Belize

Imagine staying on a tropical island inhabited by hermit crabs, iguanas, pelicans, frigate birds and ospreys. There are humans and 3 cats too. The island is Long Caye on Glover’s Reef, Belize. There are two resorts on the island and I was lucky to stay with my cousin, Debi for two weeks with “Off the Wall” owned by Jim and Kendra Schofield. The Wall is a famous dive spot favoured by the late Jacques Cousteau and is only one of the many places around the island where you can snorkel or dive. I had no expectations of the island as Debi had found the holiday on the internet and booked everything. I looked at the website and thought it looked good. Well, when I found there were two ospreys nesting just outside our cabana, my holiday was made. Added to that was the great snorkling (I am sure the diving was good too, but I didn’t try it), lazing in hammocks, kayaking, board paddling, reading, taking photos, drinking wine. We also watched the hermit crabs start to gang up on the larger crabs in order to change their shells or crawl around the colourful compost heap.

Thanks to Jim and Kendra, Kendra's mother Barbara, Terese, who cooked wonderful meals, Laurie and Matthew for pointing out all the interesting stuff on the snorkle expeditions, Junior and Tony for getting us to and from the island safely and Mario for safeguarding as all and especially the boats at night. Other guests - Debs and Jesse (7th time on the island), Paul and Pattie and Kevin and Cathy (2nd week) - great to have met you all. Debi, you chose well, Happy 50th year.


A few scenes from Belize City when I was walking around on my first day there. Debi had been delayed at Miami so I met her at the airport before we took the 10 min flight to Dangriga.







A few scenes in Dangriga while we waited for the pick up for the island at 12 noon.







I didn't have my camera when the osprey bought the fish to the nest but caught this sequence as the fish was being carried away. Probably to the nearby log to be finished off.








Some of the wildlife with Ocho the teenager and Cleo the tabby and a view of a windsurfer from Slickrock, the other resort on the island.








Debi, Pattie and Paul trying out the "Discover Scuba". Green heron and another of Indie. A brief glimpse of our cabana with my swimsuits drying.








Hermit crabs on the compost heap, another one of the osprey, Jim kissing Ocho (who didn't look too impressed!) and brown pelicans on the dock.








A little blur as the male osprey turned his head towards me makes him look as if he is a grumpy old man. They usually finished off their fish on this log with the sandpipers trying to pinch some morsels.


Dining Room at "Off the Wall"


The male frigate birds are rarely seen over the island but this was mating season and I saw three.



Pattie doing her yoga in front of the osprey. A view from the cabana and yet another hermit crab.






There were a few lovely sunsets. The osprey and Debi helpfully posed for me. The blue crabs used to come around the table we were sitting around after dinner. Woe betide if you had your feet on the floor as they would pinch your toes. There were a few screams and guests learnt to put their feet up. Jim made the table out of cement and it was decorated by Kendra with help from Debs and Jesse on one of their previous trips.








One of the most memorable experiences was when the island was being fogged one evening to get rid of the sandflies. I joined the others who were not on the night dive and we set off in a boat and watched the full moon rise, gently rocking at anchor. The photo of the moon was taken at the dock before we set off. The one of Indie was one of many of him and Ocho playing. Ocho is underneath the table but I missed his paw trying to catch Indie.







Dock post being eaten away, starfish, the barracuda which was under the dock, French angel fish and a self portrait.







Baby conger eel which lived under the dock, sea monster Laurie, green conger eel swimming around the coral at the back of the island on "The Wall" side, Blue Tangs and Matthew who took us out and spotted all the interesting stuff.






Parrotfish, octopus, Debi in canoe and the much loved giant eagle ray.






One of the squid we saw.



Debi and I had a day to spend in Dangriga at the end of our trip. Having walked around the town on our first day out, there was not much else to do so we booked a trip to the Mayflower National Park. Our guide was LaBelle V. Saucier - saucier@btl.net who works for C & G Tours and Charters, Dangriga. We wanted to see some wildlife - mainly birds. LaBelle was a little worried as we started out so late (10am) for birds. However, we saw lots, especially the hummingbirds who kept coming down to check us out. I was able to take photos of some of the birds we saw as well as the butterflies and fungi. We walked to the waterfall and had a much needed dip - well Debi and LaBelle swam while I paddled. The little fish nibbled at our legs - sometimes biting hard. I can recommend the tour, LaBelle being a enthusiastic guide and knowledgeable about the local area having lived and worked there for years. She will taylor a tour to your needs.










There was a wedding at our hotel which we sat and listened to while we sipped our wine at the bar. Black and white was the preference of the bride who had to make do with silk flowers as there were none of that colour in season.






LaBelle took the following photo of me in the park.



On the last morning as we waited for our flight to Belize City, Debi and I strolled around the hotel and spotted this bird attacking itself in the car wing mirror. I have yet to id most ofl the birds I photographed on the trip but the Kiskadee (flycatcher) is the one on the wire. S/he helpfully turned around for me after doing her preening.