One day. 2 different islands in 2 different counries!

Utila, Honduras.  Caye Caulker, Belize.

A private charter plane in between and call it a day!

After many priceless days spent in Utila, I have to leave.  Literally.  Visa expires at the end of the month.  Before I came here someone gave me fair warning about this island and its mystic powers to keep travelers much MUCH longer than they expected.  Thank my sisters and my visa for making me leave.  I still may return.   My favorites on Utila were of the following:

-Underwater Vision.  Dove here.  Lived here.  Loved every second of this place.

-Scuba diving.  Hip hip huurrraaayyy I'm certified now and can do this around the world.  How tempting is it to become a divemaster/instructor and turn this sport into a profession?  hmmmm

-Afternoon sand volleyball.  You know that feeling once you've played so much your forearms start burning? Yep, got it.

-Thompson's bakery and their cinamon rolls.  If you come here, you must try them.   Best thing since tres leches cake!

-Seven seas balieades...........almost a daily ritual.  Another food Americans need to make more of.

 (new friends....Daniel and Cam)

 As for the private charter........when you search 'pristine carribean islands' on the internet, you MIGHT see what we saw out the window.  The beauty was overwhelming.  I'm dealing with that now!

what a day!

Today = early morning scuba diving.  Lunch on one of the caye islands...fish burger hello!
Afternoon sand volleyball followed by a little Carribean wakeboarding then more volleyball during sunset. 

IS THIS REALITY? 

Goal for tomorrow is to get ahold of the incredibleness of the homemade cinnamon roles.  I have yet to successfully get a warm one.  Utila offers a few famous things.  Diving.  Party.  Giffiti.  Balieadas.  And these cinnamon rolls.  Time to conquer!

Today was my 13th dive here.  Thinking this might a place I return to.....thinking Divemaster status would be great.  We'll see.

My internal clock tells me its Friday......hmmmm what to do on a Friday night? 

Scuba diving Utila

PADI Scuba certifications:  Open water and Advanced.  CHECK!

(P.S. scuba gear really brings out my best looks!)

Curious to know why I didn't keep going.  Well check the chart.....all of these courses cost dinero, which I don't have specifically for diving just yet!


So glad I chose to get certified on Utila!  Rumor has it that the island certifies more divers per year than any other place in the world.  It seems true, as the island is filled with dive shops.  I went with Underwater Vision and believe it to be the best decision.


Throughout both courses, we dove in a variety of locations, mostly during the morning, once at night.  Must admit the night dive brings an entire different feel to scuba diving.  When you turn off all lights underwater and flail your arms, you stir up plankton and the luminescence lights make it seem like you are in a field of fire flies.  Absolutely, a one-of-a-kind experience.


 Porcupine puffer fish.

Trumpet fish.
Other than diving, I've done a whole lot of nothing.  It's been my life since I've gotten on the island.  Today is the first free day and the hammock over looking the Caribbean is calling my name!

Craving the green mangos, that are severed in bags with chile, salt and a little lime juice.  DO try this at home!

(All photo's taken from my friend Marcello)

Something to check out.  New friend introduced me to an inspiring series of videos called:  Ted:  Ideas Worth Spreading  You'll understand once you watch one!

why didn't someone warn me?

Utila is just that good.

And I'm now addicted to scuba diving.  Chalk that one up on the addiction list....YIKES!  After tomorrow I'll be open water certified and then onto the advanced course.

Today I saw so much below sea level, a snapshot:
-a barracuda
-angel fish of every color
-puffer fish
-trumpet fish
-a giant crab, GIANT
-and the 12m mark....tomorrow 18m below the surface.

Not to mention the food here, baleadas (tortillas stuffed with re-fried beans, tomatoes, cheese, lettuce, cucumbers, carrots) is great and cheap.  A whopping 75 cents for lunch.

Most people come and leave a LOT later than planned.  Maybe that's because during my walk tonight I spotted a ray gliding on the waters surface, moments later a small squid attemping to catch food.

Thank Kelly and Angie for drawing me off this island before a year of my life passed by.

Red Bull Flugtag, Twin Cities MN July 24h, 2010

'The Twin Cities will host its first ever Red Bull Flugtag this summer on the banks of the Mississippi River at Harriet Island Regional Park.  If you've got the creativity, the brains and the GUTS to jump off the flight deck, then don't miss your chance to soar.  Get your application in before April 16th for your chance to fly!'

Of course this comes when I leave, but if you're in a city or state near, you should APPLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://redbullflugtagusa.com/TwinCities2010 for more info people. This is serious stuff people, there best be some of you applying for this goodness.  

Mom:  I'll come home if you, Sue, Kelly and Angie create a flying object to send off the deck.


Happy Flying!