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.

Roatan Days

We have been so busy these past weeks.  We had to say good by to our sons visiting for the holidays but welcomed friends who are staying for a couple of weeks.  I haven't had much time to write but have been thinking of things to share.

Christmas Eve's at Tong's in West End, Roatan
Yummy!

The weather is changing.  We are seeing less rain..
 ( I am afraid to say it in case it makes it rain!)...the wind is blowing at night and making a mess of my hummingbird feeders...sloshing the sugar water onto the decks. Yuck!

 Lots of friends we have met during the holidays have left and it is quieter again in the community.  We enjoyed meeting folks from Canada, Denmark, South Carolina as well as the Western US.





This is high season and many cruise ships will be visiting the island. I am amazed that so many people can be accommodated on this small island.  The people here work so hard to make sure every visitor enjoys their stay, smiling and sharing their beautiful home with all of us.

Geo's Seafood Restaurant in French Harbor

A Beautiful Sunset at West Bay Beach on Christopher's Last Day in Roatan

Happy 2011 from Roatan

Happy New Year!  We welcomed 2011 in with friends we have made here on Roatan.  One of our neighbors hosted a party here in the Turtle Crossing community and we were able to walk there and avoid the tourist filled areas of West Bay and West End. It was great fun and we met many people who are also just visiting for a few weeks or months to people who live here full time.  There was even live music from a guy here with his family visiting for the holiday season.  He was the guitarist for KD Lang at one time.  He was wonderful, also had a vocalist and keyboard player and his two sons who play bass and rhythm guitar.  They played just for the party, it was great! Then the big resort on the other side of the point, Infinity Bay, had fireworks at midnight which we could see..  My best New Years Eve with my family.

Crusise ships in the distance

Roatan Snowman: Cruise ship day

The holiday season has seen a dramatic increase in tourism and road traffic, which means even crazier driving and more accidents.  We try to avoid it as much as we can. The beach has been packed with cruise ship visitors as every day brings 2 to 4 cruise ships into Coxen Hole or Mahogany Bay. If they all left the cruise ships I think Roatan might sink!



The weather has been a mixed bag with clouds and rain since Christmas Day to winds from 20 to 30mph blowing constantly from the southeast.  The winds were up so much that yesterday, 2 carnival cruise ships had to turn around and skip landing in Mahogany Bay and go back out to sea.  I was told by someone who lives here that the winds can be like this through March.  It blows the salt spray on everything, glasses, clothes, hair, just by going outside!

A calm day on the south side

When the wind blows from the Southeast

No snorkeling here today!

While the south side is crazy wild with the wind all you need to do is cross over to the North side and it is calm and mild...sunshine and white sand.  If the wind blows in from out of the North, the South side of the island is calm.....so no problem mon!

Moray eels at evening: some new critters added to the mix!

Our trip is just about half over and I am trying to take everything in and appreciate all the wonderful people and places we are are enjoying on Roatan. We miss all our friends and family at home. Wishing you all a very wonderful 2011!  Happy New Year!!

Roatan Christmas 2010 with My Guys

Scott and Christopher going through Immigration at the Airport

They made it!

Saturday Scott and Christopher arrived on Roatan!  Christmas is here for me.  It was so exciting to see them after three months away and of course they looked wonderful.  The trip through the airport was uneventful if somewhat long as they waited for luggage.  The weather was great and we took a quick tour of the island from the airport to West End our first stop.

Michael and Christopher

Lighthouse Restaurant in West End

We wanted to feed them and get Christopher his snorkel gear....his Christmas present.  We ate at the Lighthouse Resturant in West End as it gives a lovely view of the town and water as well as serving a great lunch.  

After a relaxing a bit Christopher and I hopped into a water taxi as Michael and Scott took the truck back to West Bay Beach. We strolled along the beach enjoying the sunshine and people enjoying their day. The guys finally arrived here at Island Breeze, took  a little walk around the community, settled in and then back to the beach for sundown and dinner at Bananarama....a great start to their vacation.

West Bay Beach

Scott wears good sunscreen!

Sunday morning breakfast...pancakes of course...then down to West Bay Beach and our first snorkel trip. It was a little windy, the waves were up and the water lacked some clarity but it was still beautiful. Nobody sunburned and they were both glad to get out of the cold snap in Florida!

Carambola Botanical Garden

Anthony's Key Resort

On Monday we explored Anthony's Key Resort and the Carambola Botanical Garden.  We climbed a mountain and were rewarded with a beautiful view of the reef around Anthony's Key Resort. It was a great hike and we enjoyed the rich foliage in the garden

View from the top at Carambola Garden

The weather has been improving as rainy season winds down.  We made plans to visit Pigeon Keys again and this time I was going to get a chance to visit Anne Jennings Brown's homestead in Port Royal.. It was a beautiful morning and we made the trip with all four of us stuffed into the truck...We climbed the hill to Anne's homestead through the bush being instructed by Walter on what plants to avoid touching.

Anne Jennings Brown Old Home

 I was even able to find a few pieces of glass that had melted in the fire to remind me of our visit.  It is hard to imagine a woman alone in this spot totally isolated and on her own.  Fascinating.

Terry from Mangrove Creek Lodge

Our trip out to Pigeon Cay through the mangroves was interesting and we spotted two salt water crocodiles! A big storm blew up and we had to take shelter in Santa Elena in a little island bar over the water.  The lodge had packed us more lunch than we could possible eat so we shared it with two island guys manning the place.  I went to find a restroom only to find that the baño was a room with a hole over the water!  Needless to say, I decided to pass up the facilities.  I know this used to be common practice in all the islands and is still in use on the East End but I couldn't pollute such a beautiful place.

