Raggamuffin sailing tour: 3 days on water down the Belizean reef

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We headed out from Caye Caulker in tropical torrential rain, all 27 of us in rain jackets (23 neophytes + 4 Belizean crew) on a 35' catamaran, lots of wave motion wind and spray, all expecting the worst, but well tranquilized with early rum punches. A great way to get to know the fabulous mosaic of fellow travellers : a Basque tour operator, Sydney radio show producers, Idaho bush pilots, newly married Kiwis (on their second 6mo world adventure), hilarious Londoners, serious US solar energy profs, crazy..really crazy Italians (trying to learn English), and some humorous Dudes from Amsterdam, also Vancouverites and yours truly. And a fabulous Creol-speaking crew.

By noon the weather cleared and we were off to 3 snorkeling stops along the reef: certainly treated to some of the best snorkeling in the world, but the ocean churn clouded the best photo ops. By sunset we were camping out on Rendezvous Caye munching on Creole chicken, salad, rice'n beans, sipping the odd rum punch.

The second day was all about sailing and spear fishing (with snorkel gear). We neophytes gave fish life half a chance with our spears regularly missing target; however, Belizeans and their spear guns were deadly : within a couple of hours we had 27 lobsters, countless grunt fish (snappers) and a couple of small barracuda on-board. That night on Ragga Caye we rested up and gorged on BBQ'd lobster, fish, salad, rice'n beans, and the odd rum punch, crazy stories, and crazier Italian antics.

The final day was a bit of a futile search for manatees in amongst mangrove islets; lots of birdlife, lots of waves but no manatees for those damn tourists to see. The passage back from Ragga Caye was by panga OB boat. On the way into the Dangeriga river we got stuck on the sand bar: all boys out to help drag the boat'n gals over the bar...yahoo!

All in all a great memorable experience, that might not be 'round for long.....some of the coral around the spear fishing grounds looked a bit worse for wear.

Written from poolside in Placencia.

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Comments

[Sofie]

Your amazing adventure continues!
Thanks so mcuh for sharing, Dad! Your accounts are always so fun to read - can't wait to hear even more, eventually. Wonderful shots, too! Gorgeous fish, gorgeous blue water, and I love the reflection of the sun off the crane's back. Keep up the great vacationing! Love, Sofie

[maureen]

I am so jealous
Sounds like you are having a fabulous time....I really must visit Belize. Keep the stories coming...Winter sucks

[Ross Fidler]

Sounds like a tasty experience
More jealous than the last blog - how many lobster did you eat? Good that you didn't find a manatee because those suckers are huge and scary looking (apparently harmless but . . .). Looks like a great time. Heading for the Dominican next week but just to a standard resort. No raggamuffins there. Continue to party. Ross