Belize

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Go Slow Maan!

So, I discovered that most of the people I know were not aware of the existence of this little English and Creole (an English dialect) speaking country on the Caribbean coast of Central America. A shame, because this country has something marvelous to offer for everyone – right from the powdered white sand endowed beaches caressed by signature Caribbean crystal blue water hosting an incredible variety of marine life, to forests that make perfect locations for camping. It’s a country that Dee and I had been looking forward to visit since the start of our travels, given the surreal photos on the internet, and not one bit disappointed were we at the end of it.

The only chapter: Caye Caulker and an adventure in the sea

Post the mayhem in the Vegas like city of Cancun with the boys from ‘merica, we were looking forward to being away in a quiet little place and what place better than Caye Caulker, an island tucked away an hour from the nondescript Belize City. Any place which carries a tagline – ‘Go Slow’ and has streets named ‘front’, ‘middle’ and ‘back’ automatically qualifies as heaven for anyone just looking to keeping it simple and slowing things down.

We had our first taste of the famous ‘Chicken Buses’ that are the most popular mode of public transport from Guatemala down south to Costa Rica and were surprised at how comfortable they were, what with boom boxes hidden away on the luggage racks blasting away reggae mixes all the way on the 4 hour ride from Chetumal, Mexico to Belize City.

Having been in Spanish speaking counties over the last 6 months, it had not struck me that English and Creole were the official languages in Belize as I went about happily greeting people and initiating conversations in Spanish only to be told – “Waat ya talking maan?”. Creole, which is the first language of most in the country sounded a lot like pirate English and I developed an instant attraction to listening to it and tried at my best at speaking the Caribbean accent during my stay there. Given the relaxed nature of most people on the island, mixed with lax natured chatter in Creole, I felt myself developing an instant crush on Belizians – women and men included.

After a bit of shopping around for accommodation, we decided to pitch our tent at ‘Bella’s Backpackers’ and went out to catch the sunset at ‘The Split’, the western end of the island, where everyone on the island seemed to gather to grab themselves a vantage point, armed with a drink in hand to witness a magical sunset into the Caribbean horizon.

The worlds biggest infinity pool. Taking it all in with a belkin
The worlds biggest infinity pool. Taking it all in with a Belkin beer

The next day, we deiced to head out on a snorkeling trip with ‘Raggamuffin Tours’, probably the best organised tour we’ve undertaken during our entire voyage. Captained by the affable Keymani and with a sailor and 4 star chef in Shane (a Chris Gayle look alike) on board, we had the time of our lives on their sailboat visiting 3 sites that saw us witness truckloads of nurse sharks, sting and eagle rays, manatees, sea turtles and plenty of snapper fishes. This was probably the one time I regretted not having an underwater camera on me as the sights before me were unbelievable and would be probably one of the very few times I got to see so much of marine life in one spot.

Post snorkeling, we were treated to some excellent coconut shrimp curry and rum punch throughout the 2 hour ride back to shore. Once there, we followed in the footsteps of everyone on the island – i.e. head out to the bar at the split to catch the magical sunset all over again

Best location for a bar?
Bar with a view
The party rages away into the night
The party rages away into the night at the split, seats on the water available

After we finally manage to drag ourselves post 4 magical days on the island, we headed out to southern town of Placencia to get on a whale shark diving boat, it being 2 days after fortnight when they come out to feed on the snapper spawn, but alas were shattered to find out that our reservation had not been recorded on system. We sought solace in the fact that none of the boats had sighted whale sharks in the last few days and instead sought out more of the delicious seafood on offer.

SNAPSHOT

What not to miss

  • Spend at least 4 nights in the tranquil island of Caye Caulker. Do not walk fast whilst on it or attempt any activity that might require you to be faster than a snail to avoid drawing the ire of the locals. It’s an island as unique as they come, no amount of time is long enough on it.
  • If you are visiting Belize during the Whale shark migration season, you are in luck! Book yourself a dive but be prepared for massive disappointments as they are not always sighted.
  • If you’ve got time on your hands

  • Visit the Hummingbird Eco Lodge. It’s a perfect place to camp with a beautiful creek surrounding it and jungle treks that are worthwhile.
  • Food & Drink

  • Seafood, seafood and seafood. Anything with coconut and shrimps will turn out to be a winner.
  • TravelSmart

  • If you have an air ticket out of Mexico, do not pay any departure tax whilst leaving the country by land, your air ticket already covers the price of the departure tax.
  • Belize City is dangerous post dusk (bad aim from wannabe gangsters). Avoid it. The rest of Belize is as safe as they come.
  • 2 Responses

    1. Katinka
      | Reply

      Lovely sunset photos!

    2. Mom
      | Reply

      Belize..Belize..I’ve heard you and Dee go on and on,…about your awesome experience out there..sure enough you have now acquired great skills as a Travel Writer and your articles could easily get published in any In-flight Airline Magazine. Good on you guys..keep going..be safe..luv u.

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