an EPIC day!

our canadian friends came here Tuesday, November 18th

on board the Epic

we recommended a tour with our local island friend

marco

and they had a wonderful time seeing the View, the iguana farm, and

a visit to our house

they enjoyed fresh picked apple bananas,

our glorious view, and enjoyed the friendly banter of our budgie named buddy

apple bananas are smaller then the regular ones, and yes they taste like apples!

 

we took a short, tree lined drive to West End to the Cannibel Cafe where we met bob for lunch

(he had been at the made in roatan shop all morning)

the food was good but some of the dishes were very s.p.i.c.y

(which isn't typical of that restaurant.. maybe a new cook)

i was thrilled with kevin noticed a mama hummingbird sitting on a nest 

that she made on a line of christmas lights!

how sweet is that??

it was a glorious day for seeing the island!

the blues of the sky were clear, the sea a host of turquoise,

and the jungle greens and tropical flowers graced the road.

west end beach

beautiful!

the epic, straight on!

flower's bay, a beautiful quiet area of the island

the whole gang 

Something New!

lately we have had alot of requests for christmas ornaments

'made in roatan'

so i asked a young girl who lives up in the colonia if she 

would like to come over to the house and make some ornaments

this frame will be perfect for hanging on your tree with your favorite roatan photo!

i would like you meet kendy

here is kendy surrounded by craft supplies.. having a wonderful time

she is the one who made the ornament above

she lives up in the colonia with her parents

and two brothers

if you were to go to their home you could possibly drive

on a dirt road to the 'uva' (bus stop)

and then if you wanted to go to her house

you would need a 4 x 4 or you'd need to walk

because the "road" is impassable otherwise!

the time i went to their home

it started to rain

causing the red road to turn into a soupy pudding like mess!

as i weaved my way up, up, up  i couldn't help thinking that this is a normal experience for 

these people everyday!

they have to navigate these awful conditions and guess what... you see them walking along

singing and talking to their neighbors as if it is the most natural thing!!

it was so slippery that i almost fell several times

as i approached her house i heard the sound of someone 

calling me

i saw her standing up, way up waving happily

imagine walking almost straight up, along a narrow path and

then gingerly making your way higher still carefully 

and slowly stepping into the rubber tires along the hill 

to keep you from falling

and also to keep the hillside from being washed away

their home is probably about 10 x 15

a small kitchen

with plastic chairs

no fridge, no cupboards, just make shift boards holding

the essentials like rice, beans, pots, pans and a few dishes

the windows and doors were open with no screens 

to keep mosquitoes and rats outside.

such is kendy's life

but inspite of everything she is happy and willing to help me in any way she can!

she isn't looking for handouts

plus she is very creative

so when i asked if she wanted to make something for the store

she was so happy!

i hope you will come by the store to see her christmas ornaments

and help support her and her family.

i know it will bless them immensely!

i decorated some seashells and made them into ornaments!

here is one of the christmas photo frames that kendy made

i thought it would be great to put on the tree

with one of their favorite roatan photos in it!

hope to see you soon!

by the way..

this was the weather today!

beautiful sunny day!!!