Final days in Utila

Yesterday I finished my PADI Open Water skill dives! YAY! Tomorrow I have my fun dives and marking of my exams and then it’s official! A big thanks to my instructor Juju (hailing from New Zealand) and Shane the assistant instructor and my diving “buddy”. Thanks for your patience and for not laughing at my mistakes, at least to my face.

My dives yesterday had significantly less skills to demonstrate and much more enjoying of dives. We went to Moon Hole & Jack Neil Beach, south of Utila. I saw peacock flounder, cleaning shrimps (very cool), smooth trunkfish, French angelfish, goatfish, upside down jellyfish, a juvenile Queen triggerfish, cow fish, a hermit crab, and a fish called slippery dick. The most impressive thing though was seeing a pregnant seahorse! I couldn’t believe how tiny it was and just how incredibly beautiful they are. This one was about the size of my index finger in length and was red, black and white. Incredible.

I also made some preparation for my ongoing travels. In order to reach the first farm I’m WWOOFing at, I need to leave here Saturday headed for Managua before making it to Isla de Ometepe. I’m taking the 6:30 am ferry from Utila to La Ceiba, then a bus from La Ceiba to San Pedro Sula. I have to stay a night in San Pedro Sula in order to make it to Managua in Nicaragua. Kind of a weird route, but supposedly it is cheaper and safer than almost any other way. Plus I don’t have to spend a night in the Honduran capital (something I never wanted to do). 

Today though is a very important day: Remembrance Day, 11/11/11, and my last day of diving here in Honduras. Although I didn’t take my fun dives with Juju and Shane, I ended up going with Jutta. Which was no disappointment! I have enjoyed her company while spending my time in the Jewel Cay and although she didn’t appreciate being woken up on her day off she was happy to be diving.

Today I saw trumpet fish, parrot fish, cow fish, angel fish, juvenile drum fish, a large school of fish, gruper fish, and eagle rays! The eagle rays were by far the coolest, with a wing span of one metre and with beautiful dark backs with white spots. I was also able to dive at 18 m or 60 ft next to these grand reefs. It was truly an inspiring experience. Although I don’t think I have the passion to become a dive instructor I have really enjoyed learning how to dive. The sheer novelty of it perhaps will never wear out.

I made my way back to Utila with all of my possessions and headed in search of accommodations. I went back to Hotel Bavaria and on my way there I helped a young lad trying to transport two mattresses on a bike. It was pretty funny to watch this 12 year old kid struggle, but it was nice to finally see him with a balanced load--with the help of two other kids sitting on the mattresses. Then I bought some other rations for my early starts both tomorrow and Sunday in order to make it to Managua. While I sat and ate my lunch, I enjoyed watching a man on his bike ride past with a red macaw on his shoulder. I also listened to a man in the restaurant talk to me about depleting fish stocks here, environmental degradation, and farming. All of which are topics that would normally interest me. However I just couldn’t get over the smell of marijuana coming from this man. So I sort of politely nodded and added in “yes” and “no’s” where necessary. However I will say he was very gentleman like when my food arrived he let me be.

From here I meandered back to ‘Treetanic’, one of the funkiest bar/restaurant/hostel I have ever been too. While I didn’t eat, drink or sleep there, I thoroughly enjoyed taking photos of the mosaic sidewalks and decor! I believe only photos will do it justice.

I ended up having to return to Captain Morgan’s Dive Shop to get my final exam graded and get the official “I passed” moment. The unfortunate downside is that by the time I had to make my way down to the shop there was a torrential downpour. So bad that the streets turned to rivers. My shoes were soaked by the time I reached the shop. Juju wasn’t there when I did, so I ended up talking to Pedro for about an hour and a half about why we were traveling, organic farms, tipping points, and where man came from. It was one of those conversations that made me grateful to be traveling. I love meeting like minded people with whom I can converse with about these topics.

Overall, on the eve of my departure from Honduras I have to admit that it exceeded my expectations. I spent far longer here in Honduras than I thought I would. I have loved the time I spent in the Copan Ruins and I have definitely loved the time I spent here in Utila & the Cayes. I met some wonderful fellow travelers who made this trip worthwhile. They turned a country I was planning on passing through a worthwhile adventure. Thank you!