Hello Utila!
After sleeping most of the day on Wednesday, I was up early and feeling better by Thursday. I knew I wanted to make my way to Utila, but wasn't ready to say goodbye to Sambo Creek yet either. I ventured off for a hike in the hills before I left and came upon a small canopy tour company right where I was hiking.
Although I did this sort of thing in Costa Rica, it looked fun enough to do again. What a treat it turned out to be.
The ziplines were much longer and faster than in Costa Rica and the scenery had an added element to just the jungle. On most of the lines you were ripping through with nothing but the jungle in sight, but on several you could see the ocean off in the distance as well. It was magnificent. The two guides were cuties so that didn't hurt things at all either. Midway through the ziplines we stopped to hike to these hotsprings. The top pool was literally boiling. 
Not just a simmer, but rapid huge bubbling water. I've never seen anything like it. From there it mixed with a cold river and made waterfalls down to five separte pools big enough to actually swim in. All were naturally formed and incredible.
You could lay up against the rocks and just let the warm water run over your face. The guides showed us this red mud/clay that the locals use to bathe with. I rubbed it all over my body and face and then basked in the sun. 
When I rinsed it off my skin felt as soft as a baby's bum, no joke. The best shower of my life!
I got back to my room in just enough time to gather my things and head to La Ceiba to catch a boat to Utila at 4pm. The trip was brutal. The boat took turns the entire 2 hour trip, on either of its sides. Swells so big it was scary.
I suppose the only good thing about being prone to sea sickness is the fact that you are too busy puking to worry about being scared of anything else.
Anyway, I obviously survived and got my feet firmly planted on solid ground at almost 7pm last night. In Thailand I had vowed to never get on one of those small stinkin' "yachts" again. I had gotten so sea sick while I was there that it was just something I never wanted to experience again. Well, I'm glad that I had forgotten that vow, because although the trip sucked, Utila is sublime! 
The scene this morning alone was worth the boat trip. I was up at 6am to a shining sky and an empty dock with a lone hammock right over the water. I read my book and just enjoyed the sounds of the birds and the feel of the breeze.
This will be a wonderful place to settle for a while. The people again are supremely friendly and there is yet another culture here. The islanders speak mainly creole English, which I can only compare to sort of a Jamaican style. But, really its not even that. Its often even harder to understand than Spanish. Truly like another language in itself.
I went to a big bbq on one of the docks last night and met so many great people. A local man named Lucas consumed much of my time. We sat on hammocks overlooking the crystal clear water and gabbed about my culture vs. his. . . and then took a late night swim. Very fun.
Now the question is. . . scuba or more spanish?
Although I did this sort of thing in Costa Rica, it looked fun enough to do again. What a treat it turned out to be.
The ziplines were much longer and faster than in Costa Rica and the scenery had an added element to just the jungle. On most of the lines you were ripping through with nothing but the jungle in sight, but on several you could see the ocean off in the distance as well. It was magnificent. The two guides were cuties so that didn't hurt things at all either. Midway through the ziplines we stopped to hike to these hotsprings. The top pool was literally boiling. 
Not just a simmer, but rapid huge bubbling water. I've never seen anything like it. From there it mixed with a cold river and made waterfalls down to five separte pools big enough to actually swim in. All were naturally formed and incredible.
You could lay up against the rocks and just let the warm water run over your face. The guides showed us this red mud/clay that the locals use to bathe with. I rubbed it all over my body and face and then basked in the sun. 
When I rinsed it off my skin felt as soft as a baby's bum, no joke. The best shower of my life!I got back to my room in just enough time to gather my things and head to La Ceiba to catch a boat to Utila at 4pm. The trip was brutal. The boat took turns the entire 2 hour trip, on either of its sides. Swells so big it was scary.
I suppose the only good thing about being prone to sea sickness is the fact that you are too busy puking to worry about being scared of anything else.
Anyway, I obviously survived and got my feet firmly planted on solid ground at almost 7pm last night. In Thailand I had vowed to never get on one of those small stinkin' "yachts" again. I had gotten so sea sick while I was there that it was just something I never wanted to experience again. Well, I'm glad that I had forgotten that vow, because although the trip sucked, Utila is sublime! 
The scene this morning alone was worth the boat trip. I was up at 6am to a shining sky and an empty dock with a lone hammock right over the water. I read my book and just enjoyed the sounds of the birds and the feel of the breeze.
This will be a wonderful place to settle for a while. The people again are supremely friendly and there is yet another culture here. The islanders speak mainly creole English, which I can only compare to sort of a Jamaican style. But, really its not even that. Its often even harder to understand than Spanish. Truly like another language in itself.
I went to a big bbq on one of the docks last night and met so many great people. A local man named Lucas consumed much of my time. We sat on hammocks overlooking the crystal clear water and gabbed about my culture vs. his. . . and then took a late night swim. Very fun.
Now the question is. . . scuba or more spanish?
posted by Sasha at
6:52 AM
1 Comments:
I am so glad you are feeling better, (minus the boat ride). I don't envy you having to make the decision between Spanish and scuba diving. On one hand there is your goal to be fluent in conversational Spanish and on the other is the desire to experience nature at its finest. Maybe you should go diving but only speak spanish while you do (lol). What was it Alan said about your immersion program? "Yea, immersed in the Atlantic!" I guess he knows because he has been there and done that! He said his favorite part of swimming in the ocean is swimming with the dolphins. What ever you decide to do I'm sure it will be fullfilling. I love you. Stay safe and come home well :)
By
your mama, At
Saturday, February 18, 2006 2:54:00 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home