The Great Caribbean Coral Reef

One of the most amazing sights from the plane out of San Pedro Sula was the Coral Reef that runs from Honduras in the south, up the coast of Belize to Mexico in the North. The shallow water looks green from the air and the spray creates tiny rainbow to create a beautiful band across the ocean/.
It took me 4 flights and 18 hours to get home tired but happy. Thanks for all those that supported me.

Writing assignment report

I had a quiet day today mostly in my hotel room, writing my final report and packing up my things. I made a trip around the market to buy souvenirs and gifts for the family.

Wrap-up dinner

This was a busy week. I did training sessions every day, finishing this morning. Most people had to drive back up country; but those who could stay took me to a meal at a special restaurant on the beach. The presented me with an official FIPAH shirt, we all made speeches and took lots of pictures. My interpreter, Antonio, sitting on my left did a great job as my Spanish does not seem to improve over time.

The Street Vendor

Out today just before  sunset when I say this woman and her daughter selling fruit on a street corner. She agreed to let me take her photo and it was special.

The Tree of La Ceiba

The city was named after a giant ceiba tree which grew near the old dock, which itself finally fell in  sea in late 2007. This is the one in City Square outside my hotel which looks like it qualified as being old enough to be a match for the original.

The Budget Training

You might read this blog and think that I am here having a good time. Yes I am; but the truth is that I spend most of my time - 8 in the morning until 6 at night working at the FIPAH offices reviewing their accounting and budgeting systems. Today begin 4 days of training with the operations staff from around the country on how they can improve their budgeting practices. The photo is of Yeny Hernandez the CFO, as it is difficult to take pictures of budgeting.

Cayos Cochinos

Went on an amazing trip today to the coral reef of the coast. It really was the idilic Caribbean experience. I went snorkeling for the first time in my life and had no idea the beauty that was right there under the surface of the water. Here is one of the small cays, which probably qualify as everyone's dream Caribbean island.

The Cayos Cochinos are a group of two small islands and 13 more small coral cays situated 30 kilometres northeast of La Ceiba on the northern shores of Honduras.The islands are a Marine Protected Area and are managed by the Honduran Coral Reef Foundation. The coral reef here is part of the world's second largest coral
reef system known as the Meso-American Barrier Reef. National Geographic writes, "The waters around this collection of coral cays are a marine biologist's dream: protected by the government, off-limits to commercial divers and fishermen, and busy with creatures that may not yet have names."

Rambutanes

Its the season for Rambutanes in Honduras and they are for sale on every corner. At the FIPAH office someone will bring in a huge bagful every day or vendors will come by the office. You have to bite through the thick red skin and discard it to get at to get at the delicious white centre.

Pico Bonito

Behind the City are the"Nombre de Dios" mountains of Pico Bonito National Park. This park's most recognized feature - Pico Bonito is 2435 meters high and provides a back drop for the city.Within an hours drive you can go river rafting, zip-lining and hiking to beautiful water falls. This is reported to have more tourist potential than Costa Rica at a much more affordable price. only the dubious safety reputation keeps tourists away.

Standard Fruit Company

The Standard Fruit Company of Louisiana started by the Vaccaro brothers played the major role in building La Ceiba in the 1890's when they started shipping bananas to New Orleans. Along with the United Fruit Company of Cincinnati, they negotiated favourable arrangements with the Honduran government and had a great deal of influence over its affairs - thus making it the original "Banana Republic". Standard Fruit later morphed into Dole Foods, which has dedicated a park next to their operations in La Ceiba, where this photo was taken

The Ocean Front at La Ceiba

The Ocean is about 15 minute’s walk from my hotel and up to recently has been a very run down area – “down by the docks” or “on the waterfront” sort or area; but the city has just started to fix up the beach front and pier where the banana boats used to come in and it is actually very beautiful. I am still advised not to go down there at night; but am making it part of my morning walk.

The parade

On my way to the FIPAH office this morning I ran into a parade celebrating “Day of el ninos” There were bands from several schools and these lovely young girls. Very lively for 8am in the morning

My Hotel

I am staying in an old commercial hotel in the centre of the City - Gran Hotel Paris. Doesn’t look much from the outside but it takes up most of the City block and when you get inside there is a courtyard with a swimming pool and palm trees – like a different world. My room faces the courtyard and is quiet and safe.