Tuesday, June 26, 2012

beach wedding

This past weekend my nephew, Dorian, and his wife Briana had a beautiful wedding ceremony on Bliss Beach.





the law of attraction must deliver

When you close your eyes and you visualize having money and imagine doing all the things you want with that money, you are creating a new reality. Your subconscious mind and the law of attraction do not know whether you are imagining something or whether it is real. And so when you imagine, the law of attraction receives those thoughts and images as though you were actually living them, and it must return those visions to you.

When you are in the place where what you are imagining feels real, you will know that it has penetrated your subconscious mind, and the law of attraction must deliver it.
- lessons from The Secret

Sunday, June 24, 2012

blissing


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

Friday, June 22, 2012

I'm possible


For most people, climbing Africa's tallest mountain is an impossible achievement. But how about doing it without legs? For Spencer West, nothing is impossible. Or as he would put it: everything is possible. Nearly all of the 31-year-old American's life has proven the doctors wrong. When they amputated both of his legs right below the pelvis when he was 5, they warned that he would never be a functioning member of society. But West has led not only led a life that is remarkably normal compared to his doctors' prognosis – he has accomplished feats that, by any measure, are extraordinary.
Photo and source: ABC News

Impossible.   I'm possible.   Bravo, Mr. West!

Thursday, June 21, 2012

nature's positive effect

Researchers found that anything from a stroll in the park to a run through woodland can have a positive effect on people suffering from depression and anxiety. The study also showed that the positive effect on people's mental health was 50 per cent more than they might expect from going to the gym. The researchers at Glasgow University looked at natural and non-natural environments for physical activity, including walking, running and cycling, and found that being around trees and grass lowered brain stress levels.
Photo and source: The Telegraph

We have lots of gorgeous tropical nature here at Paya Bay to help soothe, nurture, and re-boot struggling, overwhelmed, exhausted psyches. I know from experience that a walk on our nature trails invariably lifts, brightens, and heals the soul. I don't think I've ever returned from a nature stroll without a genuine smile on my face and in my heart.

how fantastic!

Several thousand New Yorkers calmly invaded Times Square Wednesday, transforming it into an immense outdoor yoga class to salute the arrival of summer.
Photo and source: Yahoo News

Yoga is an ever-growing force that is positively transforming humanity. Perhaps yoga will save us from ourselves.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

me and whelks


Baby periwinkles and relatively larger juvenile whelks (Cittarium pica) cling to the golden surface of a tidal pool rock. Stunning colors, textures, and patterns in this excellent photograph [click image to enlarge it].


While no longer a part of my generation's island diet, whelks were certainly one of the 'dietary protein solutions' of my parents' island upbringing [examples of the adult sea snails are pictured above]. As a young kid, I recall my paternal grandmother once preparing this dish for us grandkids and being all excited about it. "We're going to have whelks for lunch today, children! Weeee!" I was genuinely looking forward to the new culinary adventure until she placed the whelks-and-rice platter in front of me. I clearly remember my WTF? moment immediately followed by the chilling realization that I was trapped -- there was no escaping this one! I have vivid memories of gagging at every swallow, and doing everything I could to not projectile vomit all over her dining room table. Ingesting the sea snails was like eating the slimy, ultra-concentrated scent/essence/aroma of the ocean. Not an easy task for a "Corn Flakes eating," well-nourished, late 20th century kid. Thank goodness that was my one and only encounter with consuming whelks. Quite enough for one lifetime. Then again, being able to get those slippery, weirdly-colored, stomach-churning sea snail entrails down my esophagus and sorta securely into my stomach was probably a 'rite of passage' that made me a true Bay Islander. At least that sounds culturally chivalrous! I am an authentic, blue-blooded, whelks-eating Roatanian, beyotches! ...And it's something I can thank my Grannie for...

Top photo: Sam and Cheryl

Monday, June 18, 2012

mystical august yoga retreat

Coming up in this astronomically significant August 2012, Paya Bay Resort is proudly hosting yoga master Paula Tursi of New York's Reflections Yoga for an energy-shifting yoga retreat. Being part of the Mayan civilization's geographic sphere of influence in pre-Columbian Central America, the island of Roatan is energetically well-located for this August 12 - 25, 2012 event. We invite you to join the adventure for the first week, the second week, or (more intensively) for both weeks. Grasp this off-the-beaten-track, mind-expanding immersion opportunity to improve your yoga practice and deepen your spiritual journey as you enjoy the idyllic beaches, crystalline Caribbean waters, colorful fish and coral reefs, verdant tropical environment, and happy black+brown+white island culture of our beautiful resort and the charming island of Roatan, Honduras. This mystical yoga experience can be booked directly through NYC's Reflections Yoga. More information.



