photo of the day

No one does green quite like the Mother.

This one is for you, Claiborne Parker!

the spirit of paya

Main deck area, Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Photo: Williams Perera of worldphotographystudio.com

quote of the day

Death is a stripping away of all that is not you. The secret of life is to "die before you die" --- and find that there is no death.

- Eckhart Tolle 

In other words, uncovering our true selves. Discovering our core truth. What I love about Tolle is that his ideas and concepts are catalysts for deep thought.

looking east

A spectacular view of Paya Bay Resort and pristine Eastern Roatan as you look east from Secret Cove (click image to enlarge).

Photo: Williams Perera of worldphotographystudio.com

what have we done?

The global picture is that we have lost 80-90% of the big fish.

- Professor Danny Pauly, University of British Columbia

We humans have got to start doing things differently. I'm leaning more and more toward becoming vegetarian.  Not that I don't love fish and other seafood, I simply can't in good conscience be a part of this insane, uncontrolled, and relentless annihilation of our planet's species anymore.

words you speak have a frequency

Any words you speak have a frequency, and the moment you speak them they are released into the Universe. The law of attraction responds to all frequencies, and so it is also responding to the words that you speak. When you use very strong words, such as "terrible", "shocking" and "horrible" to describe any situation in your life, you are sending out an equally strong frequency, and the law of attraction must respond by bringing that frequency back to you.

The law is impersonal, and simply matches your frequency. Do you see how important it is for you to speak strongly about what you want, and not to use strong words about what you don't want?

- lessons from The Secret

cinnamon xanax

The exquisite decadence of homemade caramel-drenched cinnamon rolls always makes the anxiety of going through a tropical storm much easier to bear. Winzina (one of Paya's cooks) made these delicious treats for us this weekend. YUM!

liveblogging richard(3)

The view from my balcony at 7AM this morning.  The storm was beginning to leave our area at this point.

Richard strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane shortly after moving over the Bay Islands of Honduras. Best wishes to our Belize friends as they face this storm tonight.

Image: NOAA.

liveblogging richard(2)

Liveblogging is a little difficult without electricity, which went out around midnight last night as the first winds from Tropical Storm Richard started to affect the island. After inspecting all the overhead powerlines for damage, we just turned our backup generator on.

Good news: while this storm was definitely stronger than Matthew a few weeks ago, the worst damage we had here at Paya is broken branches and a couple of uprooted trees. A day or two of clean up and the property should be back to normal.

liveblogging richard(1)

As I type this post, Tropical Storm Richard is 165 east of Guanaja, Roatan's sister island to the east of us. The storm is currently moving west at 8 miles per hour, putting it in our vicinity in approximately 20 hours. The National Hurricane Center is reporting maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour (slightly below hurricane force winds of 74 MPH).

We've spent the last two days getting everything secured around the resort and tonight feel like we're ready to ride this one out.

Image: NOAA.

the universal declaration of human rights

number 42

I think I may be beginning to understand the whole 42 thing. Keyword is beginning. This may be one of those revelations that takes months, even years, to completely unfold. (Or maybe not...)

Thanks for the challenge, Peter! :)

honduras, nicaragua, and hypocrisy

OAS members signed a special charter nine years ago committing themselves to defend democracy; in Honduras's case, they have been -- to say the least -- hyper-vigilant. But what of neighboring Nicaragua? There, President Daniel Ortega, who, like Mr. Zelaya is a leftist populist, has used blatantly illegal decrees, the manipulation of court rulings and mob violence by his supporters to clear the way for his reelection, even though it is explicitly prohibited by the constitution.

- Washington Post

As an obvious subordinate of Hugo Chavez, OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza is a disgrace to the Organization of American States. It is beyond comprehension that he was reelected to a second term as head of the organization.  If this reptile is the "guardian" of democracy in the Americas, the people of these continents are in big trouble. I am so glad the interim government of Honduras that replaced the rogue Manuel Zelaya administration in June 2009 paid no attention to the "demands" of this beast and -- despite intense international pressure -- simply waited for the scheduled November 2009 elections as a way out of the political crisis. Chavez and his leftist "compinches" (Insulza, the Castros, Correa, Lula, Morales, Fernandez, and Ortega) now have a huge chip on their collective shoulder for Honduras. It irritates the bastards to no end that we are the little country that pushed back hard on their efforts to spread a debunked ideology further into Central America. You lost in Honduras... Suck it up, bitches!

The pendulum is beginning to swing to the right again in Latin America (witness the recent election of Sebastián Piñera in Chile). I predict by the time the pendulum makes its way to the other side none of these leftist schmucks will be standing. This prediction includes the Castros - their time is way past up. Like everyone else in Latin America, the Cuban and Venezuelan people deserve full human rights.

quote of the day

A human being is part of a whole called by us the "Universe," a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings,as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us restricting us to our personal desires and for affection for a few persons nearest us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.

- Albert Einstein

a pinwheel of stars

This face-on spiral galaxy, called NGC 3982, is striking for its rich tapestry of star birth, along with its winding arms. The arms are lined with pink star-forming regions of glowing hydrogen, newborn blue star clusters, and obscuring dust lanes that provide the raw material for future generations of stars. The bright nucleus is home to an older population of stars, which grow ever more densely packed toward the center.

