Roatan, Honduras

16 21.35N 86 26.42 W

Roatan is the center island in The Bay of Islands.  It is supposedly one of the world's three best diving sites.  Don went on a couple of dives with other cruisers – we both went snorkeling and it was great.  We spent 2 weeks at anchor in the protection of French Harbor.  Fantasy Island is in French Harbor – it is a resort hotel complex that has a marina attached.  Most boats anchored in the protected bay and used the facilities of the Hotel – wonderful !!!  The sand is white, the water crystal clear and aquamarine in color and warm.  The cruisers were a very social lot – volleyball on the beach, yoga, beading, dominoes etc etc.  There was a happy hour at the marina most nights with a pot luck dinner every Saturday night.  We were still in company with Glide, Grace and Homers Odyssey and very thankful to have such wonderful friends.

Don was fascinated by a yellow open air plane that had two lawn mower engines strapped to its support frame above the passengers head for propulsion – oh attached to the engines were two large fans similar to those used for air movement in a domestic home.  I wouldn't have trusted the yellow plane to take off let alone stay up for any length of time.  Each time it was fired up both motors shook whilst I waited to see screws pop and gaffa tape unwind.  Don was hooked ….  he waltzed up to the pilot and introduced himself, asked intelligent questions and eyed his new found love with the looks I once received.  After days of doe eyed admiration he managed to score a ride – a short hop over to the other side of the island and back.   I was very worried as his seat behind the pilot had the controls used for training and I knew he could not help himself – he would have to fiddle with them, I gave him severe warnings and was glad when he did arrive back safe and sound.

We left French Harbor to sail down to West End, which funnily enough is on the West End of the Island.  The Marine Park Authorities have a mooring ball area set aside for boaters.  It is in the Marine Park and you can snorkel from the back of your boat.  West End is a touristy tiny town full of Restaurants and dive shops.  A funky little place to explore.  We spent 2 nights in West End then headed out for Puerto Morelos in Mexico.