Golfing on Caye Chapel!

Monday, February 24, 2014.

Everyone was up and at-em bright and early and after a breakfast of quiche (which it appears real men do eat!) we hopped aboard Big Blue and rocketed into town to catch the Caye Caulker Water Taxi.  We went from San Pedro to Caye Caulker, then onto Caye Chapel.
The taxi dropped of Nolan, Brandyn and I at the Caye Chapel Marina.  Our contact, Evan Young was there waiting with golf carts for us.  We learned at that time that we were the only golfers booked for today!  So this is what we got for $75 USD; unlimited golf, clubs, balls, carts, and exclusive use of the 18 hole golf course!

Evan gave us a brief history of Caye Chapel.  He said that in 1998 the owner of the island, a coal baron from Kentucky, Larry Addington, began building the resort.  He had owned the island since 1971.  Evan said that he came to the island in 1998 as a construction worker and ended up being kept on as the manager of the place.  He said that Addington had built the resort primarily as a retreat for family and friends.  Between the 10 villas and 16 cassidas there is a total occupancy of only 55 persons!  In 2009 the "resort" officially closed.  Since that time the ownership has changed and the bank currently holds the title and is attempting to sell complete package for $30 million USD.  Evan is still the "caretaker" and has two employees who maintain the basics of the golf course and grounds.  He also said that they have armed security 24/7 to protect their interests!  Evan said that some of the past visitors to the island have been MTV, who rented the entire island for a week and had Beyonce in one of the villas, Bill Gates also rented the entire island for a week.

When we first arrived we did have to sign a waiver releasing Evan and the place from any liabilities including getting bitten or killed by crocodiles!  Fortunately we came back with all of our fingers and toes!  We didn't see any of the crocs.
It was a pretty fantastic day!  Playing golf (not well, but still swinging a club!) on a Caribbean island all to ourselves in February!  Definitely a bucket list item and can be checked off!

 
The girls did not fare as well as we did.  They were pumped about doing some shopping at the cruise ship centre for the endless knock offs.  This did not pan out.  As it turned out the two cruise ships that were scheduled to come in cancelled do to rough seas and were unable to tender.  As a result, most of the shops did not open!  The girls said that Belize City is no San Pedro!  The locals were not as friendly, the place was dirty and stifling and they were happy to get back on the taxi for home.
After we got home we opted to chill out for a bit then head into town for some pizza at Pinocchio's.  Gracyn and I took a swim off the end of the pier to cool done before we head to town for dinner.
That night was another early one for most.  Brandyn staked a claim to a corner of the sofa and checked the inside of his eyelids for quite a while before hitting the sack.  Nolan got a second wind and ended up over at the Pirate's Treasure.  He's not sure when he came in, but Munchkin believes it was after 3am!
Tomorrow is Brandyn, Kirsten, Gracyn and Nolan's last full day on the island.  No plans were made and we will play it by ear and see what the day brings us!