Hot Days and Nights in Roatan
14 March 2014 | French Cay Harbour, Roatan, Honduras
Beth / mid 30's / bathing suits and sunscreen

We had a perfectly lovely sail over here from Michael Rock, Guanaja on the 11th. We've been doing pretty well at going where and when the wind blows, and that day was no exception. We came west on a long tack past the corner of Guanaja, past Barbareta and over to Roatan, then a few more tacks in and out brought us to within an hour of the entrance to French Cay Harbour. By then it was 4pm and the captain recommended an "as the crow flies" heading. The engine came on, we entered the harbour on track and were securely anchored for sundowners. We didn't quite get our preferred spot - some other boat had the nerve to be in it! But we were close - near the back of the pack and not far from the entrance to Little French Cay -and when Jim swam over the anchor it was well dug in.
Wednesday was the hottest day this season, 33 C and 90% humidity. Good thing we live on the water because we were in and out of it all day long and we still felt sticky. It must be spring break because the little boats started crossing the harbour to Little French Cay at 6:30 am and kept it up all day. We saw a cruise ship leave Mahogany Bay around 3 so they must have been the early starters.
Little French Cay is an attractive place for daytrippers. It has lovely beaches all around - we visited one day when the wind was blowing 20 knots but because of the way it is situated, there were lots of calm places for swimming and snorkeling. They have kayaks to play with, a roof to jump from, and an assortment of birds and animals in cages - macaws and parrots, monkeys, even a couple of young jaguars. This last part does not appeal to us. Someone told me they are rescues, but we are not great fans of caged creatures on display.
We hired a driver to take us on a series of errands - for 200 lempira plus tip, Rolando met us at Captain Tim's and took us to Eldon's grocery store, the Mega Plaza where Jim bought a new boat hook, the gas station for jerry cans of diesel and gasoline, and a fish market. On the way we picked up his daughter and dropped her off at home - a lovely young woman, in Grade 11 who wants to go to medical school. She says there are opportunities for university in Honduras and she would like to stay in the country.
Thursday was Alice's birthday so we, along with Poul and Vibeke (Pi) trooped over to Lady Mys to help her celebrate. Bjorn poured champagne, Alice had baked a cake of her own - a yummy jam filled and rum soaked white cake with whipped cream and we sang birthday songs in Danish and English. Vibeke loved the one Jim taught her, "Happy Birthday to you, You belong in a zoo, You look like a monkey and You act like one too!" I used to frown on that one when our children sang it, but thanks to Jim her Danish grandchildren will be singing it now!
We loved seeing the pictures of both Bjorn and Poul dressed up as King Neptune boarding Lady Mys and Pi when they each crossed the equator. (No - we have NO plans to do that - much as I would love to see Jim as Neptune in wild costume and trident in hand!)
We've been enjoying trips to Captain Tim's for the lunch specials, quiet evenings on the boat and frequent swims. Patsy and Tim (Sound Spirit) have taken over management of the bar and grill at Caye Harbour Lodge and they are doing a fine job of it. We have dined on tostadas ($1 each - 2 fills me but Jim ordered 3), taco platters and wings - all tasty casual food at good prices. Word is that Jack is no longer at the Roatan Yacht Club, so it's a good thing Tim is open for business. The Roatan Idol show is there on Tuesday nights; Wed and Fri yoga classes have moved over too. Elvis is the smilingest bar tender around - and I even managed to smile back when he said, "I'm going to call you Grandma!" It was a compliment - I know it was a compliment! And Patsy already has the "Mum" position sewn up.