Still in Honduras...

We're still hanging out in Honduras, and will be for another week and a half!  It's been really nice to be able to unpack and settle in somewhere for a while.
Since we've been here for an extended period of time, we've seen many other travellers come and go, and have been fortunate to meet some really wonderful people.  I think I could fill a novel with the stories we've been told!
We chartered a boat with another couple to take us on a tour of an archipelago not too far from Utila called Cayos Cachinos.  It was a great way to spend a day! We visited three of the islands, we snorkelled, hiked, saw a pink python, and had a peek at where they are currently filming Survivor Italia (BTW...they are not roughing it!).
The captain of the boat that we were on always makes a point to bring something for the children that live in the village on one of the islands, as they are extremely poor and he likes to treat them.  They know his boat very well and gather on the beach when they see him coming.  When we went he brought them Oreo cookies...talk about excitement!  Some of the kids were trying to climb on the boat before it was docked to get their share.  It was as much a joyful moment as a sad one to see.  On one hand, it's hard not to project our own ideals about what life 'should be' onto other cultures. But the fact is that these villagers live in harmony with their surroundings, they were happy, hard working and very friendly.  They seemed to have it figured out...

Some props for Survivor

Pink python lounging in the sun.

The guide for our hike, Oscar.  He's about 10 years old and practically ran up the mountain we climbed in flip-flops!

Cookie distribution.

Repairing their dugout canoe.

WHALE SHARK!!!!

It finally happened!!!  We were in the water with a whale shark today!  It was about 15 feet long - still a juvenile - and swam about 10 feet right underneath us before it dove off into the blue abyss - what an incredible experience!!!  Gonna be smiling about this for a while!!

a close encounter...

Some of you may not know about Steve's and my burning desire to see a Whale Shark. It's an intense desire...bordering on obsessive...it stems from our first visit here in 2009, when we half expected to see one, given how 'common' they are.  Well, we missed out on our first visit.  So, we've been here for a week now and we figure it's about time!
Well...wouldn't you just know it, there was one spotted half an hour from here yesterday.  We geared up and piled in a boat and off we went! 
It didn't take too long to pinpoint the location, due to the huge boils of blackfin tuna on the surface, and the proximity of the Lodge's other dive boat.  We waited very impatiently for the big guy to make an appearence...some of the passengers on our boat saw him surface to feed (myself not among them).  Since the other boat was already on site when we arrived, they got to go into the water first (according to guidelines surrounding whale shark encounters).  They saw him...for the third time that day...then they departed the scene.  I don't know what they said to the Whale Shark while they were in the water with him, but he saw fit to take off!  That's it...he was gone...GONE! 
The worst thing about all this is that the group that saw him (THREE times), have been staying here for less than 24 hours!  I feel like our senoirity should count for something...no? 
I almost found it in my heart to forgive them they're trespasses until the stories and videos (yes videos!) were shared at the dinner table.  I will officially shun them for the rest of their time here.  I welcome advice for any further punishments I should inflict.

Utila, Honduras - week 1!

Hi everyone!  We're coming up on the end of our first week on the lovely Honduran Island of Utila .  We're back at Utila Lodge (after our visit in Dec 2009) and were really happy to see all of the familiar faces of the owner, Kisty, and her family and staff.  It's a wonderful and homey place with amazing food and a great atmosphere. 

I've spent a couple of days diving - it's nice and relaxing diving, warm water and lots of fish and sponges/fans/encrusting life - all the neat little things I love to find when diving.  No whale sharks yet, but we're being positive!

The only snag we hit was the other day when Caroline was bit/stung by what is believed to be a doctor fly, and maybe even two.  They're like little horseflies, and while the bites are not painful like horseflies at home, the result is a lot more annoying - itchiness along with swelling.  We went to the local doctor - Dr. John - a hippy still living in the '60's that looks, sounds, and smells like Tommy Chong - but a very cool and thorough doctor.  The swelling has gone down considerably, but still not back to normal.

This week, we'll be starting our Spanish lessons, I'm continuing working for the Lodge, and we'll continue to spend as much time in the water as possible! 

Thans for reading - another post to follow soon!

Steve & Caroline

Utila Lodge from the boat dock.

Moray eel saying hi

Cool swim-through

 



Joining a school of about 30-40 Atlantic Spadefish



Left Foot - post doctor fly bite - Right foot, normal...ouch!