semana santa

During "Holy Week," Central America becomes stage for some very interesting displays of fervent religious theatre. Note this intriguing procession in Guatemala City (click on the images to enlarge). WWJD?

Photos courtesy of El Nuevo Herald

quote of the day

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.

- Helen Keller

Until I read her Wikipedia bio, I had no idea Ms. Keller was from U.A. (Upper Alabama). Some dear, dear friends of mine are from Alabama (yes, I'm looking at you Scott Porter and John Flippen!) They never mentioned this significant little 'CNN Factoid.' Go Alabama!

test drive

I took my new Nikon P7000 for a test drive this afternoon on the Sky Trail. Even on its most basic settings, the camera sure takes some nice photos! (Compare these photos to the ones I took recently in the same area with my Blackberry's camera).

Landscape photos taken in low-lit, wooded areas are notoriously difficult. In order to produce an image the human eye/brain can relate to, the camera must literally choose from hundreds of 'subjects' located at different distances, select the ones it deems most important, focus on and capture each chosen subject separately, and then bring all these separate captures together as a clear, seamless 'final image.' Of course, a microprocessor crunches all this data in about a second or two! These photos were taken at Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

new tool

I take many of the photos posted on this blog. I have a keen interest in photography and after my old camera succumbed to the island's salt spray-infused air, I decided to upgrade to a slightly more sophisticated device in order to continue learning more about the art. Considering myself an 'intermediate amateur,' I opted for a Nikon P7000. It allows adjustments to settings like ISO, white balance, exposure compensation, etc. The user's manual for this camera is over 200 pages of fine print, and about as much fun to read as a college-level physics textbook. However, my goal (challenge) is to learn to use the camera to its full potential.

One feature that immediately stands out about this little electronic marvel is that it has -- not just one -- but two infrared scanners pointing in different directions! Turn it on, and it immediately begins gathering "major" information about the environment it finds itself in. Modern electronics are fascinatingly sophisticated (even if a bit "creepy").

the easy path

Our natural state of being is joy, and it takes so much energy to think negative thoughts, to speak negative words, and to feel miserable. The easy path is good thoughts, good words, and good deeds.

Take the easy path.

- lessons from The Secret

admirable grit

YANGON, Myanmar — She struggled for a free Myanmar for a quarter-century, much of it spent locked away under house arrest. Now, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate whose nonviolent campaign for democracy at home transformed her into a global icon is on the verge of ascending to public office for the first time.

Aung San Suu Kyi, 66, was elected to parliament Sunday in a historic victory buffeted by the jubilant cheers of supporters who hope her triumph will mark a major turning point in a nation still emerging from a ruthless era of military rule.

- Associated Press

An indomitable spirit, this remarkable human being is one of my heroes (see video on this page).

naturist march

Today (31/March/2012) marks the culmination of Paya's first-ever 'Naturist Month!' And what a successful month it has been! Bookings- and revenue-wise, we have had the best month in the 18-year history of this family owned and operated business! Impressively, some 90% of our guests this month expressed their desire to return to Paya during next year's winter season. Our sincere thanks go out to the worldwide naturist community for your astonishing support of our project. We are committed to you (after all, someone had to come to the aid of the "Sorobon refugees"), and we truly appreciate your awe-inspiring commitment to us. It only gets better! Learn more about naturism at Paya Bay.

luckovich

The exceptional talent of Mike Luckovich.

supercedes

There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience. It supercedes all other courts.

- Mahatma Ghandi

stunning

A fractional view of the beautiful fringing reefs typical of the Pigeon Cay area. It's understandable why this unique corner of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System with its multi-hued, crystal-clear waters is considered one of the top spots for snorkeling in the Caribbean. In the background, Barbareta -- the fourth largest (and most pristine) of the Bay Islands of Honduras -- floats peacefully in the Caribbean sea. Being a native-born Bay Islander elicits a lot of personal pride. Truly an exceptionally beautiful archipelago to call home.

a stupendous gallery

Where a love of natural beauty has been cultivated, all nature becomes a stupendous gallery, as much superior in form and in coloring to the choicest collections of human art, as the heavens are broader and loftier than the Louvre or the Vatican.

- Horace Mann

coconuts galore

Nighttime view of a loaded Bliss Beach coconut tree. In light of its many reported health benefits, we recently initiated a program at Paya to offer our guests a daily serving of fresh, organic coconut water right from the fruit itself. Next time you are on Bliss Beach, expect a friendly staff member to come offer you a freshly-picked coconut. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Photo: Dennis and Kay