I have arrived in Rio Dulce to get the Miramar ready to sail. It's a beautiful place, and I'm looking forward to exploring some of it.


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Location:CA13,Río Dulce,Guatemala

New adventures begin

After a two and a half year break on a beautiful Caribbean island called Roatan, where I became a SCUBA instructor and substitute school teacher, I have resumed my travels in search of the next adventure and life path.

I left Roatan on a flight early this morning and flew CM Airlines to San Pedro Sula. My Italiana friend, Anna Banana, came along to see me off. The Airline was very small and casual, it was great. No one even told me to put on my seat belt, and they didn't bother to weigh my bags or care how much I was carrying on the little plane. The flight was smooth with a brief stop in Utila and amazing views of the Bay Islands from above. I still appreciate the gorgeous turquoise colors of the Caribbean Sea here. Touching down I could see farms of banana plants and African palms.

I was met by Otto, who was waiting for me with a sign and a van to take me directly to Rio Dulce, Guatemala. The poverty I saw leaving SPS was astonishing. The shanty towns along the edge of the road made me realize that while thinking I had given up many luxuries of the USA, I have been living a spoiled life again on my beautiful island and hanging around the resort areas of West Bay and West End. It is hard to believe people live in those tiny structures with corrugated tin roofs. I was also glad I hadn't done the normally recommended travel plan with an overnight at a hotel in SPS and 5:00 am bus to Rio. The crime has reportedly gotten out of control in the cities of Honduras, and I wouldn't have wanted to be getting a taxi and traveling through this area to find a bus station in the dark. The $150 for the direct transport and my safety is so worth the extra money.

Rolling through the lush countryside of Honduras toward the Guatemalan border I was impressed by the beautiful greenery and majestic seeming mountains. I have been living at sea level for quite a while. I can't stop wondering how such a beautiful country can be so ridden with crime to become the #1 murder capitol of the world. Unfortunately we hear astonishing numbers of crime reported from the mainland, mostly drug related, and it has started to trickle over to the island. On our ride this morning the van was stopped by some Honduran police at a checkpoint, and I had to wonder how corrupt they were. They were impressed by my Spanish and of course flirted and wanted to know if I am single. Typical of Honduran police.

Time to move on I say. To where? Well I'm starting with a trip to Rio Dulce, Guatemala to meet up with a friend who is delivering a catamaran to Tampa. So I am going to learn to sail! We plan to take about three weeks to get there with stops for diving and exploring in Belize, Mexico and the Florida Keys along the way.

I've already been reminded there's nothing better for soul searching than a long bus ride through foreign countryside. I leave Roatan with mixed emotions but am excited to be on the road again! The feelings of freedom and independence right now are exhilarating.


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Diving

As of Friday I have finished my certification to become a PADI certified dive master. I was put through several stress tests underwater & had to complete several intense rescue scenarios, but I made it through the day, and subsequently through the evening celebration. Today I am going to the beach in West Bay to relax and work on my tan.





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Location:Honduras

Roatan, Hondoras

I arrived in Roatan, Honduras, an island in the Caribbean, and quickly decided to stay. Two days after my arrival I had met several people, gotten a job -really an unpaid internship- as a dive master in training, and got a job volunteering with the Marine Park. So I got 2 jobs but don't make money at either one! I'm having lots of fun though, it's amazingly gorgeous here & everyone is pretty friendly.





Half Moon Bay beach


The floating bar


Roatan has some of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen


The main road through West End is just sand, lovely until it rains & turns into puddles in potholes & is hard to walk in wearing flip flops. Life could be much worse.


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White water rafting

I haven't updated the blog for some time and didn't realize I never posted this from November. It was a blast though! From the Jungle Lodge in Honduras I went rafting down the river with the Aussie couple that were also staying there. Our guide made it a lot of fun and taught us "surfing" in rafting terms.


















We climbed to the top of the huge boulders and jumped into the river, scary but exhilarating!

Jungle lodge

I took a bus from Copan to Ceiba, where I stayed a night at the Banana Republic. There's not much to do in Ceiba, I wandered the streets & observed the locals, and I ended up meeting a fun Aussie couple who were heading for the same next few adventures that I had planned, so we did a bit of traveling together. We went to the Jungle Lodge where we got to stay in e cabins for free after signing up for some tours. The first thing we did was the canopy tour, the first cable was the most exciting. It took us far out across the river.














Our guide took us on a hike where we were able to see some wildlife, such as the tarantula you see below. He also stuck his hand in a termite nest & brought it out covered in them. He tried to get us to eat the termites, claiming they taste like carrots. The others were brave & tried it & all swore they do taste like carrots. I decided to take their word for it, declining to kill the bugs just for a taste. Since Thailand earlier this year I decided I do not kill bugs & definitely do not define adventure by eating bugs & have no intention of adding them to my diet.





New friends

Mayan Ruins

It was a beautiful day to walk around & explore the ruins. The intricate detail they carved into the stones is amazing to see.

On to Copan

I got a super early bus out of Antigua to get me across the border into Honduras to the town of Copan. It is a small town near a major site of Mayan ruins.




Lots of cowboys around town




Local taxis

Last day with the group

Chicken buses


Ashley Shopping in the artisan market


Cobblestone streets





The indigenous ladies seem to love their ice cream





What a cute couple, Sylvia & Bob will head to Mexico to visit family after leaving the group.

On to Antigua

The group took a bus to Antigua to spend a couple days exploring this colonial town before most headed home. It is a beautiful, colorful city with lots of shops & restaurants as well as historical buildings.




I decided to go for a well deserved massage & pedicure the first day.







We ran into a local protest in the square, the issue of course was corrupt politics.

Last day of work

Last day of volunteering to sweat with Habitat for Humanity


We've become one tough crew!


There was a lot of cement to be mixed the last day to pour the flooring.


We now have a roof & a floor!


The local HFH rep brought in a cake for a farewell cemony.


I was asked to speak on behalf of the group & present a bible with an Inscription to the family. I also interpreted for a few others who had something to add. It was a bittersweet moment, we all hugged them goodbye & wished them well in their new home. We are expected to be emailed pictures when the house is complete with electric & plumbing.