strong dude

Pete, a.k.a. Superman, shows his muscles are for real by giving Ms. Keidy a lift. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

colors of Paya

Brilliantly colored coconuts remind you that you're in the tropics. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

touring the Honduran "Venice"

Guests explore the mangrove canals in Jonesville. An optional tour offered by Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

food for thought

At the time of the winter solstice, let reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is just myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.

Source

Interesting perspective.

peace on Earth

Bliss Beach, Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

quote of the day

Tough times never last, but tough people do.

- Robert Schuller

Latinos in Florida have launched campaign to nominate Roberto Micheletti for the Nobel Peace Prize

Miami, United States. The Francisco Morazán Honduran Organization and America's Democracy Watch kicked off this Saturday the campaign to collect signatures supporting the nomination of interim president, Roberto Micheletti, for the Nobel Peace Prize 2010.

Leaders of Latin American communities residing in Florida yesterday issued a statement announcing the effort that will be directed to those who make the nominations for the Peace Prize in Norway.

Roberto Micheletti assumed the presidency of Honduras in place of Manuel Zelaya, who was dismissed by the National Congress of Honduras on 28 June 2009 for trying to stage a National Constituent Assembly, which is prohibited by the current Constitution.

Translated from El Heraldo

After the Honduran National Congress removed Manuel Zelaya from power for multiple violations of our constitution, and immediately elected Roberto Micheletti to replace him on June 28, 2009, Mr. Micheletti deftly maneuvered in a very unstable and volatile environment, and was miraculously able to keep Honduras from unraveling into a civil war. This all unfolded as Hugo Chavez and his ALBA and OAS cronies were doing everything possible to destabilize and isolate Honduras. If civil war avoidance is not a good reason for a man to be considered for a Nobel Peace Prize, I don't know what is.

president-elect's party will support withdrawal from ALBA

Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The deputies of the Partido Nacional (who will be the majority in the new Congress that will convene in January 2010) will support the withdrawal of Honduras from ALBA. "The Nacionalistas will accompany that decision," said the president-elect, Porfirio Lobo Sosa, yesterday after attending a police officers promotion ceremony.

Translated from La Prensa.

In an act of protest, deputies of the Partido Nacional had abstained from voting when Zelaya railroaded joining ALBA through Congress in 2008.  It was widely rumored that there were a lot of Venezuelan petrodollars flowing in Tegucigalpa at the time to "convince" legislators to approve it.

There is a saying in Spanish: "Rectificar es de sabios." It roughly translates to "The wise undo their mistakes."

photo of the day

It's wild, it's rough, it's up-and-down, and sometimes you'll feel like you're on the edge, but there is only one. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

a gift of Paya

Enjoy your massage to the sound of the waves crashing on the beach while the balmy tropical breeze and the masseuse's hands transport you to complete relaxation. Offer is for one free 1/2 hour massage per person (2 massages per double occupancy booking). Learn more.

first step taken to withdraw Honduras from ALBA

Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The government of President Roberto Micheletti denounced Tuesday night the treaty of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA), that deposed president Manuel Zelaya had lobbied to get approved on 25 August 2008.

"The decision was taken in view that some presidents that make up ALBA, not their peoples, have been disrespectful and offensive to a friendly nation like Honduras, and have not respected the right to self-determination of Hondurans," said the Minister of the Presidency, Rafael Pineda Ponce, at a press conference.

The complaint, according to Pineda, will be delivered to Congress on Wednesday "and Congress will make the final determination on this issue." Once that happens, Honduras will not remain in the mechanism.

He recalled that "although at first Zelaya denied that ALBA had political components, with time it became apparent that the Bolivarian Alternative of president (Hugo) Chavez intended to make Honduras part of his hegemony, and the 21st century socialism he has launched in the continent. "

He further stressed that "we cannot be tied to an organization that has no respect or regard for its members ... and the sovereignty of a nation can not be compromised by any treaty."

Translated from El Heraldo

Awesome news! A withdrawal from ALBA would be wonderful holiday gift for the Honduran people. I'm certain the Honduran Congress will approve this. I (and I think most Hondurans) feel that Honduras being part of this leftist, Hugo Chavez-controlled, anti-American organization is a grave insult to our historic ally, the United States. We joined it under the Zelaya administration at his insistence. Since he was thrown out for attempting to force "21st century socialism" on Honduras, ALBA should be thrown out as well.  It's simply not who we are.

it's wellness week!

