Caye Caulker, Belize

Very Colorful fabrics made with the ancient Mayan tradition into bags, table runners, and anything else they can think of.

 This is how the "yatistas" prepare for a run on the mainland.

Below -  Numerous frigate birds flying overhead and pelicans floating waiting for this fisherman to toss in the air the foot of the conch -- that's what he is cleaning.

Party boat for the Sticky Ball?????

It’s Sunday,  January 21, 2012 and we have been at Cay Caulker south of Ambergris Cay since……I forgot! Oh well, it’s definitely a funky island – 4 miles long, lots of mangroves, backpackers, beach bars, and people from all over. Lots of Canadians.  Most are even young – what a concept!  This island also parallels the reef, so yesterday we went on a guided tour with 4 other guests for a day of snorkeling with nurse sharks, rays and a great variety of beautiful fish – big and small as well as swimming over and around the many varieties of coral. 

Every morning at 8 am all the cruisers get on their ham radios for the NW NET.  First the “leader” asks for any medical or emergencies that require immediate attention.  Then we are given a complete NOAA weather report for the western Caribbean from as far north as Isla Mujeres (near Cancun) and as far south as Roatan, a beautiful island off the coast of Honduras.  It’s on our list!  Any cruisers under way are asked to identify themselves as in some cases you are cruising straight through the night.  Then the rest of the “yatistas” (cruisers) can check in announcing the name of their boat and the names of the people aboard, their location, and local weather.  Many of them know each other, so they are making plans for birthday parties and when they can meet up.  This yachting community keeps close track of each other.  We have already had cocktails with the Queen Mary and Expectations.  We are all meeting up on Tuesday to sail south to the Turneffe Islands which are @ 8 NM (that’s nautical miles) east of Belize’s barrier reef, also the largest of Belize’s three offshore atolls.

Milk – real milk - is hard to find here.  Daily Paddy and I are on a mission to visit every market to see if they have any.  This is when you really appreciate Publix!!  Otherwise we are eating and drinking like the king and queen that we are.  Can’t say I miss working - J just Brad!!!