Amazing Vacation at D&D Hotel

Friday - After the parade, Christina and I rode for 7 hours by buses to get to the D&D hotel in Los Naranjos. It was a wild goose chase lugging our suitcases around in the heat trying to get on the correct buses but somehow it all worked out. Here is a random house seen from the roadside:The end of the bus ride was in pitch-black jungle on dirt roads. A little frightening. When we got to the hotel, we found it to be pretty booked up so, even though we had reservations, Christina and I had to share a bed in a tiny room. Luckily we had our own bathroom. The hotel was only 150 lemps ($8 US) each per night. We tried to sleep but our room was 1 of 4 that surround a community room and the other 8 guests were using the community room to play cards very loudly until late. With the paper thin walls, we didn't get much sleep. (You can get a private cabin but they are more expensive.)

The hotel is built to be part of the jungle and takes advantage of its beauty. Here is the open-air restaurant area and pool:Saturday - The 8 other loud guests turned out to be pretty cool. They are all volunteering for 3 months at a hospital in La Esperanza. None of them even knew each other before coming to Honduras. We decided to join them and we all took a trip to the Pulhapanzak Waterfall. It was a short bus ride and walk from the hotel. It was the most beautiful waterfall I have ever seen. The pictures do not do it justice.
Christina and our 8 new friends all took a "behind the falls" journey. I am not into heart-pounding danger so I opted to stay and enjoy the view from the safety of the bridge. At the top of the falls, there were big swimming holes and a restaurant. You can watch a short (13 sec.) video of the falls by clicking here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4wVpKvscAQ

Afterward, Christina and I tried to go to the lake, Lago de Yojoa, but the bus people didn't understand which part of the lake we wanted to go to. We tried explaining that all we wanted to do was rent a boat. We ended up on 4 different buses and rode halfway around the large lake and only found two small motorboats for rent. Click here to see scenes of the bus ride past all the numerous seafood restaurants: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkPFYjHhWwY
By that time it was getting dark and we had to head back to the hotel. At the hotel, we were informed that we can rent a boat and walk to the lake from the hotel.

Sunday - We decided to go to the Cerro Azul Meambar National Park for a hike. From the bus stop, the park entrance is 7.5 km. We were lucky enough to get a ride right away. They asked for 75 lemps ($4 US) each but when we explained that we are volunteer teachers, they did it for free. We hiked the full loop, about an 8km trail. The first 3 hours were all uphill. The trail was well maintained and even had some log steps in parts. We were exhausted but had an amazing view of the lake and surrounding countryside. The lake was hidden by clouds in the photo. It was impossible to capture the real magnificence of it all. We continued our hike and reached the first waterfall. This one you cannot swim in because the water in used for drinking. The second one you can swim in. We walked over a few hanging bridges:
Then we came to a second lookout. We could see an amazing 360-degree view of the entire area. Click on the link to see a video of the view and listen to the chainsaw-sounding cicadas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkqgXzBM3nQ Overall, it took us about 7 hours to hike all the way around while stopping to eat snacks, enjoy the views, and, most importantly, breathe. Afterward, the park offered us a ride back to the main road for 75 lemps ($4) each which we declined because we are poor (and yes, we really are that poor. We only make $200/mo. which, after we pay our internet bill, is about $5/day. You try it.). So instead, we began walking the 7.5km back to the main road thinking we would get a free ride soon enough. Ha, ha.

It began to rain, hard, and we were on a dirt road in the forest. Then it started getting dark and there are no streetlights in the mountains. There were no cars. The few houses we passed were wooden shacks with corrugated tin roofs and outhouses ...but no cars. After already hiking for 7 hours in the park, our legs were dying.

One thing made it all worthwhile...we got to see fireflies after it got dark. There were fireflies all over. They are so rad!

After walking 4.5km mostly uphill, we reached a small village. We were led to a taxi driver's house where, luckily, he offered us a ride all the way back to our hotel (good for us since the buses had already stopped running). After bargaining and pleading about how poor we are, it ended up being 100 lemps ($5) each. So much for us trying to save money. By that time we had been hiking/walking mostly uphill for 9 hours! Wow! Back at the hotel, we ate, showered, and passed out.

Monday - We woke with very sore legs. We decided to take it easy and go spelunking. Actually, it is fairly easy. We picked a very developed cave that has a concrete pathway and colored lights throughout, the Taulabe Caves. Once again using our volunteer status, we got in for the half-price, resident rate, 25 lemps ($1.50).
It was very glittery and much of it looked like dripping candle wax. It was like being in Land of the Lost (an old TV show for you young'ens). There were many interesting stalactite and stalagmite formations. We even saw some fruitbats flying around and hanging on the ceiling.
We finished exploring fairly quickly and headed back to the hotel for lunch. Then we walked down the road to a quaint, fairy-tale like botanical garden. They had a beautiful little river.
They even had some cute cabins and picnic areas with tables and chairs carved from tree trunks.Tuesday - Unfortunately, we had to leave and head back to Tela. But before we left, we still wanted our boat ride on the lake. We woke up 6:30am and ate. The hotel owner showed us his mini-museum of artifacts he has found while living here. Some date back to 600 b.c. He also mines for crystals which he proudly displayed. Then we hired a young guide for the boat ride. He took us out in a row boat that we had to continuously scoop water out of to keep it afloat.
Although he only spoke Spanish, I understood most of his information. He showed us birds, fish, insects, an iguana, and some eggs (I wasn't clear as to what animal these belonged but I appreciated the heart shape, very motherly).
We saw more fruit bats hanging and flying.There was a house along the lake that is only accessible by boat. We didn't see any motorboats, so whenever they want to leave, they gotta start rowing. We also saw some women from the house bathing and washing clothes in the lake.
The lake is large and beautiful. I wish we had more time to enjoy it. But, alas, we had to go back, pay, get our bags, and hop back on the bus. This is the view of me looking back at the road to the hotel and lovely town. I fell in love with its beauty and, although Tela is also lush and green, the people I encountered here were so warm and friendly. This is truly an ideal community. One of the best places I have ever been.
Luckily it only took 5 hours to get back home. Here is a shot along the way:
So many details, people, and photos have been sacrificed in the name of time but when I return you can see and hear about much more. It was one of the best trips of my life. If any of you get a chance to visit Honduras, I highly recommend this town and all its offerings. I will be returning.