This year we drifted a bit from the norm. We usually go to St Maarten this time every year.
Jill (Me) decided we would try something different.(It took a nudging on my part) Carl is not much for change.
Anyway, Leaving our Home is a nightmare experience everytime. We have 4 Horses, chickens, Cats,& my precious Labrador. Along with an 18 & 19 year old Son, & an exchange Student from Israel that is our kid for the year. After we (I) get everything in order it is definitely time for a VACATION!
We left on Friday night Red eye Oct 19th on Continental. Long layover in Houston, but in Roatan by 12:15 pm Sat.
The best flights we have had. They were great. Breakfast on the first leg & Lunch on the next. Hope to get Continental again. Moved through airport just fine.
Welcome to Humidity!!! Awesome!!!
that part was the same as ST Maarten.
We were planning on renting a car, but we met a guy in the airport that dropped us off at our resort. He was from the States & had moved there a few years ago. Really nice guy. took us to our resort.
We checked in to Bananarama Dive resort. It is a fantastic bed & breakfast type place. The Host's are wonderful. (More about them later)
The next three days were absolutely gorgeous! Calm water & Hot. We had a great time Laying out sunbathing, & Thank God Tuesday we went out on a snorkeling tour. (The snorkeling here is unbeatable).
What do they say... Calm before the Storm....Little did we know we were in for a total change.
Wednesday am...
Woke to a different place. Pouring down & Windy as hell.( no power all night so not a good nights sleep)
We went to the beach and everyone was on a go pulling on the Bananarama boat that had almost sank in the storm.
Wow.. Hurry..Coffee..We need to wake up & help!!! This was so inspirational. We all were out pulling on the boat & bailing it out.
(the storm was not suppose to come for another day so they were not prepared)
We got it to shore & tied it up at all ends. There was no way of getting it out. It would have to hold it's own till better weather.
It did get better, just not what we had hoped on vacation... It stormed the rest of our time.
Oh well.. We had a great time anyway. & we made the best of it.
We had been in contact with TJ Lynch & team before we left, as we were interested in properties on Roatan. We met up with him & his with Shelley. TJ took us on a tour of the island. Also with us was a guy from Canada, Scott, who was searching for properties also. We had a great day. Flat tire & all. It was one hell of an ????? experience. The roads are not that great yet.(a complete understatement) Looking back though, I wouldn't have it any other way.
This is the most beautiful Island I have ever seen...
We met some awesome people, that if it would have been Sunny, we might not have met. We sat in the Bananarama Bar on most evenings & made conversation with locals & tourists.
We also made friends with the local dogs & cats.
There are many dogs in need, as in most Caribbean islands, 2 in paticular hung out there, both had litters while we were there. It is heart wretching. I would take them all if I could.
We had more great times with TJ & Shelley, they are great people. On Thursday night we went to Bay Islands Beach Resort with them. They Host a BBQ pig & sides, Live Band, Crab races to benefit the local schools, & just a fun time for all. What a blast...
During our stay, we did a couple things that were not intended for notice., we just wanted to do it.
To our suprise ... The owners, Louis & Jamie had set up a dinner for us under the stars...Linen table with candles, Wine on Ice, dessert, It was absolutely incredible.
Don't rely on the ATM's to work. We tried one day to no avail, but to our rescue was another owner/family member of Bananarama. What a GUY! loaned us money without knowing us from Adam.
Can't say enough about the people that own this place. People like them are few & far between!!!
Oh, we are in the process of purchasing a condo. It is in the photos, Mayan Princess beach front condo. We are really excited. The Island is starting to boom & we felt it a great investment for our future.
We will be heading back this Spring. Have to check on it you know!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMPwR3HCdFEIf anyone has a better hosting for our slide show let me know
Thanks!!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />
Jill & Carl
