I have been a reader of this board for quite some time and have found it interesting and a good source of info to travellers. I do agree it is important to post items, even though they may seem negative to some but also a caution to others, and hence my post about my experience on CC: a warning to the innocent,kind and good hearted traveller. I was on the island end November last year for a couple of weeks and it was my first overseas trip and first time travelling on my own. I did a snorkel trip with a shop up near the split opposite a dive shop. Anyway, my guide was Harry and he seemed at the time one of the best person I had ever met - friendly, caring, fun and made one feel so wonderful. We ended hanging out together most of my time on the island - breakfast, lunch, dinner, nights out, drinks, he practically moved into my hotel room. I thought I had found Mr Right and as they say love is blind, I never thought twice about paying for everything as he told me he had trouble making ends meet to support his kids and it was slow season or he hadn't been paid. We had many a long talks, which included his dreams of his own house and how he has saved nearly enough money and just needed a little more to move in with his kids by Christmas. He ask if I could lend him some, with his promise of paying me back as busy season was coming. At the time I thought life couldn't get better, with promises of waiting for me when I return and our relationship was so special ....I guess I was sure caught hook, line and sinker and gave him some money but explained it meant my finances were now very low as I had also extended my stay on the island.Things then started to change when I decided to let him pay for a meal or a drink..in which he never did as he seem to have an excuse of not being paid or a promise to pay me back later. Also started making himself scarce, saying he had things to do and on the day I was leaving we had breakfast together and then couldn't find him anywhere when it was time for me to go. I asked around hoping to find him before I left CC and was told he gone to the city as he didn't have a trip.I realised then what I had started to suspect, that I had been scammed and cheated big time and how everything he said was such a lie and I was just a provider of food, sex and a good life. I was upset and angry but felt more foolish, embarrassed and stupid than anything else. A few days after I had left the island I met up with some travellers who were regular visitors to the island and I told them what happened. They didn't seem at all surprise as Harry had tried it on them once before and had asked them to 'invest' in a boat for him and that he will repay them back. They also told me they had seen him on the island in the last days of their stay and he was all over another tourist girl (and so his good life starts again). They said he had been doing the same routine with innocent tourist for years... Well call me stupid, foolish, an idiot and I agree, and I have learnt a huge lesson in life and a much wiser person, which cost me some dollars as well, but if this post saves some innocent naive good hearted tourist from being scammed and used by Harry then it was worth it. I know I probably wasn't the first to be scammed and unfortunately won't be the last, but just beware, he can put on a real good act and make it all sound so sincere and genuine and he probably isn't the only one out there who does this. Call it survival or whatever you like, but for me it just showed what lengths a person would go to for their own selfishness and greed, so sad. And is just another example in regards to Lawydy comments......when you have something to give, then they want to know you, once you have no more to give, then you are nothing. Lastly, I must say Harry is an excellent tour guide and he does his job well, but it is such a shame he uses it to find his next innocent victim. I don't know if Harry is still working for the same shop or another but this post is in no way reflective of the shop I did my trip through which provided professional,friendly and helpful service.
I hope this isn't deleted from the message board as I didn't put it as a negative comment and it is directed only at one person, plus I gave a lot of thought whether to post it or not; it is just a warning for the innocent and good hearted travellers in the world. Scammers and cheaters are all over the world but here is one to watch out for.

Hi, Hope you are doing well, This is from your neighbor. I was raised in Hawaii on an outer island spent 27 yrs of my life their I was as local as a white girl could ever be. Mt friends were all natives and we spent most of our time at the beach. My young men friends were constantly hussling the tourist girls, it was their job. Its pretty much the same here with some exceptions, This is only my opinion. Most of the Harrys here and most of every native here are to our standards poor. Their parents and grandparents did not have the tourist to suppliment their income. We come here go out to eat everynight wave our money around talk about what we have and where weve been and leave to go back to our mansions and expensive cars and all our things. This however may not be the case alot of us dont have at all what we are typecast to have. I know this was your first time here and I dont know how much you have traveled to places were alot of people are dependent on tourist, where a slow season can mean you literally dont have food. But its always tourist beware. I know you are a genuine person and the emotional rape was probably worse that loosing the money and SHAME ON HARRY. Their are probably 20+ Harrys on the street here and not all of them are bad people perhaps they dont respect us because they think we have life to easy, we have to much. I would suggest a warning to everyone, especially young women to be very wary of the to good to be true person you met here that wants to be your best friend because its just a job they do. Its not just here in Belize, its the beach boys of Hawaii, any city or town or village that is poor thet depends on tourist dollars. I am so sorry for what happened to you. I know you cared alot. Its a shame that the wonderful time you had here and all the new friends you made had to be ruined by one persons actions. I am not at all saying what these guys do is right and not all locals here are like that, but it happens alot you are not alone. Thanks again for the pot of Chili you brought us, God bless you.

