Sights from a world of its own

Nature met tourism for our travels today. After a relatively quick breakfast at the Lamanai Riverside Restaurant, Orange Walk, we headed for Belize City, en route to our ultimate destination, Caye Caulker (“caye” means “island). In Belize City, we returned our reliable rental van, driving past industry such as the ADM/Belize Mills Ltd, where jost of the country’s flour and feed originate.

Travellers arrive at Caye Caulker by plane or water taxi; we chose the latter. At the water taxi depot, the country’s culture was soon evident, as people from all walks of life waited to board the water taxis to the cayes of Belize – locals to tourists, young to old. Many businesses capitalized on the captive travelers waiting to board their taxi, such as the “Snake Man” who carried with him two boa constrictors which could be held by anyone (including two in our group).

Eventually, we boarded the two-engine water taxi for Caye Caulker, a 45-minute trip from mainland Belize. We discovered some interesting views and issues, one of which was nearby Caye Chapel, which some guide books call a “terrible example of a tropical island” where tourism has taken over. This caye glows with a lush green, well-groomed golf course, with an abundance of palm trees, looking like it has came straight out of a movie.

After we found ourselves safely on shore, we checked into our new home for the next two nights – a clapboard style beach hotel. Soon we were off to spend the afternoon at the second largest barrier reef in the world. Our trusty tour guide Vito, and his 11-year-old assistant Chris, led us snorkeling though the Meso Atlantic Reef, which is truly a world of its own. Wary of the area’s fragile nature, Vito explained how we should take only pictures and memories, and touch only the dead coral. The underwater life was an amazing adventure; sightings included many sting rays, some nurse sharks, and a Hawk’s Bill turtle. Vito also enjoyed telling stories such as the business that has been attracted by Caye Chapel, explaining how he has taken people such as Tiger Woods and Leonardo Di Caprio over to the island and how busy this well groomed, privately owned caye with its own airstrip and hotel is with many celebrities.

After arriving back to Caye Caulker, we toured the island, and as the sun started to set we headed to the open air Happy Lobster restaurant for supper, before ending the evening on some recliners by the beach.

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