Daily sunset vinyasa flow yoga at Buccaneer Landing! Learn more. Photo: Bob Gerhardt.

Pepe Lobo the most voted for president in Honduran history

Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo has emerged as the most voted for president in the democratic history of Honduras, confirmed the magistrates of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE).

"The unofficial figures, which will become official with the declaration, indicate that Porfirio Lobo Sosa is the presidential candidate who has received most votes in our history," said Magistrate David Matamoros.

With this number of favorable votes, Lobo beats Ricardo Maduro, also of the National Party, who in the 2001 general elections received 1,134,000 votes.

The voting table documents audited so far favor "Pepe" with over 1,195,000 votes and according to TSE projections will exceed one million 200 thousand votes.

Translated from El Heraldo

come to Honduras!

Tour Oak Ridge, "the Venice of Honduras." An optional tour offered by Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.  Tour includes the mangrove canals of the Jonesville area.

ocean acidification: another threat to coral reefs?

Carbon dioxide emissions from human activities are acidifying the oceans and threaten a mass extinction of sea life, a top ocean scientist warns.

Dr Carol Turley from Plymouth Marine Laboratory says it is impossible to know how marine life will cope, but she fears many species will not survive.

Since the Industrial Revolution, CO2 emissions have already turned the sea about 30% more acidic, say researchers.

It is more acidic now than it has been for at least 500,000 years, they add.

Source: BBC

luckovich

Courtesy of AJC

bliss beach

How idyllic is this?! One of the best little private beaches in the world. Topless sunbathing allowed (becomes completely c/o during naturist weeks). Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

come to Honduras!

 Enjoy the view from one of our cliff rooms! Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

tick, tock, tick, tock...

Here's hoping some real progress is made at the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference.

Zelaya must leave the Brazilian Embassy on January 27

Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Brazil gave notice to deposed President of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya, that he must leave the South American country's embassy, where he can stay no later than January 27, revealed a Brazilian diplomat on Friday.

Francisco Catunda, charge d'affaires of the Embassy of Brazil in the Honduran capital, said by telephone to the television network Globo that Zelaya knows that after that date he must leave the embassy, where he installed himself in September after entering the country surreptitiously.

"He (Zelaya) is aware that he must leave on 27 January when his original term would have ended, he has to find another location," said Catunda.

Translated from El Heraldo

Zelaya has become an annoying liability for the Brazilians.  Excuse me while I wallow in my schadenfreude.

quote of the day

We are not asking [the world community] to respect us, we demand they respect us!

- Interim President of Honduras, Roberto Micheletti

Damn right, Señor Presidente! I love, love, LOVE this man. A true patriot.

Photo and source: El Heraldo

the tribal beach party

The Garífunas perform near the plunge pool on Bliss Beach, Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

The famous "punta" dance in full hip gyration.

With African drums, song, and dance, this show is incredibly entertaining.

photo of the day

Guests take in the sunset at Buccaneer Landing, Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

 

come to Honduras!

Feel good, be happy in Buccaneer Landing, Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Honduran government denies Zelaya political asylum in Mexico

Tegucigalpa - The Government of Honduras denied former president Manuel Zelaya an application for political asylum in Mexico because it was "inappropriate," said the foreign minister of the Central American country, Carlos Lopez Contreras.

The official confirmed to reporters that Zelaya made a request to the Government of Mexico for it to solicit a safe passage from the Government of Honduras for the purpose of political asylum of the former president.

The request, said Lopez Contreras, was rejected because it "did not meet the appropriate conditions." The Foreign Minister gave no details of the type of asylum Zelaya was requesting. "All I can say is that did not meet the right conditions," he said.

The asylum "is denied because it was inappropriate, the way it had been requested, and the lack of legal qualification for the kind of asylum they were asking us to give," he reiterated.

