When we first arrived in West End, Roatan, there was a sailboat rally of some kind here—maybe 25 boats traveling around the Caribbean together. The Marine Park moorings were full up, but after they left we moved over and grabbed one. Not sure exactly what the rules are here, but it is a park, so it seemed like the right thing to do to pick up a mooring instead of digging up the seagrass with the anchor and chain. Fifty bucks a week for that.
Carving spears for the kids. Apparently I wasn’t supposed to make them too sharp.
This is the thanks I get.
The next day Ali and the kids were at the beach when a worker from the house behind the beach we were sitting in front of came over to them with a couple of coconuts—peace offerings as it turns out. The owners of the home (that you cannot see from the beach) were going to be flying in the next day. He asked them if they could move to a different area. Ali asked him if they owned the beach and was told that the law is thirty feet up from the waterline. Plenty of room if you feel like making a fuss about it, but he was just a yard worker being paid by some two-week-a-year absentee owners, so there was no reason to be a jerk to him. Kind of sad, though very typical, all over the Caribbean.
Even with strong north winds the day before—meaning it was coming right in off the ocean instead of over the island—the waves didn’t build up too bad, thanks to the reef right behind us. We probably should have left before the winds came, but with a forecast for another nice week of easterlies (wind coming over the island leaving us nice and protected) we decided to just wait it out. Plus, we still haven’t found a turtle.
Those two tiny white stakes in the middle of the pic are the only things here to guide boats through the reef.
6 Comments on “West End”
“My spear is too sharp,” said no one ever.
You are NOT helping, Stephen!
In 1997, my cruise ship stopped at Roatan. Amazing, the changes since. At that time, most people lived in simple shacks, no electricity. A few walled mansions owned by folks from other countries. The guide mentioned there was a waiting list for a phone line. Someone had to leave before the next-in-line could have service. Our huge ship as a back drop… seemed ridiculous when compared to their living conditions. But the island and the reefs were beautiful! Thanks, your photos took me back.
I believe it did look ridiculous, and on many parts of the island there are still many shacks. We went by some yesterday – I still find them beautiful on the water’s edge with laundry blowing on the lines. I think the struggle is hard for many families here.
Great photos and commentary. Thank you SO much!
Thanks, Rex.