Excursion.

Orlando can be seen on some early morning beach walks. We'll notice him first by the cage-type structure floating a little way offshore. Then we'll see him coming up out of the water with his snorkel.

One day not long ago we asked Orlando to tell us about his fishing. That conversation led to the typical #1 question: How long are you two in Roatan?

And then the routine discussion about our house-hunt once we explain that we've moved here permanently. Orlando said he wanted to show us some land and we agreed to meet up yesterday (Thursday). 

Just as I was getting ready to throw some bacon in the hot cast iron skillet perched on that tiny propane gas stove, Orlando was at our window. Ready to go. As agreed! 

After a quick kitchen clean-up, we piled in the truck and set off for an excursion we will never forget. Where we went are places you'd never venture into without a guide. But I believe we met the true essence of Roatan. 

Here is the story from Mike's perspective:

We met a fisherman on the beach during the morning walk. He spoke in the Island tongue, which was English - but with a dialect, I could capture 3-6 words of a sentence. Enough to piece it together, or ask him to repeat for capturing a few more words.

In our morning meeting on the beach, two or three times to date now, he asked where we were staying. We said we were looking for a property to buy and then build, or a home to buy. Had to have beach access, etc. 

He said he knew of a couple of places and would get in touch. 

Monday or Tuesday he came by the Lodge and found us. I told him not today, but maybe Thursday. 

Thursday morning he came by the Lodge and asked if we are ready to see the properties. 

I wasn’t “ready”, but Cathy stopped breakfast on the stove - secured the food so the dogs wouldn’t get into it. We got dressed then went out the door, leaving the fur babies at home. 

We went to our truck. Cathy sat in the back, Orlando sat in the front with me. 

Head West was the only direction given.

Wow - we went for 2-3 miles. “Turn here” as I passed the road to turn. Brakes! Reverse! Motorcycle and car coming up behind me - turn signal (they rarely see here), then we went where Orlando said to turn.

I had NO IDEA where we were going or what was to be found. I was SHOCKED to discover this was a neighborhood I would never have known about if it weren’t for Orlando.

If you study this photo - we drove on the ‘Main Road’ of Diamond Rock Road.

The turn-off is a grade down a dirt path to the North (towards the red and blue circles).

There is one spot where I tried the highlighter, which is an “Iron Shore” eruption. A Corral Reef outcropping, coming out of the earth. The Locals have filled the holes and cracks with dirt, so it doesn’t interfere with driving or walking over the area. The first stop was at a vacant lot where his family owns the area. His sisters’ family has a dory/dugout canoe under the home. The mode of transportation for lifes’ tasks.

There is a clearing that was recently leveled of long/tall grass. Likely with a machete or sickle.

A bit unclear, but I believe he was saying the lot can be built upon, like a (very) small home, but we can also build a dock around or through the mangroves, as long as we don’t disturb or upset the mangroves ~ that was great, to hear they understand the importance and conservation of them.

He took us to a second location, where the water emerged in front of us. It was on the edge of the Mangrove Forest.

Taking the planked walkway over the water, it was so peaceful. 

There were two hogs in pens along the walkway.

Then a little bend emerged a wooden structure/home and a protected boat tied to the plank-made pier. 

The structure was the “kitchen” cooking location for La Champa Restaurant.  The restaurant was on a palapa, over the water, in the lagoon. 

Amazing.    

What was more impressive was that the separate bathroom area/was like an outhouse of NE Ohio. It had running water, a flushable toilet, and it was plumbed with the kitchen to a septic system back on the land. 

The area was so peaceful, our ears were aching with the silence. 

After leaving this location, Orlando asked if we liked boating? Of course! He took us to another lot for sale in this area. 

He traveled another offshoot road we had passed on the way in. After the muddy path/trail, what emerged was a compound, with a raised palapa, boats, piers, and parking. 

Apparently, this could be best described as a Marina - Roatan style. It was in the mangrove area. It had a manmade break wall to prevent any water surge or intrusion from wakes. There were a couple of makeshift piers set up and a shack/palapa with a sound system for a band or loudspeakers. 

The guy inside the compound met with Orlando as we wondered about the area.

 

Orlando had explained we were looking at some property and would need a place to shelter a boat.

The man was very kind and accommodating. 

Apparently, this is set up to enable someone like ourselves to “Lease” space - NOT to purchase - but to allow us to build our own Palapa, boat lift, or pier to dock a boat.

Interesting. 

The raised, second-floor palapa we were invited to walk up and the experience was amazing. The breezes, cleanliness, coolness in the May heat were incredible. 

There were no fans, windows, and the only ‘door’ was a bamboo framed contraption with wood logs nailed to it for sturdiness.

There were a number of boats, Pangas, in the grass, upon the land, available to buy. They only need the motor we’d desire. 

After this location, when we were leaving, Orlando had me stop along the road path where the property lot was for sale.

It was a decent little lot. About .10 of an acre, I would estimate. It is Old Roatan for sure. There was a Blue Crab going along the ground as we had disturbed him. 

After we finished viewing this landlocked lot, Orlando told me to drive out to the front. As we were going along, he said I can drop him off at the entrance here, and I would have to go East to get home. 

Apparently, he walked to the Lodge to meet with us? Monday AND Thursday? 

As I stopped and he was reaching for the door handle of the truck to exit, I slipped him a thank you $20 for taking the time to show us what he had available here. 

We will see him again soon, as he will likely be out on the water near Camp Bay Beach. Line fishing and I am sure, Lobstering when the season reopens in a couple of months. 

What an experience.