Today we left Mexico and said goodbye to a number of our travelling companions. Some were heading home and some were heading to Cuba (yet another place on my list to visit!!).
We had a long journey to the port (well water taxi rank) of Chetmal in Mexico where we got a ferry (well water taxi) to the Belizean island of Caye Caulker stopping briefly on the way in San Pedro in order to go through customs.
The water taxi was basically an enclosed speedboat so not the most pleasant journey. While the conditions were not ‘bad’ the water was not smooth so we were bounced around quite a bit. If you enjoy the bucking bronco (like one guy did!) then sit at the front, it is slightly smoother near the back.
Caye Caulker was a firm favourite with the group, to the extent that we negotiated an extra few hours on the island. We did have to pay extra for a private transfer to the next stop but it was worth it!
None of us really did a huge amount on the island, that is not what it is about! A few did a full days snorkelling tour and they all heartily recommended it. I had chickened out as it was a little breezy and it looked a bit rough to me the total non swimmer (it was probably fine though).
My small subgroup decided to hire bikes instead and cycle around the southern part of the island (the north and south had become separated during a hurricane in 1961). It was good to go out for a cycle… well, wade! It had been raining so parts of the island had become somewhat waterlogged 🤣 and we had to get off and paddle!
Did I mention that we also ended up having to carry our bikes through the mangroves? 🙄
In the afternoon we took the ‘free’ boat to the north part of the island. I say free, it was free to get over there but to get back you needed to prove that you had spent a certain amount of money at the bar/restaurant. I suppose you could swim back as it wasn’t all that far. We chose lunch!
After eating we went for a bit of a wander on the north island but it wasn’t exactly exciting. There is apparently a crocodile reserve somewhere there but you need to book ahead and we didn’t. There was a lot of building work going on on north island as well. The pic below was an interesting pineapple themed building and a hermit crab we met (not quite a croc, but…)
The following morning, instead of leaving the island like we were supposed to, a few of us took a scenic flight to see the blue hole! It was quite expensive (especially given that it was cash only as we weren’t going to the office) but well worth it. The journey to the blue hole was great, flying over a number of islands and reefs. The hole itself was stunning and well worth seeing. I am sure that it is impressive to see from a boat but I can not see how a close up view could get the full ‘what the hell’ factor you get from above!
Following the flight we left Caye Caulker by another water taxi to Belize City. This one was open and it made a huge difference and was a pleasant journey.
Having failed miserably in Mexico, Caye Caulker was where I found my first holiday charm. We were walking down the Main Street and saw a guy carving jewellery from a conch shell. They were stunning! Unfortunately it seems to have started a theme, which is bad as I am rubbish at buying souvenirs anyway!
LandedFalcon 