Archive for the ‘Caye Caulker’ Category
Raggamuffin the new Basketball Champions!
On February 06, 2012 in Caye Caulker
This weekend on Caye Caulker basketball was in the air. Islander Terry Ganza had long dreamed to sponsor/ organize a basketball tournament for neighboring San Pedro, Belize City and of course Caye Caulker and this weekend was the date and he did an excellent job!!
Two teams came from San Pedro, two teams from Belize City and two representing Caye Caulker. Raggamuffin, not well known for our basketball prowess, did not enter a team but sponsored one of the Belize City teams – who turned out to be the eventual winners!!!
The competition began on the wet and windy Friday evening, continuing on in the bright sunshine of Saturday and the finals played Sunday. The journey to the final was difficult with all teams playing their heart out for the title, the cash prize and the trophies!
The final was played between Caye Caulker’s own Barrier Reef team and Raggamuffin. Many of the islanders got behind both teams as the game was well attended but, after a well fought game, Raggamuffin came on top!! And a special congratulations to Matthew Young (of Raggamuffin) who became the tournament’s MVP!!
Much of the island got involved to make the weekend happen .. including Terry himself of course, but not forgetting the Village Council, the Barrier Reef Sports Bar, Caye Reef, Tropic Air, Lazy Lizard, Rainbow Restaurant and Bar, Marty’s Lumbar Yard, Island Link Internet Cafe and Ice Cream Parlor.
And finally a thanks to my Raggamuffin team … although it was not actually built up of the standard marine going crew, these guys fought hard and played well and therefore deserved their Raggamuffin label!!
Ocean Academy offers Women’s self defense classes!
On January 31, 2012 in Caye Caulker
This weekend was just a taste of what is to come … Ocean Academy, in their constant drive to empower our children of Caye Caulker will be commencing Women’s Self Defense classes this spring.
This weekend, Joe McAllister the Canadian Instructor came down to give a small preview to a select few female teachers and senior students of what they might expect in the Spring. The beach setting was quite the contrast to the serious matter at hand as these ladies learned a select few defensive moves!
Ocean Academy intend to open the class up to all women in the community when the classes get underway in the Spring.
For more photos take a look at Caye Caulker Ocean Academy’s Facebook page!
Superheros Party on Caye Caulker!!
On January 26, 2012 in Caye Caulker
My son ‘Mummy, do you know that Superman and Iron Man are down at the Split??’ … Mummy ‘Son, you have been watching too much television, time for you to go to bed!!’
The past few days, 33 young revelers came from Houston and Calgary to Caye Caulker to celebrate Tammy Weir’s 40th birthday party. David Tong’s brother got married last year over New Years Eve and Tammy was one of the guests … it was during this time that the bright idea was born to host her birthday here on the island.
David, now a firm friend of Raggamuffin, then put together a sweet itinerary for the guests including hiring out the whole of Seaside Cabanas for the guests, island BBQ’s, snorkeling, diving and of course the whole group got together on one of Raggamuffin’s famous sunset cruises!!
However, the highlight of their stay for the islanders was their Superhero Party. All the guest dressed up as their favorite superhero, walking down front street shortly after sunset and turning heads!! For many, we felt blessed to be allowed to somehow participate in their celebrations as their costumes were for everybody, not just the party goers themselves, including children!
Thank you David, Tammy and all of OUR Superheros!!!
The Chinese bring Caye Caulker Good Luck!!
On January 25, 2012 in Caye Caulker
As many of you know, the Chinese New Year was celebrated earlier this week! In Chinese tradition, a few days later they bless their community by taking out the bad luck and bringing the good luck into the business community with their costume dragon.
And therefore today we were treated to a spectacle of a beautiful Chinese custom. As the photos show, the parade went through the streets, beating their drums and waving their leaves with their bright gold dragon. Each individual business was treated to a ‘dance’ with bowing heads and waving hands all with significance, intended to bring prosperity to the community.
They left no business or part of the community untouched without their blessing … even the Caye Caulker Primary School and Ocean Academy were treated to their own personal display!!
Thank you for blessing our Caye Caulker!
Frommers includes Caye Caulker in it’s World’s Top Islands!
On January 18, 2012 in Caye Caulker
The internationally respected travel guide Frommers have listed what they think are the top 10 islands in the world … and of course, our own Caye Caulker made the list! We are amongst the company of some of the most beautiful locations of the world so we are extremely honored – but we feel that we deserve it!!
Congratulations Caye Caulker – and indeed Belize!!!
