Monday, May 31, 2010

pure love

Pure love has no conditions or boundaries. Love does not restrain itself or hold back. Love gives all the time and doesn't ask for anything in return. Love is a continuous flow without any limits. And all of this is inside you.

- lessons from The Secret

Sunday, May 30, 2010

photo of the day

A family enjoys the floats and waves on Bliss Beach. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

shame on us

For me, this photo says it all. We humans need to take a long hard look at ourselves and the choices we've made (and are making).

Photo courtesy of AP.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

damn straight

Well I think a lot of people are not asking the real questions.

People blame the President, BP, shareholders for being greedy. I blame the very citizens who seem to be pointing fingers at everyone else but themselves. People conveniently drive huge gas guzzling SUVs and trucks and then expect cheap gas to automatically reach the pumps. What a bunch of hypocrites.

What prompted BP and the rest of the oil gang to dig oil wells one mile below the ocean without having any idea on how to put out a leak if an accident happens? The government needed American votes for cheap gas so they did not ask the right questions. BP wanted to make money. And the people wanted dirt cheap gas to fuel their huge overweight behinds.

- SMSha, commenting on Reuter's story about the oil spill in the Gulf

photo of the day

Snorkeling equipment left by guests on the little bridge in Buccaneer Landing while they take a break between snorkeling explorations. Note the tranquility of this beautiful cove. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

reason for the break

I was traveling on the mainland and only had sketchy Internet access...

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

photo of the day

The view from the cliff-top bungalows (looking east toward the restaurant and main deck area). Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Photo: Roger and Lori Griswold.

Monday, May 24, 2010

the magnificence of you

When you look at yourself and feel dissatisfaction about any part of you, you will continue to attract feelings of dissatisfaction, because the law mirrors back to you exactly what you are holding inside.

Be in awe and wonder at the magnificence of you!

- lessons from The Secret

Sunday, May 23, 2010

meet happy

Happy was rescued by my dad from a situation that very likely was going to result in his little puppy life ending early. He was malnourished, infested with parasites, and with two paws in the grave. After some meds and a lot of Mom's TLC, he's bouncing back and growing quite quickly. Mom gave him his name because "he always seems so incredibly happy to be getting some food."

photo of the day

Two of many ways to catch the sunset at Buccaneer Landing. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

the summer deal

It's gonna be a fun summer at Paya Bay Resort! More info on this deal here.

P.S. A popular misconception, it doesn't get stifling hot on Roatan in the summer. The 15 mph tradewinds constantly cool the island, keeping temps about 8 degrees cooler than the published "high," particularly on the windward side of the island, and that's where we are, baby!

O'Grady: U.S. vs. Honduran Democracy

Four months after a presidential election, reports from Honduras suggest the Obama administration remains obsessed with repairing its foreign-policy image by regaining the upper hand. The display of raw colonialist hubris is so pronounced that locals now refer to U.S. ambassador Hugo Llorens as "the proconsul."

Washington's bullying is two-pronged. First is a maniacal determination to punish those involved in removing Mr. Zelaya. Second is an attempt to force Honduras to allow Mr. Zelaya, who now lives in the Dominican Republic, to return without facing any repercussions for the illegal actions that provoked his removal. Both goals are damaging the bilateral relationship, polarizing the nation and raising the risk of a resurgence of political violence.

- Mary Anastasia O'Grady, WSJ. Full Article 

- Proconsul Ambassador Lloren's response to O'Grady.
- Miguel Estrada's response to Llorens: "A shameful tenure."

This little "exchange" had slipped by me. It is very revealing and speaks volumes.  It begs the following question: Why does the Obama administration appear to be 'falling in line' with the Hugo Chavez agenda when it comes to Honduras? We are talking about the Hugo Chavez who is closely aligning himself with Iran, a dangerous, unpredictable, and bitter enemy of the United States. Is it naiveté? (I seriously doubt there is any naiveté in the Clinton State Department.) Is it all a "show" for the benefit of the "diplomatic community" while the real U.S. agenda is being carried out behind the scenes?  Or is it — and please pardon the conspiracy theorist angle — something more sinister? Whatever is going on, after it's all said and done, I hope it's change the Honduran people can believe in. We have been staunch allies of the American people. We deserve no less.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

two mexicos

There are two Mexicos.

There is the one reported by the US press, a place where the Mexican president is fighting a valiant war on drugs, aided by the Mexican Army and the Mérida Initiative, the $1.4 billion in aid the United States has committed to the cause. This Mexico has newspapers, courts, laws, and is seen by the United States government as a sister republic.

It does not exist.

There is a second Mexico where the war is for drugs, where the police and the military fight for their share of drug profits, where the press is restrained by the murder of reporters and feasts on a steady diet of bribes, and where the line between the government and the drug world has never existed.

