West Bay Beach Fun

Eggs Benedict with a View-Infinity Bay Resort

So sorry this blog has been slow in posting...we have had internet troubles and the last two weeks have been especially slow.  I hope you like the pictures.

We have enjoyed our visit from Sharon and Harold.  It has been a busy two weeks even though we have had a mix of sun, rain and wind.  Today is rainy so I thought I would take some time to write this blog.

Sunset on West Bay Beach is always special.

Their arrival on Saturday  two weeks ago, was as smooth as you can expect.  The plane was even early! We were there in time to see them come through immigration and their luggage was not too long in coming off the plane. Once Harold came through security, he could not go back to Sharon nor could we, but she was able to get her bag and come through with little effort.

Fun Times as Bananarama

Michael stopped at Eldon's on the way back to Casanueva and Harold was able to check out the local shopping.  I think he was surprised by some things, but we didn't take long as Michael and Sharon were waiting in the car.

Relaxing at CasaNueva

The next morning we ate on the beach at Infinity Bay where they enjoyed Eggs Benedict and some rain. We lounged around the palapa, watching hummingbirds flit about.

The Siblings!

We have made several trips to local restaurants including dinner at Fosters on Thursday for lobster night. We enjoyed the sunset and watching the cruise ships slip by.  We also had live music and watched as a little humming bird sat on her nest.  There is always something special to discover, both near and far in Roatan. We even saw pairs of wild Macaws flying to roost in the evening and spent time on the palapa watching the stars at night.

Mimi enjoys the Water at West Bay Beach

The two weeks have flown by and we have enjoyed quiet evenings in and beautiful sunsets on the beach.  Michael and I hope the trip has been one they have enjoyed and will talk about during cold winter evenings to come.

Fosters on West Bay Beach has Lobster Night on Thursday

Casanueva-Our Home Away From Home

We are enjoying our accommodations at Casanueva as the house is lovelier than the pictures we had seen before we arrived here on Roatan. The finishes at Casanueva are top of the line; the furniture and beds are comfortable and it is decorated with delightful colors and textures.  Honduran woods for the cabinetry, lovely pulls on the doors and drawers, granite counters, tiles and the colors of the curtains and walls all add to the beauty of the design and décor.

I love to open Casanueva to all the sounds and breezes.  As the island breezes waft through the rooms, you don’t need to use the AC at all.  There are paddle fans in each room for those few quiet, still days with light breezes.

  Even at night you can keep the house open as there are screens on most doors and the windows

A special treat is to enjoy the palapa and pool area at night. There is a paddle fan in the palapa and curtains around the lattice work provide privacy and just the right touch of romance.

The pool and deck area shared by Casaneuva and Villa Belvedere

From the outdoor kitchen you can enjoy the outdoor areas while you BBQ.

 With a few outdoor candles in the palapa and the accent lighting around the pool you can entertain quests in the evening or just have some private time for yourself.  

Steps lead from Villa Belvedere to the pool and deck area shared with Casanueva

The cruise ships often leave by sunset or in the evening to give you a wonderful boat parade as they glide by lit up like Christmas.

Dad enjoys sitting and reading in the palapa

We also love the pool and deck area outside the front door of Casanueva during the day. There is plenty of sun or shade –you can pick your spot!

Hummingbirds visit the feeders on the palapa

Michael enjoys the quiet and shade of the palapa

 Even if you catch a shower during the day, the palapa provides shelter and a quiet place to read, watch the water, and the hummingbirds. 

You can get up close and personal with the hummingbirds

 And if you sit still, the hummingbirds will come and buzz right up to the flowers on the table or even around your head if you have bright colors in your clothing.

What a treat!

The Adventure Comes to an End

Sailing away

Roatan through my eyes!

Well our wonderful adventure is coming to an end.  I am sitting at the airport waiting to board the plane for home.  It has been a great six months.  We have been fortunate to be able to spend the time here.  We have met so many wonderful people from all different places. I think that was one of the most special parts of this trip. 

Things are getting crowded here with standing room only.  I will continue this later. 

