underwater splendor

The world-class snorkeling of Pigeon Cay, Bay Islands of Honduras. Paya Bay offers a boat excursion to Pigeon Cay as an adventure option for our guests.

Photos: Special guests Robert & Johanne Dellerose of Montreal, Canada.

quote of the day

It would be a high degree of indifference that as judges we remained silent regarding the latent potential in the coming days that a resolution is produced in favor of an ex-president, motivated by external interference that by way of blackmail is conditioning the re-entry of our country to the OAS to the possibility of canceling trials for corruption.

From the moment you arrive at a judicial decision of law to meet other goals, regardless of how worthy these are, there is a serious injury to the value "justice" and a blatant violation of judicial independence would remain in the annals of history as the most unfortunate precedent that can be bequeathed to courts of this country.

- Honduran Association of Judges and Magistrates (translated from La Prensa)

A group of South American countries aligned with Hugo Chavez are pressuring the Honduran judiciary to annul the corruption trials against former president Manuel Zelaya as a condition for their voting for the return of Honduras to the Organization of American States. Honduras was expelled from the OAS for the forced removal of Zelaya from the presidency in June 2009 for his attempt to abort the constitution, change the form of government, and remain in power.

interesting

Guests of today's royal wedding.

scaffolding

To facilitate work on the roof of the new yoga pavilion, Miguel and his team have erected a complex scaffolding that, in itself, has intrinsic artistic value. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

a new perspective

Views of Paya Bay and the surrounding area from the new yoga pavilion vantage point.

watching the thinker

The beginning of freedom is the realization that you are not “the thinker.” The moment you start watching the thinker, a higher level of consciousness becomes activated. You then begin to realize that there is a vast realm of intelligence beyond thought, that thought is only a tiny aspect of that intelligence. You also realize that all the things that truly matter – beauty, love, creativity, joy, inner peace – arise from beyond the mind. You begin to awaken.

- Eckhart Tolle

ever upward

Our master builder, Miguel Padilla, and his team continue with the yoga pavilion project. They are now adding the roof.

quote of the day

If not now, when?

- Eckhart Tolle

This seems like a cliche concept at first glance. Tolle is challenging us, however, to break out of our inertia and take courageous, life-changing action in the present moment. As he often suggests, the present moment is all we really have.

semana santa

This past week was Semana Santa (Holy Week), which in many ways is like the American "spring break" in that Roatan gets a surplus of regional visitors. Paya Bay got its share of fun veraneantes ("summer seekers") from mainland Honduras and other Central American countries. In the photos that follow young guests from Tegucigalpa party on Bliss Beach and in the plunge pool.

the great state of gratitude

When you exist in the great state of gratitude, you become a person who only wants to give. You become so grateful that it takes over your life, and you can't find enough opportunities in a day to give. You give joy, you give love, you give money, you give appreciation, you give compliments, and you give kindness. You give the best of yourself in your job, in your relationships, and to strangers.

You will know when you have really found true gratitude, because you will become a giver. One who is truly grateful cannot be anything else.

- lessons from The Secret

playing in the surf

Local Roatan kids play in the surf on Bliss Beach. I remember doing this as a kid. So much fun!

what's new!

This week we took delivery of two brand-new kayaks! Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

scarlet macaws reintroduced to Copan

quote of the day

Life is the dancer and you are the dance.

- Eckhart Tolle

 Wrap your mind around that one.

interacting galaxies

This image, taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, shows a group of interacting galaxies called Arp 273. The larger of the spiral galaxies, known as UGC 1810, has a disc that is tidally distorted into a rose-like shape by the gravitational pull of the companion galaxy below it, known as UGC 1813. The swathe of blue jewels across the top is the combined light from clusters of intensely bright and hot young blue stars.

Source: SpaceDaily

tribal beach party

The Garifunas perform for our special guests as a bonfire roars in the background. I call it "Broadway on Bliss Beach"! Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

quote of the day

The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but thought about it. Be aware of the thoughts you are thinking. Separate them from the situation, which is always neutral. It is as it is.

- Eckhart Tolle

roatan's best mojito

My brother Tom, Paya's most excellent bartender, proudly displays a Tom's Mojito. Made with fresh organic mint we grow right here on the property, this is the best mojito I've tried on the island.

The Mountain from Terje Sorgjerd on Vimeo.

The time-lapse footage was captured between April 4th and 11th, 2011, from atop El Teide, Spain's highest mountain. At one point a sandstorm blows across, which rendered Sorgjerd unable to see the sky, but left his camera with some stunning images.

Source: Huffpo

touching the sky

Late yesterday afternoon I took my angel mom to see the completed floor of the yoga platform.  Our dogs Foxy and Lucky came along for the adventure. Mother nature treated us to a splendid sunset as we enjoyed the enchanting view. We saw a green flash as the sun slipped below the horizon; the second one Mom and I have seen from this sacred spot.

I've come to realize that not everyone gets an angel for a mom. I'm so very happy and grateful I did.

quote of the day

Nothing ever happened in the past that can prevent you from being present now, and if the past cant prevent you from being present now, what power does it have?

- Eckhart Tolle 

peeks at paya

A few photos I've taken around the property the last couple of days...

The Bliss Beach plunge pool in all its glory!

A view from the main deck area (looking east toward the Big Beach).

Triple-peaked Picacho looms in the background keeping an eye on things.

Lurlene's Garden. (After it was built, I dedicated this little flower station to my mom.)

It's pretty awesome to live in heaven!

illusions

...the past gives you an identity and the future holds the promise of salvation, of fulfillment in whatever form. Both are illusions.

- Eckhart Tolle

thoughts. become. things.

I came back from my trip to find the floor of the yoga pavilion completed! Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

shakira, shakira!

My friend Edu and I came to Guatemala City this weekend to see Shakira in concert. She put on an amazing show! I was able to get some great photos of this beautiful latin diva.

 Happy Edu.

The stage as concertgoers were starting to stream in.

The beautiful and super-talented artist.

Some of photos after the jump are very artistic.

just splendid

The floor of the new yoga pavilion is starting to take form. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Upon completion, this could very well be one of the most splendid yoga facilities in all Central America.

Taking in the amazing view and feeling all proud of my team's accomplishment.