The Bay Islands, Hondurus
High peaks of the mainland rose through the clouds to the south as we approached the small village of Utila on one of the Bay Islands shortly after dawn. Our first full day aboard the Sea Lion was off to a great start. There were no signs of cars as we wandered the narrow roads through town, but electric vehicles and bicycles provided adequate transport for the local people. Brilliant green iridescence flashed from tiny hummingbirds known as Canivet’s Emeralds as they raced back and forth to feeders hung out for their benefit. Butterflies sipped nectar from Ixora and other flowering shrubs along the way. All too soon it was time to return to the ship and reposition for our afternoon activities.
When one thinks of the perfect tropical island, visions of coconut palms leaning out over white sand beaches with turquoise water and coral reefs may come to mind. As you can see in the photo, this is exactly what we found when we landed after lunch. Hammocks were strung in the shade of the palms and beach towels were available for those who preferred to relax on the soft sand.
Snorkelers and scuba divers donned their gear before entering another world. The dazzling colors of the reef fish were breathtaking. Juvenile blue tangs belie their name with their bright yellow bodies. Stoplight parrotfish, numerous wrasses, goatfish, and trumpetfish carried out their fishy business while we watched. It was a glorious introduction to the undersea life of this wonderfully rich environment.
High peaks of the mainland rose through the clouds to the south as we approached the small village of Utila on one of the Bay Islands shortly after dawn. Our first full day aboard the Sea Lion was off to a great start. There were no signs of cars as we wandered the narrow roads through town, but electric vehicles and bicycles provided adequate transport for the local people. Brilliant green iridescence flashed from tiny hummingbirds known as Canivet’s Emeralds as they raced back and forth to feeders hung out for their benefit. Butterflies sipped nectar from Ixora and other flowering shrubs along the way. All too soon it was time to return to the ship and reposition for our afternoon activities.
When one thinks of the perfect tropical island, visions of coconut palms leaning out over white sand beaches with turquoise water and coral reefs may come to mind. As you can see in the photo, this is exactly what we found when we landed after lunch. Hammocks were strung in the shade of the palms and beach towels were available for those who preferred to relax on the soft sand.
Snorkelers and scuba divers donned their gear before entering another world. The dazzling colors of the reef fish were breathtaking. Juvenile blue tangs belie their name with their bright yellow bodies. Stoplight parrotfish, numerous wrasses, goatfish, and trumpetfish carried out their fishy business while we watched. It was a glorious introduction to the undersea life of this wonderfully rich environment.
