Beautiful beach here at Placencia.
Sunrise looking out from our cabana each morning.
Beautiful!
Narrowest street in the world.
Beautiful Fan Palm
Very new and modern harbour here at Placencia.
Full moon while in Placencia.
Tuesday, 11 March 2014
Placencia
Placencia is located at the end of a 16 mile long peninsula on the Caribbean Sea. It is an inviting beach paradise with miles and miles of golden sandy beachfront. It is becoming one of Belize's most visited places and is a worthwhile stop to see the simple seaside charm of this laid back fishing village. Placencia village, according to the Guiness World Book of Records, boasts to having the narrowest Main Street in the world. No pavement here just dirt roads and plenty of Belizean restaurants. Much to enjoy.
Sailing Day 3
This was our last morning on the sailboat. Gorvani took us back to the Caye to get some sunrise pictures and hang out there till Luis prepared our breakfast. We had a delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs, ham, cheese, onion, green pepper, tomatoes, sausages along with fry jacks (yummy). After breakfast we snorkelled for our last time with Luis and Gorvani. They took their spear guns and we headed to the reef. Gorvani shot 2 red snappers using his spear gun. It was quite something watching him chase after the fish and actually shoot it. He attempted quite a few shots but not always lucky. We snorkelled over the multitude of coral with the barracudas, yellowtail snappers, parrotfish, rays, groupers, horse-eye jacks, butterfly fish and various others. Again it was a fantastic sight.
We returned to the boat and set sail for our final few hours of sailing before reaching Placencia. As we sailed Captain Luis was very careful as there were reefs throughout the area which means he could be sailing in 50 feet of water and very quickly come to a spot where the reef is showing. Gorvani helped guide him through the area. It wasn't long and we were able to see the mountains on the main land of Belize. Once he was through the channel of reefs he let Gorvani take the wheel and he prepared our lunch. Our last meal was conch, rice, corn, plantain and a sweet mustard sauce. Absolutely delicious. After lunch we sailed our way into Placencia arriving around 3:00. Our sail trip was over. What a great experience with Captain Luis and his 1st mate, Gorvani. We couldn't have asked for anything more...the sail trip was fantastic.
We returned to the boat and set sail for our final few hours of sailing before reaching Placencia. As we sailed Captain Luis was very careful as there were reefs throughout the area which means he could be sailing in 50 feet of water and very quickly come to a spot where the reef is showing. Gorvani helped guide him through the area. It wasn't long and we were able to see the mountains on the main land of Belize. Once he was through the channel of reefs he let Gorvani take the wheel and he prepared our lunch. Our last meal was conch, rice, corn, plantain and a sweet mustard sauce. Absolutely delicious. After lunch we sailed our way into Placencia arriving around 3:00. Our sail trip was over. What a great experience with Captain Luis and his 1st mate, Gorvani. We couldn't have asked for anything more...the sail trip was fantastic.
Awoke to this...sunrise over South Water Caye!
South Water Caye before we set sail for the day.
Last snorkel...on the reef.
Sailing Day 2
Have you ever spent a night on a sailboat? This was our first time and what an awesome experience! When we woke up during the night we were looking up at the stars. How much more peaceful and tranquil could it get?
Morning came and everyone was up and excited for our second day. We had coffee and watched the sun rise. Then Gorvani took us in the small boat to Goff Caye (very small), where we wondered around and puddled in the water. Captain Luis and Gorvani were back on the sailboat preparing our breakfast. When we got back to the boat we had our breakfast of scrambled eggs, ham, onions and green peppers with buns and bread. Very good indeed.
After breakfast, it was time to snorkel again. This time Luis took us as Gorvani headed out to do some spear fishing for our lunch. Luis also had a spear gun with him and was able to get a couple of fish. The reef had some beautiful coral formations, this time not as many fish but did get to see some of the same ones we had already seen. The current on the reef was very strong so it was hard to get further out. Still was beautiful where we were.
We were sailing again. Before we knew it there were 3 dolphins following and playing with the boat. Every once in a while they would jump out of the water. Fun to watch them. Once our cameras came out they were gone, must be camera shy. We sat back relaxing with a few rum punch before lunch (it was 5:00 somewhere). Before we knew it Luis had our lunch of the fresh catch of the day fried up for us along with rice, refried beans, cucs, and tortilla chips. Amazing how good it all tasted.
We continued on our way to Tobacco Caye where we stopped to do some more snorkelling with Gorvani. The reef was very distinct being able to see it as the wall was above the water. We saw a lot of coral formations and fish. It is great watching the fish dart in and out of the coral. Gorvani would dive down and chase the fish out from the coral and he also disturbed a sleeping crab from under a piece if coral. Awesome. Can it get any better?
Once back on the boat we sailed to South Water Caye where we would spend the night. Gorvani taxied us right to the dock so we could walk around and check the place out. There were a few hotels/cabanas, and more people around than we saw for awhile. We had a few Belikin before Gorvani returned to pick us up. Luis had once again prepared a feast for us. Spaghetti with lobster, fish and conch. My oh my, what a meal. Fantastic!