It made me really sad to read your post. I guess some people feel it's OK to use a kind, giving person..their feelings, their money, their bodies, and their trust, and have no thought about how the consequences of their actions affect the other person. I just dont get it.
I hope that you are healing from this and the next person you meet will treat you with the respect and kindness you deserve.

Does 'Harry' go by the name of 'El Rey' and spend time on Ambergris Caye?

Indeed, this same thing happens every day on every tropical island in the land.

I am sincerely glad that you posted this and I am impressed how genuine you were in your trust of him prior to his disappearance. It reflects well on you coming to a strange place with such an open mind.

Aside from posting a list of good guys and bad guys on Caye Caulker, the best way to check on someone is to ask. If the certain someone has been on the island for a while, everyone knows if he is a gamer or not.

Unfortunately, there are VERY FEW genuinely single and employed men on the island with the time to fall in love with you. When REAL MEN fall on hard times, they work harder, taking on new and different jobs.

Here's a story, A poor boy comes to the island and starts to work for his living, Then he meets a white girl and falls in love with her, the problem is she's a tourist. She promises him she'll be back but she never returns, His heart is broken, It happens again. He becomes harder, smarter. If a she can come and steal a heart so can he. Tourists do things on holidays, they'd never do at home. Including sleeping with strangers before they know him.
Before his heart gets broken again, he developes the hustle, do unto others before they do unto you and get dinner and beers bought for you. Unfortunate but true. The facts are that most of the men on these tropical islands have wives, children, sweethearts and one night stands. If only the tourist girl would stay away from the local guys, many wives and girlfriends wouldn't have venereal diseases, and liars for partners. There is no way a man has enough strength not to take what is offered so freely from the girls who come for it.
Maybe you will warn others I hope you do. Just remember, AIDS and Herpes exist on this island, Hope you used condomes and next time ask around before you get serious with a local. Oh yeah, don't ask his friends because they'll lie for him.
Just the facts ma'am, just the facts.

Hey Allie, What you say is very true, everyone agrees tourist beware, tourist behave, and one big thing to have respect for being a visitor in someone elses home, but no need to get mad at this woman as it did not happen the way you depict. I am sure many times the way it is is the way you said. What you said was good to hear so others can keep it in mind. I lived next door to this woman for almost 2 months and slamming her at the end of your reply was wrong. I know Harry to, I like him what was said about him dosnt change that. I love going snorkling with him theirs just no way I would find myself in a position with him to be taken in or better to say blindly in love. So I have no problem with him. The woman in question was not the type you wrote about. Yes she should have known better.

You are a fool. You are giving license to the gaggle of losers who prey on tourists. There is absolutley NO excuse or reason for ANYONE to do this for ANY reason no matter where. Is it ok for ANYONE no matter where to screw their business partner, wife, friend, etc... because it is an island in the Caribbean, Central American country, member of CARICOM, island in he Indian Ocean, town in North America, ...

y'all are waaaaayyyyyyyyy off and cannot possibly justify this behavior.


I suspect you have an interest on Caye Caulker touirism wise but you know what, that doesn't cut it. Just as I followed orders at Nuremburg didn't either.

Zeig Heil...

