Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
From Roatàn to Utila
March 11, 2009 2:41 PM
Completed my Advanced Open Water! Awesome diving. The Wreck dive was
enlightening. I didn't think I would be to into wrecks but it was
spectacular. We defended down to the wreck at 110ft down. It was
amazing to drop in out inthe open with only blue below. The siluette
of the ship faded in like a supernatural entitie making an apearence.
We followed our intstructor through an opening in the hull and floated
through the rusty skeleton exiting right onto the sandy floor it
rested on. Through another swim through which opened into an eel
garden. The eel garden is what looks like from a distince to be a thin
grassy patch. As you get closer you can make out little heads and eyes
as there body disapears into a hole in the sand. They swayed in the
current and looked like Madusa Hair all facing the same direction.
They retracted into their homes when I journyed too close. We then
continued to enter the wrecks dark passages and out a small square
hatch with put us stairing up at center mast the pointed straint to
the sky. Huge groupers circlesas if they were garding the site. Amazing!
Completed my Advanced Open Water! Awesome diving. The Wreck dive was
enlightening. I didn't think I would be to into wrecks but it was
spectacular. We defended down to the wreck at 110ft down. It was
amazing to drop in out inthe open with only blue below. The siluette
of the ship faded in like a supernatural entitie making an apearence.
We followed our intstructor through an opening in the hull and floated
through the rusty skeleton exiting right onto the sandy floor it
rested on. Through another swim through which opened into an eel
garden. The eel garden is what looks like from a distince to be a thin
grassy patch. As you get closer you can make out little heads and eyes
as there body disapears into a hole in the sand. They swayed in the
current and looked like Madusa Hair all facing the same direction.
They retracted into their homes when I journyed too close. We then
continued to enter the wrecks dark passages and out a small square
hatch with put us stairing up at center mast the pointed straint to
the sky. Huge groupers circlesas if they were garding the site. Amazing!
March 17, 2009 3:37 PM
It's been hard to write for the last week. I am now a certified rescue
diver. Do u trust me? Ha. I'm sitting in the scattered shade of a tree
sipping a refresco. The breeze is flutteing back and forth like
breaths from the sea. Children are talking and playing behind a white
picket fence. To my left is a small tienda with the sound of produce
being chopped. While people on scooters and in cars wizz by going so
fast to where can only be seconds away.
I'm back on Utila after exactly 2 years! For saint patricks day. I
friend I met in Roatan and I took a catamaran for a 4 hour sail from
coconut tree diver peir west end Roatán right to the peir at Altons on
utila. We just sat in the trampaline in front as the water rushed
under us. Almost like flying over water. This guy Verne sails back and
fourth between Roatán and utila every day. Can't beat that.
Sorry I don't have photos up yet. The Internet is kind of bad down
here. I'll get some flowin when I'm into an apartment.
I was diving and flipping off the 2 stories dock at Altons. It was
sweet. I endded my high jumps with a full on back flopp! Nice! No ones
going to see one of those for a while. One compasionate soul asked if
I was ok.
This was all after two nice dives off the north shore of Utila. Saw a
huge turtle a lobster a bristle star... So sweet just diving and
looking at all this beautiful unimaginable life.
Nowhe night can only get crazier as it progresses. Should be a good
St. Patricks Day.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
More Diving
March 9, 2009 10:25 PM
Just don't know where to start this time. If I haven't mentioned
before I am diving with Coconut Tree Divers in Roatán. This dive shop
is one of many on Roatán but stands out because it is the first shop
you see when entering West End. It is also very lively with many
people hanging out at the shop after there dives conversing about
their dives or anything that always seems to be interesting. There is
a wide range of personalities and nationalities and atitudes. My first
experience was meeting Gay one of the Owners. She was very helpful and
kind something that most people don't realize is the key to making
people comforable and more receptive. Her atitude was really a
clincher for me when I look back on it. As any establishment goes you
always have people comfortable in there environments that have been
around for a while and know each other. In this situation even some of
the best people can seen rude unitentive or just simple to helpful.
