place possible, a wooden hut on stilts which we shared with a few too many non-paying guests, situated ... read more