I am not defending Harry, It would be great if we had a welcome wagon to greet everyone when they got here with a list of names of people to beware of. We should probably tell EACH person not to drink water from the tap and dont swim after dark on the backside. Baby oil helps with the thimble jelly fish etc etc. I had a great trash guy for a few months then he stole from me. My neighbor had a great yard guy then he took a machette to a young man. Harry has a reputation not a very good one. I have seen alot of locals do real great things and not real great things. The woman in question was to me a real great gal she didnt deserve what she got, but people have to wise up and not get themselves into these positions. It dosnt mean you cant help out, its great when people give to this community, the school really needs computers, With all the great people on this island its sad these things happen, tourism has been the root of spoiling alot of culture in small places, we have had several incidents here the last few weeks. Its hard to move in on another culture, it usually means the loss of the culture. It just isnt cut and dry, it just isnt always that the person who got ripped off is 100% in the right, and the other guy is always 100% wrong, it should be that way, Harry was wrong all these guys are wrong but if the person on the other end was a little wiser The Harrys may be forced to get their income in a little more legitimate way. I suppose the native Americans were wrong when they fought to save their country, oh lets see rape, theft,killing etc etc, Its a topic with too many sides to the story.

Scammers, cons, users...people who prey on other's kindness and generosity, they are all over the globe. If it barks like a dog it is a dog, no matter where in the world it is!
Geography and economic status should not be an excuse for anyone to do this to someone else.

You don't have to be a tourist woman to go after someone else's man and have no morals and you don't have to be an "island boy" to be a user and loser. Neither behavior should be condoned or excused.

People get their heart broken all the time, does that mean they can now hurt the next person they chose to be involved with because someone else broke their heart?

Jools you were a victim because you believed in someone. A lesson learned, for sure, and a heads up for other people too.

[This message has been edited by sea4me (edited 07-05-2006).]

Do not get involved with Harry, the less you have to do with him the safer you are, better still have nothing to do with him. This 41 year old will cheat, steal from you,is totally dishonest and he lies, lies is all he knows and everything he does is for his own selfish greed and gambling. Harry has a huge problem and the image he portrays as the happy fun loving guy, is definitely not what you get.To the girls out there, don't fall for his nice kind loving words and his sweet ways, he doesn't care, nor has he any feelings or respect for you, he is only after free food, drink, money, sex and anything else he can get from you. It is not only tourist he scams but locals too, many people here have given him enough chances but he just abuses it all. Those girls out there who have slept with him, I hope you have had yourself tested for HIV, Hepatitis B & C and all the STDs(probably the only thing you will get from him). So many people have been good to him and all he does is abuses their trust and takes advantage of them and when something better comes along he moves on. What he does is very very wrong,but he doesn't care, he has no shame and no respect for himself or anyone. Yes, he may be a good tour guide and is a hard worker when he has to,but that doesn't make up for all the wrong he does. I know this board doesn¡¯t like negative posts and slanderous one, but this is another warning to the unsuspecting person, people beware!!!!

Jools, sorry to hear about your misfortune on CayeCaulker.
Unfortunately, many male Belizeans view foreigners in that light. They see you $$ when they see a tourist. I hung with a few locals(males) quite a few times on the Island and it's amazing how they view Foreign Women. For example, they would classify you as a *hit* or a *bust*. Once they saw a blond chick walking down main street, they want to be the first to approach you. All intentions is to find out what kind of money you're working with. Once they clean you out, or find out you're broke, then you are of no use to them.
Although many won't admit, this is true. Especially the Rastas, they are fake and are the worst.

My apologies to jools, I didn't mean to slam anyone, I was just opining that whether it;'s here or Hawaii, or any tourist place, the players are numerous. I never said anything about the woman who fell in love with Harry. I happen to have a good friend who spent 11 month's here with Harry ,probably at the same time as jools. But it's not just Harry, there are many. We all agree. I suggested a reason why the men play and their mentality and justification. But anyways, as usual it never pays to get in other peoples business.
Too bad one of those Harry's don't give us their slant on why they behave this way.

