Balann

This Honduras Island has a small pier where we had the ‘honor’ of tying-up to the dock, because of the ‘tradition’ of our ship’s ‘seniority’, age-wise. Compared to other ‘younger’ ships also docking that day, they instead anchored and tendered in small boats. Yea, for being old! Native band and dancers greeted our ship as we pulled in, plus photo opportunities to pose with them were available as we disembarked. Hawkers for pricy tours cornered anyone who would stand still (or not), but once you left the secure compound, taxis will approach you with more reasonable fares. (We understand that taxis when no ships are in port are most reasonable, but alas, tourists are creating an industry of ‘exploiting pirates’. And we must wonder…Why not, if they can get someone to pay $100/day? I probably would, too.) Agreed to $30 USD (gratuity extra) to Santos (Taxi #003) for an all-day tour for 4 people. He took us to a pretty beach with free lounge chairs at Half Moon Bay near West End, and then to Luna Beach Resort, for the rest of the afternoon.

At l/2 Moon, children with arms full of necklaces & bracelets, ply their wares as you lounge, so the best tack (for me) is to immediately buy some (2 for $5) and then tell the following ‘No Darling, I have some’. If you can stand their disappointed little chocolate faces, you’ll be Ok, plus these trinkets are nice mementos and gifts for those at home. Try the Honduras beer there, with ‘table’ service from an infrequent server, or walk up to the adjacent bar/restaurant. The shady elevated sand beach and black rock area with about a dozen lounge chairs was enjoyable, with interesting snorkeling convenient with steps down to the water, plus a fresh water outdoor shower. Although there were some people here from the ship (probably brought by their taxi also), and others that have rented cottages there, it felt private and very relaxing. Our only moment of concern this day is when we realized our driver was actually taking us back to the ship, and not to our second destination…but once we alerted him to this fact, he turned around and took us to where we desired. Saw some pretty destitute areas along this dirt road, but along the blacktop road, it was very tropical & picturesque. We not sure if this premature return to the ship was intentional or not, but Santos was pleasant enough, and all was good.

Luna Beach Resort (www.lunabeachresort.com) is a handsome resort of many wooden structures, restaurant/bar & swimming pool, on a palm-studded beach. The approached our taxi used to this resort was the sand road on the beach along the shore line, and made for an exciting drive, trying not to get stuck in the sand. (Sounds like Paradise? It is!) Debbie welcomes visitors by internet (she lives in Colorado) to spend the day and enjoy their facility at no fee. Next time we won’t spend too much time before arriving here so we can take their boat out to the reef to snorkel at their best spots because their beach is probably a better swimming beach than snorkeling. Better yet, we should come back and reserve a cabin/room for the week! Lunch was nice…and fresh-water pool swimming was refreshing.

Before we arrived back to the ship, Sis and I jumped out of the taxi to shop at the town Coxen Hole, again for the obligatory t-shirts, etc., with an easy walk to the ship after shopping. Before long, we’d have a bunch of pre-adolescent boys, chatting us up, as we wandered the shops. Of course, we know they are quasi-guides, with the intentions of getting a tip for their trouble. Again, I’m not opposed to this, as long as they don’t whine or beg, and some of their ‘stories’ are quite entertaining, as they would walk & talk with us. Oh sure, I unloaded my pocket of the local lempira currency, with maybe another dollar…so they can get an Orangeade. (The temp was really warm this late afternoon, and I’m sure they got quite thirsty, with All their talking.) They are beautiful children, and seemingly happy people on a beautiful island and I hope they prosper. ,Another Good Day!

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