to love

My passion is to love.

- Overheard

wedding photos

Roatan photographer Marian Plunkett did a photoshoot with this young, recently-married couple here at Paya Bay. Nice photos! The last one is a little unorthodox, but still cute and sexy. Learn more about weddings at Paya Bay.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

update: the black iguana

As the "mezzanine" level of The Black Iguana beach bar nears completion, I'm feeling tremendous satisfaction at how it's coming together. Our Master Builder, Miguel Padilla, is doing fantastic work (assisted by his hard-working team).

A short flight of rustic stairs lead from this deck to the main level of the bar. The rail around this section will feature a sleek, curved bar top for resting cocktails (and elbows); the only furniture will be bar stools placed at key spots along its entire length. With its commanding, unobstructed view of the plunge pool and Bliss Beach, I suspect this "eye candy bar" will be a favorite part of The Black Iguana.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

she keeps me warm

A very important song and an amazing video. Just listen. Humanity advances.

"Whatever god you believe in
We come from the same one
Strip away the fear
Underneath it's all the same love."

dare to be

When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.
When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.
When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.
When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.
When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.
When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.
When you’re feeling tired, dare to keep going.
When times are tough, dare to be tougher.
When love hurts you, dare to love again.
When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal.
When another is lost, dare to help them find the way.
When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand.
When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile.
When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too.
When the day has ended, dare to feel as you’ve done your best.
Dare to be the best you can –
At all times, Dare to be!

- Steve Maraboli, author

green iguanas

This week I spotted several green iguanas (Iguana iguana) in trees around the property. In addition to the endangered Black Iguanas, the resort is also a refuge for this more plentiful species of the iguana family. The one in the first photo is a juvenile, likely indicating the iguanas are now reproducing here on our grounds. The female in the last photo seems plumb full of eggs.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

luckovich

Birds of a feather. LOL!
Source: AJC

touring paya

Earlier this week I accompanied some walk-in Italian guests on a "grounds tour" of the property. It's a mystery why I was so eager to give this tour myself...

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

a classic

This classic Paya Bay photo was taken just a while ago from the main deck. For several days in August of every year the sun sets at this picturesque spot right above the dip in the "Alligator Nose" rock formation. The alignment and symmetry that mark this annual event remind me of the interconnectedness of everything in our Universe. The chillout station located on this rocky point (note the palapa on the right) is a spectacular spot for a couple to experience a tropical sunset, perhaps enhanced with a bottle of their favorite type of wine, and even in the nude, if they wish.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

miss honduras

Monica Elwin, Miss Honduras 2013, visited Paya Bay this afternoon. Eighteen-year-old Monica is from Oak Ridge, Roatan, the town where both she and I were born and grew up (right across the island from Paya). This engaging, beautiful young lady will represent Honduras at the upcoming 2013 Miss World pageant in Bali, Indonesia. Ms. Elwin was intrigued by The Black Iguana, our (coming soon!) beach bar. The photos that follow were taken as she explored the new facility overlooking Bliss Beach.

Proud, charmed, and impressed, I requested a photo with our local celebrity. Best wishes as you represent our country at the Miss World competition, Monica! There are no limits but the sky!

Roatan rising. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

Map image: Google Earth

elegance

Paya Bay Resort's reception desk and the elegant dining room of our restaurant. These photos were taken at dusk while there was a beautiful, rich, ethereal blue light reflecting off the late afternoon sky and sea outside.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

keep your thoughts positive

Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words.
Keep your words positive because your words become your actions.
Keep your actions positive because your actions become your habits.
Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values.
Keep your values positive because they become your destiny.

- Mahatma Gandhi 

embrace the change

A lot of people resist transition and therefore never allow themselves to enjoy who they are. Embrace the change, no matter what it is; once you do, you can learn about the new world you're in and take advantage of it.

- Nikki Giovanni 

saving the spiny-tailed

Paya Bay Resort was recently awarded this certificate recognizing support we have extended to these noble, distinguished institutions (Florida Atlantic University, International Iguana Foundation, and Iguana Specialist Group) in the ongoing effort to save Roatan's unique Spiny-tailed Iguana from extinction.

An adult Spiny-tailed Iguana suns on a rock ledge near Bliss Beach. As the certificate states, there are less than 5,000 of these iguanas left and the population is decreasing. In Roatan, these iguanas are also known by their local nickname, "Black Iguanas."

To continue creating awareness of this important cause, we named our nearly-completed beach bar The Black Iguana. The bar features an impressively-sized replica of one of these beautiful reptiles. We also plan to have an information display about the species (and the efforts to protect it) in the bar.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

give the best of you

The fastest way to receive is to give, because giving starts the reciprocal action of receiving. We all receive according to how much we give. Give the best of you everywhere you go. Give a smile. Give thanks. Give kindness. Give love.

Your giving should be a giving without expectation of return - a giving for the sheer joy of it.

- lessons from The Secret

certificate of excellence

Tripadvisor recently notified us that Paya Bay Resort has been awarded a 2013 Certificate of Excellence! Congratulations Team Paya! Special thanks to our many guests who take time from their busy post-vacation schedules to review their Paya Bay experiences. Visit PBR's reviews page on Tripadvisor.

photo of the day

The Seaside Trail connects Buccaneer Landing to Secret Cove. The famous "Good Energy Tree" can be seen in the center of the photo. It's a great trail to walk and explore at sunset. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

to free ourselves

Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.

- Albert Einstein 

2014 rates published!

We've published Paya Bay's 2014 rates. Our tradition continues: You can get 2013 rates if you book your 2014 getaway now and pay any balance due before December 31, 2013.

paya in the press

The most recent edition of Estilo, a Central American lifestyle glossy, features Paya Bay Resort in two of its main articles (you may click the images below to enlarge).

The articles appear in the magazine's July 2013 travel edition. The cover art, above.

The article titled "Roatan Revisited"...

...highlights Paya Bay's yoga program (see photo at bottom right of page). The author states:

"Practice yoga in front of one of Paya Bay's three beaches and let your mind leave your body behind. The drive from West Bay to Paya Bay will allow you to explore the island by car. Don't forget to bring your camera as on the way you'll see the best panoramic views of Roatan."

Another article, "The Top 5 Best Beaches of Honduras," includes Paya Bay's Bliss Beach on its elite list of the country's five best beaches (see photo at bottom left):

"Far from the clatter of the cruise ships and Roatan's big hotels is uncrowded and turquoise Bliss Beach. This beach, part of a resort with all the comforts, is the only clothing-optional beach in Honduras."

Thank you, Estilo magazine, for so deeply appreciating Paya Bay and for beautifully highlighting our tropical paradise to your readers!

channeling the universe

Lighting is a crucial element of any space. We've started the project of lighting the Black Iguana beach bar. Here are some glimpses of the beautiful, ethereal ambiance(s) already possible in this fantastic new Paya venue....

And think... This is just the beginning! It only gets better. (Special thanks to my soul brothers, The Scotts, for lugging lighting hardware all the way from Atlanta on their recent visit. Love, love, love!)

 Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

rustic hand basins

We worked with stone and added bamboo elements to give hand basins of the new beach bar restrooms a rustic yet contemporary look.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.