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Showing posts with label Belize. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Belize. Show all posts

Friday, February 23, 2018

Caye Caulker (Belize) - Meet you at the Split

CAYE CAULKER (Belize)
23 February - 28 February 2018

Caye Caulker is an idyllic Caribbean location that hasn’t had the misfortune of encountering, or needing to be host to, a wealthy jet set type that has unashamedly placed it out of reach of the common man. It’s just a laid back, easy going type of settlement where you can jump off the end of a dock into the warm waters of the Caribbean and genuinely be satisfied with your lot in life.

Caye Caulker - Belize

Caye Caulker - Belize

Caye Caulker - Belize

Caye Caulker - Belize


Gentle breezes, swaying palm trees, sand roads and a barefoot compulsion.  How aggressive and faced paced a lifestyle can you form when your chief mode of transport is a golf cart? Not that you really need a buggy to get around, on a flat, sand laden island (caye), your two legs and the two feet you have attached to them will be just fine.



Caye Caulker - Belize

Caye Caulker - Belize

Caye Caulker - Belize

Caye Caulker - Belize

Caye Caulker - Belize

Both of us love Caye Caulker. It’s hard to even imagine now that on our trip through Central America one year earlier it was our plan B, what we could afford to do if we had spare time.  Thankfully we did find ourselves with a few days spare and this is how we were rewarded in turn. Who says there’s no prize for being well prepared and ahead of schedule.

Caye Caulker - Belize

Caye Caulker - Belize

Caye Caulker - Belize

Also, as a minor additional prize, I managed to run into an old OzEmail acquaintance, Daniel Vandervaere, who is one of those people that probably travels more than us, and thus, it was kind of inevitable that somewhere around the world we’d catch up, even randomly, which is exactly what happened on this occasion. Both of us did our Caye Caulker check-in and we advised by mutual friends that we were here at the same time. You know what that means – DRINKS.
‘Meet you at the split, mate’.

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Belize City (Belize) - Not your Caribbean dream

BELIZE CITY (Belize)
22 February - 23 February 2018


Arriving on the edge of the Caribbean once again we were looking forward to getting out to our favourite little treat, Caye Caulker, and unless you head out to the Caye from somewhere else or fly in with a local flight, then its fairly inevitable that you'll have to make a pit stop in Belize City. Either for a very short period of time, or for an 'extended period', all of one night, like us. I say 'extended period' for the simple fact that Belize City is not particularly outstanding.


Belize sign - Belize City - Belize


It's rugged, some would say gritty, and its dilapidated wooden buildings are built to stand right to the edge of the road, pushing you out into the street where you can choose to dodge the traffic as much as you like. There is of course a little bit of colour here in the building exteriors, it is the Caribbean after all, but there's not a lot else to keep you engaged.


Belize City - Belize

Belize City - Belize


Most of the fun we had was on arrival and that involved finding a tourist agency at the airport that was going to hold most of our luggage whilst we headed out to the Caye for a few days. Coming from Europe on our way to Australia, we didn't really find the concept of heading out to an idyllic location with full suitcases, suits and jackets, to be all that appealing. Thankfully $35 USD sorted that logistical problem for us in a rush.

And so we stayed overnight in Belize City, not a marvel, not a weathered dame, not a place that ever really had its time in the sun. In my view its probably ilike the little mongrel dog that may in its time have had a bath and for one brief moment felt slightly normal. Apologies to you Belize City, I'm sure underneath your tough exterior you're really very much a kind, soft hearted city but more than likely we'll never stay long enough to ever find out. 

Monday, February 12, 2018

USA / Belize - Who says you can't go home tour?

USA / Belize
12 February - 11 March 2018



Who says you can't go home?

There's only one place they call me one of their own
Just a hometown boy born a rolling stone

Who says you can't go home?

Who says you can't go back?

I been all around the world and as a matter of fact

There's only one place left I wanna go
Who says you can't go home?

                                                                                                                   Bon Jovi


It took all of three years to figure out that where we needed to be was where I started. Sometimes what you think you know, and what you believe others know don't align, that misalignment meant that coming back to Australia was both justified and required.

Typical for Inga and I, we didn't take the direct route back to Australia, of course we didn't! Where would the fun be in taking a simple 22hr flight from point to point?

