Dec 25, Merry Christmas everyone!

Hi there,
It's been a few days, I know. We have been in semi-transit / getting acquainted with our new place on Roatan.

We stayed a couple of more days in Utila and decided to leave after CAsey was loosing the battle with the sandflies. DOn't know if I mentioned the over 200 bits on his calve alone (yes, one small calve!). Anyways, we really enjoyed Utila, Casey got is wish granted when he saw not only 1 but 5 whale sharks. He got to jump in and swim with a couple, up close and personal, chasing one about 200 m from his boat. Of course, his dive instructor was not impressed.

We spent our last couple of days enjoying the pool at hour hotel and the beach and more diving for Casey. Had a super fun night with a couple of guys we met, Fabio (from Switzerland no less) and Adam Ramsbottom! from England. We had some curried chicken, and many, many drinks and laughs and home just after midnight on Dec 23rd. Casey and I managed to find a bar playing Johnny Cash on our way home, and he also managed to show me his ninja moves (pictures will come). I think he seriously pulled a hamstring :)

FOUnd the local pharmacy which to our delight will provide any kind of drug you want. We settled for some anticortison cream for CAsey's battle with the sandflies, and some Chloriquine for when we head to Guatemala. Gotta love the prescription free drugs.

So, we parted there actually only yesterday, Dec 24 on the 630 am ferry to LaCeiba (the hole!). Got the ferry going to Roatan at 930 and headed to the WEst End, which is backpacker / chilled out part of the island. Finally found a place after walking around about 1.5 hours, we hadn't pre-booked. We ended up on the main strip which is really not much of a strip in terms of action but, anmyways, a little place called the Dolphin Hotel. It's much better than the moldy joint in LaCeiba, but not quite Super 8 standards. It does have air con and hot water which is a plus.

Spent the day at West Bay, chillin on the beach and mostly in the water. Perfect, pristine water, but very busy since it's Christmas peak. Just enjoyed a meal of
king fish and filet mignon, I think we're going to watch the movie on the beach later.

So, compared to our first few days, we have slowed down considerably. Which is good. We could not keep up the pace of the first couple of days otherwise it would not be a holiday.

Hope you are all well, and not buried in too much snow.

:)
Casey and Stef