1st November, 2012
Our 26th wedding anniversary…
Our neighbours, Gary & Charlotte Shaw, are the majority-share, home-owners in ‘The Villas at Gibson Point’ complex and were so impressed with the gardening and gravel work that we have done for Cary, that they asked us if we could complete the gravel work for the complex, if they ordered more gravel. We naturally agreed, and so another 4 cubic meters were ordered and within 2 hours Patrick and Wolf were leveling the driveway and the rest of the yard.
I started transplanting more gorgeous tropical plants along the driveway, which inspired Charlotte to rush of to the local nursery for more plants. The place is looking so different already. Charlotte and Gary have generously offered us the use of their condo when they leave on Saturday afternoon. We will have it for the next 2 weeks of our stay.
The clouds rolled in dumping their heavy load, and giving life-sustaining nutrients to the newly planted beds. We watched in anticipation as the run-off headed in rivulets down the hill, but the barrier Wolf had formed, diverted it perfectly into the ditch he had dug.
We needed to buy gas for Cary’s car and to top up the internet stick, which Cary has lent us, so that we can send our emails. We set off in the pouring rain to a nearby shopping center. While we waited for the activation of the internet-stick, we visited a fabulous little coffee shop called “Java Vine” where we sipped a welcoming Chai Tea Latte, nibbled on delicious Tappas, and chatted to the friendly ex-Edmonton couple who own the shop. They moved to Roatan 18 months ago and told us they would never go back. They love Roatan…
We made arrangements to take Cary out with us to dinner to celebrate our anniversary and she made reservations at the “Heritage Pearl” After a strenuous, but rewarding day of work in the garden we would have happily stayed at home for a quiet meal and a restful evening in front of the TV. By the time we left for dinner it was still pouring, we drove to the restaurant and were not surprised to find that we were their only patrons.
The place was wonderful, great atmosphere, good service, and excellent food – A wonderful way to end another perfect day.
2nd November 2012…
Our morning was spent gardening and supervising the planting of Charlotte’s contribution. At 11:00am Gary asked us whether we would like to go with him to the little school which their church built and sponsors. Charlotte was teaching for the day, and he was going to fetch her. I was keen to see the bilingual school and to meet the teachers who are missionaries. They have made Roatan their home and find their work rewarding and satisfying.
At the school we met the principle and a local mother, who is an artist and has an art gallery along the way home, so we stopped to see her paintings. She is self-taught and very talented. Brittney has a unique style; capturing the essence of Roatan Island life, and its colourful people.
We had made plans for a realtor to show us a few places and give us an idea of what one could buy here on Roatan. He had selected a few options starting with a gorgeous 2 bedroom European style house on a hill overlooking the ocean. Priced at $190,000 fully furnished, it definitely was very comfortable and conveniently located across the road from a strip mall where the realtor had his real estate offices and his internet business. He lets office space to business people which includes a secretarial service as well as high-speed internet. We had heard of an ex South African who is selling his restaurant because his wife has been offered a high-paying position as Finance Manager for a prominent bank in Pretoria and she wants to go back to her family.
We met Adrian and chatted in Afrikaans for a while, as he told us his sad story. He loves Roatan – his business is great, doing really well and is located in Lawson Rock Estate – a large gated community on the ocean-front. He caters to the residents as well as to many ex-pats who frequent his well run, established business. The Hungry Kiwi’s specialty is breakfast; Adrian boasts about his “all-day-breakfast” and said that we should come and try it some time. His business is advertised for $79,000 and is also a good opportunity.
Steve, the realtor, then took us to see a large one-bedroom luxury condo which is for sale in the same complex as “the Hungry Kiwi”. We stepped in and were immediately flabbergasted and astounded at the opulence – The developers have spared no costs. Everything is modern and high-end… the fittings are the very best – the kitchen is over-the-top and the bathroom is outstanding. It is truly spacious, it could easily have been made into 2 bedrooms, but they decided to add more space to the overall layout. At $240,000 it is a real bargain. The complex has 3 communal swimming pools, beautiful manicured lawns and landscaped tropical gardens. It is built to withstand earthquakes and hurricanes, has 24hour security, is on a gorgeous private beach, a short way from the reef and will soon have a Hotel, which will increase the potential for the restaurant. We were impressed. The only downside we could see was the home-owner’s levy which is a whopping $800 per month.
Wolf and I took Cary’s car and drove to the supermarket. It is called Eldons and is also in West Bay. We walked into this spotless, massive, well-organised supermarket which is stocked with everything one would require, at inexpensive prices. Obviously the groceries which are imported from the States are more than the local goods but we found the prices reasonable and selection adequate.
We arrived back excited. Roatan easily checks all the boxes on our want-list of best places to snow-bird to, or to relocate to and start a business. Gary and Charlotte were waiting for us. It was their last night in Roatan and they wanted to take us out to dinner.
We headed to a rustic little wooden, Colonial Style, place on stilts and sat out on the patio. The Blue Parrot is owned and run by a Jamaican lady by the name of Annie. Her food is renowned across the Island. Charlotte told us that as soon as they land on Roatan they head for the Blue Parrot; the chef knows her favourite dish and doesn’t need to ask what she wants. I decided to go with her choice which was Curry Chicken on a bed of jasmine rice with sautéed crunchy vegetables and … oh my gosh! I was not disappointed. It was yummy! I want to go back for sure for another helping before we leave.
We met a few expats there and they said they eat there regularly. We see expats from all over the world wherever we go. This really is a good place to be. We are having fun – enjoying the warm weather despite the bugs; which are attacking Wolf constantly. Not sure whether they are mozzies, fleas, or no-see-ems…