After reading the comments with their warning to others,I decided to write about a few things I observed in my years on CC. There are different sides to every story &all previous posts make sense,it all depends on each&everyones opinion.I have come across many tourists who have been cheated by Harry&people like Jools who thought they found love&happiness&end up being hurt&left short of money in which they kindly gave,thinking they will be giving the guy a chance for a better life,but he only waste it,usually on his own problems.I heard of a group of tourist giving Harry money with his promise that he will cook for them a big BBQ dinner to celebrate their last night on the island,but they end up going hungry as he never showed up.But Harry isn’t the only one,there are many on the island.These guys like Harry,may say they love&care for you&that you are the first white girl they have fallen in love with&slept with,but it is all lies,you are just one of many many girls.Most of these guys are NOT single,they do have a partner &kids living on the island.I have seen the look of humiliation,embarrassment& hurt on the face of these guys partner (wives/girlfriends),when they walk down the street or into a bar only to see some girl and their guy all over each other. These partner having to work in their job&provide good polite customer service,knowing the customer they are serving is the girl who slept with their guy the night before.These partners love their guy&they have a good relationship with them,but when some tourist girl offers meals,sex&maybe some money, these guys just can’t resist,because if they do,they know some other guy will benefit,so it might as well be them.CC is a small place and what these guys partners don’t see,they will be told by someone who does see.It is not just the tourist girls who comes looking for a fun time,just so they can write home telling about their romantic&sexual experience with a 'local guy',there are some local woman who want their share&some group tour leaders who pass through every few months with their groups, knowing they will get their sexual fix with their ‘CCguy’.Some of these woman are fully aware these guys have a partner&even know who they are,but that doesn’t stop any of them.These guys don’t care about anyones feelings,as long as they can get what they want in the short time they have with the girl&they know there will always be the next girl.While they can get what they want from you they will always say they love you.The girls like Jools who fall for these guys charms&end up disappointed,hopefully will be wiser from the experience,but because of their naivety doesn't give them an excuse for their actions either.There is the occassional tourist who finds a single guy&moves to the island to live with him,life is good at first until he can't resist the tourist girls,&then she is the one to experience the other side.Harry&the other guys will always do what they do,because they can,while there is someone willing to give,they will always be willing to take as much as they can get.I have known many good relationships&families destroyed by the acts of these woman&guys,it is so sad.Jools,I am sorry that you were a victim of Harry but you were not the only victim,his partner is a victim as well,&so are all the partners&kids to all the other guys who are just like Harry.It is easy for a visitor to leave CC not even realizing or aware of the damage they have inflicted on those who remain,as this is their home, their life&who try&accept it all as part of life with their man.These situations happen all around the world, everywhere &is unfortunate.Maybe,if people have a bit more self espect &consideration for others&less self indulgence there be fewer victims out there.The cheating and scamming done by these guys is inexcusable&is absolutely wrong&I also would like to hear their side of the story&their definition of the word love.For those girls visiting, whether you come for a good time or ones like Jools, before you start having your bit of romance and fun with Harry or others like him on the island,spare a thought for their partners &kids & think how you would feel if you were them.

This is an interesting story told me by a local whos family goes back generations here.
He said; It used to be everyone here had fruit trees in their yards. Banana, papaya, breadfruit and the like. He knows nothing of the Caye Caulker Message board. He continued ,people would fish everyone would share. Their were not many restraunts, just 2 small stores. People were poor but their was no crime and everyone had plenty to eat. Then over time as newcomers moved here and then the newcomers turned into Gringo newcomers. More restaurants opened more grocery stores. More businesses opened, and now their is crime, their is more food on the island but now it cost money, people dont have money. Then he asked me to look around the island, he says he dosnt know what happened to all the fruit trees!!!!!

True story, Cooper.

Sadly missed are the abundance of sea grape, guava, mami and cocoplum trees. The fruits are the most delicious on all of Earth.

Since there were no refrigerators back then (no electricity) the fruits were made into a sweet jelly like stew. People would happily eat for days.

Excess fish catch was usually salted to preserve it for later. Salt fish is excellent too.

Actually, an excellent lunch meal would be made from chaya (local spinach type plant) and masa (corn mix) called "tamalitos de chaya". Covered with a tomato sauce, it was hmmmm mmmmmmm good!

