TravelMusings

2 Posts tagged with the bay_islands tag
Jill K. Robinson
1

It’s a week away, but I’m already starting to think about what to pack for my trip to the Bay Islands of Honduras. This isn’t my first time there, so I already have an idea of what works and what doesn’t. While I have a running list of items in my head, I like to avoid last-minute packing madness, so it’s best for me to write it down. Anyone going to the Bay Islands (Utila, Roatán or Guanaja) or other Caribbean islands can easily use this list as well.

 

bay-islands-roatan-west-end-beach-large.jpg
Photo of beach in Roatán: magnusfranklin

 

Three Tips to Begin


•    Pack lightly. You can always wash things in the sink or use a laundry service if you’re staying more than a week.
•    While there are stores, they may not carry exactly what you want, so make sure you bring appropriate camera gear and things that you’re particular about.

•    As with all international travel, remember to bring a photocopy of your passport.

 

Clothing

 

Swimsuit
Shorts—For a weeklong trip, I’ll usually bring three pairs.
Lightweight pants—Wear a pair on the plane, and you only need to pack one extra.
T-shirts/tank tops—Mix it up. About four total should be fine.
Lightweight long-sleeved tops—Two will probably do it.
Lightweight jacket—Helpful in case of rain, especially if you’re in a boat and out in the open.
Underwear
Sandals—I wear my Chacos, which means I don’t have to bring water shoes.
Water shoes—Even if you’re not a big diver, having water shoes for walking out into the water will help protect your feet. Some beaches have shells or rocks, which aren't pleasant to walk on.
Hat

 

Gear

 

Sunglasses—If you keep them on a leash around your neck, you won’t have to worry about losing them in the water.
Toiletries and small first-aid kit—Include Benadryl (or an allergy medicine), antibiotic ointment, hydrocortizone cream and Band-Aids.
Sunscreen—When you’re there, remember to re-apply throughout the day.
Insect repellent—Bug irritants can include sand flies and mosquitoes. If it’s breezy, you won’t be bothered much, but it’s always good to have something on hand just in case. I rarely have problems when I use Repel Lemon Eucalyptus, which doesn't have DEET.
Camera and power cord
iPod and speakers—I stay at the home of friends, so I like having my music to entertain.

 

Extra Considerations

 

If you’re planning a diving or snorkeling trip, check in advance with the shop or resort you plan to use to determine what gear is provided and what you’ll need to bring. Beachgoers may consider bringing a beach towel, as not all hotels provide them.

 

For more information about traveling to the Bay Islands, read The Bay Islands: Old-School Caribbean.

1 Comments Permalink Tags: packing_tips, packing_list, bay_islands, honduras
Jill K. Robinson
2

I just returned from two weeks on Guanaja, one of Honduras’ Bay Islands. Aside from enjoying plenty of hammock time, great views of wildlife (spotted eagle rays, dolphins, ospreys, magnificent frigatebirds), island food, tropical sunny weather (and some spectacular evening thunderstorms), and visiting friends, I had some interesting “beyond tourist” moments that I want to share.

 

Anyone can have a “beyond tourist” moment on vacation, and it doesn’t even require getting out of the resort (although it’s nice to do so, in order to see how the locals live). Just spend time talking to the people who live in your destination and get to know them a little. Since I’ve been visiting Guanaja for more than 10 years and own property there, I’m regularly doing things like grocery shopping for myself, buying plants from the local nurseryman and chatting up locals in the bank line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s a glimpse into the island of Guanaja that the guidebooks don’t cover:

 

•    While I was shopping in Casa Sikaffy, one of the island’s largest grocery stores (that’s smaller than your average 7-Eleven), the lights suddenly went out. First thought: power outage. Nope. The owner’s sister walked up to me and explained, “There’s a funeral, and the body just passed in the street outside, so we turned the lights out for respect.” The street that she was referring to? A pedestrian walkway that’s only 7-feet wide.

 

•    Guanaja’s a relatively small island with limited infrastructure. Plastic recycling is something it hasn’t been able to tackle in a realistic way, until now. An ex-pat friend, Mike, showed me the island’s new “bottle crusher,” which takes piles of plastic bottles and presses them into large squares—ready to transport to the mainland for recycling. It’s a great way to get trash off the streets and beaches, and money into the pockets of islanders.

 

•    I had the chance to talk with a gentleman from one of Guanaja’s families that date from English settlement times, in the early 1800s. Mr. Borden is 80, and he told me about all the property throughout the island that he’s owned over the years. While it’s certainly an overstatement to say that he’s owned the entire island, his property holdings have covered a large amount of territory. It was a pleasure to hear about what Guanaja was like in the “old days” when there were few people, no electricity and the fishing “industry” consisted only of families fishing for their dinner.

 

 

2 Comments Permalink Tags: travel, culture, experiential_travel, guanaja, honduras, bay_islands

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