May 28, 2010

 not like the others

first i need to apologize 

to this stranger that i took the liberty

of photographing.

then i need to apologize to the rest of you

who have been subject to looking at it!

i just couldn't resist!

i was at the 'made in roatan' shop in coxen hole

today and then went to my friends place for lunch.

as i was driving through flowers bay i was stuck 

in some cruise ship traffic:

taxis, tour buses, vans etc.

and i noticed this man

standing on a little local beach.

it is so funny 

because no one ever swims there 

except for the locals who live in that area

so believe me,

he really stood out!!!

there were all sorts of school kids 

walking by and i tell you

i wasn't the only one

who was wondering why that gringo was

half naked on their beach.

remember that sesame street

song:

One of these things is not like the others,
One of these things just doesn't belong,
Can you tell which thing is not like the others
By the time I finish my song?

i found myself humming that as i drove away.

:-)

March 27, 2010

heading out to deeper waters

turquoise 

aqua

royal blue

mint green

these are the colors of my sea

the deeper you go 

the deeper the blue

they don't call it the deep blue sea

for nothing!   

yesterday we rented a boat at turquoise bay

and headed out to the reef

alejandro, our guide has lived on the

island for over 25 years and knows 

the reef like you and i know our neighborhoods.

it was amazing!

he took us to an area that was affected by an earthquake.

you could see a huge crack in the coral,

we didn't see alot of fish but the reef was

alive with color:

mustard yellow ,

deep purple sea fans.

orange brain coral

light blue coral tubes

and sea fans of so many brilliant colors

waving gracefully against the backdrop 

of the aqua that i was at times

overwhelmed with the beauty!

we also saw a lion fish which will need to be declared 

to the marine park as they are very aggressive 

and eat little fish and they aren't welcome

in the area.

all in all 

it was a fantabulous day

and our guests had a total blast!!

March 9, 2010

not a cloud

what a wonderful day we had today.

it started out rather disappointing since the cruise ship

wasn't able to dock at mahogney bay due to high winds.

it was a shame since my previous bosses kids were on that ship

and we had planned on touring the island and handing out shoes 

and school supplies to the kids here.

sigh.

i have mixed feelings about that new dock. 

they spent gazillions of dollars to build it

knowing that on the south side the waves are often higher 

but still they went ahead.

many people's livliehoods depend on the cruise ships coming in.

it's sad.

it wasn't a money issue for us.

we weren't charging for the tour.. just disappointed that the kids who

were expecting shoes weren't able to get any today.

BUT

it was a glorious day.

truly beautiful

we went to the shop today and a couple was interested in going on a tour

i tried to find a local person to take them out without avail

so i did it.

we had a wonderful time together.

i love showing off the island.

if you or any friends are coming to roatan please let me know

we will set up a tour or take you ourselves.

it is just too beautiful to not see

tabyana beach, west bay

bill and noreen

enjoying the  beach

january 5, 2010

today this beautiful couple came into the Made in Roatan shop.

they were on a cruise ship... on their honeymoon!

we visited for quite some time together. 

they were very interested in our life here

we were able to share how we long to help the islanders 

and how this shop employs over

8 different families.

cali bought the necklace she is wearing and

josiah bought a book of home remedies that we had published by our island friend.

as they were leaving i said, so are you going to go on a tour of the island?

they were honest and said, that they couldn't afford it.

just then Marco, our friend walked in and I knew what i needed to do.

i said,

So would you like to see the island?

i will take you around the island for free.

My wedding gift to you.

we had a blast!

we visited an island lady who is over 72 years old and grows the most

amazing tropical flowers.

josiah is interested in tropicals plants so she gave him some seeds to take back

she also gave me a TON of seeds and a bag of WARM cookies for us to enjoy

i took them to west bay where they swam amongst the fish.

and enjoyed a nice walk on the beach

cali is a photographer too so we took alot of pictures!

they came back to the house and met bob.

it was wonderful to meet them

remember:

it is more blessed to give then to receive.

I know:  I am totally blessed right now!! 

:-)