Excursion: Camp Bay Lot #10

Photo shot while standing on the vacant Lot #10, looking at the Caribbean Sea

We discovered this vacant lot for sale yesterday morning. We pass by it every morning on our walk down the beach. It is one-half mile from where we are staying at Camp Bay Lodge. We never knew there was anything for sale in this fantastic area, until we saw it in the MLS.

We were pretty excited at first. We love the beach here, and the Caribbean Sea sightline goes on forever. I'd never get tired of looking at that.

Lot #10 is "second row." In the first photo, the lot you see beyond the truck is vacant (but not for sale) so, for now, there are unobstructed views!

There is also a vacant lot between this one and the next which has a little beach cottage on it.

The fence you see borders the property and is the same fence we see every morning on our walk:

Imagine seeing that every morning, just steps from the front door. Better yet, imagine being able to walk this beach for the rest of our lives!

The lot is small at 0.28 of an acre. That feels like a loss since our original plan included four acres of land. So to help keep perspective, we started a Pros & Cons sheet for each property we see.

Mike is so outgoing, which is a really good thing since I am not. I would never stop someone and start asking all kinds of questions. Lucky for us, Mike has no problem with that and so we are constantly surprised with what our days can bring!

As we were tooling around (Lot #10 is set back in the jungle, quite a distance from the main road), Mike stopped our truck to speak to a woman on the side of the little road that winds through these lots. She pointed to her home, which is beachfront and one we often admire on our walks. We asked many questions about the area and she so graciously answered them all! 

Then she invited us in to see her home! I never stop being amazed at the kindness and generosity of these local islanders. I would guess her to be in her mid-forties. She is quite beautiful- tall and willowy, dark-skinned with hair nearly to her waist. Her entire demeanor is soft yet you know she has to be tough as nails to be a native Roatanian. 

I wish I had pictures of her house. She and her husband built it about three years ago and it is of the pod style we are most interested in. There is a pod for the general living space. Her son was in there doing schoolwork. There are 3 separate bedroom pods, each with a small bathroom and closet. The bedrooms have doors that lead out to a balcony that overlooks the Sea. There was a room for the cistern. All of these pods connect to the main living area, set under a thatch palapa roof. Here we found hammocks and comfortable chairs for relaxing.

Interesting fact: During email correspondence with our host when I was asking what he knew about Lot #10, he mentioned this family and apparently the husband is "famous (or notorious) on the island depending on how you have gotten on with him." The things you learn.

More importantly, we also learned this: 

"I am not sure if anyone told you this yet, but the large parcel of land between the Lodge and those houses is owned by Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones.  They are getting ready to build some kind of large resort/residential development on that land. Just wanted you to be aware of that in case it would make a difference in your decision."  

Ah, yep, that does make a difference. The Lodge being a half mile away with the kitesurfer activity of people coming and going concerned us a bit, but knowing that the vast uninhabited stretch we love on this beach will someday be no more . . . yeah, that negatively impacts us.

Back to the drawing board, but first I must tell you about the man and his horse!

We see this young guy nearly every day riding his horse on the beach and alongside where we live. We always wave to each other. Yesterday we met Elon for the first time. Such a charming young guy, although older than I originally thought. Conversation with the islanders always comes around to the fact that we are not visiting but have moved here and are looking for a permanent home. You could see the ideas running through Elon's mind as we spoke. His parting words were, "I'll find you the property and come to work for you! I can do anything you need." Fist bump.

These people. I think they are half the reason we are here. I am aware each time I meet a native islander that I read no judgment in their eyes. Of course we've met some scammers, just as you would anywhere. People trying to get by. Life has become more difficult for the people of Roatan since one of their main sources of income lies in the tourism industry, and they must survive as they best know how. But for the most part, when I look into a local woman's eyes as I did with Sarita yesterday, I get a sense of genuine caring. An offer to bond. An opportunity for friendship.

I guess that was a little off the topic of house-hunting, but that was our yesterday. Oh, I did forget to mention the bats - - -

- - - While we were talking in the general area all of the pods meet, there were bats everywhere! Swooshing, flying here and there between the pods! I said, "aren't they supposed to be sleeping during the day?" Our friend just smiled. So now, for a girl with a lifelong fear/distaste for bats (that would be me), I did well to appreciate them and not react. I just stood there watching their antics, feeling the rush of wind from their wings, and silenting thanking them for all they do to keep the bug population down. 

I'm learning.