Archive for the ‘News’ Category
Belize named in best Caribbean beach destination – again!!!
On May 17, 2012 in News
We are so very proud of ourselves as once again, Belize is named 2nd best Caribbean beach destination by the readers of Caribbean Travel and Leisure.
Although many may point out that our beaches are not perhaps in reality our strength – as our amazing reef with snorkeling and scuba opportunities definitely is – but it is our ‘beach life’, particularly in Caye Caulker, that earns us this title!!
Thank you Caribbean Travel and Leisure – next year your readers will vote us into the No 1 spot!!!
Click here to read the article.
Happy Birthday Captain Kevin!
On May 15, 2012 in News
Shamefully we have to actually write, Happy belated Birthday Captain Kevin as this slipped by yesterday without many of us realizing our error!! Kevin came back yesterday from an overnight and said little about his plans for the rest of the day and we all presumed that he would be sleeping after he commanded Ragga Queen back from Placencia!! Luckily we made up for it last night at the I&I and the Oceanside!!
Kevin is always going to be one of the most popular members of the Ragga crew both in the office and on the boats with crew and passengers alike and if you knew him, you would really understand why!! Kevin came to Raggamuffin about 6 years ago without direction or expectation – and yet since his arrival, this budding artist, photographer and obviously Captain and Tour Guide has flourished on this island!
For all of those who do not have the privilege to really know this man, it is really difficult to define what makes Kevin so very special. As a friend and colleague he is un-deniably loyal and his deep, humble sincerity, generosity and selflessness for all that surrounds him makes him so very unique. Kevin is truly an inspiration to many of those that are following in his footsteps like both Shane’s, Chris and Dylan making them realize that they too with hard work can reach as far as Kevin.
Happy belated Birthday Kevin and we truly proud to have him as part of our Raggamuffin Family!
‘Women of Caye Caulker’ Documentary due to start filming!
On May 14, 2012 in News
Wendy Auxillou, one of the four dynamic Auxillou sisters to have been born and raised in Caye Caulker – is returning in July to create a documentary to highlight these amazing women’s stories as they have been instrumental in shaping the Caye Caulker we have today!
The documentary will definitely be fascinating to all of those of us that have even a half interest in this tiny island as these ladies struggles need to be told to preserve our history. The director is asking for funding for the project and indeed at Raggamuffin have made our pledge, however more money needs to be raised for the film to get underway.
For those who want to make a donation, click here.
According to the funds site ……
INTRODUCTION:
The women of Caye Caulker who were instrumental in shaping the history of this tiny Belizean island of my childhood, when the population totaled less than 400 inhabitants about 40 years ago are now dying off, and their stories have never been told. These heroic women endured hardships and innumerable challenges in this harsh frontier environment, and persevered. My own mother is now 80 years old, yet her own story of being the most educated woman on this tiny island village where there was no electricity until the 1990′s has never been told. She persevered, despite the deep-rooted poverty and lack of educational opportunities, and went on to become the first local principal of the elementary school. This is her story, and the story of all the other Hicaquena women whose sacrifices have never been recorded … until now.
WHO ARE WE DOCUMENTING?
We will be documenting the lives of 20 women of Caye Caulker Village in Belize, from their earliest history on the island until now. Many of the women are now in their 80′s. Their stories are dying off along with them, and a rich history of struggle, entrepreneurship and endurance in the face of adversity is being lost along with them. This must be preserved.
HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO THIS?
We will be producing a 1.5 to 2.0 hour documentary on the lives of these women from childhood until now — how life has evolved over the passage of time for them, what they think of development on their once laid-back island village, the cultural traditions that have been lost in the process, and what they think of all the changes they have seen in their lifetimes.
This will be a made-for-local-television documentary, plus a 1000 “print” run on DVD and flash drive, for those would like personal copies. It will also be distributed to local schools as an educational tool, and to the national archives of Belize as a historical archive.
WHEN IS THIS GOING TO BE DONE?
