chillout spot

This photo captures the extraordinary location of the chillout station that sits on the tip of the Alligator Nose rock formation. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

capable of living

There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.

- Nelson Mandela 

hummers galore

These beautiful little birds are attracted by my mother's generous, consistent, unconditional love.

footbridge in the jungle

A wooden footbridge spanning a deep crevasse in the rocky terrain marks a very interesting section of the Sky Trail. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

an automatic infallible system

Imagine writing an email of what you want to the Universe. When you are happy that your email is very clear, you hit "Send" and you know your request has gone into the ethers. You also know that the Server of the Universe is an automatic system, and it doesn't question email requests. Its job is simply to fulfil every request.

If you begin to worry and stress that you haven't got what you wanted, then you have just sent another email to the Universe to stop your order. And then you wonder why you haven't received what you asked for.

Once you Ask, know that the Server of the Universe is an automatic infallible system that never fails, and expect to receive your request!

- lessons from The Secret 

making coconut oil

Under the shade of a seagrape tree, Ms. Lucinda husks coconuts to be used in making coconut oil. The mature coconuts are collected on Paya Bay's property. In exchange for processing the nuts, Ms. Lucinda gets 50% of the resulting product to sell, supplementing her income. Paya Bay Resort gets fresh, aromatic, organic coconut oil to use in specific recipes in our kitchen.

triumph over it

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.

- Nelson Mandela

rising sun

There's something Dalí-esque about this picture.

Photo: Lisa Bronkhorst

creating a frequency

Whether you know it or not, today you are placing an order for your tomorrows from the catalogue of the Universe. Your predominant thoughts and feelings today are creating a frequency that is automatically determining your life tomorrow.

Feel good now and for the rest of the day, and make your tomorrows magnificent.

- lessons from The Secret

heavenly

Special guests Bud and Tammy enjoy the surf after their sweet little wedding ceremony on Bliss Beach.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest

There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open… No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.

- Martha Graham

he becomes your partner

If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.

- Nelson Mandela

peaceful, ancient eyes

This awesome, National Geographic-quality photo of a Roatan Spiny Tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura oedirhina) was taken by special guests Kay and Dennis of San Antonio, TX. This threatened species is endemic to Roatan. Paya Bay's property is a refuge for these one-of-a-kind, primeval animals.

Like looking into the eye of Tyrannosaurus rex.

aa + rtb

American Airlines begins non-stop Saturday service to Roatan from its Miami, FL hub this Saturday, 17 November. In establishing this new flight to Roatan, American joins major U.S. carriers Delta and United in offering scheduled jet service to my island's international airport (airport code RTB) from their southernmost U.S. gateways (Delta from Atlanta's ATL; United from Houston's IAH; and - now - American from MIA).

Considering how much MBA brain power, sanity-compromising marathon meetings, long-term strategic considerations, number crunching, and market intelligence go into these "new destination" decisions, the establishment of this new route by American Airlines represents a tremendous vote of confidence by this colossal American air transportation company, recognizing Roatan's potential as an increasingly attractive, upwardly trending Caribbean vacation destination.

At 30 miles long, Roatan is the largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras, an archipelago consisting of three major islands, three minor islands, and a multitude of cays that swim in the Western Caribbean Sea 40 miles off the North Coast of mainland Honduras. Roatan is a beautiful, rugged, jungle-covered, reef-fringed, tropical island that constantly awes both visitors and residents alike with its dramatic beauty.

Roatan and the Bay Islands are politically part of the Central American Republic of Honduras. Caught up in geopolitical circumstances beyond its control (circumstances being imposed by the powerful external actors with deep pocket and ruthless agendas), an observer looking in from the outside could reasonably conclude that mainland Honduras has -- for all practical purposes -- become a narco state in all but official label. For Honduran citizens finding themselves suddenly living in this unorthodox model of "state," it's very unnerving to consider the surreal consequences this new reality may entail.

Fortunately, the 40 miles of Caribbean Sea that separate the Bay Islands from the mainland act as both a physical and cultural barrier that results in the islands being markedly distinct from the mainland, and much more typically Caribbean. That is, the islands tend to be peaceful, low key, easy-going, considerably safer, and relaxed. Those deep, benevolent miles of Caribbean water that separate us from the complex and heartbreaking troubles our fellow countrymen face on the continent make a world of difference. While legally one unit, the Bay Islands and mainland Honduras are in many other ways distinctly separate entities.

