Roatan

Thursday, June 4th, 2009. When we first arrived at Roatan…we sailed down to and entered French Harbor. This island is 2 miles wide and 35 miles long, so while Guanaja is not that far away from the tip of Roatan…where we wanted to go (French Harbor) was 35 miles! We were able to sail for about half of that…then motor sail. We arrived in good light to miss the shallow reefs and then view the deeper ones as we went over them (VERY clear water here)!! We were trying to make a decision as to where we would have the boat when Matt arrived on Saturday. A couple we had met in Guanaja had recommended West End…on the northwest side of the island (around the bottom tip of the island and up a few miles). We picked up a Roatan Marine Park buoy (marked RMP) behind the reef and Big and Little French Cay…but after noticing two other boats had a buoy AND had dropped their anchor…we decided to do the same. Hugo off the deck and in the water…we went into town motoring up to another ketch first to stop and get what information we could. Before we left for town, Lee was invited to happy hour aboard the Lady H. As we passed these homes…Paul mentioned that this was not at all what he was expecting when he thought of Roatan…we walked along a paved road for a couple of blocks, THEN we got to the grocery store! The BEST store we had gone to…practically since the U.S.!!! Wow, unbelievable selection and "normal" stuff!!Friday morning we motored the Lady H over to West End through the narrow opening in the reef (marked by buoys thank heaven – or the RMP) and picked up another RMP mooring in front of another Amel. Only four other boats! We went in to town to check it out…swung by the Amel first…got to chatting…and were invited to happy hour aboard their boat! Once into town we were both relieved…VERY cute area of small shops (many dive shops) and different kinds of restaurants…only small grocery stores…but we could make due! We went by the Roatan Marine Park office, donated, got our wrist bands AND a wonderful book of the dive sites! We went in to West End Divers, chatted with them, and decided that they were to fill our tanks for the duration! I was a little on edge…having my first student (Matt) and not ever have been diving in this area!! Saturday Paul went to the airport and I stopped by another dive shop that was an IDC (Instructor Development Center). I asked where was the best spot for Confined Water instruction…they believed Half Moon Bay…and so it began! To make Sunday through Wednesday shorter…Matt was a great student…he was certified PADI Open Water Scuba Diver on Wednesday!On his Open Water Dive #3 we went out to a wall and looked over…I could see he was pleased! Thursday, Paul, Matt and I went on a dive! Finally I could go diving and take my camera and think about taking pictures…not my student!Flash decided to act up…darn!But look really closely at this Peacock Flounders mouth...He/she was having LUNCH!!! Friday morning we went on one additional dive…Lighthouse Reef…and ALL three of us truly enjoyed this dive! Matt had my Canon camera…I had my Olympus…AND my flash worked... so of course pictures that I like! We spotted turtles…and of course as we were doing our safety stop over the reef (15-20 feet of water), Matt and his dad hunted lobster! No lobster dinner however as it is not lobster season here yet…but oh, how much fun they had together hunting for them!! So, thank you again Matt for being my first student…for taking the leap of faith…trusting me (and your equipment) under the water! I hope you will continue to relax and enjoy for many years! And, for now... goodbye Roatan…we are off to Utilla!