Wow...all this talk about fruit and food is making me hungry. Tamalitos de chaya sounds amazing, as well as all those trees bearing the fruit you named. YUM!

Yup...those were the days, Coop. And that local's story is very true. I remember the day when I could walk through neighbor's yards to get from one street to the next without having to go the long way around. There were no fences - now there is hardly space because everyone is cramming all they can into their lots.

I remember when we had to run to Mr. Wayo's house to make telephone calls to the city cuz he had the island's only phone. I remember those good ole' days. Now, all the commotion or hype is about Skype and Vonage and whatever else.

I also remember going to one neighbor and asking if I could pull some craboo from their tree, then go the another and do the same for some "golden plum". My favorite time of year was when the sea grapes were "in season", and having to bear the mosquito feeding frenzy to fill up a bread bag with grape.

I remember the anona (aka custard apple), the hamanz (almonds), and all the grucea (gruh-say-a).

But you see Coop, that was when Caye Caulker was truly the small community that could justify the name "Isla Carinosa". Now, the darn place has become a dog-eat-dog society where every man (and woman) is for himself. Community? Ha...there is no longer even a shadow or vapor of what real community life really was in MY Caye Caulker. And the sad truth is......it never will come back again.

[This message has been edited by BuckWah (edited 07-12-2006).]

[This message has been edited by BuckWah (edited 07-12-2006).]

Yeah I too would love to see California as it was before overpopulation and growth. Even to go back to the 1950's before all the technology that is supposed to be advancement. I lived on St. Martin for three years in the early 1980's and cried when I saw what happened to that island when I revisited in the late 90's.

Such is "progress".

Life goes on.

Hey, Cookie.
Cali has changed! I was born and raised here and even finding a native is rare these days. People flock here from all over the US chasing the weather or the tech industry.

Since it's more populated travelling anywhere can get hectic, even around rush hour. The cost of living is high, traffic is murder, buying a house mad bank. In my neighborhood the median is like $ 550,00.00!
And that's for a small modest two bedroom! Yipes.

Cali is beautiful and there is a lovely and radiant diversity of people here. But I'm thinking myself time to bounce soon. Get out the US for awhile and give it a go somewhere else. You can always come home again; perhaps changed, but roots don't wither.

You are so right Ms Lisa! Too crowded, too expensive and too many rules!!! That is one reason I love CC.... no cars, traffic, and you can smoke in public!!

Right on to that Cookie! LOL. A whole new culture has evolved now with smoking outside a pub or club. It happened to NYC, too. I got a job offer in Antigua, Guatemala so I plan to relocate there. CC is getting expensive, too, but still much chiller than Cali. I'm reminded of that when I'm on the freeway! Only golf carts here are on friggin fairways. Boots!

This topic of change is getting alot of activity, so to sum it all up, to look at THE BIG PICTURE!!! We as guest of this planet have really made a mess of things, Back a hundred years ago, a thousand years ago, a million years ago this world was a much better, healthier place, we have just about destroyed it. What happens to Caye Caulker when the sea level raises 3 feet as projected in 25 years!!! Things then will really be different.

Jeez. What's up with the morbid outlook Cooper? Chill out, mein. Everything comes to dust, even us.

I was actually trying to be funny, a little parody on all the chatter, I was trying to get everyone to lighten up a bit, guess some didnt take it that way.

Maybe these guys like Harry are progress, if weren't for them life be boring for a tourist like me,I need more than fruit trees.Harry Woods the snorkel guide,I spent heap of time with on my days on the island,plenty of great food,alcohol&sex and so what if I paid for everything he was broke n gave him money too even if for his gambling my choice,we wanted fun.Yeh I knew he lived with his long time girlfriend on the island,it didn't bother me,he didn't seem to care about her anyway so why should I,my holiday fling n i wasn't coming back.Yeh,get your drift Seashell,Harry gave me HEP too,my mistake..call it my CC momento,anyway I be one of many many woman he gave it to.Oh Allie..go the beach pigs n bring on the boys!!

