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Published: August 27th 2006
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Yes, you read that correctly. There is exactly one micro brewery in Honduras and I choose there to go for my first weekend trip. Go figure. It's called the D and D brewery and is owned by and ex-pat named Bob from Oregon. It is quite close to paridise. After being told it was quite difficult to get to, three busses later we were in front of a sign with an arrow pointing us to the D and D. Upon reaching the hostel we walked down a sheltered stairway onto a pool surrounded by covered areas with tables and chairs for dining on American grub while drinking apricot ales. Jeff, Jill and I got a few rooms and headed to get some brews. We drank and played cards till it was time for bed.
Next day we made our way to Pulhapanzak Falls, about 20-30 minutes away from the hostel by bus. And then another 15 minute walk once you get dropped off. The falls were pretty impressive as you can tell, but we were advised by Bob, that this trip would only be worthwhile should we take a trip to the caves. So after witnessing a few baptisms in the
river, complete with guitar and singing, and taking a dip ourselves in the river that feeds to the falls we found ourselves a giude to take us to the caves.
Bob was right to have told us only so much about the caves, as aterwards we all wondered if we really would have done it had we know exactly what it was we were about to do. Our guide led us down a long stairway to a platform from which to view the falls. He open a gate and we followed him along a path, with no gaurdrails and the waterfalls pool close below. This was scary enough. Then our guide jumps into the water and tells us to do the same... we still had no idea what exactly we were doing. We follow him through the water, over rocks, all the while the water from the fall is pounding down on us. Most of this for me was done with my eyes closed so as not to lose a contact. We were completed entrusted in our guide. Turns out, in order to get to the cave you must go under the waterfall. There's only one way to do that....
The falls
Egol, the traveling frizbee loves the falls!! just go right on through it. We held hands and were told to breathe through our mouths as there were times, that, even though we were not actaully under water it felt as though we were with the pressure of the falls. Finally we get to the cave. It has a very tiny opening and at first I was not going to enter it, too clusterphobic, but I decided, if I just did what I did to get here, I sure as hell was going to see what it was I set out to see!! So we climb up through the little tunnel and rested a bit inside the cave, the only dry place to be. The cave was nothing spectacular- it was then that I realized what Bob meant, getting there was the spectacular part of this adventure. We exited the cave and realized we had to do the same thing to get back. This time was a little easier as we were heading away from the fall. When we got to where we first jumped into the water our guide climbed up to about 5-7 feet high and jumped into the pool of water. Jeff followed him, I
tried, freaked out a bit and ended up jumping in from a much smaller distance. The guide took jeff up even higher, maybe 25 feet or so and they jumped from there as well.
All in all the experience, though frightening at times, was incredible. Something I've never done before, largely because there's no way one could get away with doing that in the states, too many lawsuits, should something go horribly wrong. Rarely anymore does one have a chance to do something they've never done before, I'm so glad I did.
We had some beers and lunch at the park after the caves and laid around by the river before heading back to the hostel, where we showered, ate some more great food and drank great brews and played cards and listened to the Dead on the stereo. A great first weekend away. can't wait to come back... we didn't even get to enjoy the lake, next time!!
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Matias
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Brewery
Hey there... it´s cool to know what are you up to from time to time..with pictures and all..Let me tell you that 2 of my friends (you probably met them at that bday bbq) and I, are starting a brewery by our own... it´s hard and demands a lot of time but´s cool... I hope you are doing ok, and enjoying.. Take care saludos desde SCL.