We made the decision to go via the US, throwing in a few stops there and also a little escape to Caye Caulker, Belize, one of the highlights on our tour of Central America.

...so bring us home

Monday, March 20, 2017

Central America - the 'Because it's there' tour - the FINAL

CENTRAL AMERICA
15 January – 12 March 2017

It’s a wrap

As has become standard for me when I've ended a trip I've taken to doing a last summary or a 'greatest hits' review whenever I managed to complete the final entry on the 'how, why, when and whatever else may have been alcohol related' blog series of my most recent escapades. Sticking with tradition and therefore adopting the same template that I've used in the past, see also;

1. [Morocco - Europe wrap - June/July 2008]
2. [Laos wrap - April 2009]
3. [Vietnam-Malaysia wrap - December/January 2009/10]
4. [Europe-Morocco-South America wrap - 2010]
5. [USA-Mexico wrap - February/March - 2011]
6. [Brazil-UAE wrap - December/January -2011/12]
7. [Argentina-Uruguay wrap - August 2012]
8. [South America wrap - 2015]


I therefore bring you the close out of our Central American experience which continues  within Life in a Year Full of Saturdays. The Central American tour, Because it’s there’, was just one of those things where we thought, hey, why shouldn’t we. Lets’ just got and see what’s there.

So here it is…Central America ‘The Final’

Our favourite places

1  1. Caye Caulker (Belize) - To think, this place wasn’t even on the itinerary, it was one of those places that we considered adding in ‘if’ time permitted, and hell, weren’t we thankful for making the correct decision. A Caribbean dream.


Caye Caulker - Belize

Caye Caulker - Belize


2    2. Havana (Cuba) - An old favourite, this place is timeless and will always hold a special place in our hearts and minds. Even as the wind of change makes its way across the island, what it is and what it stands for is pervasive and special to all.


Havana - Cuba

The Malecon - Havana - Cuba


   3.  El Tunco (El Salvador) - A surprisingly wonderful destination. Sunsets, surf and cocktail dreams. Inspiration on the Pacific in a corner of the world that remains reasonably undiscovered


El Tunco - El Salvador

El Tunco - El Salvador


4    4. Antigua (Guatemala) - The ‘Melbourne’ of Central America, speakeasies at every turn. A town of stunning colonial architecture, fantastic food and bars that could find themselves in any Alpha City of the world.


Antigua - Guatemala


5    5. Cabo San Lucas (Mexico) - Where the desert meets the sea (or rather, the ocean), white beaches, nightlife, water sports. It’s a place that allows you to do a lot, have fun and sets the scene with gorgeous scenery and equally supportive climate.


Cabo San Lucas - Mexico




Most Surprising

Caye Caulker (Belize)

We really didn’t expect much from Caye Caulker, perhaps our Central America on a shoestring guide didn’t do it justice. With that said, Belize City is not at all spectacular and not worth occupying your time, but then, jump on a fast ferry, get out to the Caye’s and soon enough you’ll be swinging in a hammock, staring up at the wonderful palm trees and thinking that life can be as simple as this.

Best Drinks

1  1. Cadillac Margarita – Hooters – Cancun (Mexico) - Don’t knock it unless you’ve tried it. Both Inga and I enjoy the junk food hit and the satisfaction of not eating healthy, and then rolled in the big, stylish Cadillac Margarita which just swept us off our feet.

2  2. Pina Colada – Malecon – Havana (Cuba) – Hotel Terral – It’s all about the quality at this place. Equally as great as the first occasion I tried it here two years ago. Sweet, rich, cold and delicious on every occasion. It was 2015 all over again, consistency and deliciousness is triumphant here.

3  3. Daquiri – El Floridita – Havana (Cuba) – You could hardly believe that a drink that is as mass produced as the daiquiri in El Floridita could be any good, but of course, you would be wrong. Batch made, not bespoke, but the man behind the bar has some 25 years of experience and man, he obviously knows a thing or two about turning them over, getting them out and making them right!


Can you believe it moments

11. El Tunco (El Salvador) - Sitting on the back deck of the El Sunzal El Tunco, the waves of the Pacific crashing at our doorstep, staring up at the stars, sharing a drink and a cigar, it was hard to believe that a simple place like this could be so wonderful…but it was.


