hopestar

So yesterday, at Anthony’s Key Resort on the beautiful Bay Island of Roatan, Honduras, I swam with DOLPHINS, and it was AMAZING!!! The entire swim was about an hour long, beginning with an up-close session with Mika, a 6-year old adolescent female weighing 290 lbs. She was adorable, fun, and playful. I learned about her skin, teeth, eyes, sound, voice, communication, intelligence, play and learning patterns, rewarding, got to rub her down several times, let her entertain, etc., and got a “hug” and “kiss” from her. Learned about this amazing program that keeps the dolphins in open water, holistically healthy, safe, and able to come and go into open ocean as they please. Then got to spend 30 minutes snorkeling with 15 dolphins!!! It was breathtaking, incredible, inspiring, spiritual, fun. I am seriously considering upending my life to apply for the dolphin training program I was so captivated by these beautiful, creative, playful, intelligent, gentle, loving creatures. One of the best experiences of my life!

So I’m on the gorgeous island of Roatan, one of the Bay Islands in the Carribean Sea off the coast of Honduras. These islands are famous for being the most popular budget spot for earing scuba certifications in the world, as well as boasting the world’s second largest barrier reef, which runs from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, through Belize, to here. Yesterday I spent in the sea with an instructor, who taught me all the info about scuba gear and set-up, and then took me into shallow water for basic safety drills with my partner – everything from losing or removing your regulator (air) to getting water out of your mask safely and so forth. After that, we went out into deep water for TWO open dives – both to 40 feet under! Each dive was about 45 minutes and AMAZINGLY cool. I was apprehensive about diving after learning all the dangers that can come from being in such a pressurized environment, and all the many ways one can die or cause SERIOUS lung and body damage by making tiny mistakes without knowing it, but after feeling such fear, I felt I HAD to conquer it! And I DID, and WELL! On the dives themselves I managed to stay calm, cool, aware, and truly enjoyed myself, exploring the sea life that few ever get to see. I was proud of myself for feeling the fear, doing it anyway, and having a great time! I am now a Certified Scuba Diver!

Aaahhhh!!! I just went white water rafting in Pico Bonito National Park, a rainforest ecosystem on the Eastern side of Honduras, down the rushing Rio Cangrejal. It was an amazing day, with rapids ranging from Class II-V, and even included body coasting through a few rapids AND a leap off of a 20-foot cliff back into the water after the mid-trip break. I returned later and took a few more leaps. Great day, great fun!