Roatan Wish Willy

Well, we made it onto the plane…it was sort of doubtful for a minute or two. Our luggage was too heavy and we had to take one of the suitcases we had nestled and take two carryon bags.  When we repacked (very quickly), Michael asked if I knew if there was any liquids in the bag.  Not to worry I replied.  As we went through airport security with our now repacked carryon bags, they questioned my metal Christmas tree ( the star has points ---weapon potential, I guess.  Then there was the made-in-Roatan soap…prohibidad. Really?  He changed his mind and slipped it back into my bag.  My jewelry making supplies were in the new carryon bag….oops….pliers and things with sharp points! Not to worry, they changed their minds and let me go on. The only thing they took was a sea shell….they should see my checked bags…most of the weight was my shell collection.

Last Night Blues

The last hurtle was one more security check- this time by Delta personnel.  I passed through with my luggage and no items confiscated.  I was ready to cross the tarmac and board the plane when I realized Michael hadn’t gotten through his security check!  Uh Oh!....I turned back and found that they were questioning my jewelry supplies one more time….the pliers are pointed (but very small).  They said we could check the bag but we already had checked our free allotment. After some conversations back and forth I said just take the pliers already!....So now I have to replace my tools….but I still have my made-in- Roatan soap!

The flight was uneventful (that's always good) and we arrived home late Saturday night.  The temperature was cooler than anything I have felt in six months. It’s sweater weather at night still.

Beautiful day for a sail.

Sunday was pretty and sunny, Scott and his friend came for a quick visit…it was great to see him.  Michael went off to Wal-Mart for lawn supplies and Christopher and I headed to the grocery store!  Wow, what a treat to see fully loaded shelves.  I got all our favorite things but it took me a while to adjust to thinking in dollars…everything seemed so expensive.  It also took me time to adjust to drinking water out of a faucet again.

Kids are great.

And so our adventure ends.  The time we spent flew by but people of Roatan and the friends we met will stay with me forever. 

It’s impossible to explain the colors of the sea and the bounty of flowers that decorate the island.  It is truly a lovely place and I leave with only one wish and that is to return….the soonest I can. 

January Already in Roatan...

Sunset in Roatan

It has been a busy two weeks with our friends David and Eileen.

  We have done some snorkeling and beach going as well as eating out.



 There were several cloudy days followed by very windy days.  But overall, the weather has improved and we think the last two months will be the best yet.  David and Eileen saw many pretty days.  I think David enjoyed the snorkeling the best while Eileen liked people watching at West Bay Beach!

We tried to find a tarantula for her to see but no luck…you have to go wandering out at night. I don’t think she liked the fruit bats very much either but the hummingbirds were always around and we now have a little sparrow bird type with a bright yellow breast  that comes in the house and eats crumbs off the floor. I may give up sweeping altogether.

The New Vacuum Cleaner

Lobster at Casa Galloway

We've cooked lobster and shrimp here....very yummy and I even made Roatan Pizza. 

This weekend there will be a triathlon on the island.  I was told that there will be world class athletes from different countries participating. They are busy repairing pot holes and many runners are out practicing....the guys don't wear shirts....:-).  Michael and I will be participating as well….but not as athletes!  We are volunteering at one of the water stations.  The running part of the race will be right in front of the house.( That's how I know they don't wear shirts.)   We even get the T-shirt and I don’t have to swim, run or bicycle!  It is followed by a dinner on the beach.  It should be a great day and a way to meet new people. I will be sure to take plenty of pictures.

We went to a BBQ the other night at a house up the hill (mountain) in the turrets.  They are beautiful with a view to die for. It is a nice rental with four bedrooms.  I met a woman who is a retired teacher and when she found out my background, wants me to volunteer at the new Tech school on the island.  I may look into it and if we come back again next year, I might want to participate. Oh, and public schools on the island are still on break.  They have there large break from December to February 15th.  Just talking to some kids and just like in the states, they are missing their friends and ready to start back to school. They also go to school in shifts....elementary in the AM, Middle School in the afternoon and High School in the Evening because many of the High School age students work daytime jobs.

The four of us

There is always something new to explore.  David came up with the idea to see if there were any geocaching sites on the island.  We think we have located two of them and will try this evening to find the treasure!  We think one is in Bananarama’s ice cream shop…go figure. We have tried fishing again with no luck but I refuse to give up. With all this water, I have got to be able to catch a fish! 

Relaxing at the Beach

Will be missing Christopher's birthday on Sunday...but all is well at home. Look for some new posts after this week end.