Caye Caulker and The Blue Hole

Me at the Blue Hole
Originally uploaded by louise_parmenter

Next stop – the super touristy island of Caye Caulker. Needless to say that I was not in my element, surrounded by the typical beach tourists, but I made the most of being stuck on this paradise island during a wind storm and over Easter. I dove the Blue Hole, albeit under the worst conditions imaginable: a three hour boat trip with 5m waves, with most of the passengers vomiting and soaking wet. The visibility was poor, as you might imagine, and the overall experience was disappointing, however it was saved by a pretty lengthy dive with 5 nurse sharks (2-5m) and about seven giant groupers (1m). The Blue Hole itself is best observed from the surface; a 300m-diametre circular reef with a hole in the centre that goes to depths of 120m. The dark reef makes the surrounding turquoise water appear even brighter. On the dive you follow the reef wall down to 40m where there is an undercut with large stalactites hanging down like columns, giving the overall impression of swimming through an arcade or colonnade.

I spent the rest of the trip snorkeling (with southern rays, turtles, etc.), manatee (sea cow) watching, reading, sunbathing on the hostel dock and just taking it easy. What else could a non-beach bum do?

Here are the photos, including the handful of disposable underwater camera photos that came out.

DISTANCE TRAVELLED (OVERLAND) SINCE USHUAIA: 33,800 KM