Posts Tagged ‘lightening’

Copan and Volcano

Author: Kristi

We got to the bus station to grab the bus to Copan. Little did we know what adventures this bus ride would have in store for us. While we were in the jungle it had rained heavily every night, making the roads very unstable. I was looking out the window at the gorgeous lightening storm that was in effect when one of the lightning bolts struck a tree right outside my window. It made an extremely loud cracking sound and sparks went flying, absolutely amazing. Further down the road we came to a stop, an awfully long stop. I looked at the window and saw buses and other vehicles turning around. Turns out there had been a mudslide that was now blocking the road. It was starting to look like we’d have to spend the night on the bus, and none of us had eaten. So, in the dark rainy night we ventured to a corner store and bought an exceptionally nutritious dinner. Jalapeno chips, hot dog buns, cheese, cookies and mini sausages of only God knows what kind of meat (I did not partake in eating the sausages).
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Finally the bus made some movement and we were on our way again, some workers had cleared the path making it so we could continue on our way. Once in Copan at one o’clock in the morning, in the pouring rain, we tried to find a place to sleep. Most hostels we tried were full, but we managed to find one. The next day we changed locations to another hostel and decided to book a horseback riding tour. The horses looked more like donkeys and the tour guide only spoke Spanish. I don’t know what came over me that day but I was in the giggliest of moods. Watching Rich’s loco horse jerking him around and him freaking out was bringing tears of laughter to my eyes. Then looking to the other side and seeing Imran leaned back and talking to his horse like they had been mates for life, I was hysterical. I chatted with the tour guide who was babbling away and I was merely smiling and nodding understanding only a few words per sentence. By the end of the tour we had all gotten very comfortable on our horses and we were racing and cutting each other off (yes, I was still laughing).
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Rich and I woke up early one morning to climb, the recently erupted, volcano Pacaya. We managed to get a great group and an insane guide, who suited us just fine. Once we hiked the hard part we were running and sliding down hills of loose volcanic gravel down to the volcano’s crater. We walked across hot coals to a large hole in the ground exposing glowing red hot lava. We took the marshmallows we had bought earlier and threw a couple in and watched them catch fire before even hitting the lava. Once we had all taken a few pictures we made our way back in a cloud of steam from the heat of the sharp lava rocks beneath our feet. We made a quick stop to roast some marshmallows on the rocks and our guide just used the rocks to light his cigarette. The way down was much faster than the way up, we all charged through the gravel and slid down the side of the volcano until we reached the bottom. We all stopped before getting into the bus to empty our shoes. Little piles of gravel formed from what had accumulated in our shoes.

After what happened with the jail situation, G and I thought it would be best to let things cool down back in Utila, so we spent a few days “vacationing” in Roatan.  We had an amazing time including a delicious meal at a Thai restaurant.  Very expensive from what we were used to in Utila but the setting was stunning, a dock that had tables all along it and the sun setting in the background as we ate our meal.

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The hotel Chillies where we stayed had two puppies named Messy and Max. We fell in love with them instantly. Max was a very sleepy puppy and Messy had more pep, yet needed attention consistently. We took Messy out for the day to West Bay for a relaxing day on the beach. People flocked to her because she was so adorable. We had a great lunch at a resort right on the water then followed lunch by tanning on the gorgeous beach.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t stay in Roatan on account that G had to finish his Dive Master. Monty and Christy helped us get in contact with a man named Captain Vern who has a catamaran he uses to and from Utila and Roatan., This is a very popular and affordable option to get from one island to the next. The ride is smooth and the company is great. Ask any dive shop in Utila or Roatan(West End) to get information. On the ride you wouldn’t guess who got to come with us, Messy! We got to keep her for a week while we were in Utila and then we sent her back home with Captain Vern.

Once we got back to Utila I decided to get my Open Water and Advanced Open Water Diving certificate. It was a neat feeling going underwater and being able to breath. One of the courses I took was called Peak Performance Buoyancy Control, they had us going through hoops underwater and knocking over weights in the sand with our regulators. It was such a blast, though my favorite part of the class was when I got to do ninja moves with my friend John underwater. They had us doing flips and kicks and punches all in slow motion Matrix style, so much fun!

It took no time at all to get my certificates and start fun diving. We saw so many amazing things underwater such as; lion fish, parrot fish, moray eels, barracuda, lobster, eagle rays, dolphins, turtles and my favourite… WHALE SHARKS!

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Once G left I moved in with our friend, Noemi, also from Quebec.  She and I got along like two peas in a pod. Noemi works at Coco Loco’s bar and there were nights it could be rather dead and lonely there.  One night I dropped by to keep her company and there was the biggest storm I have ever seen on the island.  The rain was pouring, the thunder crashed all around us and the lightening lit up the sky.  It was a spectacular show.  Noemi and looked at each other, looked out at the dock being pounded by rain, looked back at each other then ran to the end of the dock.  We were soaked the second we stepped out from under cover .  We blared the music and danced for hours  like crazy fools.  It was one of my most favourite nights!

As the days went on, Utila began to get very busy. People were coming from all over the place to attend the biggest party in Central America, Sun Jam.  Sun Jam is held on a deserted island just 45mins away from Utila. It consists of loud music, lots of dancing and tons of drinking. The website goes on how there is a ton of security, but it’s bull. I do not think I saw one security guard or cop on the island. The party starts around 2pm and ends around 12pm the next day. Noemi and I stayed from 5pm until 4am. Interestingly enough, I ran into my tour guide, Angel,  from Jungle River on my way to the party. He got me a free ticket , SCORE!