Day 7 - Caye Caulker

While we missed the sunrise, the day
welcomed us with a beautiful crescent moon.

Friday morning sunrise devotion was
led by Lily M. and Addie C.

At the Caribbean Sea wall listening
to the sunrise devotion

 Our day today started earlier than usual with a 5:10 AM meeting call for sunrise devotional led by Lily M. and Addie C. The subject was the importance of God’s presence, outlined by the first four words of Genesis: “In the beginning, God.” Following the timeline of Genesis, Lily and Addie spoke about responsibility that we hold to do good because we represent God as we are made in his image. Clouds unfortunately obscured the sunrise, but the devotional was equally meaningful and applicable.

Caye Caulker is about
a 45-minute boat ride
from Belize City.

An aerial view of Caye Caulker with
our snorkeling site in the distance

After another group breakfast in the hotel dining area, the group walked to the dock to catch an 8:00 AM water taxi to Caye Caulker, where we would embark on our snorkeling excursion at 9:30. Due to the still persisting clouds and howling wind, the trip was a bit chilly but the fish, sharks, and stingrays were astounding. We dove in three sites: one very shallow area where we held nurse sharks and rays, one 30 to 50 feet deep coral reef with an array of colorful fish, and one shallow reef where we were free to roam on our own. We returned to town in time to change and have a lunch buffet at one of the local restaurants, before enjoying our afternoon wandering through the shops and smoothie bars of the vibrant island town. Some group members rented bikes and four person bike-like contraptions while others went to the henna tattoo store (don’t worry, it washes off in a week).

(from left): Libby T., Susie F., and
Molly B. getting fitted for snorkeling

Our water taxi from Belize
City to Caye Caulker

We took the water taxi back to Belize City in time for a farewell dinner at the Princess Hotel at 6:30. Everyone enjoyed the meal and regretted the fact that it was our last one together. Half of the group then left to pick up their custom woodcarvings from our friend Oscar, while the other went straight back to the hotel. A short meeting was held when the other group returned, where final soda debts were settled and final plans were made for tomorrow’s departure. Although many tearful goodbyes will be made tomorrow, Belize will always stay in our hearts.

About to depart for the coral reefs just
off the coast of Caye Caulker

Hannah G. (back) and Molly B. getting
situated in the water with their
snorkel gear

Stingrays also were in abundance at
the first destination.  Many of us
were fortunate enough to have the
experience of petting them as they
were floating by.

The nurse sharks swam right up to
our boat once we arrive at our first
destination.

Salvador, our guide, pets one of the
nurse sharks on his belly.  Tate B. and
Miller L. take turns

Our Friday night bloggers (from left):
Chi Chi U., Taylor C., and Hannah G.

Seen at Caye Caulker

(From left): Lily M., Taylor P., Miller L., and Addie C.
enjoy a ride on the 4-person bicycle cart.

(From left): Molly B., Conoly C., Libby T., Aanya A.,
Susie F., and Caroline H tour the island in style!

The main road through Caye Caulker

Taylor P. keeping her mom, Sandi, warm on the boat
during the corral reef excursion