Skip to main content

Roatan, Honduras

Until recently, one would not usually think of Honduras as a tropical paradise or tourist attraction. The church I attend regularly sends medical missionaries to Honduras to help in poverty stricken areas.

Just in recent years, the Honduran leaders have developed the island of Roatan to encourage tourism.  It was heavily damaged by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, but has been rebuilt, bigger and better than before.  The island has a coral reef surrounding it, and claims some of the best snorkeling and  diving spots in the world.  It was beautiful as we approached on Thursday morning, with dark hills rising against morning clouds.






We booked a sight-seeing tour around the island.  Our guide, Byron, pointed out some things to see in addition to giving us lots of local history.  The island got its first electricity in 1992; typical electric bills are $150 dollars a month for families who average less than $400 in wages, according to Byron.


Our bus carried us up in the hills.  We stopped for a look at our ship from there.

According to Byron,  this is the mayor's house, one of the biggest and best houses on the island.  Because they are not on the mainland, the mayor has more power than the governor here.


What's not to love about tropical flowers in February?

Some things on the island were just a little bit creepy....more tomorrow.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Amish in Stantonville, Tennessee

Last week, my sis and her hub went with us to the Amish community near Stantonville, Tennessee.  It was a beautiful day, and we love driving to new places and finding new treasures.  We enjoy these mini-trips we take together, where we giggle a lot and get caught up on everything.  Also, the squirrels ate all our tomatoes, so we needed to find some to buy. You know the food you are buying is fresh when they bring it from the field while you are standing there waiting for it. Here is part of what we brought home, and it was all delicious. Stantonville is located in McNairy County, Tennessee, northwest of Shiloh National Military Park.
Post a Comment
Read more

Holy Smoke Pie

I think it was in the late seventies that I first had Holy Smoke Pie.  It was at a party at Debra Morris Harville's house.  After we ate, Debra had to give the recipe to everyone there.  I came home and made it for my family, and it has been a favorite since then.  I always make it at holiday dinners, because I believe tradition is important.  It has become a favorite of our granddaughters. I've heard it called Chocolate Delight, Four-Layer Chocolate Dessert, and other odd things.  We call it Holy Smoke.  Here is how I make it: Chop us a cup of pecans; set aside. Add a stick of softened butter (NOT margarine) to one cup of self-rising flour. Cut the butter into the flour. Add the chopped pecans, and work it all together. Save two tablespoons of the pecans to sprinkle on top. Pour into a 9" x 12" pan that has been sprayed with cooking oil. Spread it over the bottom of the pan.  It helps to use your hands (or hand, if you have t
Post a Comment
Read more

Cedar Trees in Cemeteries

If you ever wander in old cemeteries, and I know many of you do, you are bound to see some cedar trees. The tradition goes back to the early days of the United States and even earlier  in Europe.  Cedar trees were not always used, but some type of evergreen trees were planted because they were a symbol of everlasting life.  Some  Cherokees believed that cedars contained powerful spirits, including the spirits of the departed buried beneath them. Perhaps because they are known as burial trees, there are many superstitions that surround cedars.  My grandmother told us in no uncertain terms that if we planted a cedar tree, we would die when it was large enough to shade our graves. Some others are: Never transplant a cedar tree; it will bring bad luck. If you transplant a cedar and it dies, you will die shortly. Planting a cedar tree in your yard welcomes poverty. Some say Christ was crucified on a cedar tree, and will bring bad luck if you burn it. If a cedar tree com
1 comment
Read more