Sunny Thursday

Starting out this final Thursday with my blog, reliving the past few days in pictures.  Yesterday morning we took the water taxi to West Bay to snorkel at the very end.  Here are some views from the little boat.

Along the way we see many new sailboats have arrived for "the seaSon" and understand why this safe harbor is so crowded with yachts and people.

We parked our towels and cameras with the bartender at the Grand Roatan, a beautiful and expensive hotel at the far end of West Bay, again counting our blessings that we were staying in the much quieter "West End" village area.  We swam out to this rock with fins and snorkels and were treated the incredible Zen-tangle coral and lots of parrot fish painted by Mother Nature on acid!!! Please google photos of these colorful fish since we have no underwater cameras.  

When we finally got chilled and tired, we found lots more people had come to the beach!

So we had fish tenders...fresh sea bass in a very light batter with a delicious tartar sauce dip with our Salva Vida (Life Saver, local beer!!!)

And saw this very expensive fishing boat

alongside the local water taxis.

I took a nap when we got home, then scolded this kitty who kept jumping up on the arm of my chair at dinner!

We are heading out to Half Moon Bay to snorkel, looking for seahorses and the resident moray!  Wish us lick!

Tuesday

We went snorkeling this morning by Barefeet Bar.  Not much to see today, in that location, so tomorrow we will take the water taxi to West Bay, and snorkel over the beautiful coral there.  Yesterday I was hanging out in that same area and swam a lot and read my book, and had a piña colada on the beach. It was one of those beautiful days with the wind at four knots, and not a ripple in the water.  I hung around until the sun went down, hoping to see a green flash. It did not happen, but we were able to see the mainland of Honduras because it was pretty clear in the south western direction.

Lots of tiny shells.  They tell us not to buy the conch shell because they are actually in danger. We are also asked to not eat conch balls but I did not know that when we first arrived, and ordered them one evening as an appetizer. They are reminiscent of crabcakes, but they are actually more like clam cakes or wnhat I imagine abalone cakes would be like.  Chewy bits of conch, with some onion, garlic, red bell, and a Panko-type crust.  The dipping sauce was nice too, but I would have preferred tart and tangy to sweet.   I think I can bring home a baggie of these to make a bracelet.

One more week

Yesterday was a perfect day.  No wind, warm water.  

We walked to Half Moon Bay and snorkeled out to the south point.  On the way, Chris got my attention and together we spied on two little cuttlefish swimming in the low sea grass.  What a great surprise!  I had been to the Monterey Bay Aquarium show TENTACLES two years ago while I was attending the Plein Air Convention in town.  We saw squid, octopuses, nautilus (way cool) and cuttlefish.  There were babies and adults and we watched them change color and texture.  Fascinating.  Google Ze Frank Cuttlefish for a very amusing report on these adorable and interesting sea creatures!  I never expected to see them in the wild!  There were myriad other fish out yesterday too, but cuttlefish?  Awesome!

I continue to work on the 6 x 6" watercolors for my Valentine weekend show with jewelers Ellen Athens and Francis Casey.  I have 24 frames....think I can get 24 paintings done in time?  We shall see!

In the meantime, some pictures of my day-to-day life....

Palm hat made by Savas...

I cannot buy one because they dont pack. 

We think there is genius behind plastic faux tile roofing material.  Made out of recycled bottles and plasticrap.  Brilliant.

And for you romantics who love Italy.....