US State Department Issues Honduras Travel Advisory & Reality

[John_B]

Wow, I guess I'm late to the panic party.

I'm glad I was already on Roatan when this all went down and wasn't subjected to any of the hype or hysteria. In fact, it was the best week diving yet I've spent on the island.

The power did go off one afternoon for a short time. And there was curfew for those not staying at the resort. There was also a small aftershock/tremor (not politically related though you'd never know that from reading CNN, MSBC, etc. reports) while I was underwater which was strange and interesting at the same time.

Oh, I saw an eagle ray do a fly-by within about 15' of me on a night dive and saw three turtles on the south side of the island (and 15 turtles on the three dive day-trip to the West End). Not to mention all the seahorses, pipefish, trumpetfish, coronetfish, rays, pufferfish, trunkfish, filefish, grouper, 'cudas, southern senate, eels, octopii, crabs, lobster, and various shrimp. Apparently they weren't advised of the situation either...

Edit: Oops, I almost forgot the complete statistics. Two dozen new friends, caught up with a dozen old ones, 27 logged dives for a total underwater time of 24 hours and 11 minutes. One dive less than my best (I'm blaming Hilary LOL!). And well over an hour longer than my previous weeklong underwater record; but done in 5-1/2 days. I've never seen my Tec2G take that long to "desaturate" (well, really its just running some simple math equations on a timer, but you get my drift).

Alas, the airport was open when it was time to leave, but I'll be back as soon as possible (travel alerts be damned!)... :cool2:

 

[DandyDon]

Yeah, it looks like all the barking was just noise. It seems that some of the political players wanted to set up sides, but all the players seem to want the same end result so the game is being called off. I certainly hope so. Would not want to see a real and disruptive problem anywhere in Central America. There are issues in some nations down there sure, but we can't impose our own ideologies on all of those. At least to the extent that political differences could affect traveling divers and dive travel, while there was good reason for examining the situation and possibilities and not just boarding planes because resorts employees were paid and told to say everything is fine or that planes were still flying as those are hardly unbiased sources - it does look reasonably quiet for now and foreseeable future.

It was interesting to learn more in the exam, in spite of some who tried to discourage discussion of info & opinions here - but those discussions are the reason for this forum to exist are they not? Reading some of the essays on Bay Islands Voice - News on Roatan, Utila & Guanaja was informative even tho the author there does seem to take a lot of editorial liberties. We like to think that the Islands are so far removed from the mainland as to be little affective by the latter but there are so many examples of why that is just not the Utopian case we'd like to believe.

LMAO! Having a battle of wits with an unarmed adversary?

Judge and laugh as you want, who cares - but battling wits is no only not the reason for the forum but does a lot of discourage exchange of what this forum is here to share. Sad in a way to see one of such admirable life experiences reduced to using cheap games, smokescreens, ridicule and mockery - often completely false when aimed directly at me in hopes of discouraging me or reducing attention to my posts - but some will do whatever it takes to promote their own interests I suppose. I've known many.

Hope everyone's trips go well and no one loses any luggage or misses any flights. ilot: I had originally planned to be in Roatan this month for FIBR's Singles week, but my dive bud talked me into a different trip next month. Wish I was there now tho, rather than running this open air spray buggy in this Texas heat wave.

Got to go get on it again today tho as we are in a bind here. Y'all have a great day.

 

[John_B]

Yeah, it looks like all the barking was just noise. It seems that some of the political players wanted to set up sides, but all the players seem to want the same end result so the game is being called off. I certainly hope so. Would not want to see a real and disruptive problem anywhere in Central America. There are issues in some nations down there sure, but we can't impose our own ideologies on all of those. At least to the extent that political differences could affect traveling divers and dive travel, while there was good reason for examining the situation and possibilities and not just boarding planes because resorts employees were paid and told to say everything is fine or that planes were still flying as those are hardly unbiased sources - it does look reasonably quiet for now and foreseeable future.

It was interesting to learn more in the exam, in spite of some who tried to discourage discussion of info & opinions here - but those discussions are the reason for this forum to exist are they not? Reading some of the essays on Bay Islands Voice - News on Roatan, Utila & Guanaja was informative even tho the author there does seem to take a lot of editorial liberties. We like to think that the Islands are so far removed from the mainland as to be little affective by the latter but there are so many examples of why that is just not the Utopian case we'd like to believe.

Being there when this all got so much world attention, it was interesting to see how many "editorial liberties" were taken by CNN, MSNBC, NYTimes, WSJ, FoxNews, etc. when it came to reporting what was actually happening. They all reported whatever came out of Hilary's state department. That doesn't pass the smell test for unbiased journalism, at least not how they taught it when I was in college.

