Short trip to Tela

So we landed and Frankie is happy in the pocket on the backpack, maybe not happy but hey I’m bigger and I paid for the ferry ticket, so I decide where is he spend time. So where did we land on our pirate ship, ahoy captain. Well not really pirate ship as they did not charge us arm and leg, and it was brand new ship, so hard to afford by hard working pirates. Nah it was Utila Dream Ferry from Roatan to La Ceiba and it was a nice crossing with  nothing to talk about it.

Landed at port and the land pirates moved on us like vultures circling the next feast, yeah taxi drivers are the same all over the world. Well be the only one tall blond and white skin fella in the forest of dark haired and brown skinned people get the attention quite fast, no matter of country you are in. Tested and tried before so just nod and ask the price, then say half what they asked back and see if bargaining can start. This time helped that my compadres spoke fluent Spanish, no matter that one is from Holland and second from France. So after I started negotiate the price, I left it to them as their command of Spanish is on native level. We have secured taxi ride to Bus Station and in the first few seconds after the classical questions “where are you from, where are you going “ we were offered taxi ride for 100km which would be for other type of travelers but not for us, the thrill and discomfort seekers.

Landed at the bus station was easy and immediately we knew we are on the main land, where the life is different and only influenced by America but not owned by Americans. Influence is seen in public transport infrastructure, which are privately owned old American Yellow School buses with a slight personalization in way of LED lights / strobes to get your attention. What a great way to travel in local style. Amazing three hours journey which really felt like an hour with so much to see, so much music to listen as music is must in every bus. Faces of local people were priceless addition to four dollars fare, as when entered bus they saw tall blond gringo sitting there with big smile on. Surprise for them and also for sellers of various things from sweet droughts to phone chargers, who occasionally jumped on the bis to make some money. Food items were sporadically purchased by locals so at least some income.

Views were sooo beautiful of high mountains on our left side and fields of various crops on right, mostly palms, pineapples, corn and side road sellers of rambutan.  Those tall mountains are so amazing sight that next trip will be to Pico Bonito national park where the hiking is possible in two thousand meters above sea level. As the bus passed the various towns, villages or just random stop in the middle of the road to allow travelers disembark the scenery of lush green was like a bath for a soul.

Arriving in La Ceiba around 3pm we were happy to disembark as the nature was beautiful for sure but also called us to seek the toilet immediately as we stand from the seats. Thankfully the petrol station are clearly marked and clean so half run or fast walk we have arrived inside air conditioned petrol station what, have to admit was a nice thing after three hours on the bus with natural ventilation, i.e. hot air moving through open windows. Since we were there, Chantal and Omar used the command of Spanish language to get information about possible accommodation near as we have not booked anything. Since it was the national holiday we were kind of hoping that some places will still have rooms available as this five day weekend is apparently second biggest local holiday. 

Luckily the petrol station attendant gave us one direction and the customer another, each about long 5 min walk from petrol station in center of the town. As the national holiday started the rooms were booked out especially when we were group of three. Anyhow first hotel did not looked so well and since Chantal went to explore second hotel we used the high tech of what’s up video call to make decision that the second place was much better. Therefore me and Omar just picked up our stuff and walked a block to the hotel. Bunker with three queen size beds and  no windows with bathroom so small that when you wash your hands you scratch your ass on the wall behind.

Hey we have arrived and have bed with roof over head, it is time to get out and eat some dinner as well as stretch legs after taking the long school bus trip. Walked down beach front so see the sunset “once more again sunset on beach cliché” nicely decorated by  waste all over the beach. Shame that so nice beach was so polluted but hey, everything takes time and one day the locals will realize that they have gem in their hands and it needs to be protected and cleaned. Until then look up on the sky and not under your feet as the sunset is amazingly charming and calming. Only to the point, when the sand flies and mosquitos get the memo that brand new blood bank is in town, this time gringo blood, the best on the market. Thankfully when we eventually sat down for food the staff was ready with the Honduras most favorite perfume called OFF in nice orange aluminum flacon and yes we dosed ourself like Ludovic XIV in France.

I know that as diver I should refrain from eating sea food but I was always fan of sea food chowder and here it is called Sopa Marinera and my oh my, best soup I ever eaten ! What a delicious meal and the size, holly molly I thought that I’m pregnant after finishing it. Well the four plates of garlic bread as starter not helped the case but yummy yummy in the tummy. Now time to walk off the dinner in such a long walk around the block and finally as good pensioners on holiday fell asleep by 8 or 9 pm, cannot remember it now.