Cruise to Western Caribbean - 1998 (page 3 of 3) Roatan, Honduras

ROATAN, HONDURAS

I think Roatan is the most interesting and beautiful place I have ever seen, and the day spent there was the highlight of the trip for me.

Roatan is one of the Bay Islands.  It has some resorts, but is largely unspoiled and quite primitive.  The Norwegian Star is the only cruise ship to schedule regular stops on Roatan, and that started only in May, 1997.

(*update - April, 1998 - The Norwegian Star is no longer the only cruise ship to dock on Roatan.  The secret's out now.  I won't expect the island to be the same, if I am ever lucky enough to go back.)

(*1999 update: Roatan is ONE of the most beautiful places I have ever seen... but still the most interesting!  Check out my Maui pictures if you like beautiful places.)

The pier where we docked was at a small town called Coxen Hole.  Homes there were mostly wood with metal roofs, and on stilts.  Windows were merely squares cut out of the walls, and few had the benefit of glass or screens to cover them.  I guess Thursday must be washday on Roatan.  Laundry was hanging from porches, in yards, and over chairs all over the town.  I saw one woman still scrubbing clothes in a tub outside, under her house.

We saw some food stores and general stores... about the size of a small bedroom here, with a few sparcely stocked shelves.  The people seemed to notice the bus with the visitors as it passed... it still is not a common sight to them.  Two children were sharing a pair of in-line skates -- each was wearing one.  As we rode through Coxen Hole, I saw a sign on a doctor's office, a cabinetmaker's shop (outside, under a building on stilts), several churches and one bilingual Bible college... AND a computer store!!!

Vegetation on Roatan is very lush.  We were transported by small buses to Tabyana Beach -- a ride of nearly an hour over the only road (a one-lane dirt path that had seen the effects of heavy rains).  In places, the road hugged the edge of a dropoff , with only a single strand of barbed wire between the bus and dense jungle far below.  Not a fun trip, but beautiful views from high points looking over the tropical vegetation to the sea beyond... and the only way to get to the beach.

Tabyana Beach was magnificent.  I swam in the Caribbean here, in water that is crystal clear and about the color of the background behind this text.  The coral reef is not far from shore.  While at the beach, we were treated to a delicious lunch that included red snapper and lots of fresh fruit...   (and met a wonderful little boy of about 4, named Deveere, whose parents worked at the beach.  I wish I had a photo of him.)

It was nearly sunset when the ship pulled away from the dock
on Roatan, to begin a 2 1/2 day trip back to Houston...
the end of a perfect day.

It isn't quite the same as being there, I know,
but I hope you've enjoyed the virtual cruise!