LEAVING MEXICO

In the event the barbeque didn’t happen.  The group returning from Chichen Itza got back so late that most of them, although they had a great day, simply wanted to turn in.  The planned Halloween Party never really took off and many, me included, were in bed very early.  It rained heavily overnight and the day dawned very soggily.  After so long in bed, I needed some exercise and even managed a run (more of a jog really) along the beach, before an enjoyable swim in the rain.  Very strange to be doing this in warm water and in temperatures that are entirely comfortable.

I have to confess that the constant travel is beginning to get to me a bit.  Having achieved the exercised already described and organised breakfast, yet another variation on packing my luggage was attempted in good time to load the weight into taxis, and thence into a bus for the journey to Chetumal.  From here we caught a ferry to San Pedro in Belize having successfully negotiated our way past the Mexican customs. 

There seemed to be one person checking the passports and five others offering moral support or something similar.  Two hours in a high speed but noisy ferry and we landed to negotiate our way past the Belizean authorities.  This was much more relaxed but still took time.  Then it was back onto the ferry for the final leg into Caye Caulker.  Tom’s  Hotel fitted the ‘basic’ tag very well and many instantly chose to upgrade. 

I reasoned that the showers in the rooms would probably not be any better than those for communal use and having got lucky with a single room (3 beds), stayed where I was.

We eventually gathered and went to a beachside restaurant for a meal, where the coconut fish curry was the best culinary experience of the entire trip.  It may have been helped by the rum based cocktails which included a “panty ripper”; perhaps wasted on me.  I did like the nameless ones based on lime however.  Now that the clocks have changed it gets dark very early and most retired to bed fairly early although the more elderly members of the group went out to find some dancing.  I settled for a good night’s sleep so as to better enjoy the snorkelling planned for the morrow.

It rained heavily overnight but the day dawned relatively clear although there were obvious thunderstorms out to sea.  The day cranked into action very slowly although a walk revealed that the island is very small and quaintly ramshackle. 

The pace of life is distinctly laid back and more than one of the group has been greeted with “You’re breaking the speed limit, man”.  This is achieved by walking too fast.  Everyone here greets you and the ambience of the place is very friendly.  We gathered at Ragamuffin, the tour company at 9am to get fitted with flippers and snorkel but then had to wait for 90 minutes for the trip to get started. 

Given the preceding bad weather days, all the tour groups on the island were headed for the reef so a mood of jollity prevailed as the three boats jostled for position on the way out.  Even a downpour failed to  suppress the mood and our reward was an outbreak of sun as we hit the first spot.  In all we visited three sites and one of the crew supported our non-swimmer and led us to places where things of interest might be found. 

Even though I knew what to expect, the reality blew me away; corals, small fish, large fish, sharks, rays, a conger eel and turtles were all seen up close and personal.  We headed for home enjoying a rum punch and another heavy shower failed to persuade the majority to take cover.  A final reward was the arrival of five dolphins who kept us company for about five minutes.  Once landed, everyone walked up to ‘the Split’ for the sunset and drinks.  The bar was very lively and all the snorkelers from the three boats were gathered, many of them taking to the water again!  Some stayed and clearly much drink was consumed as a number failed to get back to the hotel in time for the agreed meeting time and weren’t able to enjoy dinner with the rest of us.  Despite the distinctly chaotic end, a great day!