Photos taken at Paya Bay's Ananda Pavilion during last year's Reflections Yoga event.

a continuous flow without any limits

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, June 17, 2012

what makes you come alive?

Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is more people who have come alive.
- Howard Thurman

it grew hair!


This week, Paya's Construction Team added rustic, eco-harmonious thatch to the roof section that covers the front breezeway of the new Bliss Beach restrooms.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

yeee-hah!


Wow! This is one of the most exceptional photographs our guests have ever shared with us! Joanne of Houston, TX expresses her nuclear (or, as some in Texas say, "nucular") inner energy at the spot where the Paya Trail ends, forced to do so by an energetic head-on collision with our beautiful, positive, and beloved Caribbean Sea. There is something really special about this spot. I've felt it. I can totally relate to what Joanne is expressing. Yeeee-hah! It only gets better!

Photo: Dr. Robert and Ms. Joanne

Friday, June 15, 2012

photo of the day


Special guests Cheryl and Sam of Baton Rouge, LA explore fascinating tidal pools found along a rocky and rugged section of Repúblika Paya's coastline.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

los mineros

In preparation for the the big push to complete the Bliss Beach Bar and Eco Lounge by November of this year, Paya Bay's Grounds Team is now 'harvesting' stone for the project. Our amazing property is blessed with a virtually inexhaustible supply of beautiful slate-like stone that 'slices' very easily, smoothly, and evenly. Awesomely, the indigenous stone has a gorgeous light, blue-gray hue to it (along with a dash of sparkly gay minerals). The guys just dig up the rock chunks (their highest point is usually no more than six inches below the surface), position them appropriately, and split them multiple times using an anvil and chisel right at the dig spot. I sense that when these rocks are dug up, awoken from their perennial sleep, and vigorously split open exposing their mesmerizing inner beauty to sunlight for the first time in ever, there is a sweet, delicious release of energy that immediately begins to occur. Imagine having so much potential beauty inside and not being able to express it for thousands (perhaps millions) of years!





We are going to need a lot of this beautiful stone. The floors of the entire beach bar and lounge facility will be treated with its rustic beauty. Note that after the stone is extracted, we fill in the voids in the ground with new soil and replant any vegetation that was affected. Using locally available building materials has a very green upside: no fossil fuels will be used to move these heavy stone slices to the adjacent construction site. I'm aware of development projects on Roatan that import stone from Italy. Imagine the carbon footprint of that approach.

the reason

The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be.
- Marcel Pagnol

guends


Guends: guests who become friends! Deirdre and John.

pandora


There are times I'm completely convinced I live on Pandora. View of the Alligator Head rock formation as seen from the "tip of its nose." Note how two of our nature trails (the Paya Trail on the left and the Seaside Trail on the right) converge onto this picturesque point.


Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

blissful moments

Special guests Joanna and Robert having blissful moments on Bliss Beach. The Houston, TX couple are celebrating Robert's graduation from medical school. Congratulations, Dr. Robert!




Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

taking shape

Paya Bay team members Miguel and Francisco continue to make impressive progress on the structure of the new restrooms that will serve the Bliss Beach Bar and Eco Lounge facility.





"Nestled into nature." Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

it loves you back

I have found that if you love life, life will love you back.
- Arthur Rubinstein

Monday, June 11, 2012

"the fort"


My cousin Virlene is visiting from Houston with her sons Elliot (far left) and Max. The boys play with my niece, Jasmine, in their "fort" under a grove of palm trees. I recall when, as a kid, a clearing under a grove of palms could be a "fort" for me. Some of the most vivid, exciting, happy, and amazing days of my life! Every single moment was thrilling, electrifying, and full of discovery. ...And those days lasted forever! A "day" in my childhood seemed like it took a year to go by. Children can become so "completely present in the moment" that time virtually stops. Each and every nanosecond is lived and savored to the maximum.

There is so much we can learn from baby humans. Their Operating System 'software' remains as it was intended: logically perfect and "virus-free" (no racism, no hate, no judgment, no bitterness, no religion, no prejudice, no fear, no 'rat race,' no materialism). We adults ought to pay more attention to how kids embrace life and live it so intensely. Who says we have to grow up?

in awe and wonder

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 

become a certified yoga instructor

Perhaps it's time to start a new chapter in your life? Paya Bay Resort is proudly hosting Paula Tursi and Peter Kaaberbøl Kristensen of New York's Reflections Yoga for the 2nd Annual 200 Hour Teacher Training in Alignment & Flow Yoga along with Foundational Thai Massage Training. The training will take place August 1-28, 2012. This is a magnificent opportunity to become a certified yoga instructor (and Thai massage specialist) while you enjoy the beaches, crystalline waters, coral reefs, tropical nature, and island charm of our beautiful resort and the island of Roatan, Honduras. The training must be booked directly with Reflections Yoga. More information.



