Day 29: Belize, Caye Caulker
Posted by Tai on March 29, 2006
Up again at 4:15 to catch a shuttle to meet a bus to Belize. Finally get to the border about 9:00 in the morning. The Guatemalian immigrations officials had a scam going on the border. They were charging departure fees from Guatemala of 10 quetzals (1 euro), but there does not exist departure fee. Think they are sharing it with the bus drivers.
Belice is alot less jungle and more cultivated lands. Was the home to pirates. Then when the english cramped down on teh pirating, they started exporting wood. Then african wood was much cheaper so this industry disappeared for them. The Mayans when they were being killed off in SOuth Mexico also migrated to Belice - so farming started. However not many years ago it was more known for its drugs, guns and other smuggling. Nowadays its tourism, fishing and just laying back.
Got to Belize city which is very small, the majority of the population are black. Jumped another boat over to Caye Caulker which is 30km offshore. Has the second biggest barrier reef in hte world and nis well known for its diving and snorkling. No cars on teh island. They only have golf carts and bikes. Time to hang out in the Carribean.
