Bay Islands, Honduras Trip (March 22 – April 11 2005)
Well, I figure this is the best way to keep everyone up to date on what crazy adventures I’m on now!
NOTE
(just a reminder – click on photos below to enlarge)
Storm video (1.4MB so dial up may take some time)
I’ll be adding pictures and info occasionally during my trip, so check back often.
I know you'll find it hard to believe, but I've extended the trip yet again! Be back on the 11th (for sure!)
T-Shirt Logo!
Guanaja Adventures
After a long trip with several close calls, I arrived in Guanaja. Daniel picked me up at the airport and loaded the bags on the boat for the trip to The End Of The World! Once there, left the bags on the beach and headed up to the bar for a well needed beer! Made an early night of it (believe it or not!) and after being up for basically a day and a half, I was unconcious as soon as I hit the pillow (room pic below).
Today was a relaxed day so Brian, Walls & I went out to replace a bouy on the reef. We couldn't find the location of the anchor for it, so decided to take advantage of the great visibility and do a dive. All went well and made it back in time for the beach barbecue dinner! (picture below)
Today we didn't do a whole lot but did take a trip up to a town called Mangrove Bight. Great view since of course the trip was by water (the only way you can get most anywhere here). Got back and a party had broken out in the bar. Took a couple movies shown below
(coming soon). After that, we all piled into a big boat to go hit a beach party. Got around the bend and found we missed it so went back to the EOW beach to enjoy the full moon and more cervesas!
Moving a little slow this morning! Today Walls & I took on the task of rearranging the dive room where all the gear is stored. About 4 hours later the task is done! There are 13 divers on the way for next week so we're gonna be busy!
One pretty cool note... A couple people from Conde' Nast Traveler will be in Sunday to wrie up an article on Guanaja and EOW Resort so there's a good chance I'll be in the magazine!! Have another cool thing in the works but won't post it. You'll have to hear that one in person!
We found a leak in the boat today so I had to swich from tourist to fiberglass repair technician! Anyway, after 3 hours of work, fixed that in time to pick up the customers at the airport at 5.
Weather has been great the whole time I've been here (90's, no rain and breezy) as well!
We got up early today and prepped for a two tank reef dive. As is often the case in Honduras, there was no hurry so we made it out around 11 am. Great diving and great weather! Will be posting more pics soon as well as some underwater shots taken by Brian.
Think it's a little overloaded?!
Weather was windy and rough seas today so no diving. I had the duty of taking Cecelia and her sister Julia to Banaca to go shopping. As is the case with women, took most of the day and I came back broke!
Anyway, later in the day a large yacht pulled up and anchored for who knows how long. About 10 of the passengers walked into the bar and I was assigned bartender duties for the evening. Talk about a crash course! Anyway, I pulled it off and think I may have found yet another thing I like doing! Even made some tips although I told everyone it wasn't necessary!
Banaca Key (main town on Guanaja)
Squeezing limes for the evenings Margaritas!
Weather cleared up today so we went diving this morning. Tom did a bit of chumming possibly due the the previous evenings events!
Anyway, I know y'all will find this hard to believe, but I extended my vacation by a week. I'll be home April 6th (for sure!).
Was the bartender again tonight although it wasn't as hectic. We also had a beach cookout that was pretty cool. Pics below.
Up again early today (who knows when since I don't have a watch!) and prepped the boat for a dive trip. We headed out and did two dives at the nearby reef. I was the guide for 4 divers on both. No problems and the trip went well, although the visibility is still not at it's best since we've been having some wind.
Hanging out at 60'
Led another two dives this morning and the customers said the second one was the best dive of their trip (can't argue that one either). Later in the afternoon, we headed to The Key (Banaca) to do some shopping and hit a couple spots for a beer. Banaca is an intersting place with about half the town on stilts. Has a population density of Hong Kong so always interesting there!
Ran 4 people to the airport this morning then headed back to the resort. Pretty lazy all afternoon then later in the evening, Janet decided I needed a haircut and gave me one! Before & after pictures below. Turned out ok considering she never cut hair before and had been drinking most of the afternoon!
Well... the weather can't be perfect all the time! In the afternoon, a storm front came through with high wind and heavy rain. The group of 4 divers we were expecing in the afternoon ended up stranded on the mainland in La Ceiba. Anyway, since bad weather was on hand for at least the eveing, seemed like a good excuse for a party in the bar! (like we need an excuse)
The front that had come in the night before turned stationary and hung over the island all day with wind and rain. We can't believe it happened, but one plane landed at the airport and had the 4 divers that were expected the night before. After a hell ride on a water taxi, they arrived around 11am. No diving or much else to do today so the bartender is on duty once again!
Prepping for rough weather grocery run!
The weather finally cleared up this afternoon and we're prepping for a dive at some point today.
Time is hacking away at my remaining days here which really sucks!
Brins divemaster (Wells) apparently couldn't take the pressure and quit today. Since Brian has a group of 13 coming in Saturday, he asked me if I could stay longer. Now I'm leaving Monday!
We did two dives this morning and they went well.
Brian and I then ran over to a little town called Mangrove Bight this afternoon and picked up 26 tanks for use next week. Definitely getting a workout this trip!
I don't know what I'm gonna do when I have to put shoes back on again! Been barefoot for all but about 4 hours on this trip!!
Picked up a group of 13 from the airport tonight. Loaded all in the big boat and their dive gear and luggage in the small one. I piloted the luggage and boy was that a long trip! Anyway, more interesting photos below.
Took the group of 11 out for a two tank dive. All went fairly well, although the boat we chartered had a bit of a problem. Came on the mooring with the wind and when I tried hooking to the mooring, he ran over it! Sheared the pin for the prop shaft so we went diving anyway! Once back up, the captain had fixed it with a nail! Welcome to Honduran engineering school! Picture of the trip out below.
Bar video (2MB so dial up may take some time)
