I was out of the guesthouse in time to catch the 8 AM water taxi to Caye Caulker. There really is nothing like a boat ride on open waters on a beautiful day. Plus, there was a little dog wearing a Belizean flag like a cape. As a rule, I’m against dogs wearing clothes, but this was pretty cute.

We arrived in less than an hour and I was greeted off the dock by a golf cart taxi driver (there are no cars on this island) who took me straight to Loraine’s Guest House. The place is simple, comfortable, safe and cheap. I have a cabana with private bathroom to myself, and it’s right on the beach. Loraine even does laundry and it’s getting to be about that time.

I walked a bit to find some food, and stumbled into Marin’s restaurant. I ordered pancakes with lobster and eggs. It came with a deliciously tart limeade. I ate on the second floor balcony, from which I could see the entire width of the island. People complain about how much more expensive Belize is than other Central American countries, but lobster & eggs, pancakes, limeade and coffee for $6 seems pretty cheap to me. Maybe I’m just used to the ridiculous prices in NYC.

I walked along the waterfront until I reached the north end of the island. From tip to tip, it can’t be much more than a mile or so. But it is much nicer than the mainland, with plenty of bars, restaurants, and – perhaps the most comforting – other young travelers.

I found an interesting tour which I might end up doing. It’s a three-day sailing, snorkeling, camping and fishing trip which ends in Placencia, a beach town further south in Belize. It’s more expensive per day than I’ve been working with, but given that it would be my food, accomodations, travel and entertainment for three days, it might just be worth it. The only issue is that it doesn’t leave until Tuesday. I’ll decide over the next day or so if I like this island enough to stay until then.

I sat out by the dock soaking in some powerful rays while rocking out to the Traveling Wilburys on my headphones. I also whipped out my sketchpad for the first time on the trip. My drawing skills are rusty at best. But I do enjoy it.

A few other tourists walk by; mostly those staying at the colorful bungalows next door. Who should be among them? How about the nice German couple from the bus(es). Remind me to get their names next time, will ya?

I sat by the beach reading, writing (this entry as well as some unpublished thoughts), and drawing. As simple as it may seem, this is exactly what I was looking for when I decided to do this trip: tranquility, beautiful scenery, and time unmetered.