050 Cycle Touring Central America - Part 2

(^28) The islands have a fascinating history as the English occupied the Bay Islands on
and off between 1550 and 1700. Pirates used the islands as a safe harbour and
English, French and Dutch pirates established settlements on these islands during
that time. These pirates frequently raided Spanish cargo vessels carrying gold and
other treasures, which the Spanish, in turn, stole from the locals. At one time, it was
estimated over 5,000 pirates lived on Roatán. Imagine that!