This is totaly understandable. Is it acceptable well I don't make the
rule nor do I want to but what business can aford to lose potenial
clients? Now I'm writing some sit of missin statment opps.
Anyways it's a great place with a range of peronalities as any place
is and these people and diversity is what makes it intersting. The
importanthing about them is they are safe and responsible.
All that said I have begun my adanced certification training and will
soon be thinking of the next steps of life down here. The first dives
for the advanced certification were Deep Dive and Navigation dive. The
deep dive started with an amazing sighting of two Southern sting rays
and one little Hawks bill turtle. This got us all even more excited
than the deep dive it self.
We decended to 100ft below and rested on a sandy patch at a max depth
of 112ft. I then compuortably settled to the sand and watched as one
diver was trying to adjust her ear pressure and another student tryed
to take it upon himself to handle the situation. Al the while I'm
sitting back watching in amazement thinking I hope this dosent end up
bad. Students are not ment to nor are we trained to assist divers in
distress. And she wasn't even in distress this guys reaction was
inapropriat as we have divemasters and our highly trained and skilled
instructor to handle it. All the while we are down here to test our
suceptiblility to nitrogen narcosis which basicaly getting a little or
in some cases intoxicated. This happens only ant these extrem
depthsand is not life threatening or harmfull on it's own yet the
disicions a diver makes while experincrng nitrogen narcosis can be if
they are unaware or not trained for the situation.
So a sat back and watched from about ten feet away. Our dive master
who is there to assist our instructor jumped into action and grabbed
the guy and gestured with athority for him to move back and return his
atention to our instructor. The dive master then comunicated with the
diver trying to adjust her ear presure and the situation was dealt
with. Very exciting. I just could believe this guy thought he could
take her up to adjust her ears. A rapid asent at this depthould not be
good.
Anyway one of the skills we needed to do was to complete a math
problem at 100ft down and see how long it would take compared to
asimilar test we took on the surface. I had no problems it may have
taken a bit long under than on the surface but that was the purpose to
see how we preformed at depths suceptible to nitrogen narcosis.
All in all a great day and tomorrow I will do three dives. A wreck
dive to start then a dive to perfect my bouyancy and control and
finaly a night dive. After this it's all done and I'm an advanced open
water diver.
This was just my dive stories there is much more I did in the evening.
But I hope to go to bed now. But I will write more about the most
interesting conversations I've had with anybody I've ever met! And I'm
rooming with the two Brandon and Vanesa. Both amazing people I've only
known for a few days. I'm out big day tomorrow. More later.
Just don't know where to start this time. If I haven't mentioned
before I am diving with Coconut Tree Divers in Roatán. This dive shop
is one of many on Roatán but stands out because it is the first shop
you see when entering West End. It is also very lively with many
people hanging out at the shop after there dives conversing about
their dives or anything that always seems to be interesting. There is
a wide range of personalities and nationalities and atitudes. My first
experience was meeting Gay one of the Owners. She was very helpful and
kind something that most people don't realize is the key to making
people comforable and more receptive. Her atitude was really a
clincher for me when I look back on it. As any establishment goes you
always have people comfortable in there environments that have been
around for a while and know each other. In this situation even some of
the best people can seen rude unitentive or just simple to helpful.
This is totaly understandable. Is it acceptable well I don't make the
rule nor do I want to but what business can aford to lose potenial
clients? Now I'm writing some sit of missin statment opps.
Anyways it's a great place with a range of peronalities as any place
is and these people and diversity is what makes it intersting. The
importanthing about them is they are safe and responsible.
All that said I have begun my adanced certification training and will
soon be thinking of the next steps of life down here. The first dives
for the advanced certification were Deep Dive and Navigation dive. The
deep dive started with an amazing sighting of two Southern sting rays
and one little Hawks bill turtle. This got us all even more excited
than the deep dive it self.
