Roatan 2023 (page 6 of 8)

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Day 6: Thursday, February 16, 2023

Another day in paradise. After our breakfast, we headed out to the dive shop. We met up with the other divers (including the MN/MI/DC group and our Canadian friends Ross and Tina), and headed out to the beach to board Jabba again. Andrea was our dive master and Luther was our captain. The first dive was Fish Den. The name did not disappoint. There were lots of fish, especially at the end of the dive where we saw two schools of yellow snapper, with a few other yellow fish trying to hang out with them as well.

The next dive was called Seaquest. Here, there were PVC "trees" set up where a fast-growing coral was attached. The coral would be grown to a certain size, and then transplated elsewhere. There was a small "field" of these "trees", and it's impressive to see that people are trying to grow the coral. Greta got some videos of worms that are splayed out like an umbrella, and then snap closed when you get nearby. We saw a turtle a well with a couple remora on its shell. Normally, these will clean the parasites off their shell but they were biting the turtle's neck and it did NOT appreciate it, and was actively trying to shake them off. A barracuda also made a swim-by on this dive.

We headed back to Naboo to clean up and then over to Totally Taco, which was right next door and was highly recommended. It did not disappoint. We both had 3 tacos - Firecracker Shrimp , Wasabi Shrimp and Siracha Lime Fish. All were amazing, and came with a small side of salsa/chips. While eating, we called for a driver to take us to Gumbalimba Park (we'd found a contact number while at West Side).

The driver picked us up and drove us to the park. We paid our admission fee (drive was included) and then Candy was our tour guide. She showed us various trees, including a cinnamon tree (she peeled bark and had us guess what it was... it was easy to tell by the smell). We also saw a massive kapok tree and almond trees. We went through a manmade cave to learn a bit about the history of the island as well as to an insect house, where we saw mounted displays of many of the insects and arachnid of the world.

First we saw the iguanas. There are two kinds - a green iguana and the MJ (Michael Jackson - black with white spots) iguana here. There were many of them out sunning themselves. They love to eat lettuce, we found out. We'd seen one just strolling through when we first go there but here was their main hangout (probably because of the pile of lettuce).

We also walked over a tippy rope/board bridge, where we could see a lot of turtles sunning themselves down below. Our tour guide opted for the "chicken trail" where you could walk around the water, if you didn't want to attempt the rope bridge. We then went to see the birds. There were dozens of red macaws as well as a few green parrots. They have the option to leave but most return as they get fed. There was a trainer there who let us "hold" them (i.e. up to 4 birds would perch on us at once). The birds really liked to let their voices be heard - they were LOUD. Benny, the green parrot, was the oldest one there.

Then it was on to the monkeys. The white-faced capuchin monkey is native to Honduras. There were almost a dozen monkeys with their trainer in this area. It is not fenced in - they are free to wander. There were also a few Rutan Island agouti roaming about - they are a bit like a rabbit. We were told to only touch the monkeys that the trainer said were OK, but they were very brave and curious. We posed with a couple on our shoulders and they were SO curious (also, the trainer gave them sunflower seeds while they sat with us). It was really cool to see these guys up close and they would wrap their tails on you to for extra balance. It's a shame the pictures where we both are posing together with the monkeys didn't turn out but it is a great memory.

The tour then ended - a little short but definitely memorable. The island is also known for the sloths but we didn't get to see any of them. Too bad the gift shop didn't have any monkey carvings but we did get a painted macaw ornament (the Honduran National bird) for a small memory.

After we got back to Naboo, we relaxed a bit and spent some time trying to find a rental car. After an internet search, some WhatsApp phone calls, and a referral from a site we found on line, we found a guy who would rent us a car for 24 hours, for $55 plus a $15 pickup/dropoff fee. PERFECT - we arranged to have him drop it off around 1pm on Friday and then headed to the beach for supper.

As always, we were approached to buy bracelets, etc. on the beach. But Mike was wanting a rash guard with Roatan West Bay printed on it, and when a guy approached us, we figured we'd get one. We got a deal on two, so now we both have a long sleeved turle shirt (Mike in his favorite yellow and Greta in green). We walked further up the beach and suddenly saw a flash of red. Looking up, we saw 4 macaws (Gumbalimba is just a bit further up the beach) streaking through the air like the air force. But instead, it was 4 huge red birds up against the bright blue sky. It was an amazing sight.

We walked to Hacienda Caribe Tesora (the place we couldn't find the other day) and sat in the best seat in the house - the very end of the pier. Why this isn't absolutely packed at all times, we don't understand. It's beautiful and completely over the water on a pier. We had the requisite fruity drinks, plus an appetizer of ceviche. Mike ordered the Mahi Mahi, and Greta got garlic shimp. Everything was wonderful and the view was utterly amazing. Then we headed back to Naboo and hopped in the hot tub for a bit. We were originally thinking the pool, as we were hot, but by the time we got down there, the warm hot tub sounded better. Then off to bed - diving is exhausting!

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