Day 7 - Caye Caulker - Island of white powder I

“You’re home now brother” – some one-eyed guy at the bar.

This place was perfect; Myles and I both came to that conclusion whilst drinking bottles of the local beer.  It was everything you wanted and more.  The country of Belize itself has in its past had strong ties with the UK which is why the official language here is English.  I was reminded of this fact by a local man at a bar later that night.  With another bottle of the local beer in my hand he approached me and asked where I was from.  When I told him I was from England his face lit up and he said “Belize and England are the same, you’re home now brother”.  How many places on earth can you go to a random bar and have some random one-eyed man shake your hand and welcome you home.  This place was something special.

I will take you there

Caye Caulker, the small Belizean island in the Caribbean Sea.  On the map it just looks like a long thin speck of white powder sticking out of the sea.  Despite its small physical presence it is a must visit destination for backpackers who are heading north to Mexico or south to Panama City.  It took all day to get here from Tulum and it was dark by the time we arrived.  A Rastafarian looking man wearing a yellow coat was waiting for us at the dock.  He introduced himself as Gilbert and asked where we were staying. 

At first we tried to dismiss him , it is common for tour agents to jump on travel weary backpackers and get them to sign up to overpriced trips and check in at overpriced hotels.  However it quickly turned out Gilbert was different.  He was just a local man who wanted to help us settle in to the island.  We told him a list of hostels we wanted to check out and he reply “no worries man, I will take you there”.  His guidance was especially useful considering it was dark and parts of the island were flooded from a heavy downpour earlier that day. 

With Gilbert at the helm we zigzagged our way across the island checking out hostels and hotels.  In the end we checked into the appropriately named Tropical Paradise hotel.  After unpacking our stuff we headed to the hotel bar and got some beers.  From what we had seen zigzagging across the island; with its relaxed atmosphere and friendly locals...this place was perfect; Myles and I both came to that conclusion whilst drinking bottles of the local beer.  

Our taxi to the island.

Our hotel room, nothing fancy.