May 11, 2013
This morning after a yummy breakfast at Wet Willy's we were off on the boats again. We were supposed to go out at 8:00 am, however, the waters were not calm. Does this matter? Well today we are touring the Caye Caulker for the policy portion of our trip. We are waiting for the Fisheries Department to deem the waters safe enough to take out our group. We are going to see how the government of Belize interacts with the local guides and how the implement the laws regarding the reef protection and other reef activities. We are cleared around 10:30 am to head out, we split up into three groups and off we go. We are basically following the local guides that bring out snorkel and dive groups. I know that this must be a difficult job for this island. It is such a small island that everyone knows everyone. The restaurant owner is also the snorkel guide. The Fisheries Department official also works at a bar during the night. If they department is too hard on the local tourism leaders, it would have a negative feedback effect. If they give out too many tickets or fines, it would cost the locals money, which could leave to less boats to keep the tourism afloat. We get back to the island after an hour or so and it's lunch time. We are supposed to tour local restaurants and bars after this to observe if they are obeying the laws regarding lobster and fish. It's not lobster season yet and also many places have served fish that are not legal in length and age. A group of students did that in the morning and said it was, well......an experience. Ali, our guide, informs us that we are no longer going to do that, and walks us out to the industrial area of the island. There are two satellite towers and I notice the very old dishes that are attached. I believe I have figured out why the Internet doesn't work on the island very well. Ali discusses lobster season, I learn that Red Lobster is big buyer of their local lobster during season. We learn how to tell the difference between females and males, the legalities are similar as to the laws in the states with lobster seasons. It's hard to heard the entire discussion, there is a couple of locals using two giant generators to power up their sander. This is the area where the "refinish" the boats. I am alarmed at how they are doing this. They are using a sander to blast off the old paint and the first layer of fiberglass.....no mask. I know that that is bad for their lungs. I am filled with gratitude again. We head back into town and learn that tomorrow we will be having a presentation on the Antillean Manatees. It am interested in comparing notes between Belize and Florida Manatee interests. For now, it is time to go find a better Internet signal to try to blog.
May 12, 2013
Today is pretty much a free day. We have learned that the Manatee presentation had to be moved back until after dinner tonight. It's not suprising to me, like I mentioned before, everyone had multiple jobs to sustain life on the island. We grab a group of girls and head to the beach and layout. We reflect on the experience and talk about what we miss. I just want ice. Ice, cold ice water would be great as well. I am starting to look foreward to going home. Two more days. It is a fellow students birthday and learn that there will be birthday cake at dinner tonght. The Manatee presentation was held in a tiny one room building. It is somewhat a heavy atmoshhere, the founder, Chocolate, had recently passed. The ten minute video explains how it started and where it currently stands. I was happy to hear that there are over 900 Manatees in this area. They love this place becuase of a suspected underwater/sinkhole in the ocean floor belived to house cold, fresh water. Tomorrow is our last day and we have decided to paddle board. Excited.
May 13, 2013
Paddle board day!!!! Last day!!!!! So excited!!!!! We have a date with the paddle board. I am so excited. A couple of hours of this Canadian trying to paddle is awesome. This was such an amazing experience and I met two beatiful souls. I am grateful for everything and ready to go. Bags are packed and we head out first thing in the morning, 6:00 am at the water taxi. Thanks for the momories Belize!
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