Author’s note: This post is part of my series on my recent trip to Honduras. To read past posts on Honduras, click here.
I woke up to the rising sun at the crack of dawn. It was hardly even five am yet I could no longer sleep. I kept peeking outside the closed wooden shades as the sun painted the world around me. I could hardly wait for the day ahead.
The night before I had arranged for a half day island tour with my own personal driver. I had read about the traditional Garifuna villages and wanted to see them. As I’m not one to sit around lounging in the sun, I thought a tour would quench my thirst of curiosity about the island.
My ride would arrive at ten o’clock so I’d have time for a quick snorkel in the reef before he arrived. I laid in bed until half past six and then had to get out and explore the cay in the daylight. It was even more beautiful than I had imagined.
The harbor. Dive boats were getting ready for the first morning dive at 8 am.
One thing I loved so much about Roatan was the never ending amounts of sensational, colorful flowers. The flowers of the tropics were refreshing to my hungry eyes.
I decided to take a walk around the tiny Barefoot Cay and check it all out. I boarded my taxi ferry over to the cay and as soon as I stepped off, I felt like I was on my own private island. The world was still asleep yet the friendly parrot, Chacarron was well awake and ready to talk to me.
Some lucky few come to Barefoot Cay via yacht or catamaran.
I couldn’t resist putting this clip in here even though I’m a bit annoying trying to coax the parrot to talk! But I’ve never quite heard a parrot talk like this before! And my kids loved it!
When I woke up in the morning I could hear Chacarron’s calls all the way from across the water. I initially thought it was a young child but as soon as I got on the cay and approached Chacarron’s tree, I realized my foolish mistake! I enjoyed playing with him for awhile and feeding him peanuts. I think he was lonely for some company.
After I was done playing with the friendly parrot who called after me every time I tried to walk away, I headed over to the beach to check out the ocean. It was a beautiful morning full of sunshine and joy. I love days like that!
I thought this would be a nice place to relax until I started getting attacked by the infamous sandflies!
Barefoot Cay and other parts of Roatan are known for their mangroves that grown at the edge of the beach. I found them beautiful.
I had to check out the cabana that laid peacefully over the ocean and above the reef. It was a place for peace and relaxation as well as the jumping off point for the reef.
Here is where you enter the reef. Right off the edge is an old sunken ship with lots of cool tropical fish.
I could lay here all day!
Out there is where the water is breaking against the reef. This is where the great snorkeling and diving is but it is a little bit of a hike.
I didn’t have time for going snorkeling, only for pictures and a hearty breakfast before my tour. Had I known that the day would turn outrageously windy and snorkeling would be challenging, I would have gone. Looking back, it is hard to believe such a perfect morning would turn so quickly into rain and wind. But that is the breaks with being on an island in rainy season!
Looking back at the verdant Barefoot Cay.
My lovely view from breakfast.
The pool, the ocean….everything was getting me so excited for the day ahead. But Barefoot Cay would have to wait until the afternoon as I had my island tour first. It was time to get my camera and notebook ready and see how the locals truly live in Roatan.
Stay tuned…
I enjoyed every bit of your post! Thank you so much!
You’re weclome! So glad you enjoyed!
It looks like such a relaxing, chilled place to hang out. Although I have to drag myself out of bed at 5am every morning at the moment, when I’m travelling I like to get up early and see everything before the crowds arrive.
I would do anything to be back there again! 🙂 5 am is awfully early to get up for work! What do you do?
I work in administration for a bank. Last year we ran out of desks, so some of us were asked to work earlier shifts so we could desk share with afternoon staff. It’s a drag in the winter, but in summer it’s nice because I can leave at 2pm!
I think I like that plan too! Getting out at 2 pm rocks!!!! I’ve enjoyed getting to know you more via blogging! 🙂 My job is here at home with the kids for now. I used to be in sales and traveled all the time but once I had kids, I quit. Too hard. Blogging and advocacy work is a wonderful outlet for me now. Next year my daughter will be in full day school so I’m excited to see what I can do with my more free time yet sad as I’ll miss having her around and my son is 8. 🙂
I think all the travelling and advocacy work you do is amazing, and I don’t know how you do it whilst raising two beautiful children! I used to travel a lot more – I lived and worked overseas for about 6 years. I could have carried on indefinitely, but almost five years ago I decided to come back to the UK to sort out some personal stuff. It’s been hard, but I’m starting to travel more again. My dream is to work freelance so that I can travel a lot more 🙂
Beautiful. And I love the video 🙂
Thanks! I thought it was silly. My kids loved it!
I’m in love with this place, Nicole. Your photos do it so much justice.
Thanks Jo! I would love to go back. A really special place!
Thank you so much for touring us to this beautiful place! Paradise!
🙂
I’d love to stay there Nicole! Gorgeous place!
I’d love to go back! Wish I could now!!!
Wow you are in paradise! Loved the morning sky, the beautiful photos and I fell in love with the parrot 🙂
Thanks so much! 🙂
I just stumbled upon your blog – I love seeing my home highlighted through such beautiful photos! Roatan is my current paradise and I’m reminded every morning just how lucky I am to live here. I’m so glad you enjoyed your visit 🙂
Cool! Yes, I was in Honduras in January for a volunteer trip in La Ceiba. I flew in and out of Roatan and loved it! It is such a beautiful place. 🙂 I hope to come back some day.