The town La Ceiba looks quite nice, nestle between mountains and Carribean.
We were dropped off next to the harbor.
I haven't bought any ferry ticket yet, because I didn't know when we'd arrive.
Buying online is cheaper than buying here at their offices.
There are two main operators, similar price. Galaxy Save and Dream Ferry.
Had to pay a port fee first, before they'll let you on.
I managed to get on the 8:30am ferry at the nick of time to the island of Roatán. The ferry is large, modern, has AC, quite smooth. Fast. It takes ~1.5 hours.
Roatán
It was raining when we arrived ~10am, but it soon stopped. The left side on the photo is our boat.
The right side is a sinking ship, not sure of what era.
Walked out of the terminal area on to the main street. Waited in front of a large convenient store for the bus.
There is no sign. There was another lady waiting, so I figured that was a good location.
Coxen Hole, is not big, but full of tiny streets. When people started getting off the bus (a minivan), I got off too. Asked for the bus to the West End, where my hotel is (and most of the hotels are). It was busy. Took awhile to drop off my bag as the hotel was busy handling a group of divers. It is also a tour operator and a restaurant. Yes, I have AC. Today is Monday, so I did some work.
Before the sun set, I walked about the neighborhood.
Bustling with tourists. Everything is quoted in US$, more or less the same price as in US.
Sandy beach, reef close by.
Many vacation homes.
At Half Moon Bay, one guard in a complex with a few 2 story single family houses (sitting right on reef) showed me around some property (from the outside). Maybe he was bored.
This complex is called Coral Vistas. You can rent them at www.roatanvacatonrentals.com.
Joined a bunch of people to this deck to wait for the sunset.
One guy brought a guitar and played.
The deck left is the water taxi to West Bay.
The evening is bustling. Restaurants and bars hawking for tourists.
2/27, day 33, Tuesday.
;">
Walked left along the water, hoping to get to West Bay. There's a trail on the map.
I turned around at the rock cliff. Later, met people who waded around (maybe at lower tide).
Instead, I took to the road in the center of the island.
Not very pleasant, but allowed me to check out the treed interior.
Also at higher elevation and I could see both coasts. I think I saw the island of Utila.
Even saw a home with solar roof.
Saw a zip line operation.
Some guy gave me a ride for the last mile or so.
West Bay is very pretty, coral right next to the beach. Emeral colored water.
I dumped my bag on the rock here at the west end of the beach, snorkeled here.
Some tourists bought feed, and spread in the water, thus attracted a lot of fish.
Quite relaxing. Still some shade to hide in.
~10am, I took a water taxi back to hotel.
Beforethe sunset, I went out again. Checked out another neighborhood.
Watched a pelican diving. Saw a coati. More trash.
Back to the same deck for sunset.
2/28, day 34, Wednesday. Moved to Sandy Bay.
Checked out Anthony's Key Resort and Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (more like an aquarium).
Dolphin swim out in the open playing by instructions.
Diving operation, nice looking restaurant and lodging.
Lunch of ceviche and a veggetarian baleada (of cheese and avocado) at a restaurant on the beach, using up my Lempira. I don't have enough to buy a drink.
Went back to the hotel to work for the rest of the afternoon, before emergying out for sunset.
The afternoon here is too warm for me. At least AC in the room.
2/29, day 35, Thursday. Last day.
Went to the beach, walked to the 2 reef blocks sticking out of water.
Only saw 1 fish. Water is too shallow.
Disappointed. Biten by a dog.
In front of my hotel, talked to a young guy sitting in the shade.
He said there're a lot of fish just beyound the piers.
So I went to the piers.
True. Many fishes. Not too many varieties. But colorful.
Water is to my chest, so easy to rest.
After breakfast, I worked until 10am then checked out.
12 minutes wait for a bus. This van has AC running.
25 min to Coxen Hole.
Walked by a few shops, checking out souveniors. Somewhat cheaper than on the beach.
You can pay US$.
Bought bananas with my last L15 in the small "supermarket".
Bank doesn't convert Limpera to USD.
Found a plaza named Plaza Taiwan. Not sure how it got its name.
The coast here isn't too bad, but no one swims here. Saw a big cruise ship.
Walked ~1 mile to the airport. Did see 2 backpackers walking the opposite direction.
Custom is fast: 6 windows.
The runway is right by the water. Good view of the island as my plane took off.
Nice to have a window seat.
We flew over many islands. The most impressive are: Turneffe Atoll and Ambergris Caye.
Arrived in Houston before 3pm.
Going through US customs is slow: only 5 windows open, maybe 15 closed in this large room.
Sun set on my way home.
Arrived in rainy Seattle, chilly. The cool air felt so good.
Summary
Honduras is not as dangerous as I imagined. Too many police seemingly stop random people without any good reason. I very much like Yojoa. The guide is professional and knowledgable, speaks good English. The Bay Islands are pretty, but too touristy. My back injury haunted me for a year!
