We were a rag-tag group looking forward to a long weekend getaway.
Not that we were over-worked or tired from the long commute everyday…( a five minute drive to the Ministry of Works)…those things didn’t exist in Belize,we just wanted to change our usual surroundings for a new venue.So,we booked a long weekend at one of the local cayes.
We rolled to a stop in clouds of sand churned up by the props as the three Cessna 172’s came to rest at the end of the tarmac.
Not that we were over-worked or tired from the long commute everyday…( a five minute drive to the Ministry of Works)…those things didn’t exist in Belize,we just wanted to change our usual surroundings for a new venue.So,we booked a long weekend at one of the local cayes.
We rolled to a stop in clouds of sand churned up by the props as the three Cessna 172’s came to rest at the end of the tarmac.
The runway was usable but had no parking apron for unloading passengers and was invariably covered by a layer of wind blown sand.
A Golf cart appeared from the rear of the single storey wooden building followed closely by two large dogs.This was the only building on the Island and consisted of a central circular office/dining room/kitchen with a finger of 10 rooms on each side all facing the sea…very rustic and with basic amenities,a perfect place for our ‘devil may care’ attitude.
We had arrived at our version of ‘Paradise Island’,better known as Caye Chapel.
The ‘hotel’ was located on the seaward side of the Island and the back doors opened onto the beach….15 feet from the warm crystal clear waters of the Caribbean sea.
The food was fresh…(most of it was fished from the sea every morning)….and there was plenty of ‘liquid refreshment’and no dress code to concern ourselves with.
The one Tennis court was usable but the net was broken and the sand was knee deep …it hadn’t been used in many a month…but we still bashed a few balls back and forth between ‘sips’.
Warm sea breezes rustled the coconut palms along the beach well into the evening,a Bob Marley tape playing in the background accompanied by the rumbling sound of the surf breaking over the reef less than a mile away..…the perfect getaway.
Apart from the ‘hotel’ staff,which numbered about 5,our party of 12 were the only people on the island…sleep was not a priority,we crashed when we needed to…usually right on the beach…. and we enjoyed freshly brewed coffee as we greeted the rising sun each morning.
This was the first of three trips to Caye Chapel…the last of which was a going away party for several members of the group who had completed their local contracts and were being posted to other destinations.
Those of us who still remain guard the memories of those precious weekend getaways……because today…. 23 years later… Caye Chapel has changed dramatically………it is still ‘Paradise Island’ but with a difference.
Today,Caye Chapel is a very exclusive 265 acre private Tropical Island Resort offering stunning seaside Villas and Casitas,a spectacular 18-hole, Par 72 championship golf course and a fleet of modern, custom-built dive boats to whisk divers to 35 sites located just 5 to 30 minutes away.
Those with their own planes can fly into the resort's landing strip, or you can come on a charter flight from Belize City.
It is still ‘Paradise Island’ but with a much higher price tag that caters more to the rich and famous.
We had arrived at our version of ‘Paradise Island’,better known as Caye Chapel.
The ‘hotel’ was located on the seaward side of the Island and the back doors opened onto the beach….15 feet from the warm crystal clear waters of the Caribbean sea.
The food was fresh…(most of it was fished from the sea every morning)….and there was plenty of ‘liquid refreshment’and no dress code to concern ourselves with.
The one Tennis court was usable but the net was broken and the sand was knee deep …it hadn’t been used in many a month…but we still bashed a few balls back and forth between ‘sips’.
Warm sea breezes rustled the coconut palms along the beach well into the evening,a Bob Marley tape playing in the background accompanied by the rumbling sound of the surf breaking over the reef less than a mile away..…the perfect getaway.
Apart from the ‘hotel’ staff,which numbered about 5,our party of 12 were the only people on the island…sleep was not a priority,we crashed when we needed to…usually right on the beach…. and we enjoyed freshly brewed coffee as we greeted the rising sun each morning.
This was the first of three trips to Caye Chapel…the last of which was a going away party for several members of the group who had completed their local contracts and were being posted to other destinations.
Those of us who still remain guard the memories of those precious weekend getaways……because today…. 23 years later… Caye Chapel has changed dramatically………it is still ‘Paradise Island’ but with a difference.
Today,Caye Chapel is a very exclusive 265 acre private Tropical Island Resort offering stunning seaside Villas and Casitas,a spectacular 18-hole, Par 72 championship golf course and a fleet of modern, custom-built dive boats to whisk divers to 35 sites located just 5 to 30 minutes away.
Those with their own planes can fly into the resort's landing strip, or you can come on a charter flight from Belize City.
It is still ‘Paradise Island’ but with a much higher price tag that caters more to the rich and famous.
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