We decended to 100ft below and rested on a sandy patch at a max depth
of 112ft. I then compuortably settled to the sand and watched as one
diver was trying to adjust her ear pressure and another student tryed
to take it upon himself to handle the situation. Al the while I'm
sitting back watching in amazement thinking I hope this dosent end up
bad. Students are not ment to nor are we trained to assist divers in
distress. And she wasn't even in distress this guys reaction was
inapropriat as we have divemasters and our highly trained and skilled
instructor to handle it. All the while we are down here to test our
suceptiblility to nitrogen narcosis which basicaly getting a little or
in some cases intoxicated. This happens only ant these extrem
depthsand is not life threatening or harmfull on it's own yet the
disicions a diver makes while experincrng nitrogen narcosis can be if
they are unaware or not trained for the situation.
So a sat back and watched from about ten feet away. Our dive master
who is there to assist our instructor jumped into action and grabbed
the guy and gestured with athority for him to move back and return his
atention to our instructor. The dive master then comunicated with the
diver trying to adjust her ear presure and the situation was dealt
with. Very exciting. I just could believe this guy thought he could
take her up to adjust her ears. A rapid asent at this depthould not be
good.
Anyway one of the skills we needed to do was to complete a math
problem at 100ft down and see how long it would take compared to
asimilar test we took on the surface. I had no problems it may have
taken a bit long under than on the surface but that was the purpose to
see how we preformed at depths suceptible to nitrogen narcosis.
All in all a great day and tomorrow I will do three dives. A wreck
dive to start then a dive to perfect my bouyancy and control and
finaly a night dive. After this it's all done and I'm an advanced open
water diver.
This was just my dive stories there is much more I did in the evening.
But I hope to go to bed now. But I will write more about the most
interesting conversations I've had with anybody I've ever met! And I'm
rooming with the two Brandon and Vanesa. Both amazing people I've only
known for a few days. I'm out big day tomorrow. More later.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
First Dives in Over Two Years!
March 7, 2009 10:24 PM
Whoo Yeah!! I. Trying to energetic abouthis cause today I did what
I've been thinking about for the last two and a half years! But I'm
totaly exausted and can't wait to crash and do it again when I wake
up. Dive! I did two dives in the after noon! Too many exclamation
marks already but more are coming so deal with it!
The first dive was Bikini Bottoms which was great but I was thinking
about way too much. I had my camera my dive watch all my new gear and
it was my first dive in mrs than two years so I was tring to remember
all my training. And my breathing. Just not good to be thinking about
every breath. But all that aside it was sick! I really feel at home
here and I'm only on day two but of course I feel this way about new
experiences no matter what...
The second dive went much better. I was more comfortable breathing
which made me able to focus on the awesomeness. We saw a huge Clinging
Crab. A Horse Eye Jack trying to shake off a Remora (I think that's
what the parasite fish is called). A Lobster a huge Barracuda a Morey
Eel and a Nurse Shark. I was jazzed about the crab but everyone else
was talking about the Shark, apparently there not so common these
days. And we only got to see the tail sticking out of it's sleeping
spot.
I took snaps of a lot and the two best shot were of a scorpion fish
and they were taken my Andy our Master Diver (the diver with the
highest level certification possible). They were awesome clear shots.
I'll post ehm not to worrie!
After the dives I was totaly drained and thought in was going to take
a nap but the dive beers kept me going. So I make a quick change into
my bug shield clothing and watched the sunset with my roommates Leana
and Brandon. After that it was a few beers and dinner at Sundowners.
Stephany (a Dive Master from France) and the gang were heading over to
get Rotisery Chicken which is supposed to be phenominal for their
dinner and I was just to exausted to make the walk. I really didn't
want to say no I actually wanted to go but was just to tyred to make
the walk. Next time.
It's five till eleven so Im Going to passout. I'm going diving at 830
or nine. So i'm up early and into the ocean! Loving life. Goodnight.
Whoo Yeah!! I. Trying to energetic abouthis cause today I did what
I've been thinking about for the last two and a half years! But I'm
totaly exausted and can't wait to crash and do it again when I wake
up. Dive! I did two dives in the after noon! Too many exclamation
marks already but more are coming so deal with it!
