A Day in Roatan

Tuesday, April 4, 2017
We awoke to hot, humid temperatures with lots of haze but blue skies and the promise of a good day. Off in the distance we could see land - the Island of Roatan, which was the part of Honduras we were going to see.

We enjoyed watching the ship pull into the dock while standing on our room balcony

Ken and Beth were off for a snorkling trip and relaxation at a beach along with boat rides to the two spots where they would snorkle.  Unfortunately picture taking wasn't too easily done.

While I had more of an island tour seeing several points of interest.  Because I was by myself, I got the passenger seat in a mini van filled with people so was able to shoot some pictures out the windows giving a feel for the island itself including its narrow 2 lane roads that twisted and turned and went up and down sometimes at sharp angles.

Our first stop was at the West End Village - a spot to shop (which I had no interest in) and also an opportunity to see the Garifuna Dancers perform a traditional cultural dance called the Punta.  In it several of the people wear masks over their faces and skirts so you can't tell if they are men or women.  This apparently rose as a way to keep from having a sea captain who dominated the area and wished to kill off the men so as to have the women to himself.  Anyway, they performed out on this pier under the back patio of the shop.   (The water was amazingly clear!!!)

Then we were back on the road and heading to the Carambola Botanical Gardens where our guide took us through almost a forest like setting pointing out many of the trees that thrive in this area.  It was fascinating to see an all spice tree and its pod

A cinnamon tree, a mahogany tree (these provided a great deal of the wealth of the island till they were no longer allowed to export them.  But a great deal of small pieces of mahogany bowls and other containers could be found in all the shops.  We also got to see a cashew tree and its pod with just one nut per "apple".  No wonder they are so expensive.

Below is a cacao tree - the source of the chocolate we all love

This was a whole area of ginger trees in bloom

I never did find out what this was but I was fascinated by the very unusual flower.

At the end of our journey we had an opportunity to sit down and enjoy some of the special fruits from the garden - bananas just picked (wow were they good), pineapple just picked and oh so juicy, and melon that was very very juicy.  It all tasted so wonderful and so much better than what we get in the stores cause it was picked at its peak didn't ripen off the tree or plant.  Besides the heat was overwhelming - high 90s with humidity in the high 90s as well- so it was refreshing.

We then climbed back into the van and headed to the butterfly and tropical bird garden.  There we saw many of the different types of chrystalis created by the caterpillars of varying sizes that developed into some of the gorgeous butterflies flying around the area.  Trying to capture them on the camera was tough but I did give it a try.

Two of the tropical birds from the area were also available for us to see. They were quick to get onto peoples shoulders.  (right now I'm drawing a blank on their names)

These monkeys were having great fun climbing up on peoples shoulders too as well as perching on fences and other spots where they could beg

Several other native species were introduced to us including this boa constricter

Spider moneys

A Kinkajou

And a white nosed coati

We were then back to the van and drive back toward the city area where we visited the Stone Castle Cameo Institute and had an opportunity to watch a young gal carving cameo's

out of shell and see many of the beautiful right into shells

as well as lots of cameo jewelry.

We then returned very hot and tired to the ship where we could cool off a bit in the a/c and take a shower to wash off all the sweat.  Boy it was hot and sticky!!!!

Ken and Beth returned shortly after I did and were desirous of some relaxation and cool too.  It was a good time to just read for a bit in the room while enjoying a cold drink and also share our experiences.  Beth and Ken saw loads of beautiful and very colorful fish in extremely clear water and Beth even saw a lobster hiding away.

After dinner we went to a fantastic show in the Princess Theater.  A ventriloquist and singer Michael Minor kept us beautifully entertained introducing us to several of his friends all of whom entertained us with at least one song.  The range of presentation went from Elvis to Louis Armstrong.  Absolutely amazing!!!!

He also had an older man from the audience up on the stage replacing his grandpa puppet.  That left us all in stitches as he had him opening and closing his mouth when touched just as if he was a puppet but of course his were reactions were human.  Just plain fun!!!!!!!