Let's start with the arrival on Thursday. "Our guy" Alex met us (albeit a tad late) at Fantasy Island and then we headed to the airport. Jim arrived with the bag of boat parts and treats and just enough room for a few of his clothes. Then Alex took us all back to the dinghy and we made it to Astarte. After unloading (it always feels like Christmas when we have company!) we headed out for some snorkeling. Jim was a fish exploring the reefs of French Key. He also became a great deck hand! We went for a walk around the Fantasy Island Resort and saw iguanas, agoutes (a large guinea pig looking thing), and peacocks. With a need for some cold beers, we stopped at the beach bar and enjoyed the antics of a young monkey who would dash into the bar and steal the maraschino cherries when the bartenders stepped away. He was quite a felon, also stealing the remote, cigarette lighters and peanuts. Of course we didn't bring the camera.
On Saturday we left French Key Harbour for New Port Royal. It was about ten miles to the east on Roatan. The fishing competition officially kicked off – two lines got in the water immediately. We were going fish catching speed and a variety of lures were wetted...but no fish. Score: Jim – 0; Barbara – 0.
We anchored in New Port Royal near the Mango Creek Eco Resort and the boys went snorkeling and lionfish hunting. After a break for lunch, we all snorkeled at a different reef in the afternoon seeing lots of cool things like reef squid, huge parrotfish and some nice groupers. We also collected and "repatriated" some conch closer to the lodge for their safety. After showers, we went to the lodge for a hike around the property, drinks and a dinner out. The Canadians were in full force with a couple from another boat joining us (also from Toronto) and Terry, one of the resort owners, also being from up north as well.
After a full day of sailing (actually motoring), fishing, snorkeling, and hiking – the crew of Astarte were tired. Plus, we had an early departure for Guanaja planned.
On Sunday morning, we headed out to the island of Guanaja, another of the Bay Islands. We headed for one of our favorite places, Michael's Rock. Again, the fishing lines hit the water and the competition continued. The score after day two – Jim – 0; Barbara – 0.
At Michael's Rock we instantly got in the water for a snorkel on the nearby reefs. Our friends from "Will of the Wisp" arrived. We entertained them aboard for a lasagna dinner that evening and we decided to take a hike the next morning..
Monday we dinghied around the rock and went to the stream to hike up the waterfall. It was a great day for a hike. We saw a boa constrictor having breakfast of a lizard – constricting him. Further up the trail, we saw another boa sunning himself on a rock. Then Barbara saw another snake slither away quickly as she was climbing up some rocks. It was a snake sighting day for sure. We got to the waterfalls (yes Kathryn and Mark – all the way!) and got our fresh water showers and cool down. The five of us made it and enjoyed the trip. At the bottom, we decided we needed a cold cool down beer and headed to the Green Flash Bar for beer and french fries (so much for the workout!)
An afternoon snorkel was welcomed as the wind had died and the "no see ums" seemed hungry. Jim and Michael saw a shark – and were hoping he wasn't hungry! It was a reef shark and it went on its way. Honoree from "Will of the Wisp" invited us over for a dinner of their recently caught wahoo (how come they catch fish??) Michael unfortunately started getting a cold so he stayed on Astarte.
On Tuesday, more snorkeling and some serious lion fish hunting. We went around the rock to another set of reefs. The visibility was great as usual and upon entering the water, Jim instantly spotted 5 lion fish in one hole. The boys became focused on hunting and ended up with about 10 kills – 6 were kept for cooking. One that Jim got was quite large. The spines were cut (and a few saved). The reefs were wonderful – Barbara and Jim saw a turtle and lots of great bright colored fish, sponges, corals and critters.
After cleaning the lionfish the skeletons were tossed off Astarte. About 20 minutes later, Jim looked and saw a shark circling the boat. The nurse shark was hunting out the free lionfish remnants meal the boys had tossed. He stayed circling for a good hour. Barbara wanted to get in the water again as the bugs were bugging her and decided she's rather deal with the shark than the bugs. Jim would be her lookout (at least until he fell asleep).
We went to "Wisp" for another dinner – it was Walt and Honoree's 30th wedding anniversary. Barbara baked a chocolate cake and cooked up the lionfish from the lionfish cookbook Kathryn and Mark brought. We also cooked the spines as the cookbook suggests (to denature the venom) and gifted those as elegant toothpicks as the anniversary gift. We think toothpicks from venomous fish spines are what you get someone for their 30th!
On Wednesday, it was time for some serious fishing tournament competition. We'd travel from Guanaja all the way to the western end of Roatan – an all day trip. A 0630 departure from the rock was planned. Anchor up (Jim is now in charge of anchoring). Fish lines ready and in the water. We thought we'd be able to sail – after all we were going with the trades...but the wind just died. We motored all day – at fish catching speed though. Seas were flat as a pancake. We saw a huge pod of dolphins that came a played with the boat. We tried just about every lure in the box – even changed hooks on some and shined others and re-aligned weights...
Score: Jim – 0; Barbara – 0.
We are tied to a mooring ball in West End, Roatan. Let the fun continue! We only get to have Jim here a few more days – boy does time fly when you're having fun.
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