Day 322, 22 May 2013, Mahogany Bay, Roatan Island (Honduras). Must stay on top of where we are... must. Officially THE BEST DIVING IN THE CARIBBEAN. (No matter what anyone says.) We had a free 25 minute island tour during the drive to Anthony's Key Resort. Neither of us knew much about the island but discovered it to be incredibly lush with vegetation but very basic generally. Though there were pockets of expensive gated condos and "big houses" in parts, poverty was apparent. Right up until we reached Anthony's Key Resort (www.anthonyskey.com) Nice. And efficient! - we geared up and were at our first dive site in about 5 minutes. The water was "Vivienne Flat" - that's a technical/oceanographic/meteorological term for flat like a mirror flat. All the sea creatures in the entire Caribbean made the date and put on a huge show for us - massive 1 metre + (say 4 foot) Grouper fish were circling under the boat - with strict instructions not to waggle fingers at these bad boys (unless we wanted them munched off) we were in. Fishies everywhere, even a ship wreck to dive over (no going deep or into the wreck or it would have been spankies on board and no second dive...) Saw a 2 metre moray eel (easily half a metre in width) swimming about minding his own business - brrrr - actually find sharks a friendlier proposition - even saw a little grey nurse shark in a cave having a snooze and a great many lobsters poking their antenna out. I wonder if they think "hmmmmm human mornay.... " when they see us. Second dive was also superb. Saw a turtle. Saw two turtles swimming together. Saw a baby turtle. Saw another turtle... Get the picture? Lots and lots of gentle, gorgeous turtles - even had a swim with one, just looping around him (her) and gently paddling together. Great dive. The bus back to the ship was however 20 minutes or so late... and since it was a short, short day (got in at 8.30 am and had to be back on board by 2.30 pm...) that was slightly worrisome - right up until the dolphin trainers and a couple of their mates came by and gave us an impromptu show - Woo hoo! Free dolphins! Made it back in time for some speed browsing around the port shops. We had to have a giggle at one of the features of Mahogany Bay port - it's a ski lift. Yep - 100 odd degrees (35 C) and there's a ski lift... actually to ferry people to a nice sandy beach if, heaven forbid, walking proves a challenge. Laugh you may - but that ski lift was full when we were watching it. And then? - Off we went - full speed ahead to Grand Cayman. We enjoyed another swish dinner on board and made it to actual evening entertainment (always a plus given how hard we are diving). This evening we hemmed and hawed - Edge presents Evolution.... hybrid physical comedy. The minds boggled. But we went and It was awesome. Just don't call him a juggler. This fly-in/fly out act was absolutely the best show on the ship all week - check out this guy's website - would definitely go to a show of his if we ever see him about again.
http://edgerockson.com/theshow.html
or google "youtube edge evolution time warp"