The first dive was Bikini Bottoms which was great but I was thinking
about way too much. I had my camera my dive watch all my new gear and
it was my first dive in mrs than two years so I was tring to remember
all my training. And my breathing. Just not good to be thinking about
every breath. But all that aside it was sick! I really feel at home
here and I'm only on day two but of course I feel this way about new
experiences no matter what...
The second dive went much better. I was more comfortable breathing
which made me able to focus on the awesomeness. We saw a huge Clinging
Crab. A Horse Eye Jack trying to shake off a Remora (I think that's
what the parasite fish is called). A Lobster a huge Barracuda a Morey
Eel and a Nurse Shark. I was jazzed about the crab but everyone else
was talking about the Shark, apparently there not so common these
days. And we only got to see the tail sticking out of it's sleeping
spot.
I took snaps of a lot and the two best shot were of a scorpion fish
and they were taken my Andy our Master Diver (the diver with the
highest level certification possible). They were awesome clear shots.
I'll post ehm not to worrie!
After the dives I was totaly drained and thought in was going to take
a nap but the dive beers kept me going. So I make a quick change into
my bug shield clothing and watched the sunset with my roommates Leana
and Brandon. After that it was a few beers and dinner at Sundowners.
Stephany (a Dive Master from France) and the gang were heading over to
get Rotisery Chicken which is supposed to be phenominal for their
dinner and I was just to exausted to make the walk. I really didn't
want to say no I actually wanted to go but was just to tyred to make
the walk. Next time.
It's five till eleven so Im Going to passout. I'm going diving at 830
or nine. So i'm up early and into the ocean! Loving life. Goodnight.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Made It!
March 5, 2009 9:23 PM
I got to La Ceiba and to Hotel Caribe as planned. I now know why
Shannon said hell no to this place and opted for a hotel a few dollars
more just out side of the the city. This place is located in the
middle of down town but the place is a bit budget. They gave me the
room right next to the receptionand entrance. So I can now hear every
one coming in and out and passing by on the street one level down. But
being my first night here I do enjoy listening to the activity. I just
hope it quiets down by eleven so I can rest up for my day to roatan.
On the bus here I tried to meet a threesome of New Yorkers but they
were content with each other and I'm sure I weirded out the guy I was
chatting with. It was his first time out of the USA and he had all the
reservations one would expect. I don't think it helped that I sat next
to him (I was following my seat asignment) while the bus was not even
close to being full. I did move after we started moving though. They
acted as I might have if I were with my good friends. Although I think
if I run into them on Roatan it will be better that I have met them
already.
I have been listening to my Spanish lessons which are helping me out.
I have been talking to people and they all seem to think I speak
Spanish. They always ask after a little conversation but it seems to
end when I tell them I speak only a little. But dr the met part I thnk
I'm doing a good job communicating and making it seem like I can speak
the language. I just hope I get enough Spanish on Roatan or I just
might have to find an apartment in Ceiba and learn here and take my
tips out to the islands.
So far day one and I'm totaly loving it.
I can't end with that can I.
When we got into Ceiba we arrived at the Hedman Alas stop which is
relativly close to town. I was expeting to come into the bus stop that
is out side of ceiba but this was much better. The cabbies here speak
a little English. More than I speak Spanish. Mario the cab driver
double the price on me but I knocked it half so he just filled up
every seat to make he share. I left the other English speaking kids.
As I acutualy prefer it although I'm sure Mario the cabbies was asking
me if I wanted to get dropped first but I had no clue who he was
speaking to and everyone else got a good laugh but I may be paranoid.
He dropped me at my shady hotel/motel. I then proceded to arrange my
trip to the ferry in the morning all in English. So he said 8am for
100 lempiras which is roughly 5 bucks.
With my morning all set I walked into my chosen hotel thinking if I
really wanted to stay here for the night but I had to clquench my
curiosity which was lingering for a couple years. As I said before I
now am convinced Shannon made the right choice for comfort but the
place is in a great location. As someone out side my window hucks a
luggie!
