Bill Holmes - Activities - Hiking and Biking - Central America - Belize - Caye Caulker

Arrival

Rental

Day after arrival

Snorkeling

West side taxi pier panorama looking north


Tug for sale


Mel's shells (east side looking north)


Basketball across the street from Juni's 100 year old house


Kim, the manager of Caye Caulker Rantals on behalf of rental owners, recommended snorkeling with Juni. He warned that Juni was selective about his customers. They must have the proper spirit. If Juni rejected us, we were to retun to Kim for another recommenation. At the designated time of between 6:00 and 8:00 PM, we arrived at Juni's 100-year-old house in which three generations had lived. Juni accepted us, and said to be at his house at 9:45 AM the next morning, because his boat leaves at 10:00 AM sharp. This is the ninth boat he has built without power tools. He may build one more. He is 72 years of age.


Leaving Caye Caulker bound for north reef






Bill examining homemade rig. The leading edge of the main it attached to a bambool pole. One end of the pole is pulled to the top of the mast through a hole in the mast. That expands the main, and secures it to the mast. When a hurricane knocked down all the power poles, Juni asked for and got two to use as masts. He has one left. A cross arm was used on the bow. All the other wood had to be acquired from the mainland.


Bill being useful holding bamboo boom. Juni cut wedges from its end to fit it in a U-shaped structure, which pressed against the mast.


Juni sailing


Juni is not a Cristian. He says his cross represents his trinity of him, his boat and the ocean. He named all his boats "Trinity" until this one, because the government told him someone else had registered a boat of that name. No variations like "My Trinty" were allowed, so he put another name on the outside and "Trinity" on the inside.


Mel riding


Juni rigging jib, which had a bamboo boom secured to the bow.


Soon after our arrival to the sea turtle area, a government tax man arrived on a boat. He required Juni to pay $10 for each of his two passengers.


San Pedro in distance


We did not chase the fish. Many swam with us.
 

With the exception of purple fan coral, the coral was generally a bland brown, but with attractive patterns. The area abounded with fish. The disco fish were dazzling.

Mel and Bill on return trip


Juni steering under power after securing sail


The split where fishermen asked British colonial government to cut a slow just wide enough for small fishing vessels to traverse to avoid the long way around the island.


Backside of southern quarter of island


Boats at split


Hot spot for young set


Mel in sunset on east side of island


North walk

Kayaking

South walk

Last days