Southwest Caye & Punta Sal, Honduras
Sunrise over the peaks of the Sierra Congrejal on the north coast of Honduras was the first treat of our day, complete with soft pink light and a warm Caribbean breeze. A short while later, we were headed for shore, towards turquoise blue water, white sand and coconut palms. Could there be a more perfect cure for the extreme winter blues? We lounged in hammocks and on beach chairs, walked the perimeter of this perfect little caye and eventually donned masks, snorkels and fins for some exploration of the island’s fringing reef. Hermit crabs waddled by, brown pelicans dove just offshore for schools of tiny silvery fish and we enjoyed a completely relaxed morning. Returning to the ship a bit before lunch, we had time to learn about “Tropical Roots and Fruits” during a talk by California Academy of Sciences lecturer, Tom Daniel.
Later in the afternoon, the Sea Lion anchored at Punta Sal and prepared for our exploration of the Rio Tinto. This rocky headland covered with lush tropical vegetation like cohune palms, gumbo limbo and large fig trees, has been set aside as the Jeannette Kawas National Park. Most of us opted to head upriver by Zodiac, but a small contingent paddled kayaks upstream. Our sightings included little blue herons, yellow-crowned night herons, tri-colored herons and exceptional looks at a large flock of Montezuma oropendolas. There were brassavola orchids, blooming water hyacinth and the delicate white pinwheels of the dogbane flowers. As if all this weren’t enough, we were treated to a surprise delivery of cool, fruity ice cream! The paddlers ventured up a side channel, too narrow for the Zodiacs, and encountered a band of howler monkeys directly overhead.
Returning to the ship after an incredible day on just one of Honduras’ reefs and rivers, we stepped out on deck to watch this phenomenal sunset.
Sunrise over the peaks of the Sierra Congrejal on the north coast of Honduras was the first treat of our day, complete with soft pink light and a warm Caribbean breeze. A short while later, we were headed for shore, towards turquoise blue water, white sand and coconut palms. Could there be a more perfect cure for the extreme winter blues? We lounged in hammocks and on beach chairs, walked the perimeter of this perfect little caye and eventually donned masks, snorkels and fins for some exploration of the island’s fringing reef. Hermit crabs waddled by, brown pelicans dove just offshore for schools of tiny silvery fish and we enjoyed a completely relaxed morning. Returning to the ship a bit before lunch, we had time to learn about “Tropical Roots and Fruits” during a talk by California Academy of Sciences lecturer, Tom Daniel.
Later in the afternoon, the Sea Lion anchored at Punta Sal and prepared for our exploration of the Rio Tinto. This rocky headland covered with lush tropical vegetation like cohune palms, gumbo limbo and large fig trees, has been set aside as the Jeannette Kawas National Park. Most of us opted to head upriver by Zodiac, but a small contingent paddled kayaks upstream. Our sightings included little blue herons, yellow-crowned night herons, tri-colored herons and exceptional looks at a large flock of Montezuma oropendolas. There were brassavola orchids, blooming water hyacinth and the delicate white pinwheels of the dogbane flowers. As if all this weren’t enough, we were treated to a surprise delivery of cool, fruity ice cream! The paddlers ventured up a side channel, too narrow for the Zodiacs, and encountered a band of howler monkeys directly overhead.
Returning to the ship after an incredible day on just one of Honduras’ reefs and rivers, we stepped out on deck to watch this phenomenal sunset.
