Roatan. Day 3

Finally I have a chance to update my blog. 

A few words about Roatan. This island seems to be an English speaking conclave in Spanish speaking Honduras. Originally settled by slaves from Jamaica, Roatan is very much different from mainland Honduras. First and obvious difference is that everybody on the Island speaks English. There are a lot of Americans and Europeans who permanently live on the island. And final and the most important difference: this island is all about diving. I'm staying in a small town West End; a single street settlement where ratio or dive shops to divers is 2 to 1. Small inns, bars and dive shops. 

There are no direct flights from NY to Ratan (anymore). First you fly to San Pedro Soula then you catch a small plane to Roatan. 20 minutes taxi ride and I'm in West End. ALl together it took me almost 18 hours to get here.

First day of diving was a bit disapointing. Beacuse of a storm coming from North we had to drive to the Southern side of the island to the alternitive dive sites. As the result we ended up with two-tank dive. But it was a good worm up.

The Roatan is part of one of the largest reef barriers in the world second only to the Great Reef Barrier in Australia. Essentially it's the same reef as in Belize and Cozumel, only better (comment for Shibaeva). Most of the dive sites follow similar profile; plateau at 40'-60' then drop of about 100' which forms a wall. People come to Roatan for two thisngs: sharks and to "clime" these walls. They are spectacular. If you enjoy  underwater strucures more then marine life you should come to Roatan.
Today we had our first 3-tank dive. Lots of turtles, lobsters and crabs. Huge nurse shark, probably 5m long.

I'm a bit tired right now. So I'll add more details tomorrow. I'll just add that so far this trips is everything I hoped it would be and more. Tomorrow we plan a morning dive on shipwreck; 100' commercial freighter that sunk in hurricane. And there'll be a night dive on Tuesday.