from atlanta to roatan, with love

My good friend Michelle Groover of Atlanta, Georgia brought down dozens of book bags filled with school supplies to give to less fortunate local kids. This past Friday morning, we held a fun event here at Paya Bay to hand out the school supplies. We organized lively, competitive games like egg and "wheelbarrow" races for the kids. Over one hundred school-aged Roatan children received a backpack full of school supplies! What an awesome way to encourage kids to be excited about school!

As president of Members Auto Choice, Michelle (along with her husband, Dan Stryzinski) is actively involved with many charity organizations back in Georgia. This "From Atlanta With Love" event is Michelle and Dan's first formal outreach to the international community. She thinks it could become an annual event for them. Thank you so much, Ms. Groover! Love, love, love!

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

owner

Hello, my name is Davinci McNab, I'm one of the owners of Paya Bay Resort.

act II: and so it is

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

certificate of excellence

Tripadvisor just 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.

amazing photograph

On the day I took that photo, I had noticed the unusual natural contrast it presented -- the two sides separated in a straight line by the riverbank. It reminded me of the yin and yang symbol, and I began to compose the concept for the photo in my mind. Then suddenly the white swans appeared on the black background, and the black figure was on the white surface. This moment inspired me, and luckily I was able to capture it.

- The work of Marcin Ryczek. Click on the image to enlarge and enjoy this spur of the moment masterpiece. Mr. Ryczek definitely has some good karma going on to have witnessed this magical moment from such an ideal vantage point. For me, among other thoughts, this photo illustrates nature's response to human kindness, caring, and generosity in an elegant, splendid way. Ryczek caught it perfectly.

10 best summer trips of summer 2011

Roatan is #9 according to this National Geographic Top 10 List. The photo they chose to depict the island is rather incongruous, unfortunately. Roatan is not known for shark diving as few sharks visit our reefs (the water is too warm). In order to see sharks, divers go to a deep water reef that is some distance from the island.

cashing in good karma chips

Part of the trip to Pigeon Cay runs through the longest natural mangrove canal in the Bay Islands. On a recent trip, some very good energy guests spotted and photographed this beautiful saltwater alligator in the canal. (These shy gators are wary of humans and are rarely ever spotted.) Shortly afterward, as they continued their trip to the cay, a pod of dolphins came next their boat. Some people would say they're lucky. I say they are just getting back into their lives the good energy they are putting out.

Ever wondered what your good karma would bring you?