A Galaxy of Glow Worms

Sometimes we feel like we're in a nature program. The things we get to see are often quite amazing. Last night was one of them. We've seen the glow worm mating ritual before - it seems to happen after many full moons, about an hour after sunset, the water gets aglow with bright neon green sparkly lights. These pop up, glow and twirl for a bit, then disappear. Last night was one of the most amazing glow worm spectacles we've seen. We're the only boat anchored at Old Port Royal, on the Bay Island of Roatan. We are between the land and a reef and just after dark - we started to notice all these little lights in the water - brighter and longer lasting than normal phosphorescence. We went to the bow of the boat and looked over the bay - and it was a remarkable display of sparkles and swirls. They were very close to the boat so you could really watch them do their thing. It continues to thrill and amaze us what we are getting to experience.

Yesterday, we left the island of Guanaja and headed to Roatan - about 30 miles away. We got an early start in the hopes of sailing. We sailed - very slowly. But we kept up the effort - until it looked like we wouldn't get to our destination until late in the day with the sun in our eyes. Not a good thing when you're negotiating a new bay and reefs. So we had to turn the motor on. We do need to find a better option for light wind, down-wind sailing. We also didn't catch a fish - no surprise going so slow.

We anchored in this pretty bay - surrounded by green hills and some rock outcroppings. There is a big wreck aground on a reef at the entrance. A good reminder to make sure you set your anchor well and watch as you leave and enter reef strewn bays.

We will head back to Guanaja at some point - it is a great island and we had a wonderful snorkel out on a reef there. The water is chillier here - so we need to get out the wet suits so we can stay in longer. There are lots of bays yet to explore there - so we'll head back at some point and spend more time on that Bay Island. Many say it is one of the best for snorkeling.

We had to get to Roatan because Dave and Lorna arrive on Monday and we wanted to be sure to be settled (and get the cleaning done). It's Easter weekend (Semana Santos) so everything is closed and there seems to be a lot of boat activity with the local population. Roatan is the island we used to come to a couple of decades ago via airplane to go diving. Our friends Chris and Chris were our travel companions for two of those trips and we had many an adventure. We still laugh at some of the exploits. During those dive trips, we always said we wanted to bring our own boat to Roatan someday. Now we have. It's fun when things you hope to do, come true.

Old Port Royal, where we're now anchored has quite a history. In 1630, a group known as the Old Providence Company tried to build a settlement here. It was an ill-fated adventure. In 1978, Honduras made the area the Port Royal Park and Wildlife Refuge in order to protect some indigenous species and preserve the watershed.

Last night, lots of local boats with lots of people and food, headed through the bay and went into a creek at the far end. It looks like a big Easter celebration will be taking place. These boats, like the water taxis in Bonacca sure go fast - even in the dark. We left several lights on the boat last night so we would be sure to be seen.

Today (Friday), we will head to another harbor to settle in and get ready for company.

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