My First Birthday in Belize

Approaching the island of Caye Caulker

The palm trees lined the beach, it was beautiful.

Yesterday was my birthday and to celebrate early, Saturday we took a trip to Caye Caulker, the sister island to Ambergris Caye. We decided to take our three huskies on the trip as well, and purchased 3 round trip children's tickets for $10BZ for each one of the dogs. One of the guys that worked for the water taxi at Caye Caulker got a really BIG laugh out of that one, when he looked at our tickets and then saw 3 rather large dogs instead of children. They asked us to sit in the back of the boat with the dogs and we agreed. I love the back seats the best anyway. 

This sweet little girl fell asleep in my arms.  She and her sister were going with their dad to Caye Caulker to pick up their brother.  She told me she wasn't sleepy. 

This is her sister, they sat in the back with us so they could pet our dogs.

We were having a little engine trouble before we left the dock, but the guys had it running in no time and we were on our way to Caye Caulker.

Caye Caulker is only about 4 miles long and unlike Ambergris Caye where we live, there are no cars or paved roads.  Everyone gets around by walking (barefoot is preferred), biking or golf carts.  The golf carts are actually the taxi's in Caye Caulker. 

This is what you get if you need a taxi in Caye Caulker.  I think they are kind of cute with their bright yellow color.

We had breakfast at this resturant that was owned by a very nice Cuban family.

The food was really good and I was hungry for pancakes.

This was the only vegetable stand I saw.

Chalkboards advertising lots of good things to eat and drink.

Caye Caulker is a cozy little island with only about 1800 people.  It is much more laid back than Ambergris Caye.  Brightly colored hotels, restaurants and shops lined the beach.

I loved this small backpackers hotel.

This little boy was roasting and entire pig over the fire.  That's a pretty "hot" job if you ask me.

Laundry hung high up in the trees.

The Lazy Lizard located at the split.

You could snorkel right off the beach.

They even have a outdoor cinema which is great unless it is raining.

How would you like to own this boat?

They still had a payphone in Caye Caulker.

It was time to head back home to San Pedro.

Neri's Tacos

Chicken Tacos

I had this blog post ready to post several days ago, but right before I hit the send button, our internet went down.  It has been on the blink for several days.  We stopped by their office yesterday and they said they were working on it and hope to have it fixed by day end.  It still was not working this morning and we stopped by their office again to get another report.  We were told the same thing again this morning but good news, we finally have our internet back up and working.  So I can finally post my blog post today.

We love eating street food and finding those hidden little places where the locals like to go eat.  So this week I wanted us to find Neri's Tacos.  I had heard about Neri's tacos and when I went to get a pedicure a few weeks ago, I asked Renada, the sweet young lady that did my pedicure where Neri's was located.  She told me that she and her boyfriend had breakfast there most mornings before they went off to work.  She gave me directions, so I knew it wasn't too far from our house. 

Monday I told Bill I had a new place to eat that I wanted to check out.   So a little after twelve we pedaled on past the airport and a few streets back to find Neri's Tacos, but they were closed.  They open at 5:30am and closed at 11:30am.  They didn't open back up until 5:00pm.  Determined to try Neri's tacos we decided to go back after five.

Not very busy at 8:30pm.

Ladies making all the food.

You place your order at the window.

Ham Fryjack with some "smoking hot" hot sauce.  These are just $3.50BZE ($1.75US)

We headed back to Neri's about 8:00pm and this time they were open.  The menu was short and sweet, and oh so cheap!  They do have a day and a night menu.  We ordered a few different things off the menu to try and in about 5 minutes they had it all ready.  We ordered 3 garnaches, 2 Enpanades and two bottles of water.  The grand total was $5.50BZ ($2.75US).  

They also serve all kinds of fresh juices.  It seems banana juice is one of the more popular ones.

We liked Neri's and the prices so much, we decided today to Sunday for a late breakfast, we still wanted to try the tacos, since they don't serve them on the night menu.  The tacos are 3 for $1.00BZ (.50US).  We got there about 10:30 Sunday morning and they were packed.  We pulled up on our bikes and there were people, golf carts and bikes everywhere.  It was the Sunday mid morning happening place.  Most were getting orders to go, I guess for lunch.

I just love all the little children here in Belize.  They are so cute.

Bill also received his official letter last week from the Belize Tourism Board on his entry into the QRP (Qualified Retirement Program of Belize).  He had to go down to the Social Security office here in San Pedro and have his picture made and he should have his card in about 2 weeks. 

Sunset Cruise with SEAduced by Belize

The dock at Ramon's Village

We spotted this guy from the pier before we got on the boat.

Saturday afternoon we decided to take a sunset cruise with Seaduced.  We met at the dock at Ramon's Village about 5:00 pm.  Sylvan was our captain and we headed south out to sea about 5:19 pm toward Hol Chan Marine Reserve where we sat back and watched the sun set on the Caribbean.  It could not have been a more beautiful evening for a sunset cruise.  The sky and the sunset were just spectacular.

Sailing out to sea.

We all got SEAduced.

Sylvan and Phillip getting the sails up.

Sylvan giving us a little speech about safety aboard the SEAduced.

Drinks served from the portholes.

Some of our shipmates.

After the cruise was over several of us from the cruise walked down the beach to the Tacklebox, one of my favorite places to go.  We met up with our friend Gigi and her boyfriend Dean who had just arrived in San Pedro from Mexico Saturday afternoon. 

The Tacklebox

Gigi and Dean

Pineapple Willie at Wahoo's

Our bartender at Wahoo.

Hmmmm.

After Tacklebox we then headed on down the beach to the Wahoo Lounge, home of the chicken drop.  We have definitely got to make it for that one night.  We listened to Pineapple Willie play for a while and then headed down the beach again.

Hanging out at Fido's with Gigi and Dean.

Our next stop was Fido's, another one of my favorite places.  Kelly McGuire was playing and there was a big crowd.   

City Park

After Fido's we strolled through City Park and then headed home.  City Park is in the middle of town right on the beach.  All the street vendors were out and the kids are playing.  The park is a popular place on the weekends when it gets dark.

The Sunset

It melted in to the sea.

If you are wondering how things get to the island from the mainland.  Here ya go.  This barge passed by us heading to the island.  This is how our things will be brought over to us.