Photos taken at Paya Bay's Ananda Pavilion during last year's training event.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

pricey


Following through on our stated goal of making Paya Bay a zero impact resort, we've been accepting proposals from various energy consultants for a more eco-friendly electricity solution that incorporates wind and/or solar power. We currently purchase 100% of our electricity from the island's utility company, which uses hyper-dirty (and increasingly expensive) fossil fuels -- primarily diesel -- to generate the energy it sells. The latest alternative energy proposal we've received quotes US$70,000 for a system purported to generate sufficient wind energy to cover, on average, 65% percent of the resort's current energy needs. For a small business, a price tag of $70K on anything is pretty daunting, particularly if the investment being considered is only a fractional solution to the problem. There's always a way, though. When there's a will. We must carefully consider these things, be creative, and take action now for our planet, the animals, and future generations of our species.

lending a hand

Here at Paya Bay we have a Good Deeds policy that includes supporting local micro-entrepreneurs from our surrounding island community who are making well-intentioned efforts to participate in Roatan's nascent tourism economy. For example, Carolina, a single mom, has our permission to display the jewelry and pepper sauces she sells on Paya Bay's main deck a few days of the week. This young lady happens to be a vessel of good energy who lifts one's spirit immediately with her beautiful smile. We wish you much success, Carolina!



Saturday, June 9, 2012

a lit-up, spinning disco ball

As I've noted in the righthand column of this blog, when faced with a challenging situation and in doubt, I often ask myself, "What would Silky do?" My Atlanta friend Scott "Silky" Hayes is a soul brother. A formidable man I deeply admire, love, and respect. One of the most angelic* people in my life. Someone I feel fortunate to consider a role model. His light shines bright with rays of love, compassion, caring, thoughtfulness, happiness, [mischief], [decadence], and a heartfelt and constant desire to always do what's right, what's good, what's ideal for all affected. Silky is a lit-up, spinning disco ball of good energy. He helps me truly understand how wonderful life is and that It's all good.

I've been having some WWSD? moments lately. I'm so happy and grateful I have a bright, beautiful, sunshiny, sunflower-filled North like Silky to help guide my compass. Your light, love, and friendship are such blessings, my brother!

*Let's just say one man's "angelic" may be another man's "infidel"!

heavenly


A view of Buccaneer Landing from the Sky Trail. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Friday, June 8, 2012

photo of the day


A special guest kayaks in the crystalline Caribbean waters near Paya Bay Resort. Roatan, Honduras.

good energy

We came here because, like you, we believe in good energy.
- Sean, a special Paya Bay guest, this evening. He and his lovely wife, Ashley, are celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

through eyes of love


My dear friend Lisa emailed me this photo she took while visiting Paya this past weekend. She wrote, "I love this photo of you and your creation."

In our warm, twisted, happy, adventurous, multinational coterie of close island friends, we sometimes (lovingly) call our angelic* South African friend Lisa, "Lista" Bronkhorst. Differing by just one letter from the name Lisa, the Spanish word lista means "ready." As in, "Hey guys! Thought I'd inform you that Ms. "Lista" Bronkhorst has confided she is ready for Part Two of this evening! Y'all ready to blow this popsicle stand?"

Photo: Lisa Bronkhorst. Love, love, love! 

*A relative concept. Obviously.

by the seeds

Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant.
- Robert Louis Stevenson

video: discovering vista linda



Vista Linda is a special view spot easily accessed from the new Sky Trail at Paya Bay Resort.  This distinctive site is dedicated to the memory of a very special friend, paying deep recognition and honor to her way-too-uncommon approach to love.

explore. dream. discover.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
- Mark Twain

My Mexican friend Luis Perez-Eguiarte advised me once, "Que nadie te lo cuente." It roughly translates: 'Don't let anyone out-experience you in life.' Quite a mandate! An interesting suggestion, but likely a very exhausting approach to living. As my friend Lisa would immediately protest, "That sounds like you are comparing your life experience to someone else's? Why compare?! We should never compare."

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

transit of venus


This photo of the Transit of Venus 2012 was taken by Honduran space scientists today.  ("Honduran space scientists"?! Who knew we had 'em?!)

Photo: faces.unah.edu.hn

progressing

Construction of the restroom facilities that will serve Bliss Beach and the Ananda Pavilion continues to advance at a brisk pace. This project is also an essential 'first step' in the construction of the nearby and  much more ambitious Bliss Beach Bar and Eco Lounge facility (coming November, 2012!).




Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

quote of the day

The best way to predict the future is to create it.
- Peter Drucker

awesome location

The new hamaca station I posted about last week continues to take shape beautifully.





What a view! Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.