- Charles Bowden, Mother Jones. Full article

I'm happy and grateful...

... that I understand good is all that exists.
... that I'm able to see the good in everything.

quote of the day

There is only one real sin and that is to persuade oneself that second-best is anything but second best.

- Doris Lessing

one game changes everything


Actually, in this case, it was two games that changed everything.

Gracias Mariella! Gracias Seleccion! Gracias Gringos!

Friday, May 21, 2010

photo of the day

Bliss Beach, Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

quote of the day

Nothing strengthens the judgment and quickens the conscience like individual responsibility.

- Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Thursday, May 20, 2010

how much oil has leaked into the gulf?


Widget courtesy of PBS Newshour. Alarming information.

manage your thoughts and feelings

Isn't it great to know that you cannot control your world from the outside? To try and control things on the outside feels impossible because it would take so much work, and in fact it is impossible according to the law of attraction.

To change your world all you have to do is manage your thoughts and feelings on the inside of you, and then your whole world changes.

- lessons from The Secret

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

afternoon in the garden

The Tropical Garden Reserve is one of many beautiful places to be enjoyed on the property. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

quote of the day

The scars you acquire by exercising courage will never make you feel inferior.

- D. A. Battista

the summer deal

It's gonna be a fun summer at Paya Bay Resort! More info on this deal here.

P.S. A popular misconception, it doesn't get stifling hot on Roatan in the summer. The 15 mph tradewinds constantly cool the island, keeping temps about 8 degrees cooler than the published "high," particularly on the windward side of the island, and that's where we are, baby!

photo of the day

Bliss captured. Bliss Beach, Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Friday, May 14, 2010

signs, signs, everywhere there's signs

To assist our guests in finding their way around the property, this morning we added a series of sign posts with signs indicating the location of our various  facilities and points of interest.
Learn more about our Zones, here.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

roatan weather explained

I'm not sure what formula the weather Web sites use to calculate their "feels like" temperature, but it must not take wind into consideration. The tradewinds (in this case blowing a steady 17mph) keep the "feels like" temperatures about eight degrees cooler than the thermometer reading. So today it actually feels like 80 degrees, not the 94 degrees this Web site suggests. Perhaps if you found a spot with no wind it would feel like the mid-90's, but not if you are in the path of the sea breeze. Summer days in Roatan (particularly the windward side of the island) rarely get stifling hot.

photo of the day

A view from the new Sky Trail, looking east. Wilkes Point can be seen in the distance. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

quote of the day

The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

photo of the day

Mom visits with guests in the plunge pool on Bliss Beach.

las chicas paya

Evelyn (a.k.a. Ms. Ebeli) and Zulema take a break to chat and enjoy the breeze on the main deck. These young ladies are servers in the resort's restaurant.

quote of the day

To the future vistors of Paya beware, this place will make an imprint on your heart, and the people will be with you always.

- Ericka and Forrest, in their TripAdvisor review of Paya Bay

Monday, May 10, 2010

give joy

Every single day, no matter who you meet in the day - friends, family, work colleagues, strangers - give joy to them. Give a smile or a compliment or kind words or kind actions, but give joy! Do your best to make sure that every single person you meet has a better day because they saw you. This might sound like it is not connected with you and your life, but believe me it is inseparably connected through cosmic law.

As you give joy to every person you meet, you bring joy to YOU. The more you can give joy to others, the more you will bring the joy back to you.

- lessons from The Secret

photo of the day

The east end of Bliss Beach.  Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

happy mother's day, mamá

May the sun bring you new energy by day.

May the moon softly restore you by night.

May the rain wash away your worries.

May the breeze blow new strength into your being.

May you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life.

- Apache blessing.

I love you, my angel.

I also send a sincere "Happy Mother's Day" to the moms that follow my blog. Love and light to you.

photo of the day

A little red starfish seems to have made its home inside a cyan colored sea sponge. It's very likely a symbiotic relationship in which the starfish keeps the inside of the sponge free of algae in return for a beautiful home. Both snorkeling and scuba diving can be enjoyed at Paya Bay Resort.

By the way, notice how the patterns of the Universe keep repeating themselves.

I'll help you:

If a simple little sea sponge is a little galaxy all unto its own, imagine what we are...

Photos: Roger and Lori Griswold, NASA

Saturday, May 8, 2010

world's most relaxed dog?

Lucky sleeps in a pose that is typical for him.  Interestingly, as at ease and relaxed as he is, he's still a very good watchdog who keeps a vigilant eye (and nose) on everything. He's also incredibly self-confident and fearless.

