Heaven on Roatan

For three days, we've been in paradise.

We left La Ceiba (a city of questionable safety) and landed in Roatan on Wednesday morning, where we met up with Mike of Camp Bay Beach Adventure Resort. From there, he took us to his laid-back, remote resort, overlooking the Caribbean Ocean, which is where we've been ever since.

We've spent our days relaxing, kayaking, snorkeling, and eating more coconut than I'd ever thought possible (thanks to Mouse's newfound hobby). It's been absolutely idealistic.

But, of course, this isn't the real Honduras. This is the Honduras designed for gringo travelers. It's perfect, and I'm loving every moment of it, but I also realize this isn't reality. (At least, from a natural-born Honduran's point of view.)

Real Honduras is poverty-stricken. Real Honduras is polluted, with garbage lining the streets. Real Honduras necessitates militia armed with automatic rifles to provide an acceptable level of safety. Real Honduras isn't for the average tourist.

That being said, I'm glad we traveled the mainland before coming to Roatan. I'm glad we were able to see the reality of Honduran life before being whisked away to Caribbean paradise. Despite the poverty, there is a beauty in their culture and their way of life. I'm glad I had the opportunity to see it and live it, even if only for a few days.

Tomorrow we're off to Utila, another secluded island. I've been told it's even more relaxed and granola than where we've been, so I'm excited.