El Tunco - El Salvador


2  2. Leon (Nicaragua) - Waking up at 7am to what we thought was an evacuation alarm, and believing in that moment that we were in the midst of a volcanic eruption with our lives, potentially being on the line, was not cool perse, not until such time that we figured out that the alarm was the standard morning wake-up call for the school kids of Leon.


Leon - Nicaragua


3    3. Sunset on the Malecon – view from our hospederia – Havana (Cuba) - Two years earlier we had walked the Malecon and wondered what it would be like to watch a sunset from one of the buildings on the ocean front. Two years later we were fortunate enough to share that very experience together.


The Malecon - Havana - Cuba

The Malecon - Havana - Cuba


Un-cool moments

1  1. El Jardin de la Vida – Ometepe (Nicaragua) - Having dragged two mountain bikes, aka, gross hunks of chunk, around the base of Volcan Maderas, we managed to get back to our accommodation only to be accused by the owners of being ignorant, naïve and almost negligent for the complete break down of their bikes. Well, your treatment of us was pathetic, your moral compass off and your understanding of your own responsibilities in renting out this bikes were grossly underestimated. I said it once and I’ll say it again, to the owners of El Jardin de la Vida, you suck!!


El Jardin de la Vida - Ometepe - Nicaragua
Yes, you SUCKED!


   2. Te’Kila, 6541 Hollywood Boulevard – Hollywood - Los Angeles  (USA) The audacity of these guys slipping a 20% fee onto our bill and hoping we wouldn’t call them on it was one thing, but then, trying to get it by us by claiming it was a tourist tax, well that was pathetic. We called them out and they backed down, but their manner was just so shonky and disrespectful.
Te'Kila - Hollywood Boulevard - Hollywood - Los Angeles - USA
Yes, you guys were DODGY!

Te'Kila - Hollywood Boulevard - Hollywood - Los Angeles - USA
Yes, you guys were DODGY!


3    3. The Nowhere Bar – Los Cabos San Lucas (Mexico) - It all came unstuck here when the waiter told me that the tip that I had given him was insufficient. It was close to 10% but not 10%. Hmmm, no I was of the opinion that tips were in fact discretionary and not an obligation. So with that said I simply pulled whatever tip it was and offered nothing instead. I think this set off the internal combustion of this guy and it got to the point where he asked ‘where are you staying’, in a thinly veiled threat. F*** you hombre!!


Best Accommodation

1 1. The Hard Rock Hotel – Hard Rock Megalopolis – Panama City (Panama)The place is just cool and hell, it was a great place to stay, even though it was a fair amount more than our on a shoestring budget dictated


Hard Rock Hotel - Hard Rock Megalopolis - Panama City - Panama

Hard Rock Hotel - Hard Rock Megalopolis - Panama City - Panama

2. Random hospederia – Malecon – Havana (Cuba) - Looking out onto the Malecon, watching the sun dip down over Havana Bay whilst people made their way up and down the ocean front. How much more of a spectacular location could you ask for?

3 . El Sunzal El Tunco – El Tunco (El Salvador) - What an amazing location you get for the price. Fronting the Pacific, you are front and centre to the show that nature puts on every evening.


El Sunzal El Tunco - El Tunco - El Salvador


Random but still cool moments

Entrance to Tikal (Guatemala)

We had a difference of opinion with our tour operator when we reached Tikal. Effectively, without wanting to pay entry into the park twice, we had to stay at the entrance until such time that our day ticket, for the next day, would let us in. We spent 6hrs at the front gates, a space of time that we thought we brutalise us, but, with some imagination and ingenuity the time passed quickly and in fact, to me, it actually turned out to be a lot of fun.


The entrance to Tikal - Guatemala
6 hours, right here

The entrance to Tikal - Guatemala


Travel breakdown

Total number of flights
13

Total flying hours
49.15

Total distance flown
33,240kms

Total number of bus rides

19

Total distance covered by bus
4235kms

Average number of pupusas per day in El Salvador 

7.2

Total number of boats/ferries
6

And there we have it, the wrap of a tour that was quite surprising for what it offered. As a whole Central America was about what I expected, as a whole, but there were pockets that delivered so much more and that’s what made travelling through this part of the world so satisfying.