Ahhhh, Seahorse, your fellow Canadians must be so proud of you and how you represent the women of your country.
Did you pay a duty tax for the Hep you brought back to Canada?
Let's just hope what goes around comes around, cuz Harry's woman and all the other women you screw over with your self indulgent, careless behavior deserve some sort of retribution for your sleaziness.

Alright my people. This is getting terribly negative and bitter.

I'm black American Rasta and I feel that in whatever you choose conciously that harms yourself or someone else, is wickedness and chickens will come home to roost.

I'm married to a Belizean bred and BOTH of us have been involved with others since being apart. We've shared experiences, fought, and hassled over hella issues. Whatever spouses can reconcile, forgive, or accept is between them.

A lot of people hustle or get hustled. Locals and tourists alike. Locals need to eat, tourists provide opprotunity and are sadly caught up on some jungle feva trip and become mislead, which is unfortunate. Homie is RARELY going to be brought home to Copenhagen or Alberta. One's holiday doesn't necessarily translate into reality.

Being with a Belizean bred to me is JUST like being with a bred from Oakland with a Caribbean accent and maybe more often barefooted. Not many sisters like me even find their way to C.A.; too hectic a region. Those who do go are of a tougher sensibility and can weather the drama that comes with having love for a brother. It is a different cultural dynamic entirely and much more difficult for white women as they will tolerate more than a sister ever would.

Some of the women on CC are quite strong and even if they choose to end their relationships, have the fortitude of spirit to continue living a life in Belize. For that I have respect.

Choose the blessed life you want and can handle, but live righteous. No one person can judge another. We all have issues in our lives to contend with and consequences for the choices we make.

Well said miss Lisa. And truly, it is a rough road/ the cultural mix. Add to that the distance of a relationship in space and time and you have one hellova road to travel. But nuff said......live well... don't do unto others what you don't want them to do to you.(the Golden Rule in reverse still works the same way. Time for more postitive tones here. I agree.

Respect WO to the R! I feel bad for what's her name, SeaHo? Her remarks disturb me. I mean, jes because she know bred gotta wife and pickney don mek it right to mess wit him. One's action affect all they touch.

Her post just stated to me she got no respect for self, let alone others. A rather Girls Gone Wild, I don't give a %*&(! trip.

Chris Rock has the best quote: "Since I became a father my highest priority in life is to keep my daughter off the pole."

(pole dancing is popular in strip clubs in the States).

I heard that! I suppose my mother had the same attitude. She was a committed and loving parent.

I refused to be another Black statistic and believe me, how I came up it was a very real possibility. By the time I was 13 I had girlfriends in gangs named crap like Puppet or Chula Loca; then a several years later...my same homegirls pregnant or in jail.

I'm sure that's why Ma moved us out the ghetto. "Keep my daughters off the pole!!"

No one in my life ever called me a ho. I've never conducted myself in that manner at home or on holiday, even in my younger days. My crown is always high and blazing. My mother did alright. I think. She gave me a good foundation.

So Beautiful and so stupid - White girls

Munich,,,
Hey,, Dave. what kind of statment is that!!!!
I know what kind it seems like.

sorry, I twisted up the name MINUCH

My understanding is that Harry is an addicted gambler.. sad..but possibly true.

He has serious gambling problem amongst the others already mentioned.I came back to visit recently and was told he is currently in jail not sure if it true? very sad but he ain't the only one with addictions and illegal ways,there are many in the world.The island still has its natural beauty and a little paradise left

Regarding the local guys and their game they play with tourist girls...
I saw the same thing happen in Cayman, but the guys there see it differently.
They see they are providing a service. They become your personal tour guide and date for your vacation. They show you a good time, where to go, what to do. They add alot to someone's vacation. But they cannot afford to be doing this every week. So instead, they let the girl pay for alot of what they do. While it doesn't sound like something you would expect on a regular date, they feel that it is sort of payment for services rendered.
In Cayman though, i have never heard of anyone asking a girl for money outright though. Sure, pay for drinks and dinner etc, but to ask for money, i have never heard of that.
Scamming any tourist is a really stupid thing to do. Toursist come to our countries to have a good time and spend their hard earned money. They don't need a few selfish individuals ruining someone entire vacation experience. All that person will remember of their trip is how they got screwed over. Local guys can show people a good time, and accept gratuity from them in a variety of ways, but be honest, that is all anyone really wants.
Just my opinion!

