Belize Part 1 - Discovering the beautiful Caribbean Island of Caye Caulker in a Golf Cart (Fotos + Videos)

in #busy6 years ago (edited)

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I know my last post has been a while, so If you forgot what it was about check it out here or check it out at my personal steemitworldmap.

Well, after spending another really nice sunset and night in Flores, Guatemala; we took off with the bus the next day, to get to Belize City, from where we would take a water Taxi to the precious island Caye Caulker.

Belize is located right next to Guatemala, below Mexico at the Caribbean Sea. You could say it is in the Center of Latin America, but still when you get there you feel a big culture shock.

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It is the only country in Latin America, where English and Spanish are official languages of the government, while people also speak creole and mayan. A third of the population has African heritage and a big part of the country is still influenced by Mayan culture. The head of the government is still Queen Elizabeth, so It is a great mix of everything, which makes it super interesting!!

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It wasn't that far but still took us some time, to cross the border and then wait for the Water Taxi.

The taxi went super fast, which caused a lot of wind and movement! For us that was super fun, for others not so much haha

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Hard to take a pic together though ;)

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Caye Caulker or Cay Corker is a small coral island off the coast of Belize in Central America. The island is about 8 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide and is located about 35 kilometers northeast of Belize City in the Caribbean Sea. It took the water taxi about one hour to bring us there. Caye Caulker has about 1,300 inhabitants. Previously, it was known regionally for its shipbuilding. Today, tourism and fishing are the main sources of income of the inhabitants.

Only just east of Caye Caulker runs the reef edge of the Belize Barrier Reef, the second biggest reef on earth, which makes it super interesting for snorkelers and divers. But more on that soon ;)

I had been at the Island before, as I was living in Playa del Carmen, Mexico - not that far away in 2016. Since then a lot changed though. Another hurricane had run over the island and it grew a lot through tourism. We checked in at Bellas Backpackers, where I had been staying back then already for the first night.

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From there we rented a Golf car to discover the main streets of this chill Island a bit, to get more information about snorkeling and diving tours and to get some food for lunch and dinner.

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We started in the touristy zone, where people sell a lot of jewellery, street food, rent bikes or just chill and went more and more to the housing area as you can perfectly see at the videos ;) - Don't worry the lizard survived!! I went back and made sure he is ok, we didn't hit him haha

I just love the vibe of the island. How everybody is so relaxed and nice and chilled haha. Of course a lot of them are smoking too.. this is actually how I imagine Jamaica a bit.. but still. These people enjoy life 100 percent, and that is nice!

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Once we got more in the back of the island it got more private, with a lot of houses and nature. The kids everywhere were really nice and well educated. Playing around on the streets, waving to say hi. The houses look simple, but cozy at the same time. Living in the Caribbean you just don't need much to be happy :)

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I just love that the only signs (street signs) say: Go Slow, take it easy etc. haha that's all that is important while driving on this island.

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As big finish we went to the Split. The most famous bar on the Island, located right at the spot where a hurricane once split the island in two peaces.

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In my opinion, this is the perfect place to call it a day and just enjoy the beauty of nature while watching the sunset :)

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More about snorkeling at the blue whole and how I did my divers license at the second biggest reef on earth soon, so stay tuned ;)

As always I hope you enjoyed reading my post and I am grateful for every Upvote, Resteem and Comment, as you are supporting my travels with it!!

Click the map to discover my other adventures!

If you would like to see more about Cécile Morgado Photography, find her at her instagram page or at her facebook page.

Cheers,
Liz

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Cool, thanks again :)

Amazing... are you in there right now? - Que buena vidaaa!

No, sigo en Europa, esto es todavia de mi ultimo viaje ;) Pero voy a Thailandia pronto.. vente ;)

Que hdp!! jajajajajaaj... no creo ir..aca en Punta del Este arranca en verano con todo as ique hasta Abril seguro ni me muevo.. :)

Entiendo haha. Pues aqui estamos escapando de la nieve ;)

I am glad despite the taxi was fast it looks like it was a very steady ride!

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Hach ich krieg schon wieder Fernweh....

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What a beautiful island!

Yes!! and really relaxed!

Hey Liz, another outstanding post! Just beautiful and extraordinary pictures.

I especially like the "stormy--wild-hair-photo" :-)

EDIT: for the next couple of days I upvote manually, as my VP is really down, but I won't miss your posts, though a littel bit delated.

OHHHH! I LOVE Belize. I was there a few years ago (well, 10) and actually had plans to move there. It's still not off the books! Caye Caulker was pretty special. The photos are awesome and you're a great story teller! It was great to meet you at Steemfest :) I'll leave you with this great sign I found when I was in Belize. I'm pretty sure it was at Caye Caulker, but could have been San Pedro...not 100% sure.
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Hey there!! What a great plan!! Do you think you will stick to it?? I love the island. It was my 2nd time to be there. First I went there around 2015. It didnt change a lot though. Yeah, I love the signs there ;) Yes, it was nice to meet you at SF, a shame we didnt have a lot time to talk. Maybe next time ;) Take care love. I hope I see you around.

I still love the idea of moving to Belize at some stage. But then again: there are so many places I still want to visit that I don't really want to pin myself to one location just yet. I already feel like I've been in one place for too long, well two places actually. 9 years in Holland and now 7 in Ireland. I will be taking on a more nomadic life style within the next few months, travelling through Europe with my kids. And after that? We'll see. Maybe if Steemfest4 takes us to the tropics, we might just hang around there for a while. One thing is sure: I've quite had it with the cold, rainy side of Europe! Time for change! Yes, I caught glimpses of you every now and then at Steemfest, but we were all so busy meeting people, it's hard to keep up with everyone. Definitely next time!

Cool, well let me know when you come by Munich. You can stay at my place I have too guest rooms (bit outside of Munich at the country side towards the alps). and you are more than welcome with your family :) Yeah would be cool to be at a warm place next time :) Belize is cool yes, but from there its hard to travel anywhere.. maybe its better later on. I still love it though. Just the perfect place to chill out and enjoy life 100 percent.

Wow, that is so nice of you! I am definitely planning to visit Germany as I lived there the first part of my youth, and I would love to visit the place where I lived, but of course also other places. Munich is one of the spots I've never been to, but always wanted to go to. Yes, I know Belize can be a bit tricky for travel. I was kinda hoping they would have pushed those plans for the airport and direct flights from Europe, but then again: it is the Caribbean... We can't have both: chilled atmosphere and speedy work on plans... I like the chilled attitude.

Where did you use to live in Germany? When are you planning on coming? Would be fun to have you :)

We lived in Sauerland, Nordrhein-Westfalen. First in Olpe for a little while and then Meschede. We were about half an hour from Winterberg. We were also near Elspe, where they have the Karl Mai Festspiele each year. Which was amazing! I have great memories growing up in Germany. :)

The theoretical plan is to leave Ireland in March/ April at the latest, then spend a few weeks in Holland with family and friends and then Germany after that. So around May I'd say. I am saying theoretical plan, because my plans often change because of circumstances. But as a traveller, you probably understand what I mean :)

So are you back home for a while, or planning to travel again soon?

Ok, well let me know like 1 week in advance and I can tell you if i am still around hahah ;) same same. For now I am here until christmas. On new years I escape to Thailand for a bit and then I see how much longer I can take this weather in Germany after before I have to escape again ;)

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