Foto: Caye Caulker (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Belize - I wake up to the sound of construction workers at the hotel. I check my clock and see it's already eight o'clock. I take a shower. Just as I’ve given up hope for hot water and start washing my hair under the cold stream, the water suddenly turns warm. In the Main Street, I order some breakfast and a fresh orange juice. From the veranda, I watch daily life pass by on Caye Caulker. The island isn’t very large. The southern part is mostly private homes, while the northern part is the tourist area. I walk to the end of Main Street to the Split. During a hurricane in 1961, the island was split in two here. Now, this location near The Lighthouse café is the top daytime spot for swimming. I jump off the pier into the clear water. The water is wonderfully warm. However, there’s a strong current, especially at the Split. It’s almost impossible to swim against it, so I stay behind the pier where it’s safer. On the rocky beach, I dry off with a drink in hand. The sun is strong, and I need to be careful not to burn. I estimate about fifty tourists are enjoying the sun and sea on this stretch of Caye Caulker. If this is the main tourist hub, there can’t be more than a hundred to a hundred and fifty tourists on the whole island. Locals do their best to benefit from tourism with restaurants, tours, and souvenir shops. I move to a small bar with tables under palm trees. A lovely breeze completes the experience. It’s a perfect day to take things slow. The island's motto, “Go Slow,” makes perfect sense to me.
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