Cuero Y Salado and Utila, Honduras
Morning brought a gentle easterly swell to our ship as we greeted yet another glorious day. Our Zodiac scout assured us that the mouth of the Rio Salado was open and off we went in search of another adventure. Entering the mouth of this river can be a hectic experience, riding one cresting swell while anticipating the next. Smooth waters awaited us as we traveled upstream. Someone shouted "Howlers!” and there they were- three to four troops in the trees along the riverside. The lush forest seemed impenetrable. Provision trees with their heavy brown fruits hung precariously over the river’s edge. Trumpet flowers in lavender and gold sent their vines cascading down the trees. A golden orb weaver lay at wait for prey to blunder by. White-faced monkeys, collared aracaris and a rufous tailed jacamar added to the jungle scene.
Bay islands here we come! Our next destination was the island of Utila, one of nine islands located north of Honduras’s coast that make up the Bay Islands. Utila supports a population of about five hundred folks, mostly Scotch-English, who immigrated to the island in 1638. They depend on the sea and tourism for their mainstay and are extremely friendly, making visitors feel like they are a part of the family.
The fringing reef located just about five minutes away was a delight for the snorkelers. Everyone was excited to get back into the water. Huge boulder star corals provided refuge for the blue chromis and flitting butterfly fish. A flaming tongue was busily eating away at a venus sea fan.
Later, we waited for the elusive “green flash” while sipping a favorite cocktail from the back deck.
Morning brought a gentle easterly swell to our ship as we greeted yet another glorious day. Our Zodiac scout assured us that the mouth of the Rio Salado was open and off we went in search of another adventure. Entering the mouth of this river can be a hectic experience, riding one cresting swell while anticipating the next. Smooth waters awaited us as we traveled upstream. Someone shouted "Howlers!” and there they were- three to four troops in the trees along the riverside. The lush forest seemed impenetrable. Provision trees with their heavy brown fruits hung precariously over the river’s edge. Trumpet flowers in lavender and gold sent their vines cascading down the trees. A golden orb weaver lay at wait for prey to blunder by. White-faced monkeys, collared aracaris and a rufous tailed jacamar added to the jungle scene.
Bay islands here we come! Our next destination was the island of Utila, one of nine islands located north of Honduras’s coast that make up the Bay Islands. Utila supports a population of about five hundred folks, mostly Scotch-English, who immigrated to the island in 1638. They depend on the sea and tourism for their mainstay and are extremely friendly, making visitors feel like they are a part of the family.
The fringing reef located just about five minutes away was a delight for the snorkelers. Everyone was excited to get back into the water. Huge boulder star corals provided refuge for the blue chromis and flitting butterfly fish. A flaming tongue was busily eating away at a venus sea fan.
Later, we waited for the elusive “green flash” while sipping a favorite cocktail from the back deck.
