playing tourist guide

Our friends, Don and Jeanette have their kids visiting from the States and they asked if I would go with them to the East Side of the Island as a 'tour guide'. David is an awesome photographer and since I have travelled up that way many times and know all the 'good photo ops' we had a great time stopping and catching the raw and yet pristine beauty of the island.

I figured after my last hurricane post I should put something on here that shows that our lovely island is still intact and beautiful!.

See????

Many people who come to the island only see the West Side: the beaches or the dive shops of West End or West Bay. Perhaps they will venture over to Coxen Hole or Flowers Bay, but I truly think they miss out big time if they don't make it over to the East Side of the Island.



Once you leave French Harbor the road begins to wind and climb up the hills that are covered in palms, natural vegetation with views of the ocean on both sides. It really gives you a sense that truly we are living in a tropical rain forest and I am often overwhelmed by the jungle beauty.

dave capturing the beauty

Although there are resorts up that way, it has for the most part, remained untouched. You have small villages that dot the hills with colored homes and thatched roofs. We didn't stop at Oakridge or Jonesville due to lack of time but here is a picture of the wonderful town of Oakridge which is often called the 'Venice of Roatan' since transportation around the bite is by boat only.

Oakridge

We stopped in at Yuba near Punta Gorda to watch the traditional garifuna dances and learn of their history and culture. The wanaragua dance is a typical garifuna dance that re-enacts part of their history where the men of the tribe dressed up as women and as they were dancing the enemy attacked but the men were ready with swords and they swiftly defeated them. Pretty clever strategy!

Garifuna war dance
alright men get your dresses on! it's tourist time!!

We were able to take several pictures of local people (iguana hunting!) They eat iguana here... all I can say about that is: NOT!

the stick is used to knock them out of the tree not to actually spear them.. i hope!

Once we arrived at Paya Bay we were struck by the pristine beauty, the roar of the waves against the rocks, the blue blue blue sea, and as we had lunch in the restaurant we were grateful to get the 'hummer table' so we could enjoy watching them feed and try our best to photograph
the birds!

Tracy and Dave enjoying a 'moment' by the sea

spent alot of time over lunch taking photos of the hummers.. i almost fell out a window at one point but will save that story for another time.

you never know what you see in the country... heading home perhaps?
we saw an unexpected herd of lop earred cows walking down the middle of the road

It was such a great day. Thanks to Don and Jeanette for suggesting I come along with them for the day. It was wonderful to meet Dave and Tracy. We all went home tired, but grateful for the opportunity to explore this part of the island!

a nap?? what a wonderful idea.... siesta time here for me too!