Caye Caulker

The reunion organizers planned a trip to Caye Caulker before they knew that the annual Caye Caulker Lobster Fest was scheduled for the same day! The original plan was the we would all make our way to the caye by water taxis. Judith Bodden, née Usher, decided that it would be more fun to go together on a chartered boat. She took the risk of chartering a boat, hoping that enough of us would sign up to cover the cost. Not only did she fill the boat, so many wanted to go that she arranged for a second boat to take those who didn’t fit on the first one!

Most of us wore the reunion T-shirts that we had received at the dinner dance as gifts from the California Reunion Committee. Louis Robateau outdid us all–not only did he wear his reunion T-shirt, but he fashioned a bandana from his reunion napkin!

When we arrived at the caye, we splintered into smaller groups. Some went off to swim, some strolled or rented golf carts to explore the length of the island. Two of the small groups found neighboring unoccupied palapas and staked out their places in the shade. The two palapas had decidedly different characters–one filled with partying, laughter, and revelry; the other, with quieter conversation. Throughout the day, the members of the different small group ran into each other and stopped to mingle.

Delicious smells filled the air from the many stalls set up to sell lobster. Most of us enjoyed a wonderful lunch of stewed lobster, roast lobster tails, or lobster in some other form.

For most of the day, the caye was hot and sunny. An exciting squall mid-afternoon sent us all scurrying for cover. It was brief and freshened the air for the remainder of the sunny afternoon.

When it was time to leave, we piled into our two chartered boats. As the boats left the caye, we passed a pier where a huge mob anxiously awaited the next water taxi. Thanks to Judith we weren’t among them, hoping we’d be able to get home that night!