Puerto Azul - it's one of the most discussed non-projects in the history of Belizean investment. Really, Puerto Azul is just a concept - and the developers don't even own the caye - even though they have put down a substantial deposit on it.
But, while the project concept hovers in the ether, on the ground, the backlash has been deadly; conservation groups have rejected the project as potentially damaging, while government officials have called it "fantastical" - and overly-ambitious.
And the things that caused that public conflagration are, first, those now immortal pictures of a ministerial junket to Cannes France, and second, the promotional material on the Puerto Azul website. It really does make it look like the project is a done deal; in fact, it makes it look like it's already been built. But that's just Hollywood type hype; there's nothing on Northern Two and Sandbore Cayes. How do we know? Well, the developers' local representative invited the media out there on Saturday. Here's what we saw:..
Jules Vasquez reporting
The media climbed unto the Tropic Air charter at 8:30 am to set off on a 25 minute flight to Northern 2 Caye. Our flight took us almost straight east, acrossTurneffe, into the ultramarine blue and then the distinctive azure waters of the Lighthouse Reef Atoll.
And then it appears, Northern 2 Caye, a densely green islet, with massive lagoons - they say it is about 1,200 acres, most of it undeveloped and overgrown, with an airstrip and a cleared area at the beach.
Half a mile northeast from it, the much smaller Sandbore Caye, home to a lighthouse -surrounded by patch reef formations, which are great snorkeling grounds.
Because it's on an atoll, the waters surrounding the two cayes are emerald, turquoise, and gorgeous - and very close to the easternmost point in Belize.
The Lighthouse Reef Atoll in its entirety is breath-taking in its beauty - culminating of course in the blue hole, one of those places where it's impossible to take a bad picture, though as this hulking reef wreck makes apparent, there are ugly scenes to capture as well.
Back on Northern Two Caye - on our approach to land, the first thing that jumps out is the vast number of coconut palms that have been wiped out by lethal yellowing disease. And right after we land, the first thing we notice is garbage, piles of it - many of it collected, and some torn open possibly by rats - yes there are rats on this island.
The caretakers say they collect garbage weekly but it keeps washing up - brought in from all points south of Belize along the Central American Coast, it mostly accumulated here on the windward side - plastic coming in every day. One foot of any kind of slipper you can imagine.
The island in its current state is nothing to brag about - white sand, and windswept palms, but it's not been developed or cared for, and flotsam litters the seafront.
Across the way, Sandbore Caye. years ago, it was a resort, the Lighthouse Reef Resort and there are Spartan signs of its former self still around and from a distance it can still sell a dream with a very active fishing area.
Local legend says that for years the runway - which is in good shape was used by drug runners - but it won't be enough to land the Gulf Streams the developers are envisioning.
They envision a whole lot here - 400 units that will cost 20 - 30 thousand US dollars a night. and what they say will be a beacon for eco friendly development. But right now, the future for Northern Two is still unclear.
The local representative declined any interview, but said his principals will be in Belize next week and available for interviews. We await that opportunity.
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