Leaving from the mainland of Honduras from the traditional Garifuna village known as Sambo Creek with just a swimming suit, beach sandals, a camera, some sunscreen and a few vague ideas of what to expect on the journey we were about to embark on was the start to our day on Saturday, May 23, 2009. However, it wasn’t until we boarded the motorboat that the real adventure had begun. At a speed of about 40 mph the 19km to the islands flew by. With the wind at our backs there was nothing but hair, t-shirts and expectations flowing! As we grew closer and closer to the islands the water turned bluer and bluer, eventually turning to an almost turquoise green. It was our first sign of the magical Caribbean Sea we had always imagined and gave us great hope that we would soon reach our final destination of Chachauate, Cayos Cochinos.
Upon entering the islands you are required to pay an entrance fee of $5.00, which I couldn’t see anyone doing without great joy. This now meant we were there! - only a few moments from the part of Cayos Cochinos where we selected to disembark. As we approached the Chachauate village what once looked like a tiny dot along the sea had just became larger. Although only a bit larger as the island is only 100 meters long by 25 meters wide. As I placed my foot down from the boat into the water I had immediately felt as if a dream had just come true. Having spent so much time researching, planning and organizing I had never thought we would actually ever be there.
I mean who would have thought it could be possible with water as blue and people as kind! It was indeed a dream come true. We were greeted at the coastline by Chela, a resident of the island. We exchanged names, talked lunch and were then guided to her palapa hut, where we stored all of our personal belongings for the day. Within 10 minutes of being in the village we had snorkeling equipment, a home-cooked fish meal on the way and a buddy. Our buddy was Eric, Chela’s 12 year-old son. As equally as warm as his beloved mother he took us around and showed us the ways of the island. From snorkeling in the sea to just relaxing on the raft he made us feel right at home.
With Eric by our side we made buddies with all of the other island children. It was the children that really made our experience on the island. From watching the girls during their sand fight and being dragged all around by the children to having a photo shoot on the sand and relaxing and playing a game of checkers we definitely got our share of an island tour. It was great to see how close everyone on the island is. Along with being neighbors and friends, they all interact with one another as if they are family.
Everyone shares and looks out for one another, which is something that is no longer so prevalent here in the States. All in all I would have to say (and I believe my boyfriend would agree) our experience on Chachauate, Cayos Cochinos made our trip to Honduras what it was. Everything was so perfect! It was an experience so great you would not be able to understand just from pictures or a Lonely Planet Honduras book or even this article - you’ll just have to go and see for yourself!
- taken from my article for Whisper Poetry.
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