Friday, May 7, 2010

imagine

Imagine doing yoga with this as your view! You will. In 2012 (if not earlier). This is the spot I've selected for Paya Bay's covered yoga space. The location is about 6 stories above sea level and, as you can see, the view looking west is beyond spectacular! Since this ideal spot sits astride the highest ridge on the property, it also has a great view looking east (making it perfect for early morning sunrise sessions as well). It will be accessed via the Sky Trail.

Meanwhile, we'll continue offering yoga at Buccaneer Landing, which is a glorious space in its own right.

I'm SO excite!

Thursday, May 6, 2010

video: the construction of the plunge pool on bliss beach


The Bliss Beach plunge pool (the first phase of the entire beach bar project) was my first major construction project. I designed the pool concept on my Mac using PhotoShop, and then socialized it with the Master Builder, Miguel Padilla. Then the hard work began! More than eight months of effort went into this project: preparing the site [at one point we hit a huge rock that took nearly 4 weeks of arduous labor to remove - see it at 1:06 mark], building the mold, the concrete pour, and then all the plumbing and finishing work. It was an amazing project in which I learned an incredible amount of new construction knowledge. I think the end result is simply fantastic! Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

bat crack

After the hummingbirds call it a day, the bats take over to finish up any sugar water left in the hummingbird feeders. Sometimes up to two dozen of them are hitting the "crack pipe" at a time. It's fascinating to watch this mini tornado of wired bats! Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Photo: Roger and Lori Griswold

2011 paya calendar

We were getting many requests from folks wanting to see our 2011 Paya Calendar (the resort calendar that shows the moon themes for each week), so it's been published. Our 2011 rates have not been published yet, but if you book your 2011 vacation now and pay it in full before December 31, 2010, you can get this year's rates.

it's naturist week!

It has been said that a day of naturism is more relaxing and beneficial than a whole week of the same activities with clothes on. When asked what the benefits of naturism are, the most common reply of many naturists is the incredible feeling of relaxation. It seems like when you shed your clothes you shed many of your cares. You give up most of the pretense you project to 'defend' yourself in the clothed world and come back to the real human beings we are. 

Learn more about Paya Bay's naturism program.

quote of the day

Don't be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated. You can't cross a chasm in two small jumps.

- David Lloyd George, former Prime Minister of England

dad

My father drives the Kiton as it returns from Pigeon Cay.

Mentally and physically abused by an alcoholic mother who was abandoned by her husband, my father lives his life behind the barriers and defense mechanisms he built in his psyche to protect his 'inner child.'  This beaten dog syndrome has resulted in a tormented and tumultuous relationship between us (and that's putting it lightly). Yet, I know deep down he's a really good man.

I love you, Dad. My intention is for us to have an ever improving relationship.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

the summer deal

It's gonna be a fun summer at Paya Bay Resort! More info on this deal here.

P.S. A popular misconception, it doesn't get stifling hot on Roatan in the summer. The 15 mph tradewinds constantly cool the island, keeping temps about 8 degrees cooler than the published "high," particularly on the windward side of the island, and that's where we are, baby!

the paya trail

The Paya Trail (the main trail in Paya's growing network of trails) runs through some of the most beautiful nature to be found in Roatan, if not the entire Caribbean. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

saluting the sun

Doing yoga right before sunset at Buccaneer Landing. Learn more about Paya Bay's Wellness Program, which includes daily vinyasa yoga.

Photo: Bob Gerhardt

quote of the day

There is always room at the top.

- Daniel Webster

Monday, May 3, 2010

mom

She's the heart and soul of Paya Bay. She's also one of the most angelic human beings I've ever known. I'm so fortunate to have this wonderful lady as my mom.  I love you so much, Mamá.

Photo: Gracia Romero

look for the gifts in everything

Look for the gifts in everything, especially when you are facing what appears to be a negative situation. Everything that we attract causes us to grow, which means that ultimately everything is for our own good.

Adjusting to a new path and a new direction will require new qualities and strengths, and these qualities are always exactly what we need to acquire in order to accomplish the great things ahead in our life.

- lessons from The Secret

quote of the day

It takes courage to push yourself to places you have never been before... to test your limits... to break through barriers.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

photo of the day

Bliss Beach as viewed from the plunge pool at dusk. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

a "finding nemo" moment

There is something about this scared little fish living inside in a crimson sea sponge that just melts my heart.  Perhaps it is because it reminds me of a character in Finding Nemo (one of my all-time favorite movies). The "Oh sh't!" expression on its face is priceless! Cornered by the photographer inside the sponge, it is obviously having a flight response but has nowhere to run. It's amazing that such a small little creature can show so much emotion.

For more information on snorkeling at Paya Bay Resort, click here.

Photo: Peter and Lori Griswold

Saturday, May 1, 2010

meditation

A guided meditation (stored on my iPod) is a wonderful way to wrap up a beautiful day.