Caye Caulker’s Palapa Parade cleans up!
On January 17, 2012 in Caye Caulker
For those who do not get the time to have recently visited Caye Caulker, the news that the art and craft stalls on the beach, beside Da Real Macaw, are looking better than ever.
It is the long term goal of the Village Council here in Caye Caulker to renovate and improve this area. To many it has been considered an eye sore as well as the sometimes hustler vibe did not do the location any favors. The Ministry of Tourism originally was to assist the Village Council with some money to help them in their endeavors but this has been put on hold. So for the past few months the Village Council has been seen encouraging those who have pride in their stall to invest into it and knocking down those stalls that remained empty and only gathered loiterers.
Thus as you can see from my pictures, this road – once not a particular scenic area – has now become one of the key attractions on the island. Albert’s Art stall, carrying beautiful paintings from local artists around Belize is a wonderful sight – full of color. Not forgetting the charming Andres Hand-to-mouth food stall, serving quality Belizean food at a local price and of course the hand carvers, the fruit sellers and the list goes on!!
My pictures do not do this area justice … you will just have to come back here soon to see it for yourself!!
We love Caye Caulker!!
On January 12, 2012 in Caye Caulker
We are the luckiest people in the world – to be able to live and work in Paradise!!! The island at the moment is at its most vibrant .. the weather is absolutely beautiful – the sun is shinning, warm with a light breeze and there are enough people that the island feels that it is a buzz with life!!!
Today at Raggamuffin’s office it was business as usual, nobody taking for granted that we are truly blessed to be living this life – happy to be here, happy to be healthy!!! Emilio from Intrepid is in town and working on the boats will be Jacob and Kevin today – lucky passengers!
All the girls in the office – Edith. her sister and Madai, today. Nobody can escape the exhilaration that good weather brings and therefore the girls too have a spring in their step.
We all enjoy what we do and what we put together as a team. We are all hugely proud of what we do and we are aware of the incredible joy that our tours bring to our passengers. Our camaraderie is genuine – we function just like any other family and pull together for each other – what we have is special and Caye Caulker plays a huge part of that!! Give thanks to Caye Caulker and all its beauty!!!
Caye Caulker mourns the loss of Miss Petty
On January 05, 2012 in Caye Caulker
Petrona Joseph or Miss Petty as she was fondly known, passed away in the early hours of yesterday morning. She was an integral member of our community touching every bodies lives either through her children (5 girls and 6 boys) or grandchildren (over 37) or her work within the church – her love and humility the reason for the immense respect this lady had amongst her piers.
Miss Petty moved here to Caye Caulker with her husband and most of her children back over thirty five years ago. She became very much the matriarch of the Garifuna community and a personal friend to all that her life touched not forgetting her enormous role in Nuestra Senora de La Ascuncion here on the island.
For those abroad who may not have had the pleasure of knowing this wonderful lady you have most probably had the pleasure of meeting one of her off-spring … our own Ellis Nicholas is proud to be her grand-son, Miss Rose (the best rice and beans and potato salad on the island!!), many persons have been driven around by either Jason Joseph in Belize City (son) or Adrian Joseph (grandson). Not forgetting the lovey Dawn Joseph (her youngest daughter) who serves drinks at the Sports Bar, Captain Charlie Joseph, Jun Jun from the Sandbox and the wonderful Michael Joseph from Oasi.
Rest in Peace Miss Petty, you are now an angel watching down and protecting Caye Caulker!!
Sunshine, turkey and beer!
On December 26, 2011 in Caye Caulker
There were not too many of us for Christmas Day as many were on the high seas at Rendezvous or Tobacco Cayes. For those who were here in Caye Caulker, we closed the office and celebrated our Xmas together.
The bosses showed off their culinary skills by serving up the most delicious turkey dinner washed down with plenty of beer! The party started at midday and finished well after the sun went down and needless to say, we had fun!! Next year, you are all invited!!
Caye Caulkers Xmas Parade
On December 19, 2011 in Caye Caulker
It was short, sweet, brightly lit and noisy – the islands Xmas Parade. Santa turned up to welcome in Xmas on the island along with a number of brightly lit golf carts and trailers!!
Little Starts Pre School and CCRCS Infant II J class were the winners of the competition – the kids on the Infant II J golf cart sang their Xmas songs at the top of their lungs!!
Locals lined the street as the parade signifies the beginning of the festive season … children dancing and music blaring – Happy Xmas Everyone!!