Hey Jools,
I am an american female who has traveled alone. I was on cc in March with my brother and his wife. My brother has been there many times but it was my first visit. I did my homework BEFORE i went. Learned all I could about the people, customs, and expectations of the island. You hold some responsability for what happened to you. Yes you were taken advantage of but at the end of the day you made the chioces for you. We all know that these kind of thugs are all over the world. Please don't let this keep you from going back the the most peacful place on earth. They awre not all bad there. As a matter of fact I was treated with respect and felt very safe there. Maybe I just had a "don't screw with me look" but give it another go. and don't go alone. I'll be going back in 07 and can't wait.

hey minuch if we white girls are so stupid why do your men need to us to take care of them? Humm seems to me we are the ones with the cash to come there and spend our money. I am a white female business owner that is smart enough NOT to be scamed buy jerks like you. Comments like that will not get us back to your island to spent the thousand of dollars we spend on a one week trip there to keep your economy running.I'll be back because one bad apple don't spoil the whole bunch and you are the bad apple

Now that the board's have merged (AC with CC), I'd like it known that the seashell that posted above, is not this seashell that has been posting on the AC board for years.

Not that I completely disagree with what the CCseashell had to say, just that it wasn't me.

Please don't link poverty and dishonesty. I have lived in countries which make the average Belizean as found on the cayes quite comfortably off, yet those people were honest. I don't just mean they didn't steal or cheat, I mean it never crossed their minds. In fact, these people were usually incredibly generous with the little they did have.

I have come across many Harrys in Belize. The culture is to do whatever you like so long as you aren't caught. In fact, in most cases even if they are caught very little happens to them. Of the many people who have stolen from me in my five years here I can think of none who was so poor (s)he needed to. They just wanted an easy ride.

The ONLY remedy for this is proper rule of law, with meaningful penalties for trangressors. That appears to be some way off.

Isn't it about time to put this thread to bed? Poor old Harry. Gossip about him gambling, ripping off women. So why not just take him out the back and shoot him? huh? Would y'all be happy then. Focus on the good that people have inside them. Everyone has good in them. My friends just got back from a trip this past year on CC and I had told them to meet up with Harry, as he is a good guide and great cook. And they had a wonderful time, and in fact are going back to Belize again in February...where to? Caye Caulker, of course. So not all that the boys do are BAD. The main thing is as the song goes.....(was it Gregory Isaacs?) "If you live in a glass house...don't trow stones". Not one of us is perfect. So let things be and get on with enjoying that island in the sun. My memories of CC are always with me.

Dear jools,

This is common practice. It's an island thing, any island.
You said..."Call it survival or whatever you like, but for me it just showed what lengths a person would go to for their own selfishness and greed, so sad."

When you traveled to CC, you entered Harry's world. You were no longer in your world. Let me ask you this. If you had been at home, would you have behaved the same way? fallen for the same routine? Probably not. I don't know what kind of spell comes over women when they visit a caribbean country. It's like they have no control over their thought processes anymore.

I'm sorry this happened to you and in no way was it a proper thing for Harry to do. It can't be all Harry's fault though. He was just doing what he knows will work for him in terms of money. He's a hustler and he enjoys himself at the same time.
Just remember...nobody can do anything to you unless you allow it.

It's true, tourist beware. When you travel, stick to your agenda. Just enjoy yourself and do the things you came to do and don't get involved with the locals and certainly don't fall in love with one and think you are the only one in his/her life.

By the way, there is a welcome committee on CC...LOL It's the rastas that meet you at the dock when you get off the boat and offer to hook you up with some weed. There isn't a lot to do on CC.

Again, I am sorry this happened to you. As they say, "Live and Learn". I'm sure it won't happen again. It's hard to forget something like that.

Cheers!

I cant believe this topic is still running, hopfully Jools has gone on with her life and put THE BEACH BOY FACTOR behind her !!

Yes, absolutely......AMEN!!!