Venomous LionFish

We made our way to Pigeon key where we snorkeled. shelled, and helped pick up trash that washes ashore.  The weather looked threatening again so we made our way back to Mango Creek Lodge, then back to Oak Ridge.....another wonderful day on Roatan.

Pigeon Cay Dive

We visited Mahogany Bay today to show the guys the contrast between the Roatan we see and enjoy and what the cruise ship experience would be like if you didn't leave their controlled environment.  It was fun to see the shops all decorated for Christmas although the weather has been cloudy and rainy today.

We took the time to visit Sun Market (Eldon's) and stocked up on a few items....they still eat like they did when they were in their teens! Out to eat on the beach tonight and want to see the eels at Bite on the Beach.  Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and we hope the weather is better so we can get another day of snorkeling in at Half Moon Bay followed by dinner at Tong's.....as close as I can get to our tradition of Chinese food on Christmas Eve.

We've had a great time and tried to cram as much as possible in this week before Scott heads back to Florida  on Christmas Day.  It has been the best present I have ever had....to be able to share this beautiful island with my three guys.  Merry Christmas!!

Additional Pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/gallown/20101220Christimas?authkey=Gv1sRgCOe14vTLhKvGPg#slideshow/5554016583623186754

My Three Guys

Nancy's Adventures in Roatan: Christmas In Roatan

Nancy's Adventures in Roatan: Christmas In Roatan: "Merry Christmas from Roatan! Even though we are miles away, Christmas comes to Roatan too. It may not look like New York or Atlanta ..."

Christmas In Roatan

Merry Christmas from Roatan!

Even though we are miles away, Christmas comes to Roatan too.  It may not look like New York or Atlanta but it holds its own charm.

All this for $225

You could purchase your decorated tree for L4500 which is about $225!  Oh, even the stores on the island started decorating in November for the holidays! 

I also noticed that the amount and types of merchandise in the stores started to change as Christmas approached.  You can find Christmas table decorations, napkins, and plates. It's even possible to buy walnuts, pecans and other Christmas goodies for making cookies....darn and I left all my recipes at home!

Grocery stores carry toys, small appliances, and other treasures for Christmas, things you would not normally see.  They depend on what comes in on the ships so they stock their shelves with new things as they arrive on the island. It's like a treasure hunt!

Henry Morgan Resort

They are Italian

As we traveled around, I did manage to take some  photos that show what the Christmas season is like on the island.

Now which light is it?

Christmas lights don't work any better here by the way. This guy finally just gave up and cut the lights off completely.

.

A Most Elaborate Display

   One of the local schools near Coxen Hole has an elaborate outdoor display of lighted  Christmas scenes.  We haven't seen it at night but everyone says it is lovely but don't envy the electric bill they will receive!

4000 miles?

Town Center Coxen Hole

The Town Center decorated for cruise ships days and the pine sprays contrast with the bougainvillea flowers.

We did a little Christmas shopping in West End, but not much. Christmas does not hold the same frantic pace as it does at home, but for kids it is the same!  Many of the local restaurants and tourists places are having Christmas sales where merchants and artists can set up booths.  Many of the proceeds go to helping local charities and needy kids.

Thanks to Jenny and Steve we even have a little Christmas tree complete with lights, decorated with local ornaments made from recycled metal, homemade sea shells ornaments, and flowers. It even has an angel on top!  It's very festive!

Our Roatan Christmas Tree!!

Michael and I are eagerly awaiting Scott and Christopher's arrival this Saturday for their island visit.  That is the best Christmas present of all.  We are wishing everyone at home a blessed holiday season with family and friends. We will miss you all, but continue to enjoy our island adventure. Merry Christmas and Feliz Navidad!

Island Breeze at Turtle Crossing in West Bay Beach, Roatan

Island Breeze

The Front Deck

Jenny and Steve left Saturday morning and the weather turned yesterday afternoon..  Around noon the electricity went off and Michael was worried he would miss the  SEC championship game. I decided to have him drive me to West Bay Beach and Infinity Bay.  He could keep the truck in case the electric didn't come back on and he could join me there and watch the game.  It was another beautiful day but the storm clouds moved in so I decided to see if they were able to get the game on one of the flat screens at the Palapa Bar.  As it sometimes goes they had to jury rig a connection to the TV through one of the guy's laptops in order to watch the game! It worked really well and they finally even got the sound to work as well! The game started, the rain came and Michael didn't arrive.  I figured he must have gotten to watch from home. A little way into the second quarter, he tore himself away (since it hadn't stopped raining) and came to rescue me.  Good thing as he almost missed his share of the chicken quesadillas I was eating! Back up the hill and home to Island Breeze, we finished watching Cam and AU win! WAR EAGLE.  We knew everyone at home was enjoying it as well.  I can only hope Steve got to see some of it from the airport in Atlanta.

Living Room Area

Living Room and Kitchen Areas

The weather today has been overcast and very windy so we spent  today fixing the hummingbird feeder which is leaking and the birds do not seem to like the new one I bought and watching more football.  I am hopeful this will bring them back (fixing the feeder, not football) as they really are a delight to watch.

I realized I don't have any pictures of our house here on Roatan on this blog so I have included a few pictures.  You can see the house sits on the hill side overlooking the south shore of Roatan.  We have lovely views from several levels.  As you climb up the hill, you are at the Western tip of the island and you can see the Caribbean sea from all sides!.

Master  Suite

Island Breeze

View from the top deck at Island Breeze

View back toward the hill...taken this summer, it's green now.

View from the sundeck