Thelma's blissful Bliss Beach ritual

At least once, and sometimes twice (or more!) times a day, Thelma gets to do her little Bliss Beach ritual. A romp in the waves and a quick dip in the Caribbean Sea followed by a joyful upside down wiggle dance on the sand.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

Intimate Bliss Beach wedding

On December 31, the last day of 2019, Paya Bay hosted a small intimate Bliss Beach wedding for Carol and Klaus, who were visiting the island on a cruise ship. Our congratulations to this happy couple!

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

Fire Warrior 2020

The Fire Warrior was spectacular at the 2019-2020 New Year's Eve celebration on Bliss Beach!

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

MacBook Pro with macOS Mojave 10.14.5

After 5 years of near-perfect service, my old MacBook Pro died towards the end of last month. My sister Sharlene was coming to visit from Texas and picked me up a new one of these amazing machines from Apple. Very happy and grateful for my good fortune!

Happy New Year, everyone!

Live music on the main deck

Local artist Joel Escalon recently entertained our guests on the resort's main deck at sunset.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

Article: Blue spaces: why time spent near water is the secret of happiness

In recent years, stressed-out urbanites have been seeking refuge in green spaces, for which the proven positive impacts on physical and mental health are often cited in arguments for more inner-city parks and accessible woodlands. The benefits of “blue space” – the sea and coastline, but also rivers, lakes, canals, waterfalls, even fountains – are less well publicised, yet the science has been consistent for at least a decade: being by water is good for body and mind.

Proximity to water – especially the sea – is associated with many positive measures of physical and mental wellbeing, from higher levels of vitamin D to better social relations. “Many of the processes are exactly the same as with green space – with some added benefits,” says Dr Mathew White, a senior lecturer at the University of Exeter and an environmental psychologist with BlueHealth, a programme researching the health and wellbeing benefits of blue space across 18 (mostly European) countries.

An extensive 2013 study on happiness in natural environments – to White’s mind, “one of the best ever” – prompted 20,000 smartphone users to record their sense of wellbeing and their immediate environment at random intervals. Marine and coastal margins were found by some distance to be the happiest locations, with responses approximately six points higher than in a continuous urban environment. The researchers equated it to “the difference between attending an exhibition and doing housework”.

- The Guardian  > Health and wellbeing

Article: Why are nudists such friendly people?

Do you remember your first impression of nudists? Chances are that it was something like “a bunch of naked people hiding behind a huge fence doing stuff the rest of the world shouldn’t see”. But what about your first impression of them at the moment that You became a nudist yourself? The word “relaxed” may come to mind or “polite” or “connected”. And probably also “friendly”. We’ve never met anyone coming back from their first nudie experience saying “Those nudists, what a bunch of self-centric idiots”. Why is that? Is nudism actually a secret club of good people? Or is nudism a gift, only given to good people? Or do people actually become good by being nude?

- nakedwanderings.com

Learn more about our naturist options at Paya Bay Resort.

kids having fun in the surf

I captured these photos of local island kids playing in the surf on the Big Beach at Paya Bay Resort. Kids LOVE this beach because it has a gentle grade into the sea, being relatively shallow as a result, and there are usually fun waves they can body surf in. Paya offers two awesome options: Bliss Beach for the adults and Big Beach for the kids!

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

Good vibes, good times at the Black Iguana

Summers are when we have some of the best weather here in Roatan. Temperatures rarely rise above 85° Fahrenheit (29° Celsius) and the constant sea breezes keep things cool, comfortable, and the insects at bay. In these photos guests enjoy a balmy summer afternoon at the Black Iguana beach bar on Bliss Beach.

"Canine hosts," Thelma and Louise are beloved by our clients
and bring their special brand of Good Energy to the mix.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

only at Paya!

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

smiles and memories

Good times and good energy at Paya Bay!

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

happiness

Hat tip: My buddy David Mauer of Atlanta.

what's the most pleasing 5-letter word?

Gracias, Tania!

desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

- Desiderata by Max Ehrmann

Thank you, Lisa Bronkhorst of South Africa! Love, love, love!

#payabay on instagram

Every so often, I like to browse the photos Paya Bay's visitors and guests post on Instagram. Here's a sample of the really cool inspiration and photography.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.