11 Feb--Utila Bound

Sat, 11 Feb ... Utila Bound ... my 'alarm ap' worked perfectly ... i am actually quite proud of myself for even thinking of downloading an 'ap '... and even more proud for actually making it work ! yeah me! .... it was fortunate that i did, because the 'wake up knock' was non existent, and i woke HIM up, as i was dragging my luggage down the stairs. my TucTuc arrived on time, and my big bag was loaded into the big bus. while waiting i talked with a couple who were going from San Pedro Sula to Tela, and then to LaCeiba .... Tela? hadn't heard of it, ...supposed to be a quiet little place and have a nice beach. i'll keep this in mind for my return trip to San Pedro Sula to catch my flight home in April. we loaded onto the bus and we were off, .... but slowly ... about 3 minutes into our 'direct bus' trip ... the bus driver 'toot toot' with his horn, and we stopped, a few more people got in .... another 100 yds .. another 'toot toot' .. stop, more people get in .... and this went on and on .... all the way to San Pedro Sula .... about 5 hrs .... so much for the 'direct' bus !!!!!!!!!!!! i wonder if i can contact Jessica and let her know that her info isn't accurate.... a young couple from Belgium were sitting in front of me ... they were going to Roatan, so we decided to share a cab to the Ferry Terminal once we got to LaCeiba. the bus arrived in San Pedro Sula terminal, people everywhere ... the San Pedro Terminal is like a huge indoor shopping mall (Crossroads) ... complete with stores and a food court. we took turns watching luggage, going to the bathroom, and getting something to eat while waiting for our next 'direct' bus on Diana Bus Lines. i remember taking the Diana Bus last year ... and it was not 'direct'. ..... i asked several times if this was a 'directo' bus? ... "si, si. directo" ...i had my doubts ! purchased our tickets and boarded the bus ... we got out of town without stopping ... then stopped, picking up and dropping off passengers, all the way to LaCeiba :) ...there must be a problem with the meaning of the word 'DIRECT' .... :) but we arrived in LaCeiba in plenty of time for the 4pm Ferry. we haggled with the taxi driver for a group rate, ...to no avail; and were dropped off at the Ferry Terminal for the last leg of this portion of my journey. here is another map of Honduras, showing Utila, one of The Bay Islands. you can see Copan on the left ... and LaCeiba at the top, middle ... Utila is out in the 'blue' :) there was a girl, Tatiana, from Parrots Dive Shop at the terminal in LaCeiba, trying to get customers and giving information. we talked for awhile, she was very nice and said she would have someone from the Dive Shop meet me at the dock and take me around to find a room. i had a list already prepared; but i could leave my bags at the shop and they would help me. there is a new Ferry for the trip to Utila ... they needed it. it's very nice and i could not believe how completely calm the seas were; beautiful day, and HOT ! looking for a place to stay, i was back at my same dilemma again. Parrots Dive Shop has hostel-type living accommodations ... we walked through there .... it was just too busy for me .... i decided on Hotel Utila, a room w/private bath, shared kitchen, and internet, for $12/day ... a little more than i wanted to spend, but ok. ...and i think it will be quieter with less commotion. i am really getting to be an old fuddy-duddy :) put my bags in my room, showered, and walked to the store to get some bread and pnut butter for breakfast. while at the store, this young white and yellow kitten rubbed against my leg ... i bent down to pet it of course... started rubbing it's ears, etc ... i don't think it was used to getting much attention ... i noticed her tummy was quite full, then she rolled over on her back and i saw her little nipples ... she's pregnant !!!!!!! and she is SO YOUNG, just a kitten herself ! i felt so bad ... the store is right next door, so i'm going to have to go back and visit her ... i was hungry, ... i found a new vendor on the street; ...Will's Tacos ... 4 soft shell tacos for $2.50 ..... they were good! then i went to The Tranquila Bar. the first person i saw was Jenny, who worked at BICA, where i volunteered last year. it was so good to see her. she said that Gato Gordo, my favorite cat, now has a forever home where he can get attention 24/7, which he needs desperately. but, they were going on vacation, and BICA was going to babysit for him. sooo, i'll get to see my boy again ! that is really GREAT news ! the bar has a huge elevated deck outside over the water ... it was early and no one was there yet, so i laid on one of the tables and just stared up at the stars... there were billions ... i had really missed being on the water ... i feel like i'm whole again ..... talked to some guy for a few minutes, then looked up again ... someone stole all the stars !!!!!!! ..... clouds had set in .... got back to my room and Mom and Dad Skyped me ... great to hear and see them ! aren't they just something ... Skyping.... then i heard it POURING DOWN RAIN outside !!!!!! WTF ????????? that was a quick weather pattern change ! i was really tired (up at 5am); but there was a band playing at The Driftwood that i heard last year .. and they play 70s music so i wanted to go see/hear them. the rain had stopped so i walked down, had a drink, listened to a set, talked to 2 of the guys in the band; then walked home ... end of another very long day