I got my room and went out for dinner. I read in my lonely planet that
the pizza hut is a good choice so with that in mind from earlier I
walked over to the park where it and a few other restrants circle the
cities parke central. I did a quick walk aroung the area with a few
hombres trying to get my attention with hollers and one even yelled
"That's a cool hat!" it seems more kids here are learnng English. I
also got begged by a little kid that was saying he was very hungry in
Spanish and wanted a dollar. I don't even give the homeless dollars in
Boston. But last time I was here a gave a kid that looked just like
this guy only a bit younger a couple bucks, so I dont feel that bad. I
would have given him some cash but I didn't want to bust out my wallet
just then. Next time I told him but that just prompted more complaining.
I finaly got to Pizza Hut and although I wanted a Salva Vida with my
pizza the one beer they had on the menu was just as satisfing. It was
Heineken if you can believe that! And to top it off they had free wifi
so I got to check my mail and eat. A few local chicas were checking me
out from across the room too. Did I mention I love this place.
That's it for day uno. Goodnight
OUT
I got to La Ceiba and to Hotel Caribe as planned. I now know why
Shannon said hell no to this place and opted for a hotel a few dollars
more just out side of the the city. This place is located in the
middle of down town but the place is a bit budget. They gave me the
room right next to the receptionand entrance. So I can now hear every
one coming in and out and passing by on the street one level down. But
being my first night here I do enjoy listening to the activity. I just
hope it quiets down by eleven so I can rest up for my day to roatan.
On the bus here I tried to meet a threesome of New Yorkers but they
were content with each other and I'm sure I weirded out the guy I was
chatting with. It was his first time out of the USA and he had all the
reservations one would expect. I don't think it helped that I sat next
to him (I was following my seat asignment) while the bus was not even
close to being full. I did move after we started moving though. They
acted as I might have if I were with my good friends. Although I think
if I run into them on Roatan it will be better that I have met them
already.
I have been listening to my Spanish lessons which are helping me out.
I have been talking to people and they all seem to think I speak
Spanish. They always ask after a little conversation but it seems to
end when I tell them I speak only a little. But dr the met part I thnk
I'm doing a good job communicating and making it seem like I can speak
the language. I just hope I get enough Spanish on Roatan or I just
might have to find an apartment in Ceiba and learn here and take my
tips out to the islands.
So far day one and I'm totaly loving it.
I can't end with that can I.
When we got into Ceiba we arrived at the Hedman Alas stop which is
relativly close to town. I was expeting to come into the bus stop that
is out side of ceiba but this was much better. The cabbies here speak
a little English. More than I speak Spanish. Mario the cab driver
double the price on me but I knocked it half so he just filled up
every seat to make he share. I left the other English speaking kids.
As I acutualy prefer it although I'm sure Mario the cabbies was asking
me if I wanted to get dropped first but I had no clue who he was
speaking to and everyone else got a good laugh but I may be paranoid.
He dropped me at my shady hotel/motel. I then proceded to arrange my
trip to the ferry in the morning all in English. So he said 8am for
100 lempiras which is roughly 5 bucks.
With my morning all set I walked into my chosen hotel thinking if I
really wanted to stay here for the night but I had to clquench my
curiosity which was lingering for a couple years. As I said before I
now am convinced Shannon made the right choice for comfort but the
place is in a great location. As someone out side my window hucks a
luggie!
I got my room and went out for dinner. I read in my lonely planet that
the pizza hut is a good choice so with that in mind from earlier I
walked over to the park where it and a few other restrants circle the
cities parke central. I did a quick walk aroung the area with a few
hombres trying to get my attention with hollers and one even yelled
"That's a cool hat!" it seems more kids here are learnng English. I
also got begged by a little kid that was saying he was very hungry in
Spanish and wanted a dollar. I don't even give the homeless dollars in
Boston. But last time I was here a gave a kid that looked just like
this guy only a bit younger a couple bucks, so I dont feel that bad. I
would have given him some cash but I didn't want to bust out my wallet
just then. Next time I told him but that just prompted more complaining.
I finaly got to Pizza Hut and although I wanted a Salva Vida with my
pizza the one beer they had on the menu was just as satisfing. It was
Heineken if you can believe that! And to top it off they had free wifi
so I got to check my mail and eat. A few local chicas were checking me
out from across the room too. Did I mention I love this place.