Welcome to Roatan, American Airlines! Don't be surprised if -- like many before you -- you fall in love with this prodigiously beautiful, adorably quirky, surprisingly diverse, exasperatingly third-worldy, charmingly authentic, addictively sultry, Caribbean+Latin paradise. You won't be the first to succumb to the sweet, delicious "island spell" innocently weaved and cast by Roatan's warm, genuine, open-hearted people.

Best wishes, AA.

iguana iguana

A green iguana (Iguana iguana) demonstrates its near perfect camouflage as it rests on a branch of a sea grape tree (Coccoloba uvifera). Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

until it's done

It always seems impossible until it's done.

- Nelson Mandela

chillout stations

In addition to the new Bliss Beach palapas, we've added additional rustic, natural sunshades to various amazing spots on the property with great views and rocking good energy.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

photo of the day

Achieving eco harmony. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

bliss point

No doubt, with its heavenly location, the new palapa chillout station on the tip of the Alligator Head rock formation will be a guest favorite! Surrounded by the Caribbean, The views in every direction are outstanding. It's the perfect, private spot to catch a sunset and/or a moonrise!

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

cia smackdown

Fascinatingly, the über-serious, super-boring CIA goes all Jerry Springer on us...

Jerry! Jerry! Jerryyyyyy!

overheard

You know, sometimes you find a place that just feels right.

- Dennis, a special repeat guest from Texas, this afternoon.

the magic of paya

Images from the lovely Wine & Cheese Reception held this afternoon at the Ananda Pavilion to welcome very special Paya Bay guests.

During setup, my niece, Jasmine, dropped by for a visit.

Oh lord, I may end up regretting this! Team members enjoy a glass of wine I offered them in a gesture of gratitude.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

wonkette rips the "latino moochers" meme

Wonkette's on a roll! Some sample snarky/witty comments from the wonkerati:

"Yes, how dare they be...COMPETENT at their objectives of WINNING?!?!?!? Also, how dare they tell the truth about a man who had no discernible empathy or compassion except towards those made of money just like him. That's entirely un-American. Except when white guys do it. In that case, it's Freedom and Liberty and the such as."

"How long until someone on Fox floats the idea of reinstating the 3/5 rule?"

"My Honduran 'exchange student,' who works harder than any white handyman I have ever hired, begs to differ. Or at least he might, if he could get online and speak English."

"That will happen when tiny pigs wear red boots!"

- Wonkette

courage

What? You call me a faggot? Okay, if you like. But you'd better watch out, because I'm the faggot who's going to kick your ass. 

- One extra courageous man.

tropical bliss

Bliss Beach looking all heavenly, blissful, and inviting this afternoon.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

¡viva obama!

Reason prevails! Way to go, U.S. Americans! Don't be misled by the divisive rhetoric; many smart, compassionate people support this transcendental American president. The earth-shaking, paradigm-shifting Obama Administration has boosted the relevance of the United States on the world stage. The election (and now re-election) of a biracial president in a country where ingrained racism often lurks just below the surface seems to indicate an impressive leap forward for America's cultural evolution. As an observer looking in, one finds hope in a majority of the American people declaring a resounding "NO!" to the American Taliban and its destructive, retrograde, hate-filled agenda.

movember

I'm growing a moustache for Movember! (And Mobama!)

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in the US and around the world. With their Mo's, these men raise vital awareness and funds for men's health issues, specifically prostate and testicular cancer initiatives.

- from the Movember website

speak strongly about what you want

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

voila!

The new palapa for the beach bar on Bliss Beach is truly a work of eco art! With a 40 foot diameter, the conical thatch roof covers over 1,100 square feet of floor space. Heartfelt thanks go out to the naturist community. Your astonishing, humbling support of my family's enterprise makes these projects possible and is truly appreciated. Together we're creating an earthly paradise. It only gets better!

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

being strong

laying the guano

This week the construction team added the "guano" to the beach bar palapa on Bliss Beach. Guano is the Honduran name for the palm fronds used in constructing these natural, indigenous roofs. The huge fronds are typically four to five feet in diameter. The leaves are harvested sustainably in the rainforests of mainland Honduras.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

no side effects

Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects.

- Arnold H. Glasgow