In Belize, by the Carib Sea... we thought:
let´s go to Caye Caulker and enjoy some sun! 
Maybe snorkelling too! But we sneezed instead 
and stayed in bed, 
feeling half thankful we didn´t have ´flu!
Then, thankfully, after three days of wind and rain the sun finally appeared. We had payed for a week self catering and now we had four days underwater to play for.
Finally the sun came out!
Sniffles aside, our first trip out was a half day snorkelling on the reef half a mile out from the Caye. The wind was still up, sending waves crashing onto the coral. Behind its protecting barrier, aquamarine waves were reduced to a swell, but the current was still quite strong. One by one our group tipped out of the boat with masks, snorkels and fins at the ready to follow our guide.
It´s a curious thing having a guided tour in the water. Swimming against the current to keep up with the leader, avoiding fins in front and to the side of you, trying at all costs not to touch the coral, raising your head to listen to what is being said to you, all the while distracted by what´s beneath you... Fish, hundreds of fish, in all sizes, shapes and colours.
They say in Belize "Only take pictures, only leave footprints". I guess in the water that should be modified to "only take pictures" because the slightest human touch can kill coral. With my camera in my trusty aquapac (a fancy waterproof plastic bag) I set off in pursuit of my prey. Since Bahia Drake I had refined my technique, choosing underwater mode, swimming with my finger clamped to the button (you try finding the right button through a plastic bag!) and taking as many pictures as possible. I knew that some would have to come out all right!
Some of my efforts...
In Stingray alley we met, yes, stingrays! Nurse sharks put in an appearance too, along with Jacks, Groupers, and more species than I can name. Our second snorkelling trip took us out with Carlos Tours to Hol Chan marine reserve near Ambergris Caye. Here we saw even more variety including Green Turtles.
My photo...
The same turtle snapped by Carlos with proper underwater casing!
Daniel finished off our time at Caye Caulker with a dive on Hol Chan Reserve. Still full of cold, I sat this one out. (Daniel Edit:- which included swimming through coral canyons and caves, and petting nurse sharks!). Here are some more of the things we saw - photos tell more than words especially when taken by a professional! The turtle above and photos below courtesy of Carlos Tours. Enjoy.
Feeding time...
A Green Moray, amazing to watch it swim!
A Baracuda keeping a beady eye and tooth on us!
We´re not for dinner!