That's it for day uno. Goodnight
OUT
The Flight to San Pedro
March 5, 2009 9:21 AM
I'm on the flight down now. Arrival city is San Pedro Sula. From there
on to La Ceiba and then in the morning to Roatán. Finally! So siked!
The plan seems to be full of American Catholic Missionary Students. A
few American families and some Honduran Students returning home for
spring break. Should be quick flight. The closer I get to where I'm
going and the farther I get from the cold the easier it gets.
OUT
I'm on the flight down now. Arrival city is San Pedro Sula. From there
on to La Ceiba and then in the morning to Roatán. Finally! So siked!
The plan seems to be full of American Catholic Missionary Students. A
few American families and some Honduran Students returning home for
spring break. Should be quick flight. The closer I get to where I'm
going and the farther I get from the cold the easier it gets.
OUT
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
From One Extreme...
walk. This was fun but I am sure swimming in crystal clear Carribean
waters will be much more pleasurable.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Getting Ready to Hit the Road
[February 28, 2009]
I am at the lake with all the stuff I have acumulated throughout my
life. Most of it is going in the trash. Some of it I am and have givin
to friends and family to one day see again I hope although it is no
longer mine as long as it is taken care of I can move on. This goes
for my fish as well that I had to give away. But after this experience
I really don't want to start a saltwater aquarium again. There are
just to many organisims that perish in the end.
I have laid out most of what I will be bringing with me on this new
life adventure. It already looks like way too much. I already know I
will be struggling carrying all this stuff. The main extra weight is
my scuba gear. It's all good stuff and I know it will get used. That
is if it doesn't get pillaged on the way from the airport to the island.
The journey from the airport to Roatan will take a full 24 hours but
more than twelve hours will be spent in La Ceiba waiting to catch the
ferry. I'm not sure if I will stay at a grubby but fun hostel type
hotel or go for the comfortable clean but private hotel. I'm thinking
I should do the grubby accomodations and meet some other travelers.
This is most likely what will do. After all I am out for an adventure
and meeting people will make it the adventure I'm looking for.
When I think about being there I get very excited and can't wait! Only
four more days! Or is it five.
The first part of the trip I have pretty much done before two years
ago. But once I get to Roatan the totaly new journey will have begun.
I have a loose idea of where I will be staying but the final decision
will be made once I'm there and probably after a few days of scopeing
out the establishments and areas. Budget travel has to be done with a
lot of flexbility and spontinaity or it just wouldn't be in the budget!
I am at the lake with all the stuff I have acumulated throughout my
life. Most of it is going in the trash. Some of it I am and have givin
to friends and family to one day see again I hope although it is no
longer mine as long as it is taken care of I can move on. This goes
for my fish as well that I had to give away. But after this experience
I really don't want to start a saltwater aquarium again. There are
just to many organisims that perish in the end.
I have laid out most of what I will be bringing with me on this new
life adventure. It already looks like way too much. I already know I
will be struggling carrying all this stuff. The main extra weight is
my scuba gear. It's all good stuff and I know it will get used. That
is if it doesn't get pillaged on the way from the airport to the island.
The journey from the airport to Roatan will take a full 24 hours but
more than twelve hours will be spent in La Ceiba waiting to catch the
ferry. I'm not sure if I will stay at a grubby but fun hostel type
hotel or go for the comfortable clean but private hotel. I'm thinking
I should do the grubby accomodations and meet some other travelers.
This is most likely what will do. After all I am out for an adventure
and meeting people will make it the adventure I'm looking for.
When I think about being there I get very excited and can't wait! Only
four more days! Or is it five.
The first part of the trip I have pretty much done before two years
ago. But once I get to Roatan the totaly new journey will have begun.
I have a loose idea of where I will be staying but the final decision
will be made once I'm there and probably after a few days of scopeing
out the establishments and areas. Budget travel has to be done with a
lot of flexbility and spontinaity or it just wouldn't be in the budget!
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