Translated from Proceso Digital

Apparently Zelaya wanted to go to Mexico as a "distinguished guest" not as a political asylee.  Besides being incredibly farcical, this would have also meant he would be able to travel to third countries and (with Fidel's diabolical guidance and Chavez's financial support) continue stirring excrement.  In other words, the cynical bastard wanted a "get out of jail free" card to persist in his harassment of the Honduran people. The Honduran government was wise to deny this absurdity. After all, this man's mental stability is suspect, he is vindictive, his word is worthless, he has arrest warrants pending against him in Honduras, and - for now - it's best to keep him in his self-imposed Brazilian "embassy" prison. As it is often said, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

quote of the day

We salute the people of Honduras for this [electoral] achievement and president-elect Lobo on his victory.

- United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton

Thank you, madam Secretary. You were there for us when it counted.  I'm all loving you again!

Mexico joins the good guys

Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Mexican Foreign Secretary Patricia Espinosa said the Government led by President Felipe Calderón will recognize Honduran elections held on November 29 which were won by Jose Porfirio Lobo Sosa of the opposition Partido Nacional.

The Mexican government also urged Mercosur countries to support these elections as they are "are a necessary but not sufficient condition for the normalization of democratic life in Honduras."

In this way, Mexico joins other countries that have recognized the elections such as the United States, Panama, Colombia, Peru, Costa Rica, [Israel, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and the German Parliament].

Translated from hondudiario.com

Gracias hermanos mejicanos!

Some Mercosur countries (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay), whose leaders all seem shockingly submissive to the will of Venezuelan tyrant Hugo Chavez, have their panties in a knot because Honduras refused to do what they all wanted: the restoration of law-breaking, court-disobeying, mob-ruling, Fidel-worshiping, Chavez-serving Manuel Zelaya to power. Bottom line: they got their asses kicked by Hondurans not once, but three times.

• First there was President Roberto Micheletti's refusal to yield to the immense pressure Chavez, Lula, and Fernandez-Kirchner placed on him to restore Zelaya. 
• Second, the mass participation of the Honduran people in the November 29 elections (which they tried to stop) with a historic voter turnout of 62% was a brutal slap to their face!
• The third and final blow came after the elections, with the overwhelming vote by deputies of our National Congress (111-14) not to restore Zelaya.
  

That must be a very bitter pill for these arrogant, interventionist South American leftist presidents to swallow. Hope it teaches them not to mess with Honduras.  Take your Foro de Sao Paulo and shove it...

kombucha, the yogi tea

A recent Paya Bay guest brought Kombucha tea to my attention, and I'm strongly considering making it available as a beverage choice here at the resort (particularly during our wellness weeks). The tea is fermented by a mass of bacteria and yeast organisms living in a symbiotic relationship (see above). It's health benefits seem countless.

The Kombucha beverage should be regarded principally as a food unusually rich in nutritive properties, rather than just a health drink. As in yogurt, the bacteria are a great source of nutrition, but in addition Kombucha has a wide range of organic acids, vitamins and enzymes that give it its extraordinary value. It contains the range of B vitamins, particularly B1, B2, B6 and B12, that provide the body with energy, help to process fats and proteins, and which are vital for the normal functioning of the nervous system. There is also vitamin C which is a potent detoxifier, immune booster and enhancer of vitality.

Tea and Sugar's Role in Kombucha
Tea (Camilla sinesis) is very nutritious, especially in its unfermented green form. It is high in fluorides and has anti-carcinogenic properties; it provides nitrogen, minerals, vitamins, and other substances essential for nutrition, and promotes the growth of the micro-organisms and the cellular construction of the Kombucha culture. Green tea is also high in vitamin C. Sugar plays an essential part in Kombucha's brewing process, providing a nutrient solution for the culture, assisting in the feeding and respiration of the micro-organisms, and activating the yeasts. It also gets the fermentation process going. The yeast cells make certain organic acids, vitamins and supplementary yeasts, while the bacteria produce carbonation, ethanol and other organic acids. The bacteria break down the sugars into acetic acid and carbon dioxide.

Source:  Anahata Balance

come to Honduras!

Experience inner peace.  Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

U.S. government cancels Honduras travel warning

Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The U.S. government revoked the warning issued regarding travel to Honduras, saying the security situation had improved in the Central American country.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the State Department says that "the travel warning issued for Honduras on November 6, 2009 is canceled with immediate effect."

"The security situation has improved in Honduras and this has eliminated the immediate threat to the security and integrity of American citizens in Honduras," it adds.

