Utila & Bahia Escondida
This morning we visited Utila, one of the islands that comprise the Bay Islands of Honduras. Those of us who went in search of botanicals and birds strolled down the narrow streets. The people of Utila love to garden and most had colorful bougainvillea draped over walls and fences (see photo above). Such aromatic and colorful plants attract hummingbirds. Thankfully (for the birders) our wish to see the Fork Tailed Canivet’s Emerald came true.
The folks who took advantage of the ‘wet’ option, snorkeled off the lighthouse where shallow reef waters disappear over a shear underwater cliff. Swimming through the city of brightly colored corals and sponges was exciting as the local finned residents went about their fish business.
After leaving Utila we sailed for Punta Sal National Park on the Honduran mainland. Towering walls of lush vegetation surrounded the ship as we anchored in the calm waters of Bahia Escondida. Historically pirates trying to escape bad weather or the law used the bay as a refuge. We set out to explore the bay by Zodiac or afoot on shore. Those on shore followed a lovely boardwalk or ventured over the hillside through the green tropical forest. Birds called and lured us deeper into the forest. Along the trails mantled howlers swung through the trees and a spider monkey made an appearance in the lower canopy.
The Zodiacs traveled around the edge of the bay. Beautiful palms and gumbo limbo trees adorned the outlying rocks. Large orchids and epiphytes covered the over hanging limbs. Movement was seen in the large cohune palms as the group of mantled howlers made their way deeper into the forest. A great end to our travels in the Mayan world.
This morning we visited Utila, one of the islands that comprise the Bay Islands of Honduras. Those of us who went in search of botanicals and birds strolled down the narrow streets. The people of Utila love to garden and most had colorful bougainvillea draped over walls and fences (see photo above). Such aromatic and colorful plants attract hummingbirds. Thankfully (for the birders) our wish to see the Fork Tailed Canivet’s Emerald came true.
The folks who took advantage of the ‘wet’ option, snorkeled off the lighthouse where shallow reef waters disappear over a shear underwater cliff. Swimming through the city of brightly colored corals and sponges was exciting as the local finned residents went about their fish business.
After leaving Utila we sailed for Punta Sal National Park on the Honduran mainland. Towering walls of lush vegetation surrounded the ship as we anchored in the calm waters of Bahia Escondida. Historically pirates trying to escape bad weather or the law used the bay as a refuge. We set out to explore the bay by Zodiac or afoot on shore. Those on shore followed a lovely boardwalk or ventured over the hillside through the green tropical forest. Birds called and lured us deeper into the forest. Along the trails mantled howlers swung through the trees and a spider monkey made an appearance in the lower canopy.
The Zodiacs traveled around the edge of the bay. Beautiful palms and gumbo limbo trees adorned the outlying rocks. Large orchids and epiphytes covered the over hanging limbs. Movement was seen in the large cohune palms as the group of mantled howlers made their way deeper into the forest. A great end to our travels in the Mayan world.
