Well, the last couple of days we have really gotten into the spirit of Caye Caulker's official motto of "Go Slow". Wednesday, our only activity was walking between various restaurants, bars and our house. We hung around by the pool in the morning and wandered over to check out Chef Juan's for lunch. It is basically a takeout spot but he has a few picnic tables and you can bring your own beverages. He has a reputation for good food and he didn't disappoint. I just had the very basic local staple of "stew chicken" with potato salad and "rice wit' peas" and it was very good--& can't go wrong for $10 BZ ($5 US). Then some more wandering with stops for drinks at the Sports Bar and later for a milkshake and a smoothie at Ice and Beans.
Home for a bit of a rest and then, heading out again, a very threatening looking sky, but no rain came. Stopped in at Margarita Mikes, attached to Ice and Beans, for a drink and then, on a recommendation from the bartender, we went to Reina's, a very simple place, and had a tremendous meal of snapper--jerk for me and "tropical" for Carol, both excellent! Then home for a little TV before bed.
Thursday, we were a little more energetic. We decided to check out the North Island. Caye Caulker is divided in two by the Split, which was created when Hurricane Hattie roared through the island in 1961, breaking it into two parts. The North Island has been largely uninhabited until recently, but now a few big resorts have been developed and it is becoming more popular. There is a little ferry that will take you across the Split for $5 BZ. (The Koko King/North Island Beach Club has their own larger boat for their guests that runs from a little further down the west side directly to the their property.)
We stopped in and checked out the Koko King property, which looks very nice but a bit sparse. It does have a small swimmable beach, which is a bonus in CC. Then we walked further up the island seeing quite a bit of new construction-houses and apartment buildings. Checked out another resort that looks almost ready to open and is quite large and well built, but it has no swimming access to the sea at all, just 2 swimming pools. I imagine that in another 5 years the North Island will be unrecognizable as development there ramps up.
As we made our way back across the Split, it was obvious that a lot of cruise ship passengers had made their way from Belize City to CC for the day and most of them were hanging out at the Split. So we just kept walking. We ended up at the Sports Bar for lunch--sliders and tacos. Did I mention that the Sports Bar has draft beer? I think the only place on the island that does. Then home for a dip in the pool and a nap before heading back out to the Happy Lobster for a very good lobster dinner.
Ann Crumpton
2021-11-12
Looks like a fun time ! I had no idea that the north end was building up.