Belize 2011

June 5,  Caye Caulker, Belize

Took a sailing/snorkeling trip today.  Not much wind so ended up motoring most of the way there and sail assisted motor on the way back.  First stop was some coral and grassy areas where there were  2 manatees.  Amazing to see them so close.  They looked like they were sleeping, anyway they were not too bothered by us being in the water.  They are huge!

Then the next stop was a guided snorkel.  Saw a couple of green turtles and a huge eel!  I just wish my pictures did them justice.  But still great to see.  The guide took us to a small coral/rock tunnel that we could dive/swim through.  Very fun.  This was the Hol Chan Marine reserve.

The next stop was to swim with the sharks!  Nurse sharks, apparently harmless and maybe so as came back with a parts still attached!  There was a feeding frenzy at the side of the boat.  Also a bunch of sting rays.  Guess this is why it is called Shark Ray Alley.

Also a huge black grouper seemed to like to hang out underneath the boat.  Not afraid at all and looked like he had a huge mouth that could have swallowed us whole!  Bit spooky!

Was a great trip, and made even better by the rum punches provided for the trip back.  Funny thing, they taste great when you have them but they do have a punch that you can feel the next day!

June 4,  Caye Caulker, Belize

Not a bad day.  Caught a boat to the main dock, then another ferry to Caye Caulker, only 30 minutes away.

Found a hotel, cheap Belize $25 (CDN$12)  but not very nice.  So made reservation in another hotel just around the corner.  This one is $40 but with private bathroom and super staff.  And very very clean.  On the water too!

Then headed off to the Lazy Lizard.  A bar built on the Split where you can drink and appears that it is the place to be.  Cheap beers and burgers.  Belize$4 for beer, the same price I paid for beer at store on San Pedro!  Amazing, prices here are anywhere from 1/2 to 1/3 the price of the other island.  This is also much more laid back.  As you walk off the dock the island motto is displayed in mosaic "Go Slow!'  To funny and they seem to follow the motto everywhere.

Spent the afternoon at the Lazy Lizard where I met a Canadian guy and a Australian couple.  Convinced them to do a sailing/snorkeling tour all day tomorrow!  Nice way to spend the afternoon!