I will be heading to Belize in the next few weeks to begin filming of the documentary. The final product should be ready by the end of September 2012.
Again, if anybody sees the value in this documentary, please pledge your donation by clicking here.
Happy Birthday Dylan!
On May 12, 2012 in News, Ragga Crew
Dylan’s sea roots are firmly in his family tree with all that he knows being born and raised in Caye Caulker and working the with the sea. His sea experience is therefore without question and that, twinned with his humble and sincere character means that we are working hard together to mould this young man into a Tour Guide and Captain!
But before that, today he will celebrate another milestone, his 23rd birthday and for that we want to wish him Happy Birthday!
Hon Lisel Alamilla wins Whitley Award!
On May 11, 2012 in News
Belize glows with pride again as yet another of our Belize eco-warriors earns International recognition by winning a major conservation award in England from Princess Anne. Hon Lisel Alamilla, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development was this years prize winner of thirty thousand pounds, donated by the William Blake Charitable Trust.
Alamilla has been selected for the prestigious Whitley Award for inspirational conservation leadership for her work to protect the Maya Golden Landscape when she was Executive Director of the Ya’axché Conservation Trust – a post which she left after the election in February to become a Senator-Minister.
Although Alamilla has been noted in the past for her more terrestrial work, she is very much linked with last year’s winner of the same award, Dr Rachel Graham, who is Belize’s resident Shark and all round Marine biologist who will not allow her to take her eye off our precious reef in her current position.
Congratulations Lisel – it has been too long since you visited Caye Caulker, come back soon!
Happy Mother’s Day!!
On May 10, 2012 in News
Whether you are a mother or you have a mother, Mother’s Day is a day to be recognized and celebrate the beauty of mothers and motherhood. Mothers Day is celebrated on a variety of different dates around the world – today is 10th May and in Central America, this is the official day of celebration (although many will celebrate on Sunday too)!!
Although for many reading this today may not be their countries actual Mothers Day, the sentiments remain the same whatever day of the year and therefore we give thanks to all mothers and indeed grandmothers around the world!
No Love like a Mother’s Love
There is no love, like a mother’s love,
no stronger bond on earth…
like the precious bond that comes from God,
to a mother, when she gives birth.
A mother’s love is forever strong,
never changing for all time…
and when her children need her most,
a mother’s love will shine.
God bless these special mothers,
God bless them every one…
for all the tears and heartache,
and for the special work they’ve done.
When her days on earth are over,
a mother’s love lives on…
through many generations,
with God’s blessings on each one.
Be thankful for our mothers,
for they love with a higher love…
from the power God has given,
and the strength from up above.
by Jill Lemming
To all our Raggamuffin Mothers as well as all those mothers of Raggamuffins – we shout out loud and proud – Happy Mothers Day from Caye Caulker!!!
An Islanders tips to best ‘Beat the Heat’!!
On May 09, 2012 in News
The time is fast approaching for the season where locals and tourists alike need to ‘Beat the Heat’! From mid May the wind drops and the water turns glassy. The off-shoot of this is that our tropical island looks even more beautiful than ever as the bright sunshine brings blues in the ocean to a dreamy effect and the water is warm and inviting. However, those wishing to navigate even the smallest of activities on the island will find themselves dripping in sweat and exhausted at the same time.
So here is our top tips for everybody to enjoy the gorgeous weather!
1) It may seem obvious but any activity undertaken on the water has to be the No 1 choice!! Scuba diving and snorkeling activities are everybodies top choice to cool down their personal thermostat and at Raggamuffin, we agree!!
2) And this is a favorite too – sitting in the water at the Split with your choice beverage in your hand. From soda to the crazy green Lazy Lizard Juice the cooling water around the Split, along with the funky music, is definitely an excellent way to beat the heat! Please note that do no carefully monitor their intake ie too many Lizard Juices, may feel the effects of another kind the following day!!
