Theme: Central American Adventure Tour Country: Honduras Languages: Spanish Unit of Currency: Honduran lempira Locations: Copan & The Bay Islands (Roatan & Utila) Year: 2013 Bucket list: Observing a Bluntnose six-gill shark 1,000 ft+ below through a yellow submarine
Video: Up Close and Personal with Hannah (Howler Monkey)
Video: Zip Lining Copan, Honduras
A Taste of My Submarine Exploration with Stanley Submarines:
Location: West End, Roatan, Honduras! The best footage that I took on this dive of 1,950 feet below the ocean’s surface (located above in the post)! Bluntnose six-gill sharks live in complete darkness and not a lot of information is known about these magnificent creatures. I captured some rare footage at 1,950 feet below the ocean’s surface.
Note: Cow organs were used for bait, for those that have a sensitive stomach!
Commentary is added for your pleasure. After the video was filmed, Karl Stanley and I concluded that this particular six gill female pregnant shark was at least 13 feet long.
Go to www.stanleysubmarines.com to book your adventure!
Video: Bluntnose Six-gill Sharks with Karl Stanley’s Submarines
DO: CHECK OUT THE MAYAN RUINS
Copan:
- Participating in a day tour to walk around the archaeological site
- Exploring King’s Tomb
DO: ZIP LINE OVER MACAW MOUNTAIN
Copan:
- Zip lining within the tree tops of Macaw Mountain
- After zip lining, take a stroll within Macaw Mountain Park
DO: SEEK ADVENTURE IN THE BAY ISLANDS
Roatan:
- Hanging out at Mayan Eden Eco-Park
- Zip Lining with Pirates of the Caribbean
- Submerging 1, 950 ft with Karl Stanley’s Deep Sea Exploration
Utila:
- Snorkeling the island
Honduras Re-cap:
When I initially started my preparations for Central America, I never really set an itinerary. I knew the destinations that I wanted to travel to, but I was uncertain when I would arrive there. I noticed that this is becoming a travel pattern of mine, and although it is very different from my previous set itinerary for South Africa of 2011, this is the perfect change for this world traveler! And I am sure that you will see more of my laid-back personality throughout my documenting.
1) Introduction to the Bay Islands – It was incredible to end my 1st Central America Adventure Tour in the islands. If you recall, I had begun my journey on honeymoon couple island of Caye Caulker, Belize. Like Belize, Honduras was an excellent hub for marine and bird life, as well as defined the true definition of “Adventure” – the water was crystal clear (ideal for diving and snorkeling), majestic winged creatures circled above my head, and there were numerous adrenaline-filled activities on the islands of Utila and Roatan for all ages.
From zip-lining, snorkeling, island off-roading, and trekking to the remote locations of the islands, the Bay Islands sufficed my appetite for adventure. Did I mention that I was in Paradise?
2) Acquaintance of Copan – Along the way I met a fellow traveler like myself. The 6 foot something resident of the UK young man was on a 10 week venture around Central America. Luckily, I had the chance to meet Robert in El Salvador, which then we had decided to trek around Honduras together for a little while.
The first historical destination was Copan; known for its ruins, underground tombs, plethora of Scarlet Macaws lingering in the trees, and invasive plants and trees that sustain Honduras’s heat waves. Not only was this destination perfect for photography, but our tour guide (like that of Tikal, Guatemala’s) was extremely enthusiastic of the culture that once stood where we were standing at that moment. As we wondered around the site, it was evident that Kings and the upperclass dominated the ruins. Some smaller houses kept 5-6 children in one small room, where the parents had half the size of a master-bedroom found in today’s society.
The most unique experience: Ducking into an underground tomb, where etchings and small rooms still existed. Due to all the artwork in the rooms, I was able to paint a picture how a King once lived. And in that particular moment, I felt the pain and heart-ache of how a beautiful city crumbled to the grounds underneath my feet.
3) Submersion of 1,950 feet or 600 meters in a yellow submarine – I cannot emphasize enough how amazing this experience was. Of course, the video that I had documented, and later posted on Facebook only gave you a fraction of the experience that I had felt (but I tried!)
Descending into a pool of bioluminescence can be best described like a scene out of Star Wars moving through the galaxy of fallen stars, except my scene was created of tiny little green stars. The best part was that this was my first view of bioluminescence from under the ocean’s surface. The ride down was unlike anything I had ever experienced – each 500 feet the temperature dropped, and soon I found myself putting layers of jumpers and trousers over my board-shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops that I had started out in. As we await in darkness for a few hours, the glimpse of hope of witnessing one of the world’s most mysterious creatures lurking in the depths of 1,500 feet, stirred our minds.
Once we plummeted into the depths of darkness, we were able to quickly flick on our submarine light and illuminate the ocean bottom floor.Honestly, for a split second I envisioned that this how landing on the moon would look (maybe one day I will find out!)! Finally, 3 hours later after waiting in total darkness a 13 foot pregnant female approached us, devoured our cow organs roped onto the front of the submarine, and a documentary on the Bluntnose Sixgill sharks were formulated.
I find it difficult to express all of my feelings on how I felt staring only a few feet away from this elusive and solitaire creature. I just know that this is one of my top 5 most adventurous activities in the world, and I would be keen to do it again!
Thank you Karl Stanley for fulfilling a childhood dream!
