Paradise on Earth!
Trip Start
Jul 22, 2007
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Trip End
Jul 26, 2007
Utile, Honduras
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
We arrived at the port at around 9 am, just in time to purchase tickets for the 930 departure time. The ferry was destined for Utile, the smallest of the Bay Islands. The ride over was quite fast and exilerating. I met this really cool Canadian guy who had just finished building a community center in Guatemala with a team from his college. We shared very similar ideals and visions. It was REALLY refreshing! The time flew by as we covered topics ranging from the Invisible Children, the genocide in Darfur, and of course a lighter topic....Ace Ventura 2!
Our ferry landed on Utile at about 1030 am
Bando Beach
. Let me just say that I almost fainted!! The island was absolute bliss. The picture tells a better story, but let me just describe what I first saw. Palm trees glistening in the forefront of a cloud trickled bright blue sky. Shallow, crystal clear waters where fish appeared tranluscent and short vegetation swayed with the passing ocean currents. I am no Mark Twain, but that's the best way I can describe this majestic place.We got off the boat however only to be greeted by WHITE PEOPLE!! Australians, Brits, Americans...where were the locals! Apparentely internationals have created a monopoly on this island of dive shops, restaurants and hotels. The local people can barely afford to make a living. We decided to support the locals however by finding a nice quaint little hostel run by a dark skinned woman. She showed us to our room which was even more modest. It had two beds and a fan that plugged into the wall....what more could you want!!
After quickly changing into our beach attire we ventured off to the local beach El Bando. Upon arriving I almost had to sit down. I was BLOWN AWAY! The beach was heavenly. Perfectly cut palm trees, white sand, transparent waters, and transluscent colors. If there is a heaven on earth...surely this is it! Some people talk about experiencing this when they get to heaven...why not just pay 500 dollars for a round trip ticket to the Bay Islands and experience it here on EARTH
Living the life
!We rented some goggles and snorkles and plunged into the majestic ocean waters. You could see literally EVERYTHING, all the way to the sea floor. The fish were almost invisible with their crystal bodies blending in with the waters. I could have spent ALL DAY in the water! After about an hour of snorkelling we layed out to get tans. Next, we took out a 2 man kayak to explore the more uncharted waters of this tiny beach. I jumped out at about 300 feet from the shore and submerged myself in total bliss. However, when I came back up I found that Daniel now alone in the kayak had drifted out towards sea. It was like a Baywatch rescue! I reached out with long, flawless strokes and swam towards the helpless kayaker. I arrived in perfect time, pulling myself up onto the kayak while Daniel praised my efficiency... ok so I made that last part up. But it makes for a good story!
We made it back safely to shore and returned to our tanning beds. After another hour of skin cancer we packed up our stuff and headed back to the hostel. Now, I sit before the computer retelling events of today. Later tonight we will be partaking in the festivities of a local celebration called Carnaval. I may not remember much of tonight so you will have to wait for an update tomorrow. Until then!
WAGGY WOO WOO
I'm back!! So I do remember most of tonight, and let me just tell you it was AWESOME! There was this enormous bon fire on the west side of the beach where people were gathering to sing and dance. The performer sang lots of peaceful island music including Bob Marley, CCR, and even Shakira and Sean Paul! I was literally dancing the WHOLE night! People were laughing at me because I was pretty much the only white boy there. I think they were impressed by my moves however....I mean c'mon my "hips don't lie!" I seriously felt like I was in this psychidellic state where the music was like a healthy drug to my brain. I'm sure people must have thought I was on drugs! But nope....music was just the remedy I needed. And it was "All Natural" baby!
Two hours later Daniel and I returned to our hostel and called it a night. Hasta Luego!