Translated from El Heraldo

This is awesome news! Come to Honduras, GDAs (Gringo Democracy Allies)!

come to Honduras!

Nothing says "tropical paradise" quite like a hammock with an ocean view! Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Honduras to close its embassies in unfriendly countries

The Honduran Ministry of Foreign Relations has announced that it will be closing its embassies in countries that are refusing to recognize the November 29 elections and President-elect, Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo.  These countries include Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil, and Spain. The shrill, hysterical leftists leaders of these countries signed on to the FAILED (yay!!) Hugo Chavez plan to force a socialist form of government on the Honduran people. In an attempt to put pressure on Roberto Micheletti's interim administration they unilaterally broke off diplomatic relations with Honduras following the removal from power of Manuel Zelaya on June 28 for violating the country's constitution, failing to obey court orders,  and breaking other laws.

Source: El Heraldo

Good. Under their current respective leaderships, these countries' governments are enemies of the Honduran people. This is particularly the case with Venezuela and its megalomaniac tyrant.

quote of the day

Honduras has decided to go the way of democracy. Nobody can impose doctrines on us. They must understand that the Berlin Wall and socialism collapsed. It is a legitimate right of the people [to choose democracy]. We want to tell Mr. Chavez and all those who want to impose old-fashioned doctrines that the Honduran people want to live in peace and democracy.

- Pepe Lobo, President-Elect of Honduras

Source: El Nuevo Herald (Miami, FL)

come to Honduras!

Feel nature's warm embrace on our trails. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

"the Honduran people deserve our congratulations"

The new U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States, Carmen Lomelin, said yesterday that "Last Sunday's elections were free, fair, transparent, and the Honduran people deserve our congratulations."

"The elections open the hope that the political crisis has come to an end," said Lomelin. "The OAS should understand that we face a victory with the elections and should not condemn them by resorting to inaccuracies and erroneous historical visions."

"Recent developments in Honduras gives us hope that the acute crisis has ended and we hope that the OAS shares our cautious optimism," said Lomelin.

Meanwhile, Jose Enrique Castillo, the Costa Rica OAS Ambassador, emphasized that "any position against the elections last Sunday would frustrate an outlet for Hondurans."

Translated from La Prensa

the central american cyber street

I just want to say that the people of Honduras have been a blessing for all Latin Americans. I used to think that Honduras was an insignificant country, without any power. Now my opinion is: I take my hat off to the Hondurans because they have given us a lesson of incalculable size. From today the Honduran people and their leaders have my respect because they know how to love their country. Now they must close the Brazilian embassy since it does not recognize the new President, and take Zelaya straight to prison for being a traitor.

- Alexia,  a translation of her comment on laprensa.com.ni (since it's a Nicaraguan paper, she may be from there, but context clues indicate she's from a larger Latin country)

come to Honduras!

Feel good, be happy on Bliss Beach, Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

President Micheletti rubs it in

TEGUCIGALPA .- President Roberto Micheletti said that with the voting last Sunday, the Honduran people told the president of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, that he is a "wack job" that cannot come and impose anything on the Central American country.

"Honduras said, 'This is as far as you go, you are a wack job without the capacity to come and impose absolutely anything, and the puppets you sought gave you bad results,'" said Micheletti to HRN radio in Tegucigalpa.

In his opinion, the massive participation of Hondurans in the voting on Sunday, "is a message to all countries, for all men who try to dominate a country through money, through force, through oil, as this man does" (Chavez). 

The elections were won by Porfirio Lobo, of the opposition National Party.

"I think it is also a lesson for people who are oppressed by these pseudodemocracies, who do no favors for their people, because in Venezuela nothing has changed for the poor," said Micheletti.

Translated from La Tribuna

You gotta love this man!

come to Honduras!

Feel good, be happy at Secret Cove, Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

the final vote

111 against Zelaya's restitution  - 14 for it.

a kickass little country

I'm SO proud of us! We took on the world and won. (With a little help from a certain key ally, of course.)

Honduran Congress: NO RESTITUTION for Zelaya

Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The National Congress of Honduras decided a few minutes ago to NOT reinstate Manuel Zelaya Rosales in the presidency, after ratifying the decree issued on June 28 removing him from office, and appointing Roberto Micheletti to replace him.