So where to now? Well our next escapade it going to be into the region where we’re scheduled to tie the knot on June 30th (2017).

This trip is more about validating that our location wedding actually is the right location for us. Wish us luck!!


Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Caye Caulker (Belize) - No shirt, no shoes...no problem

CAYE CAULKER (BELIZE)
21 February - 24 February 2017

And to think, Caye Caulker almost didn’t make our itinerary. It was in and out like a cheap highway diner in Nebraska, never truly making its presence felt, never delivering an overwhelming statement or value proposition as to why we needed to be there.  It stood like an outcast, a nobody within our mix of ‘must do’ places on our Central American escapade.

In the end Caye Caulker turned out to be the most unexpected and memorable stop that we made. On the back of Cayeans (or is it the Caulkans?) fundamental philosophy of life, ‘No shirt, no shoes…no problem’ and a relentless breeze that can sway your hammock into a Caribbean induced coma, we loosely played with the feelings of Caye Caulker and now that makes me feel slightly ashamed. I was un-learned, un-schooled in the ways of the Cayes, but now I have had  my life improved significantly.


Caye Caulker - Belize

La Cubana Hostel - Caye Caulker - Belize
Not a bad location for a hostel huh :)

One of the main streets on Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker - Belize

If the place is hammock ready then Inga loves it!
Caye Caulker - Belize


Sitting pretty some 35kms north-east of one of the most ordinary of world capitals, Belize City, Caye Caulker is a place where you’re greeted with a balmy breeze, palm trees, soft sand and low, bright multi-coloured buildings as you step off the main pier. It’s the epitome of reggae, just in Belize fashion. Lonely Planet says that the easy going nature is due in part to the strong Creole presence on the island, which pulses to the classic reggae beat, forming a more than suitable home to those translated Rastafarians.

Shoes are redundant here. Walking barefoot is almost obligatory and getting dressed up for the night means pulling out your best ‘flip flops’, or as Australians would put it, thongs. Golf carts transport new arrivals to their lodgings around the small town (and really, a car here would not even be a waste, it would be pure stupidity), there are no traffic lights, street signs or any real association a town of any real size. This is the ‘chill zone’ where island time is as serious as you want to make it. And there you have the beauty of Caye Caulker, a paradise without the massive crowds, without the high rises, with the beautiful calm water of the Caribbean and your beck & call. Bliss would be the classic understatement.


Caye Caulker - Belize

Caye Caulker - Belize

Take your pick

Caye Caulker - Belize

Caye Caulker - Belize

Caye Caulker - Belize


We didn’t have any accommodation booked on arrival but managed to quickly find the La Cubana hostel, located almost at the end of the pier for the San Pedro-Belize express ferry. A small, clean but occasionally inconvenient hostel, it was an ok place to stay, made bearable at night only by the presence of an air conditioner – which unfortunately we did not have for our first two evenings. Oh well, the small pains of paradise.

The Caye itself is 8kms long, split right in the middle by a little channel cut by cyclone Hattie in 1961. The ever present cut, known by all as “The Split” is at the northern end of the southern island of the Caye and provides a good swimming opportunity for all those revellers taking up a position at the fabulous Lazy Lizard bar for the day.


Caye Caulker - Belize

Out on the reef with a few stingrays - Caye Caulker - Belize

Caye Caulker - Belize

Par for the course - Smirnoffs at the ready

Caye Caulker - Belize


Walking around on sand all day, heading from bar to bar, i.e., Ana Genie, Bryce’s Beach BBQ, the Lazy Lizard, we could have been forgiven having our time occupied just by doing that…but no, we had the want and desire to do more, like watching the fabulous sunsets on the western side of the island each afternoon, taking some SUP’s out for an attempted circumnavigation which didn’t quite make the great and partaking in the cuisine which ended up being mostly quesadillas, pork and whatever else could wash that down, which as this point in time was Smirnoff Double Black Zero’s…and really, how good a place is it that you can just buy a bottle of alcohol, open it right in the shop and walk barefoot on the sand streets without a care in the world!?


Caye Caulker - Belize

Caye Caulker - Belize

Priorities

Caye Caulker - Belize


Caye Caulker, we love you!