Tobacco Caye

June 21, 2013

Today we experienced a crazy change in venues, moving from Monkey Bay to Tobacco Caye. After breakfast, we loaded the bus and set out through the Maya Mountains to the coastal town of Dangriga. The bus ride was a beautiful trip through the highest mountains in Belize at about 7500 ft. The multiple one-lane bridges over rivers and ravines made it even more exciting. Unfortunately, we lost a tire just as we entered the town of Dangriga. Luckily, Tobacco Caye was able to send a bus and we were back on our way after only a short delay. We loaded two powerboats with Ensworth Tigers and gear and took the one-hour ride out the edge of the second largest barrier reef in the world.

We arrived at Tobacco Caye at a port aptly named “paradise.” The Caye is a remote and tiny island covered with brightly colored huts and surrounded by crystal blue waters. We wolfed down our lunch hungrily and set off for orientation and fitting for snorkeling. By 4:00, we were in the water practicing newly learned snorkeling techniques. We moved from the north end to the south end of the island and worked our way out into about 30 foot deep waters. We were rewarded with a view of a spotted-eagle ray gliding majestically over the coral reef. The coral and fish life here is truly amazing: tarpon, parrot-fish, trigger fish, amberjacks, and so so much more.

Our accommodations are quaint, if not rustic. We had fresh shrimp for dinner followed by classroom work on the barrier reef systems. We will be off to bed soon with a full day on and in the water tomorrow.

Mr. Wallace

(We tried and tried to upload a few pictures from this beautiful place but didn't have much luck tonight. Please check back tomorrow for those!)