After supper we sat on the deck, we could see lights on the Caye and also from Dangria. There was a little more wind so the boat was moving around quite a bit. We will be rocked to sleep tonight.
Morning came and everyone was up and excited for our second day. We had coffee and watched the sun rise. Then Gorvani took us in the small boat to Goff Caye (very small), where we wondered around and puddled in the water. Captain Luis and Gorvani were back on the sailboat preparing our breakfast. When we got back to the boat we had our breakfast of scrambled eggs, ham, onions and green peppers with buns and bread. Very good indeed.
After breakfast, it was time to snorkel again. This time Luis took us as Gorvani headed out to do some spear fishing for our lunch. Luis also had a spear gun with him and was able to get a couple of fish. The reef had some beautiful coral formations, this time not as many fish but did get to see some of the same ones we had already seen. The current on the reef was very strong so it was hard to get further out. Still was beautiful where we were.
We were sailing again. Before we knew it there were 3 dolphins following and playing with the boat. Every once in a while they would jump out of the water. Fun to watch them. Once our cameras came out they were gone, must be camera shy. We sat back relaxing with a few rum punch before lunch (it was 5:00 somewhere). Before we knew it Luis had our lunch of the fresh catch of the day fried up for us along with rice, refried beans, cucs, and tortilla chips. Amazing how good it all tasted.
We continued on our way to Tobacco Caye where we stopped to do some more snorkelling with Gorvani. The reef was very distinct being able to see it as the wall was above the water. We saw a lot of coral formations and fish. It is great watching the fish dart in and out of the coral. Gorvani would dive down and chase the fish out from the coral and he also disturbed a sleeping crab from under a piece if coral. Awesome. Can it get any better?
Once back on the boat we sailed to South Water Caye where we would spend the night. Gorvani taxied us right to the dock so we could walk around and check the place out. There were a few hotels/cabanas, and more people around than we saw for awhile. We had a few Belikin before Gorvani returned to pick us up. Luis had once again prepared a feast for us. Spaghetti with lobster, fish and conch. My oh my, what a meal. Fantastic!
After supper we sat on the deck, we could see lights on the Caye and also from Dangria. There was a little more wind so the boat was moving around quite a bit. We will be rocked to sleep tonight.
Watching the sunrise over Water Caye from our sailboat.
Heading to Goff Caye.
Tobacco Caye
More snorkelling on the reef.
South Water Caye
Sunset on South Water Caye
Sailing Day 1
Friday was the beginning of our 3 days and 2 nights sail trip. Karen, Lorne, Fred and I left Ambergris Caye with Captain Luis and Gorvani on Luis's sailboat called La Gaviota, which means The Seagull in Spanish. The sailboat is 48 feet long with 2 masts and this will be where we spend the next 3 days.
We headed to Hol Chan for our first snorkel. Gorvani helped us get our gear on and then he jumped in and led us around. WOW...what an amazing experience. Couldn't believe what we were able to see. We saw the green turtle, nurse sharks, green moray eels, stingrays, butterfly fish, sergeant majors, schoolmasters, trumpet fish, barracuda, angelfish, Queen triggers, snappers, groupers, horse-eye jack fish, parrot fish, black Margaret, blue and yellow tang, trunk fish, black hamlet, just to name some of them. Gorvani was great diving down and pointing things out to us.
Once we got back on the boat, Luis had a fresh pineapple cut up waiting for us. As we ate our pineapple Luis set sail for Shark Ray Alley, this took only about 15 minutes. We put our snorkel gear on and we were back in the water. Gorvani lead us through the channel seeing and getting very close and personal with the nurse sharks and the stingrays. Gorvani brought them to the surface for us to touch. Couldn't believe it. We saw a lot of sharks and rays along with many of the fish seen the first time.
We returned to the boat and relaxed in the sun while Gorvani went fishing for conch. Once we picked him up we began to sail passing by Twin Cayes, Caye Caulker, Chapel Caye (the golf Caye), to name a few, as we passed many cayes along our way.
Captain Luis prepared a fantastic meal for us. We had rice, grouper with onions and green peppers in a white sauce, plantain (best I've tasted), cucumbers, and tortilla chips. So very delicious.
The afternoon was great, we relaxed on the deck in the sun, Luis made sure we had enough to drink (he did make a good rum punch I must say). We also got to watch Luis clean the conch. He was a pro at it.
We passed a barge loaded with sugarcane heading for a ship waiting in the deeper water for the barge. By this time the sun was starting to set and we were able to catch some beautiful sunset pictures. We arrived at Water Caye where we would spend the night. Once the sails were down and the ankor dropped, Luis served us supper. Conch Chowder...another terrific meal. We had never tasted conch, but agree it was very good. Luis told us he loved to cook and we are tasting some if his great meals. After supper we went back out on the deck to sit and take in the sky filled with stars and the calm and quiet of the evening. What a gorgeous evening! How much better could life get?