- hubblesite.org

migratory birds

With the onset of autumn in North America we start seeing new species of migratory birds who either winter here in the islands or are simply making a rest stop on their travels further south.

good thoughts will wipe out negative thoughts

Do not worry at all about negative thoughts, and do not try to control them. All you have to do is begin to think good thoughts each day. Plant as many good thoughts as you can in each day. As you begin to think good thoughts you will attract more and more good thoughts, and eventually the good thoughts will wipe out the negative thoughts altogether.

- lessons from The Secret

pam's farewell

A group of friends got together on Friday night at a West End bar to bid farewell to our friend, Pam. Pam is moving to Texas after a stint on the island. The farewell party became quite a rowdy affair.

 Erna and Pam get down! Good times, good times!

 Sandra, Al, and Lisa were also on the party team.

quote of the day

Inner peace is impossible without patience. Wisdom requires patience. Spiritual growth implies the mastery of patience. Patience allows the unfolding of destiny to proceed at its own unhurried pace.

- Brian Weiss

photo of the day

Awesome capture of Lucky crossing the footbridge in Buccaneer Landing at sunset. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Photo: Williams Perera of worldphotographystudio.com

quote of the day

There will be no constituent assembly. I do not think anyone could have the courage to dare to do what that deranged person did who is now living with all comforts in the Dominican Republic.

- Former (Interim) President of Honduras and National Democracy Hero, Roberto Micheletti

Source: El Heraldo

This is a shot across the bow of the Honduran leftists who are demanding a new constitution (they are, at most, 5% of the population).  Mr. Micheletti speaks for the other 95% percent of us who are quite happy with our current constitution and its term limit on the President. The prohibition against presidential reelection makes it virtually impossible for this country to fall under another dictatorship, particularly a socialist one. The effectiveness of our constitution against would-be dictators has shown quite clearly in June 2009 with the ouster of Manuel Zelaya (for illegally attempting to abort it and remain in power.) I have this to say about the Honduran Constitution: "If it works (in safeguarding our democracy and our republican form of government), don't mess with it."

In the immortal words of Mr. Micheletti: ¡Viva Honduras! ¡Viva Honduras! ...y... ¡Viva Honduras!

sunsets at paya

They are not always this dramatic, but the are usually quite nice. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Photo: Williams Perera of worldphotographystudio.com

"the bigots don't win"

This takes courage. These are courageous men. Bravo Dan Savage and Terry Miller!

number 34

Now identifiable by its label (done with special non-toxic paint), this juvenile spiny-tailed iguana will be tracked to help determine how many of these critically endangered iguanas survive into adulthood.

To learn more about Stesha Pasachnik's research, click here.

bravo chile!

Florencio Avalos, the first miner brought to the surface, is hugged by Chilean president Sebastian Piñera as the miner's family looks on. What an wonderful story of human perseverance, ingenuity, and solidarity!

The faces (click image to enlarge). May all 33 miners be rescued safely.

Photos: top - Reuters; bottom: AP.

photo of the day

Delicate hibiscus flowers sway in the breeze along the driveway into the property. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Photo: Williams Perera of worldphotographystudio.com

paula (update)

Paula's wind field stayed well to the east of the islands as it moved away from Honduran waters. The tropical storm strengthened into a category one hurricane overnight.

Image: NOAA.

ms. paula is dropping by

Tropical Storm Paula, which formed abruptly just a couple of hundred miles to the east of us, is forecast to go over the north coast of Honduras and the Bay Islands tonight as it moves in a northwest direction. The National Hurricane Center (Miami) is reporting sustained winds up to 60 MPH (95 KM/HR). Should be an interesting night...

gratitude

We can never bring anything to us unless we are grateful for what we have. In fact, if somebody was completely and utterly grateful for everything, they would never have to ask for anything, because it would be given to them before they even asked.

That is the power of Gratitude.

- lessons from The Secret

the spirit of paya

Learn more about yoga at Paya Bay Resort.

Photo: Williams Perera of worldphotographystudio.com

usa today: roatan offers real estate bargains

"We are the Cayman Islands or Bahamas 15 years ago — we are 15 years behind in terms of tourism," Storms says. "But the same is true for prices, and $500,000 buys a lot more here than on other Caribbean islands. "For buyers from the (U.S.) West Coast and Central time zone, we are the closest destination in the Caribbean basin — 2½ hours from Houston, 3½ from Atlanta."

Full article

quote of the day

It is very important to generate a good attitude, a good heart, as much as possible. From this, happiness in both the short term and the long term for both yourself and others will come.

- Dalai Lama

doing research

Stesha Pasachnik and her assistant carefully capture spiny-tailed iguanas on the Paya Trail to tag them. Ms. Pasachnik is doing research on this critically endangered species of iguanas that is unique to Roatan. Stesha has identified Paya as one of the places on the island with a relatively large population of spiny-taileds. Paya Bay Resort is collaborating with her research.

