Marioli - Originally from Cuba but now of Caye Caulker

Tina Auxillou - Belizean Beauty all around

The boat was full to capacity, something that also surprised me, as having been in the tourist business for ten years, I KNOW that October is the deadest month of the year. But NO, the boat out to Caye CAulker was full to capacity. There appeared to be no dead season here. We headed out and with excitement and happiness in my heart I took in the sights and the sounds of the ride.

On the way home, Long Caye Lodge

On the one hour ride to Caye Caulker, we went by St. George's Caye. We took the East side of Long Caye (usually the boats travel the west side). We passed the lodge on Long Caye (still looking good) and I took some photographs. As we neared what I knew to be Caye Chapel, I stared in amazement at the transformation this place had taken in the past year.

On the way home, Caye Chapel Mansion

Caye Chapel is the last island we pass before we get to Caye Caulker on the boat ride. It is almost all privately owned by Larry Addington, a USA billionnaire. When I left, the main building on Caye Chapel was a decaying "hotel" that looked more like an old folks home. At that time, there were also working on landscaping the island and literally pouring tens of millions of dollars into the place. Well, upon arrival at Caye Chapel, I was shocked and delighted to see the place transformed into a little St. Barts of sorts, or maybe even a Fisher Island community.

More Caye Chapel Mansions

Honey child, the grounds are immaculately manicured with painstaking indulgence. There is a multi-million dollar marina, together with huge million dollar yachts docked there. The golf course looks divine. But the most awesome sight to me were the completed tens-of-million dollar homes out on the beachfront. Caye Chapel has literally been transformed into a destination for the Donald Trumps of the world. (I took photographs of the houses that were completed.)

Close up view of mansions

Huge mansions (and several of them, by the way) have sprung up on the beach side of this island in the past year, leaving me no choice but to think that local Belizeans have lost this island. It is so plush and upscale, so beautiful, that one has to KNOW that Belizeans will not be allowed to eat, drink and mingle with the guests that stop here. This is definitely a stop for the likes of movie stars and the like. Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful. Literally hundreds of millions of dollars has been invested into Caye Chapel, albeit in the past year alone.

Old Caye Chapel Hotel

Amazing. Simply amazing. Standing here, I cannot believe I am in Belize. This multi-million dollar community in the heart of Belize just literally shocks the socks of me. I just cannot believe it. This is a destination you read about in exotic magazines. I just cannot believe that such a place exists in Belize.

As an aside, Larry Addington is the billionnaire that owns Caye Chapel. Rumor has it he is also the individual that bought over the old Ramana in Belize City and that is now being renovated and converted into a casino. I have this feeling that Larry Addington is becoming to Belize what Ashcroft has been for a while. The name Addington has now become common around Belize, as common as the Ashcroft name was at one time. Hmmmm

Next stop, Caye Caulker. As the boat pulls into the main pier, I am anxious to see the changes that have taken place on my island while I have been gone. And I am anxious to see everyone that I had not seen in so long. We pull into the pier. My Caye Caulker toes touch the Caye Caulker bridge. Ahhhhhhhhhhh. Peace. I have longed for the past six months to be here. And here I was. My dream now a reality!

Wendy de la Fuente Phone: +501-226-0011 Fax: +501-226-0311 Email belizeanthings@yahoo.com