Sunday, March 23, 2014

Caye Caulker #2


Belize is a beautiful country but not perfect. Even the bike had to be locked up or bits walked off in the night.


This was a fantastic Conch Ceviche I had at a local eatery.


My wife, our friends Kar and Ben just having a good meal in the heat.


This is me and my wife. We were on a trip to see some Mayan ruins.


On the boat ride to see the ruins we stopped at this place to feed the spider monkeys. They came right down and ate chips. They loved salty snacks, not bananas!


Pretty bird


All of us on the boat ride to the ruins, cool wind in my hair.


Can you see the little bats on the tree?


Our guide at the ruins telling us how the Mayans made glue from this fruit.



One of the beautiful ruins (rock piles).



A close up of the handsome mug!



Howler monkeys were in the trees all over, just kickin back.



Ben and Kar on top of the highest point!!


It was HOT!! We took breaks as they came. Here is Kar trying out one of the wive's beds.


These little guys scurried underfoot in the dark, kinda creepy.


This is the view out the window of one of the local eateries, why leave?


The locals utilize every angle. This guy charges to take pics of his pet. Only Ben waited til his head was turned.


This is the view from Ben and Kar's room.


These shells are everywhere. Like rocks at my house.


This was a real nice Italian place. We ate there several times and every meal was great!


This is Ben at Cafe Amore, our favorite breakfast joint.


Just some nameless and beautiful flowers along a lonely dirt road.


Sunday, March 2, 2014

Caye Caulker, Belize Part 1

After spending most of the previous year in China and then South Korea, my wife and I needed some island breezes. We spent a couple of sleepless weeks planning the trip and were soon off to the tiny Central American country of Belize. I had been there previously and suspected my wife might enjoy it as I had.




We flew into Belize City from Houston. Then we had two options, hop in a taxi for a 30 minute ride to the water taxi or catch another local flight to the island. The price was right so we flew. this is our first view of the island Caye Caulker.


The flight was about 20 minutes and landing on the island this was the airport we saw. Inside was an air conditioner and cold water, yeah! The caretaker of our lodging (eddy) met us here and took us to town for some groceries.


This is one of several Chinese owned grocers on the island. You can get most anything you need but the prices for some items might surprise you.



Eddy secured a taxi who took us out to our rental. Everywhere we went on the island we either road bikes, walked or used the taxi.


Our room was on the top floor of the 3 story building. The 2nd floor can also be rented if you have a larger group. Here is our first view off the balcony!


I could not resist the temptation to take a pic of my wife with the private cove in the back.


Two hours later we were rewarded with a beautiful sunset. Already we were certain we had made a good decision.


Some joker installed a phone at the end of the island right below our house!


This is the rental we had. It was called The Indigo Pearl. We loved it. Wind and solar power, solar water heater so you better be wary! We had the top floor and loved the place alot-can't wait to return!


One Morning we determined to walk into town for breakfast. This is my wife standing near the trail as we begin our journey.


This is a lot for sale on the island. yours for only $100,000! My pretty wife is not for sale!


Some of the locals are not much to look at. These iguanas are common but run away quickly when pursued.


Two of the many docks on the island. Snorkeling near these docks is great with dozens of fish to be seen everywhere.


I think every tourist destination has a similar tree. if you get homesick it's nice to know how far it is to the house.


If I had a boat......


Can't get enough of those Belizian sunsets!


If you know who to talk to you can find this gem. It is a small cove right in town. The ladies in the house will sell you a dozen mullet for $1.


Now you kneel down and wave a fish over the water. Soon a 60' tarpon that weighs 100 lbs or so will snatch the fish from your hand! there are dozens of fish in this little cove. No Fishing.


Another one. I could spend hours doing this, it was so fun!! A day or two later we went snorkeling in the area and swam in among the tarpon, eerie and exciting!


One of the many picturesque places along the island. After a couple of days by ourselves, our friends were coming in the next day and boy did we have some stuff to show them. Next week I'll continue on with our friends in Belize.