Go slow: You better Belize it!

Walk off the water taxi at the Front Dock of Caye Caulker and there is a motto imprinted into the floor. "Go slow" It lazily states. Well I thought I'd take up the challenge. After a hectic 29 days with the good ship Amber and the Dragoman crew (big up Team Extreme!). It's time to turn down the volume and relax for a while.

This island off the coast of Belize lies close to one of the most vibrant coral reef in the world. It's home to 100's of species of tropical fish, reef sharks, turtles, sting rays, crocodiles and barracuda. Boats ferry eager divers and snorkellers everyday out to play with the abundent sealife.

On my second evening here, a group of local kids excitedly ran passed me going "shark, shark!" I followed them down to the dock where a very proud fisherman had just landed a 3 meter long Hammerhead shark. He explained to a capitavated audience how he had caught the magnificent beast two miles off the reef. After posing for photos the fisherman went to work with his machete. When the belly was cut open the muscles of the fish were still twitching in response.

There are no cars in this small 4 mile island. Eveyone either scoots along on one gear bikes with no brakes, or uses golf buggies to take their shopping home. These are particularly dangerous when trying to walk home from the pub, as they make no noise and can appear from anywhere!

Mostly though people have the time to chat and hang out. The local population take pride in the fact that nothing is rushed. Even the policemen look like genial uncles rather than brute enforcers of the law. Sitting in a hammock could be the national sport of these islands. I bought a beer from the store earlier and a random local guy cheerily came over and opened it for me in the middle of the street before ambling off down the street. Top man!