The Spit, Belize
Caye Caulkner
the Golf cart taxi
barely off the ferry and we get
asked if we need a taxi – and yes we do, soon we are on the way: our driver
points out that there are three roads the beach – the middle and the back road
(guess you can’t really get lost here) and then the way to the ferry where the
nice beach is. We are astonished on how far out we are... guess we are outside
of town. And then the taxi stops and beeps the horn: that’s how Abele knows we
are coming.
the Novelo house
actually this place has only 3
apartments, ours and the other one are rented and upstairs lives Max his son
(who came and welcomed us later with a handshake too). We have a super big
apartment and lots and lots of space and also the pool which looks very
inviting.
on the dock and at the
poolside
we decided to go first to the
dock and check it out: because of all the waves the water is a bit turpid today–
Paul says no going in!! but out there you can sit and enjoy the sun without
feeling it, because of all the wind blowing around and there is a beautiful
comfy chair. Back at the house we have a cold drink and then hang out around
the pool, ok the water doesn’t look the cleanest, but Gine decided it is only
sand in there and goes in, it feels super nice and refreshing – guess we had a
real lazy afternoon.
We are here on Backpackers
relax island:
- they also call it Isla Carinosa and it is 21 miles north of Belize City (or 45 Min by boat)
- it’s laid back and the motto here is “GO SLOW” - and the attitude is “No Shirt – No Shoes – No Problem”
- they say it still has the Caribbean fishing village feeling with the original clapboard houses – But in my opinion also a lot of backpacking feeling
- in the 17th century British Bucaneers used it as a place to stop for water and to work on their boats (or did they came here for vacation??)
- in the 1960s it was one of the first islands to establish a fisher’s cooperation, so that they received fair prices for the lobsters and other sea life
- also in the 1960s/70s the Hippies discovered it – I believe that right away...
going to town
Abel took us with his golf cart
to town – which was super cool, so we walked up and down the area a bit and
Gine checked out possible snorkeling options. And we decided tomorrow we will
bike to town, that we see how long it takes us, then we are more flexible. It
is a super cute little town (not that many golf carts – more bicycles), and
lots and lots of restaurants. We did quick some shopping in the supermarket and
then found the street vendors: mmhh, those burritos look yummy: ever had a
hotdog burrito?? and they are huge and super cheap. So, we did decide that this
is what we will have for supper. After some more walking around we went towards
the ferry station and got a taxi and yes, no problem he will stop at the
vendor, so we can pick up our burrito and he thinks they are the best ones.
The best burritos in town
back at our place we have the
perfect place to sit near the pool and eat our burritos – they are so huge,
that we could only each half of it – guess we already have tomorrows supper. And
then it is time to hang out – because we are in the relaxing mode.
They have biting fireflies
something we learned one day to
late is that they have fireflies and they bite!! ok, so we or better especially
Gine is now aware of this part, because she has hundreds of those and as where
they say they are little bites: in Gine they become huge.... after a super
itchy night they hopefully go away fast...
Biking the Beach Path
This morning we got both
equipped with bicycle Paul a blue and Gine a purple one: good thing they both
have a metal basket in the front. Downside they both look like they are super
old: I wondered that the chain is even moving and then they have only a
backpaddle break. And the advice was to always drive along the beach: the Beach
path – ok that is not that complicated and by the way it only took us 10
Minutes to downtown ferry station. It’s kind of a funky sandy bike path sometimes
through Mangrove forest, then along beach resorts and once in a while the path
is better or full of sea weed – it was fun.
in town
First things first we go to the
Bakery and get our Cinnamon buns – Gine even brought the Tupperware so that
they are well protected. The streets and houses here are cute and everything is
relaxed – bicycles and a few golf carts – we got told on the first day that
only some official have real cars like the Ambulance and fire department (we
saw the firetruck one real one and one super cute baby version) – time to head
to
the famous Spit
- they say the spit came when hurricane Hattie widened the Channel in 1961 and cut the island in two – others say they dug it out so the boats have a shortcut.
And we read it is very popular
and the best swimming – and this is a super cool place. You can’t miss it, only
drive a street north and you end up here!! then there are huge sandy areas with
beach chairs, loungers, round bar tables... and you can use all for free (only
don’t bring your own food – but they are quite relaxed here). The water is
crystal clear and they have ladders to go in and out, a jumping tower, and a
protected area with a water-bar and comfy stairs leading in... and you have
free music. You can people watch, swim, jump, suntan and have a lot of fun. It
is so cool, that we already decided that we will spend our last day here!
Bicycle repair on the way
back
once it
was time to leave, we hopped on the bikes and Gine started driving ahead and
when checking back there was no Paul, so she stopped and looked and waited –
maybe I should head back. And see there Paul’s bike is upside down and 3 guys
are around: the chain did not move at all (I mean you can’t even see the color
of the chain it is so rusty!!) after some team work they get it going. And see
there only 100 m further Paul stops the handlebar is loose – and lucky for us
we are right in front of a sign saying bicycle repair. Gine waited with the
bikes and Paul went in: even it said animal shelter – it is a two in one.
Finally, with some WD40 he got a temporary fix and hopefully we end up well at
home – which we did.
2025-05-22