3) For those that want to see around the island or even for those who have errands to run, the only way to get around the island would be by bike or golf cart. We do not recommend stealing anybodies vehicles but rental prices are extremely reasonable for both. With the wind blowing in your hair and the streets being as smooth as they have been recently you will most definitely forget anything about the heat!!
4) For those needing a little more ‘extreme’ in their life there is always the option of renting a ‘jet-ski’! For those who are on a budget the ski’s are rented by the hour and believe me, even 10 minutes on a jet ski is enough breeze for the entire hour!!! This means that it is possible to rent the ski as a group and divide the cost and the time evenly – thus allowing for everybody to enjoy this exhilarating way to travel on the water!
5) And for those who feel that they want to push their tired and sunburnt body just a little bit more, there is always paddle boarding. The flat calm days are best for this sport as it therefore requires much less effort!! The slower pace of the boards will allow those on board to catch much more of nature than those who rented the jet-ski!! – Plus is is totally environmentally friendly!!
6) Ice cold coconut water .. there is something so very cooling about coconut water and we here have fresh coconut water in abundance here on the island – just ask the ‘Coconut Man’!!
And there you have it … 6 very good reason to come down to Caye Caulker and enjoy this absolutely gorgeous weather!!
Massive – the coconut diving dog!
On May 07, 2012 in News
For anybody that has spent anytime down the famous Split, they are likely to have bumped into it’s infamous canine customer, Massive!!
Massive can be found most days at the Split, many occasions he brings his friends but he will guaranteed to be there, with or without company. This special character is famous for his desire to swim in the water at the split – whether it is hot or even on the coldest day of the year, Massive still loves to jump into even the fastest moving areas of the split.
His favorite game is to play ‘fetch’ with coconut husks. On many instances he will drop a coconut husk right next to you and then point himself towards the water. For those that are unfamiliar of this routine, soon they will get the message and the repetitive game of to and fro becomes a small ‘spectacle’ for any onlooker.
And yes, Massive does have a very loving home and owner – Tom Brown – but from an early age, Tom realized that this extremely charismatic dog required a little more than the family home – the Split – and therefore Massive leaves the house early every day, only to return home for dinner at sunset – It only happens on Caye Caulker!!!!
Happy Birthday Edith!
On May 05, 2012 in News
There is one member of our huge Raggamuffin family that we all rely on, we all look up to and although she is just turning 26 years old today, she is a mother like figure to many – even Jimmy and Charlie!!!
This has been Edith’s year as she has managed to put in place the foundation for her future. Back at the end of 2011 we all made our way to Orange Walk to witness her wedding with Ali Cansino and earlier in that same year and up to this day she has been building her and her families house (very much with the assistance of both Ali and her parents help) – not to forget she is now the proud owner of a fantastic new golf cart!!!
Everything Edith has created for herself and her family she deserves as it is all built on hard work and love! Raggamuffin is a true testament to that as Edith is firmly in control as the Manager and as she flourishes, so do we! – Thank you Edith!
Today we want to make a huge shout out to one of the favorite members of the Raggamuffin crew, Edith – Happy Birthday and wishing you many more!!
Ish’s shark attack takes half his Grouper!!!!
On May 04, 2012 in News
With perfect fishing conditions, our wonderful Ish went out fishing with his long time friend Esley Usher (Eslito) yesterday. Both men are highly experienced fisherman and therefore the ‘outside of the reef or the deep sea’ on a windless day was beckoning these two sea lovers with their 400ft of lines!!
Early on in the day Ish’s Rock fish or Black Grouper as it is called caught the line and for almost 2 hours Ish spent trying to haul this 50lb fish on to the boat. At what seemed like almost the end of the fight both fisherman saw the 12ft long Bull Shark that was lurking around the boat. Quicker than they imagined the shark attacked the Grouper and in one bite, cut the fish in half!!!
The photo above of Ish and his half eaten Grouper tells the story – poor Ish, he had a lot less to eat that night than he originally expected!!!
