29-30 January 2019 - Honduras and Guatemala



29 January 2019 - Tuesday
Roatan Bay, Honduras - 8:00am to 6:00pm


Mahogany Bay in Roatan Honduras

After a day at sea -- we anchor off Roatan, Honduras, tendering into a harbor area built by Carnival for its cruise ships to dock.  Mahogany Bay is full of  "duty-free" shops, restaurants and bars.  Caribbean music plays in the background as passengers visit the fenced in area with flamingos or the pool where anyone can swim with the dolphins for a price.  Also here is a marina with plenty of party boats for hire.


Selling Clothing and Hammocks in Roatan.

Phil and I wander Just outside Mahogany Bay into Roatan where real people try to make a living selling: coffee -- cigars -- jewelry -- hammocks, and clothing to the tourists.    

Coconuts Reading to Drink complete with Straws.

We come across a shop called "Made in Roatan" with a tagline of "Helping Islanders Help Themselves".   This non-profit shop sells art, jewelry and other items made by people in Roatan.  Inside some of the jewelry is very pretty.  The cashier tells me the idea for this shop came from Canadian Missionaries who felt it was important to train people to make a living rather than just giving them money.

I choose a necklace but cannot figure out how to open it -- the young lady who made the piece happens to be in the shop and is proud to show me how to pull the braided leather to allow the necklace to fit over my head. I purchase the piece.

Cemetery in Roatan Honduras

On the way back to the ship we pop into a very old and interesting cemetery -- it appears that bodies must be enclosed in mausoleums rather than buried in the ground -- must be a high water table.

Pat in Roatan Honduras

Back on board Riviera, we spend a leisurely afternoon reading and writing.  It is a beautiful evening so we take a walk around the outdoor decks of the ship after dinner and discover a putting green on Deck 16.   Our next stop is to the show -- a comedian who is pretty good.


30 January 2019 - Wednesday
Santo Tomas Guatemala - 8:00am to 5:30pm

This morning -- I don't rise until 8:00 am --- very late for me and after breakfast I'm not feeling great.  So -- Phil goes exploring and I stay on board --- it is very warm and humid in Santo Tomas.

Cruise Side Marketplace in Santo Tomas Guatemala

About 11:00 am I venture out just as far as the cruise side marketplace -- a huge building on the pier.   The amount of merchandise is overwhelming with each booth selling: hats -- scarfs -- purses -- jewelry -- shoes -- wooden creatures and boxes and anything else one might think of.

A small portion of the Cruise side Marketplace in Guatemala

Phil reports after his walk into town that there is not much to see. This suits me since I do not like the heat so I spend the afternoon on board.


Downtown Santo Tomas Guatemala

We have a lovely dinner in Toscana -- the Italian alternate dining venue. Tonight the show is a tribute to Burt Bacharach with the Riviera entertainment team -- very enjoyable.

Thanks for Reading.

Pat








Location: Honduras

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