 An adult spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura oedirhina). Note how their coloration may have evolved to perfectly blend with the gray and flint rocks of Roatan's rocky shores.

the heart

The Heart of Paya. Located in the Tropical Garden, Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Photo: Williams Perera of worldphotographystudio.com

the mystery of 42

A good friend recently brought to my attention the mystery of the number 42. Some have suggested that it's the answer to the ultimate question (even though we still probably don't know what the "ultimate question" is.)

For example, in mathematics, "given 27 same-size cubes whose nominal values progress from 1 to 27, a 3×3×3 magic cube can be constructed such that every row, column, and corridor, and every diagonal passing through the center, comprises 3 cubes whose sum of values is 42."

Source: Wikipedia Learn more about 42.

quote of the day

The human emotional system can be broken down into roughly two elements: fear and love.
Love is of the soul.
Fear is of the personality.

- Gary Zukav

the spirit of paya

Guests enjoy the plunge pool on Bliss Beach. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Photo: Williams Perera of worldphotographystudio.com

photos of the day

Note the tiny iridescent feathers of this beautiful hummingbird. The hummingbirds at Paya are so accustomed to humans, it's like they've been domesticated. They'll keep a prudent distance given their small size, but - otherwise - they have virtually no fear of people.

 A particularly busy "Happy Hour" at the feeders.

abundance

This coconut tree is right outside my apartment. Every time I walk past it, it reminds me of the abundance of the Universe.

happy happy!

A group of friends and family celebrate my friend Lisa's birthday at Susan's home this past Saturday afternoon. After cake, some of us took off for West End for the evening part of the birthday celebration. I think Lisa had a very happy birthday!

let the universe take care of the how

Do you know that as you try and work out "how" your desire will come about, you are actually pushing your desire away from you? As you try and work out "how" you can make your desire happen, you are sending a huge message to the Universe that you do not have your desire. And if you're not emanating the exact frequency of having your desire within you, how can the Universe possibly find your signal to deliver your desire?

Let the Universe take care of the how. Our job is to visualize, feel, and believe that our desire is already ours.

- lessons from The Secret

the spirit of paya

Bliss Beach, Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Photo: Williams Perera of worldphotographystudio.com

a quick revisit of june 2009

Last summer I blogged extensively about the political crisis we had in Honduras, when Manuel Zelaya was removed from the presidential seat for illegally attempting to abort our constitution, change our form of government, and -- a la Hugo Chavez -- remain in power in perpetuity. Since then, from his exile in Dominican Republic, Zelaya continues to call for a constituent assembly while goading his ragtag group of left-wing supporters in Tegucigalpa to hold marches and stir up trouble for the government of Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo.  (The Lobo administration is the result of the crisis-ending general elections of November 2009.)  I came across the following (excellent) commentary from a fellow Honduran this morning regarding this whole "changing the constitution" b.s. that Zelaya continues to irritate the Honduran people with:

To all those who support second-rate leaders like Manuel "Mel" Zelaya, please answer the question I have asked several times but which is always ignored: WHAT ARTICLE OF OUR CONSTITUTION MAKES PEOPLE MORE POOR? Or, to put it another way, WHAT ARTICLE MAKES A FEW VERY WEALTHY? You talk about a constituent assembly, yet no one has bothered to submit a formal document saying what so badly needs to be changed in our current constitution.  Seems like the reason Mel wants this constituent assembly is to make the laws to his convenience and forever hold on to the goose that lays the golden eggs. Or am I wrong? If I'm wrong, present a real fact, MENTION AN ARTICLE OF THE PRESENT CONSTITUTION THAT OPPRESSES THE PEOPLE.  Do not bother with silly answers like "oligarchy," "illegitimate government," and all this rhetoric that belongs in the sewer. Let's face it, those of us who love Honduras know that what the country needs are laws that are respected. The Constitution is just a piece of paper. What creates the problem is corrupt politicians and other who twist the laws in their favor.

- Miguel45 (commenter on elheraldo.hn)

Bravo Miguel! I couldn't I said it better myself.

quote of the day

Man made God in his own image...

- Eckhart Tolle

video: diving the chimney

Diving the chimney at Diamond Rock, Roatan from Peter Madams on Vimeo.

Gracias Señor Madams!

the spirit of paya

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Photo: Peter Madams

note from tim

Dorice and I visit your blog routinely to keep up with the improvements taking place at Paya. 

I came across [the following] article and felt a tremendous amount of shame.  We (Dorice and I) feel we've learned to appreciate the small blessings in life and to live simply.  It's one of the things that drove us to buy property on Helene [island adjacent to Roatan] by Jim and Judith because there we feel like we can simplify our lives and get out of this rat race of ever expanding consumerism that plagues the U.S. and especially the generation of children coming up.  People "freak out" because their lawn doesn't look better than their neighbors, or their car isn't the right "classy" model or their house isn't a "McMansion".  Kids think if they don't get a car at 16 years old and go to an Ivy League school...all is lost.  It's just obscene.  This article definitely illustrates the phenomenon.  Travelling around the world and seeing the REAL need makes seeing this kind of rampant greed at home  hard to take.