Thursday finds us in port on Isla Roatan and our excursion is a simple day at Tabyana Beach. We disembark and walk out to the International Village where we wait for our organizers to call us out to the buses. The Village is nothing more than an open Plaza shopping mall with all the usual fare such as Diamonds International. 
Window shopping is a decent way to pass the time and some of the local artists have quite an impressive representation of their wares available for sale. Unfortunately, it’s never a good idea to shop and drag your purchases with you so we’re happy just to check it all out.
Our excursion is finally called out and we all board the mini-buses that are to take us on our adventure. It’s remarkable how many of the drivers have a spiritual sense and the display signs attesting to their Christianity openly and obviously without repercussions. Just an observation…
The trip starts to head out of the compound on the Carretara Pavimentada Principal, loosely translates as the “main cart path”. No route numbers on this island as the number of roads are limited. The bus takes us past the Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport and west through Roatan where the main cart path doubles as main street.
The street is teaming with tourists and we soon see the source is Norwegian Cruise Lines Jewel, docked in a location where the passengers could easily access the local fare. We’re envious for not having had a similar opportunity and it’s obvious the International; Village we were at does little to “spread the wealth with the local people who could use an economic boost from a growing tourist trade.
Soon the village is behind us and we continue through the country side to our final destination. Some of the local residences are little more than shanties and some tend to be a bit more curb appeal but not by any great degree. A couple of horses in a yard make us wonder where the resources are to keep them healthy…the horse lover in me makes me feel empathy for their less than ideal appearance. Other houses and resorts continue to demonstrate the opposite ends of the local wealth (or lack of) spectrum. The driving to some is marginally death-defying on the winding road with drop-offs, steep hills and oncoming traffic.
We finally arrive at our destination, Tabyana Beach at West bay and are impressed by the beach location and the facilities that include change rooms, rest rooms and a snorkeling outfitter. The beach sand is white and the water is blue. Palm trees abound and the lounge chairs are plentiful, well situated and within short distance of the wait staff who is always ready to take your drink order.
We run into Todd and Vivian and they came with their snorkeling gear. Karen and I rent the equipment for what I consider a reasonable $20.00 for three hours. I’ve tried it back in Cancun and know three hours would be a test of endurance and I’d probably pay to have them take the equipment back after a couple of hours. Karen was willing to give it another shot and I was determined to be more aware of her apprehension and try to patiently get her to where she needed to be. We all head into the warm water and it did not take much for Karen to embrace the challenge and start enjoying the experience.
Unlike Cancun, the drop-off was not too far out and the coral reef rose high from the sandy floor. The fish were plentiful and the variety of species and colors were a wonderful surprise. The reef is well supervised and every effort is made to keep anyone from getting into the more sensitive reef areas. It can be difficult to go out and come back without getting close to or into those areas so it’s wise not to go out too far without making sure you have the stamina to back-track and find optional routes back to the beach.
After an initial outing and back on the beach in the hot sun and heat, it’s time to put the wait staff to task. No disappointment in this department and these people must have coined the phrase “you never have to ask twice”. A few cold beers attest to Karen’s new relationship with Corona’s and lime. But it doesn’t get out of hand and after a couple, Todd and I head back out to explore another area of the reef.
It’s an energetic cycle and after an hour or so, we’re back on the beach enjoying some cold drinks in the hot sun. Remember it’s April and sun is hard to come by back home. Consider it therapeutic and an attempt to regain some of the vitamin D not readily available back home where solar deprivation is a daily reality. This does prove to be a great bridge from winter into a taste of summer soon to come back home.
We return the diving gear and spend a bit more time on the beach. It’s a utopia but as with all things, time doesn’t stand still and our ship won’t either. We head back to the shuttle buses and find our way back to the ship. No alternate routes and Carretara Pavimentada Principal is the chosen road back.
Upon arrival, we take a bit of time to shop for some souvenirs not more than some tee’s. We’re getting a sense of the day’s activities and how they drained our energy to a point we can’t wait to get back on board, shower up and enjoy our dinner (with wine of course) at Truffles.
Once again, the food and service does not disappoint and a second wind takes us on to a stage show at Follies. Another memorable day and we finally retire in anticipation of Belize in the morning.
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