To recap. There was no "coup". The same party is in power, only the El Presidente has changed (Micheletti and Zelaya are members of the same political party). The change was brought about constitutionally after Zelaya unconstitutionally tried to usurp power for another term. The old guy was voted out by their congress, it was approved by their top court who ordered their military to depose Zelaya which is how their constitution was written. Yesterday there was a great thread in the Bay Islands forum that had a really detailed timeline of all the events leading up to the media brouha, but it seems like it was moderated into oblivion. <sigh>

At the end of the day, I'm guessing that the "compromise" will be early elections, and that will make this a moot issue. Except that the new guy will probably understand that when their constitution says one term every ten years, it means one term. Oh, and the people of Honduras don't trust the Venezuelan model of government where the president takes over and then the state nationalizes private industry.

The way I see it, the people of Honduras have done a pretty good job of cleaning house. How "real and disruptive" would it been to have their government nationalize the tourist industries in the Bay Islands, for example?

 

[Byte Me]

Yeah, it looks like all the barking was just noise... There are issues in some nations down there sure, but we can't impose our own ideologies on all of those. At least to the extent that political differences could affect traveling divers and dive travel,

So, we can finally admit that there is no reason NOT to head to Roatan! And it appears that actual research was the cause of your change in view rather than relying on sensationalist news stories which is good...

It was interesting to learn more in the exam, ...Reading some of the essays on Bay Islands Voice - News on Roatan, Utila & Guanaja was informative even tho the author there does seem to take a lot of editorial liberties.

The exam of course was the recommended route suggested by many all along. Happy to see it paid off!

And while I don't totally agree with your statement

while there was good reason for examining the situation and possibilities and not just boarding planes because resorts employees were paid and told to say everything is fine or that planes were still flying as those are hardly unbiased sources - it does look reasonably quiet for now and foreseeable future.

Because I believe the people quoted to be trusted conduits for information and not "paid and told to say everything is fine", hopefully this is the path you'll take next time:

1) hear sensationalist story on the news
2) don't believe everything you hear
3) research, gather information, understand the situation
4) make an informed decision

Rather than running down the street with your hair on fire screaming "THE SKY IS FALLING!" as you knowingly did here:

I suppose this thread will attract critics who will suggest that there is nothing to worry about and that I alarm people needlessly by posting such - but I think it's good to know about the statements from reputable sources. This alert certainly sounds like one to heed...!

 

[ncchuck]

I found the entire discussion only proves that ones opinion is all that really matters to many of the posters. Some truly believe nothing bad could ever happen in the Bay Islands (based on their limited experiences) and will say or do anything to twist the facts to make their point. Anyone that believes residents, business owners and employees don't slant the facts because their very lives depend upon perception seem a bit nieve to me. I'm not sure how some of the divers on this forum became political experts but I guess they did. Maybe it was all nitrogen saturation that did it. I kinda think that their "hatred" of certain American politions and their love of the Bay Island may have clouded their judgement just a bit.

The truth is this. There was a serious potential dangerous situation that developed in Honduras. Divers and visitors to the Bay Islands were wise to examine the situation and make an informed decision. Looking at the U.S News, Honduran news, the state department statements and divers opinions are all smart things to do. Weighting each according to your own beliefs in those organizations is wise. Hopefully the back and forth debate on this forum helped some to make a better decision. Hopefully anyone that cancelled plans will give the Bay Islands another chance at another time. It's a great place to visit and dive and it will still be there when things are back to normal and there are less chances for trouble. I hope anyone that decided to dive some where else will share their experiences with the rest of us. There is a lot more to diving than the Bay Islands anyway.

 

[agilulfo]

To recap. There was no "coup".

Right, and the two week long curfew was all just for fun and games.

 

[Doc]

Ahh... Moe, Curley, and now Larry, too.

It's so nice to have everyone back from that little "time out".

Where's Shemp?

 

[agilulfo]

Let's not forget the petulant, self appointed board moderator.

 

[Warmwater Wank]

"There is a lot more to diving than the Bay Islands anyway."

Yeah, like Bonaire. Oh wait, I "hear" it's CRIME infested and everything I own will be stolen by insider theft rings connected to most of the locals and the police, who must be on the take... Hysteria & heresay: would the wired world quit turning without them? // ww

 

[John_B]

To recap. There was no "coup".

Right, and the two week long curfew was all just for fun and games.

The same civilian political party is still in power. The military didn't take over. Hence, its not a "coup". Zelaya was deposed constitutionally, by the book, for attempting to violating the constitution he swore to uphold. A coup is a military takeover (or where the military installs a puppet government) which didn't happen in this case. That doesn't mean there wasn't civil unrest.

Lordalmighty, what do they teach in poli sci and journalism classes these days?