Saturday, September 29, 2007

crab run


Once a year, at the end of summer when the water is warmest, our local land crabs make a run for the beach to wash their fertilized eggs into the surf. The eggs hatch in the sea and the juvenile crabs eventually make their way back to land. The last few nights we've had hundreds of crabs doing this annual ritual. Lucky has found this spectacle more exciting than you can imagine!

Sunday, September 23, 2007

meditation

A very special guest suggested it, so I've started meditating again. I bought a meditation album on iTunes called "Living Meditation - Guided Meditations with David Harshada Wagner." I have to say, he's really good at taking you to that awesome place very quickly.

'God particle' may have been seen

I love quantum physics!

Saturday, September 22, 2007

our reefs need protection!

While the Honduran Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (SERNA) sleeps, the reefs of Eastern Roatan continue to be plundered by poor local fishermen harvesting lobster and large meat fish (primarily groupers and snappers). The short-sightedness of the Honduran government is mind-boggling! To this day, Tegucigalpa still has not declared Roatan's barrier reef a national marine park, and found alternative ways for these fishermen to make a living. The coral reefs of the Bay Islands, along with the Copan Mayan Ruins, are arguably the two most important assets this country has! How - HOW - can you let it be destroyed, you idiots? This spectacular resource belongs not only to Hondurans but to the world. I've decided to not let another day go by without pushing to get every square inch of our reefs protected. Please stay tuned!

[to be accurate, a portion of the reef on the West End of the island is being protected by an NGO]

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

my roatan is growing SO fast

Saw a sign on the road today for a new "Megaplaza Mall" that's going up in French Harbour (the new capital of Roatan). The restaurants in the new shopping center will include a Wendy's and an Applebee's (Ugh! Disgusting corporate invasion.) It's amazing that twenty years ago this island didn't even have a real airport.

Monday, September 17, 2007

photos of the day


Honeymooners Derrick and Jennifer enjoying the water at Lil' Bay Beach.



Guests Christopher and Diana using the new access ladder at Secret Cove to go snorkeling.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

the mountain, the woman




Kate took me up on the Picacho Peak Challenge, becoming Paya Bay's first guest to hike to the top of of Roatan's highest peak. An attorney from San Francisco, when we got to the top of the 235M Picacho she exclaimed, "Wow, that's it?! That's ALL we have to climb?! I thought it would be more." We both agreed that it's totally worth it. The views are amazing. You're the best, Kate! May The Secret guide you to your greater good.




Kate and our guide, Fernando, take in the views at the top of the peak.

View from Picacho, looking east.

meet Lucky



Meet Lucky. He's the newest member of Paya Bay's staff. He's "all puppy" at the moment: rambunctious, full of energy, and chewing on everything. He's also a bottomless pit: hungry 24/7 and eating everything a growing puppy can get this jaws on. He's got tons of personality and is already doing a great job in his enviable role as Paya Bay's "resort dog."


Friday, September 7, 2007

Thursday, September 6, 2007

democracy of music

Music is a very important part of the Paya Bay experience. We play a lot of chillout and ambient music at the restaurant/bar. This is the music that best complements the natural beauty that surrounds you. It helps with relaxation and helps raise your awareness of the specialness of place you are staying at. Since it's the music you would hear at a sophisticated South Beach bar or lounge, it really gives Paya Bay a chic edge not found elsewhere on Roatan. When it's time to ramp things up we play 'island music': a compilation of reggae, calypso, soca, and reggaeton tunes that local Roatanians love to get down to. And, of course, on Thursday nights there is the incomparable music of the Garifunas. Their instruments are African drums, conch shell trumpets, empty turtle shell, maracas, and an electric guitar. It's really, really awesome music!

That being said, however, if you book a group of friends at Paya Bay, and you want to play YOUR music, we will give you 100% control. Whatever makes you and your friends feel good and be happy!

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

felix shmelix

Here in Roatan, We got some wind and rain, but that's about it. No tide surge. Nothing damaged. The evacuation of tourists mentioned in the press was, in retrospect, probably an overreaction. The storm passed well to the south of us. Hopefully the flooding isn't too bad on the Honduras mainland.

Monday, September 3, 2007

I need a chef / kitchen manager

see internship opportunity

in order to do

the amazing and extraordinary things I'm doing in my Life, I can feel no fear. One has power over everything, including outcomes. If you let it, fear only serves to distract you from your real reality: you are in total, 100% control!

Saturday, September 1, 2007

certified!

Got my Open Water scuba certification on Wednesday. Looking forward to getting out on the dive boat with our guests at least once a week. Definitely one of the better perks of my job!