We have our first port day today and the only excursion that we have paid for. We are doing the Top 10, but there are not 10 stops so it's a bit misnamed. At any rate, come along and see a bit of Isla Roatan. I did do different things last trip, so here is the 2024 LINK if you are interested in seeing more of the island.
I'm in love with being able to watch us come into port from the balcony of our room. It is such a full view. This docking always throws me for a bit as we back into port. My view became out to sea after a bit.
Off we go -
Our ship and 6 of us as Kelly is staying on ship.
Our excursion only has 8 people and we are six of them. Love the smaller group.
First stop is one we saw last year, BUT the weather is entirely different so our visit is remarkable this go round.
Look at all the iguanas!! This is so fun.
Check this video out ---too fun.
He's posing for us
Doing a little feeding.
Tarpin as well at this stop.
Along with a fun view -
Our second stop is The Cameo Factory and across the street is this:
Out side of the Cameo Factory. I'm quite disappointed in that we are not getting to see the artisans at work. This is really marketed poorly as this stop was the entire reason we bought this excursion. Oh well, live and learn.
Inside, I can see where the carver usually sits, but no carver.
Inside the shop is the first Christian bell in Honduras. It is from Trujllo on the mainland where Cristobal Colon arrived in 1521.
Check out some of the cameos - so very cool
The owner of the shop shared this: "The Cameos, my story when I started on the island back in 1990. the shell has many faces, the most important and the most precious ones are its color and hardness as well as its habitat and reproduction, according to studies by biologists. Practically we use 3% of the population of the shells and the government finances us for the study and they have approved us the permit to be able to use and export them. The permission was give to us in 1990 and every year the area from which the shells are extracted is inspected so that the protection standards for the shells are met. We extract them ourselves with a team of 20 divers and many time by myself, too. We go for 15 days without seeing land for the extraction of the shells. The diving is divided into two stations or two groups. The first group of 10 divers go down very early in the morning to look for the shells, controlling quality and also being careful not to unbalance their ecosystem with great attention not to damage the continuous reproduction. The second group goes down after lunch until 4 in the afternoon. Then, onboard we select them and we return to the sea those ones that do not qualify. When the shells are already selected by color, hardness and shape there is another selection made by the president of Cameos academy before passing the selected pieces to the artists to make the magic. The elaboration of our best pieces of art takes a preparation time of more or less 3-6 months depending on the piece and the difficulty of the design in it. Everything is made by hand.
Outside the front door is also a gentleman selling coconut juice and I am thirsty so it fits the bill.
Next stop is The Rusty Fish, which is a shop that specializes in product that has been recycled.
Here's a peek inside.
I HAVE found a couple of items today - happy with my purchases.
Next is the Chocolate Factory - actual factory, not the little store this time. We have to hike upstairs and I am able to look out along the way.
The staff are working away behind the glass.
There is a LOT of signage - so I'm going to share for those who may not have followed me since Hawaii.
It's good for ya - don't let anyone ruin your joy.
Back into the van and we are off to the rum factory. Just before we arrive, I see this building and snap a quick pic. The rum isn't actually made here, it is made on the mainland, but . . . two bottles still manage to board the van with me.
At the back of the shop is an AMAZING view - definitely worth stopping just for this.
Last stop on today's adventure is at the beach and we are going to be treated to a dance. We were also supposed to learn about casava bread, but that isn't happening.
Hey - there's the ship. We've circled back really close to it.
Such a fun performance -
We get invited to dance along.
Group photo -
Off to the beach for a bit. It's pretty serene here.
The girls can only take it so long before pants come off and shirts and undies go into the water.
Debi, Linda, and Gwen have a FABULOUS time -
Monkey Lala's happened along with some chips and salsa. Nice Break. It's time to head back to the ship -
And away we go -
Looking back and up from our balcony - the bridge.
Sunset and dinner
Followed by a super funny show - It's Family Feud Live - I'll never look at this show the same again.
That's it for today - another port day tomorrow. See you there.
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