Greetings from the divers' college (so called) on Utila.  We actually got the day wrong- we need a tuneup so we're going out tomorrow morning.  Today will just be another day of lying around, sitting in various drawing spots, and jumping in and out of the water.  All who like that agenda are welcome to join us. 

Our first anchoring spot was next to absolutely dazzling reef.  The colors have been bumped up a notch from Florida waters.  Now we're closer to the town, so it's just sea grass. 

We've been sitting here in a very nice marina at the lagoon at La Ceiba acclimating to the third world; it really is a different style of living that takes some getting used to. In a few days we will head out to the reefs off Honduras and do a whole bunch of snorkeling and swimming and hanging out in island towns, and we may be out of touch for awhile. Not to worry, life is good.

Finally got a picture to load- very exciting!


We've been in La Ceiba for almost two weeks, so are about ready to see some other parts of Honduras. We're just getting used to the idea of being in another country.  I went to Spanish classes for a week, while Lorenzo changed out the stabilizing fish on the boat- to smaller ones- and made some repairs to the manifold.  It's very quiet here out of season, and sort of mosquitoey along this canal. 


Yesterday was the Carnival de San Ysidro-  huge parade followed by a raucous fiesta.  Crowded, hot, and very loud.  it's supposed to be very fun after dark, but we didn't last that long.

We left Key West last Wednesday afternoon.  There was a good weather window, with minimal winds and calm seas predicted, so we came straight on through.  With three people aboard to stand watch, it was a snap.  Without really planning it, we wound up in Honduras.  It was one of the places we were talking about.

We have to make a repair on our engine manifold, so today we took a cab to town, and loaded up on parts.  This is a port town, so marine hardware availability is pretty good.  Sensing boredom ahead, our crew- Nick- set off for Utila on the ferry.  This is supposedly a lovely island- we passed it on the way in.  We'll probably catch up with him later on this week.

Cats are well; Tony fasted all the way here.  There were flying fish on the deck every morning for Cleo.

Atlantic Black Sea Hare, Aplysia morio

Another fabulous creature.  It was grazing on the sea floor, pulsating along like a giant morning glory.