We headed to Hol Chan for our first snorkel. Gorvani helped us get our gear on and then he jumped in and led us around. WOW...what an amazing experience. Couldn't believe what we were able to see. We saw the green turtle, nurse sharks, green moray eels, stingrays, butterfly fish, sergeant majors, schoolmasters, trumpet fish, barracuda, angelfish, Queen triggers, snappers, groupers, horse-eye jack fish, parrot fish, black Margaret, blue and yellow tang, trunk fish, black hamlet, just to name some of them. Gorvani was great diving down and pointing things out to us.
Once we got back on the boat, Luis had a fresh pineapple cut up waiting for us. As we ate our pineapple Luis set sail for Shark Ray Alley, this took only about 15 minutes. We put our snorkel gear on and we were back in the water. Gorvani lead us through the channel seeing and getting very close and personal with the nurse sharks and the stingrays. Gorvani brought them to the surface for us to touch. Couldn't believe it. We saw a lot of sharks and rays along with many of the fish seen the first time.
We returned to the boat and relaxed in the sun while Gorvani went fishing for conch. Once we picked him up we began to sail passing by Twin Cayes, Caye Caulker, Chapel Caye (the golf Caye), to name a few, as we passed many cayes along our way.
Captain Luis prepared a fantastic meal for us. We had rice, grouper with onions and green peppers in a white sauce, plantain (best I've tasted), cucumbers, and tortilla chips. So very delicious.
The afternoon was great, we relaxed on the deck in the sun, Luis made sure we had enough to drink (he did make a good rum punch I must say). We also got to watch Luis clean the conch. He was a pro at it.
We passed a barge loaded with sugarcane heading for a ship waiting in the deeper water for the barge. By this time the sun was starting to set and we were able to catch some beautiful sunset pictures. We arrived at Water Caye where we would spend the night. Once the sails were down and the ankor dropped, Luis served us supper. Conch Chowder...another terrific meal. We had never tasted conch, but agree it was very good. Luis told us he loved to cook and we are tasting some if his great meals. After supper we went back out on the deck to sit and take in the sky filled with stars and the calm and quiet of the evening. What a gorgeous evening! How much better could life get?
Captain Luis
Setting sail and looking back at San Pedro.
Hol Chan for our 1st snorkel.
Gorvani's catch of the day.
Conch
Captain Luis cleaning the conch.
Sunset
Supper...Conch Chowder. Yum yum!
Tuesday, 4 March 2014
Snorkelling at Mexico Rocks
What an amazing afternoon! We went snorkelling on Mexico Rocks. Mexico Rocks was a 10 min. Boat ride to the reef north of town. Martin our boat captain was great. He fitted us with our snorkel gear and got us into the water before he jumped in. He took us around seeing a lot of different coral formations and amazing amount of colourful reef fish. There were quite a few sting rays, a couple of green moray eels and Martin and I were the only ones to see a nurse shark sneak into the coral. This area is only about 12 feet at its deepest and is one of the best places to see an abundance of coral. The channel through the reef is nearby which brings in a lot of the small reef fish. Martin our boat captain was great diving down and pointing out different fish and coral.
A very great afternoon of snorkelling. I would say a must see for sure.
A very great afternoon of snorkelling. I would say a must see for sure.
Friday, 28 February 2014
Caye Caulker
Thursday, Lorne, Karen, Fred and I made our way by water taxis to Caye Caulker, which lies 11 miles south of Ambergris Caye. Caye Caulker has a typical Belizean atmosphere, a laid back lifestyle. This working fishing village of about 1500, is mostly of mestizos descent.
Front Street is full of brightly coloured wooden houses, shops, restaurants and small hotels. The Barrier Reef is visible from the shore and is fantastic for diving and snorkelling.
The Split, at the north end of the village, a channel cut through the island by Hurricane Hattie in 1961, is a very popular gathering place for a nice swimming area and a popular spot to watch the sunset.
The northern tip of the Caye forms the Caulker Forest & Marine Reserves. This reserve became necessary after developers began clearing the native tree species leaving only the coconut trees.
The backside (west side) of the island is where you will find fishermen cleaning their fish, working on lobster traps or mending their nets in the morning. The main fish are groupers, barracuda, snapper and amberjack, which are all good eating.
Front Street is full of brightly coloured wooden houses, shops, restaurants and small hotels. The Barrier Reef is visible from the shore and is fantastic for diving and snorkelling.
The Split, at the north end of the village, a channel cut through the island by Hurricane Hattie in 1961, is a very popular gathering place for a nice swimming area and a popular spot to watch the sunset.
The northern tip of the Caye forms the Caulker Forest & Marine Reserves. This reserve became necessary after developers began clearing the native tree species leaving only the coconut trees.
The backside (west side) of the island is where you will find fishermen cleaning their fish, working on lobster traps or mending their nets in the morning. The main fish are groupers, barracuda, snapper and amberjack, which are all good eating.
Arriving at Caye Caulker by water taxi.
The Split, a channel cut through the island by Hurricane Hattie in 1961.
Enjoying a Belikin at the Split.
Lobster traps.
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