touring the Honduran "Venice"

Guests explore the mangrove canals in Jonesville. An optional tour offered by Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

food for thought

At the time of the winter solstice, let reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is just myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.

Source

Interesting perspective.

peace on Earth

Bliss Beach, Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

quote of the day

Tough times never last, but tough people do.

- Robert Schuller

Latinos in Florida have launched campaign to nominate Roberto Micheletti for the Nobel Peace Prize

Miami, United States. The Francisco Morazán Honduran Organization and America's Democracy Watch kicked off this Saturday the campaign to collect signatures supporting the nomination of interim president, Roberto Micheletti, for the Nobel Peace Prize 2010.

Leaders of Latin American communities residing in Florida yesterday issued a statement announcing the effort that will be directed to those who make the nominations for the Peace Prize in Norway.

Roberto Micheletti assumed the presidency of Honduras in place of Manuel Zelaya, who was dismissed by the National Congress of Honduras on 28 June 2009 for trying to stage a National Constituent Assembly, which is prohibited by the current Constitution.

Translated from El Heraldo

After the Honduran National Congress removed Manuel Zelaya from power for multiple violations of our constitution, and immediately elected Roberto Micheletti to replace him on June 28, 2009, Mr. Micheletti deftly maneuvered in a very unstable and volatile environment, and was miraculously able to keep Honduras from unraveling into a civil war. This all unfolded as Hugo Chavez and his ALBA and OAS cronies were doing everything possible to destabilize and isolate Honduras. If civil war avoidance is not a good reason for a man to be considered for a Nobel Peace Prize, I don't know what is.

president-elect's party will support withdrawal from ALBA

Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The deputies of the Partido Nacional (who will be the majority in the new Congress that will convene in January 2010) will support the withdrawal of Honduras from ALBA. "The Nacionalistas will accompany that decision," said the president-elect, Porfirio Lobo Sosa, yesterday after attending a police officers promotion ceremony.

Translated from La Prensa.

In an act of protest, deputies of the Partido Nacional had abstained from voting when Zelaya railroaded joining ALBA through Congress in 2008.  It was widely rumored that there were a lot of Venezuelan petrodollars flowing in Tegucigalpa at the time to "convince" legislators to approve it.

There is a saying in Spanish: "Rectificar es de sabios." It roughly translates to "The wise undo their mistakes."

photo of the day

It's wild, it's rough, it's up-and-down, and sometimes you'll feel like you're on the edge, but there is only one. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

a gift of Paya

Enjoy your massage to the sound of the waves crashing on the beach while the balmy tropical breeze and the masseuse's hands transport you to complete relaxation. Offer is for one free 1/2 hour massage per person (2 massages per double occupancy booking). Learn more.

first step taken to withdraw Honduras from ALBA

Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The government of President Roberto Micheletti denounced Tuesday night the treaty of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA), that deposed president Manuel Zelaya had lobbied to get approved on 25 August 2008.

"The decision was taken in view that some presidents that make up ALBA, not their peoples, have been disrespectful and offensive to a friendly nation like Honduras, and have not respected the right to self-determination of Hondurans," said the Minister of the Presidency, Rafael Pineda Ponce, at a press conference.

The complaint, according to Pineda, will be delivered to Congress on Wednesday "and Congress will make the final determination on this issue." Once that happens, Honduras will not remain in the mechanism.

He recalled that "although at first Zelaya denied that ALBA had political components, with time it became apparent that the Bolivarian Alternative of president (Hugo) Chavez intended to make Honduras part of his hegemony, and the 21st century socialism he has launched in the continent. "

He further stressed that "we cannot be tied to an organization that has no respect or regard for its members ... and the sovereignty of a nation can not be compromised by any treaty."

Translated from El Heraldo

Awesome news! A withdrawal from ALBA would be wonderful holiday gift for the Honduran people. I'm certain the Honduran Congress will approve this. I (and I think most Hondurans) feel that Honduras being part of this leftist, Hugo Chavez-controlled, anti-American organization is a grave insult to our historic ally, the United States. We joined it under the Zelaya administration at his insistence. Since he was thrown out for attempting to force "21st century socialism" on Honduras, ALBA should be thrown out as well.  It's simply not who we are.

it's wellness week!

Daily sunset vinyasa flow yoga at Buccaneer Landing! Learn more. Photo: Bob Gerhardt.

Pepe Lobo the most voted for president in Honduran history

Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo has emerged as the most voted for president in the democratic history of Honduras, confirmed the magistrates of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE).

"The unofficial figures, which will become official with the declaration, indicate that Porfirio Lobo Sosa is the presidential candidate who has received most votes in our history," said Magistrate David Matamoros.

With this number of favorable votes, Lobo beats Ricardo Maduro, also of the National Party, who in the 2001 general elections received 1,134,000 votes.

The voting table documents audited so far favor "Pepe" with over 1,195,000 votes and according to TSE projections will exceed one million 200 thousand votes.

Translated from El Heraldo

come to Honduras!

Tour Oak Ridge, "the Venice of Honduras." An optional tour offered by Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.  Tour includes the mangrove canals of the Jonesville area.