By 7:00 PM, as the vote continued in the legislative chamber, a simple majority (66 votes in favor and 8 against) was reached thus confirming that Manuel Zelaya will not be reinstated.

The Legislature began today's session at 12:30 PM, first determining quorum and then reading the correspondence which contained the reports sent from the Supreme Court of Justice, the National Commissioner for Human Rights, the Public Ministry, and the Attorney General of the Republic, which all agreed that restitution was NOT possible.

The full Congress of 128 deputies responded to the request of the negotiating committee of the Guaymuras Dialogue which asked Congress in paragraph 5 of the Tegucigalpa-San Jose Agreement to decide on the restitution of Zelaya.

Translated from El Heraldo.

The total, absolute, and resounding rejection of Manuel Zelaya (and Hugo Chavez) by the Honduran people is now complete.

VIVA HONDURAS!

Honduran Congress begins deliberations on Zelaya's fate today

TEGUCIGALPA .- The day has finally arrived. Today the full Congress is convening for a unique and unusual meeting, on which depends not only on the fate of former President Manuel Zelaya Rosales, but also the willingness of the international community to recognize the government of Porfirio Lobo Sosa.

At 10:00 AM members are summoned to begin the meeting, described as historic, just as was the meeting on 28 June when Zelaya was dismissed after deputies approved a report on alleged violations of the Constitution of the Republic.

The chairman of the legislature, Jose Alfredo Saavedra, announced that the regular duties of Congress begins today to hear outstanding issues, which are diverse, including the San Jose Agreement and the opinions of the four institutions consulted by the Congressional Board to define their position on that topic.

Translated from La Tribuna

historic voter participation

2009 Voter Turnout: 63%*

2005 Voter Turnout: 46%

Source: El Heraldo

*and this with Manuel Zelaya calling on Hondurans to boycott the elections. This speaks volumes of the contempt my people have for that one.

quote of the day

Canada congratulates the Honduran people for the relatively peaceful and orderly manner in which the country’s elections were conducted. While Sunday’s elections were not monitored by international organizations such as the Organization of American States, we are encouraged by reports from civil society organizations that there was a strong turnout for the elections, that they appear to have been run freely and fairly, and that there was no major violence.

- Peter Kent, Canadian Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas)

the mark of democracy

After voting on Sunday, Lucy, or friend Mario, and I went for a celebratory cocktails in West End. Here we show off our ink-stained pinkies indicating that we already voted.

Take that, Chavez!

Cato Institute: "Lula a big loser in Honduras"

One of the big losers from yesterday’s successful election in Honduras has been Brazil’s president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who demonstrated that under his presidency, Brazil is not ready to play a positive leadership role in the hemisphere.

Not only did Lula seem to be complicit in smuggling deposed Honduran president Manuel Zelaya into the Brazilian Embassy in Tegucigalpa—an irresponsible move that risked the possibility of major confrontations and bloodshed in that country—but he stubbornly refuses to recognize yesterday’s election as legitimate.

Lula’s grandstanding has nothing to do with a supposed commitment to democracy, of course. After all he continues to lavish praise on the Castro brothers’ dictatorship in Cuba, has said that Hugo Chávez is the best president Venezuela has had “in one hundred years” and was one of the first world leaders in congratulating Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s blatant rigged election in Iran. Indeed, the same week he announced his refusal to recognize the elections in Honduras, he gave Ahmadinejad a warm welcoming in Brasilia.

- Juan Carlos Hidalgo, Cato Institute

WSJ: Honduras defeats Chavez

Unless something monumental happens in the Western Hemisphere in the next 31 days, the big regional story for 2009 will be how tiny Honduras managed to beat back the colonial aspirations of its most powerful neighbors and preserve its constitution.

Sunday's elections for president and Congress, held as scheduled and without incident, were the crowning achievement of that struggle.

National Party candidate Porfirio Lobo was the favorite to win in pre-election polls. Yet the name of the victor is almost beside the point. The completion of these elections is a national triumph in itself and a win for all people who yearn for liberty.

The fact that the U.S. has said it will recognize their legitimacy shows that this reality eventually made its way to the White House. If not Hugo Chávez's Waterloo, Honduras's stand at least marks a major setback for the Venezuelan strongman's expansionist agenda.

- Mary Anastasia O'Grady, Wall Street Journal