Gracias, Honduras

Gracias, Lempira, Honduras

On the advice of someone we met at the brewery, we decided to take a little detour to the town of Gracias.  Founded in 1536, Gracias was the capital of the Spanish empire in Central America from 1544-1549 (after which it was moved to Antigua, Guatemala).  We loved this little mountain town and its incredibly friendly and helpful people.

The Central Park

The church closest to our lovely accommodation in Gracias

Celaque Mountain National Park, Cerro Las Minas

The main reason for our visit was Celaque Mountain National Park, which protects Cerro Las Minas, the highest mountain in Honduras (9,416 feet).  The area of the park below the cloud forest looked, felt, and smelled like the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Cloud forest video . . .
https://www.dropbox.com/s/aey9k691mos2u32/2013-06-04_11-06-43_551.3gp

Beautiful scenery on the walk back to Gracias from the park

Aguas Thermales

A necessity after hiking for more than 10 hours the day before.

Castillo (or Fort) San Cristobal

The fort, located above on the hill above the city of Gracias, offered beautiful views of the city and the surrounding mountains.  The fort was built in 1865 by President Jose Maria Medina to honor his close friend President Dr. Juan Lindo who is buried at the fort.  During the civil war in the 1930s the fort was used by the military for it´s strategic position.

Lago de Yojoa, Honduras

Lago de Yojoa

After five days in Utila, we journeyed to Lago de Yojoa, the largest lake in Honduras.  Surrounded by two national parks, the area has a rich biodiversity and is popular with birders.  It also has a microbrewery started by some Oregonians - http://www.ddbrewery.com/ - which was our base.  We enjoyed our first proper ales since we started our trip, and it was hard to leave.  An added bonus, due to the brewery, is that all water on the premises is purified - no brushing teeth with bottled water.  It rained 5.5 inches during our first night.  It was one of the cleanest areas we have visited in Central America, and its people were some of the nicest...hitchhiking is safe and common.

Rowboat rental  - $2.50 per day...

We visited nearby Pulhapanzak Falls, the tallest in the country at 140 feet.  We paid a little extra for a guide to take us behind the waterfall - the karst topography resulted in some really interesting cave-like features.

We also visited nearby Finca El Paraiso - a coffee plantation with hiking trails and a plethora of flaura and fauna.

The views from atop nearby Las Nalgas ridge (Spanish for "the buttcheeks," due to its unique profile):
  

Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras

Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras

Some of the most beautiful things we experienced on the island were underwater (stingrays, eel, small sharks, gorgeous tropical fish and coral)... sorry no photos... but these are our ¨land¨shots.  Utila is situated amidst the second largest reef system in the world.

The vessel Princess Utila... our mode of transportation to and from the island (40 miles off the coast=.  Prior to departure motion sickness bags are generously passed to passengers... and yes many bags were needed.

One of our favorite snorkeling spots... right off the beach!

The view of the beautiful Honduran mountains near La Ceiba

Philip cutting into a fresh coconut (after a short lesson from Ronnie).

This little guy was just jabbering away on the beach.

Water Cay

Our own (almost) private island for the day.

Just before we saw a flying fish...

Kayaking to the North Side

We rented a kayak and journeyed through the lagoon and down the hand dug canal to the secluded north side of Utila.  We had the entire place to ourselves with the exception of one passing fisherman.

Philip making his way out to the rock island (against the wind) for a little snorkeling.

The lagoon and the Honduran mountains in the distance.

The three lies of Utila

1. I will not drink today
2. I´m leaving tomorrow
3. I love you

..as told by a WONDERFUL Aura (the yoga boss on the island... if you visit please take her Ashtanga ¨half¨primary series class).