Today’s tidbit: “The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul.” – Wyland

I returned from South Africa in October, right before my sisters wedding. I couldn’t stay put for too long, heading on a cruise the end of February with my mom and sister. Leaving from Tampa, Florida we spent a week cruising to Roatan, Belize, Costa Maya and Cozumel… all places we had never been to. Since high school, I have gone with family on a few cruises visiting some Caribbean islands including: Antigua, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Curacao, San Juan, St. John, St. Lucia, St. Martin and St. Thomas. Each is beautiful and unique. I prefer getting out of the tourist area and really seeing the island and interacting with the locals and all that place offers, which is exactly what we did on this Western Caribbean cruise. In April I finished SA posts and I’m excited to finally share another adventure, starting with Roatan, Honduras.

Sneak peek image:

Be sure to click below to read more and check out more pictures. Enjoy!

{Flight + Florida}

After a brutal winter, it was time for some sun and warmth again! Enough jackets and being bundled up, could not wait to get to Tampa and unpack summer clothes… and not see snow!

Pictures below were taken during the flight, at our hotel where we stayed for 1 night, on the cruise ship sailing out of Tampa and the first night.

View from our hotel room window.

Goodbye Tampa.

Enjoying the beautiful sunset from our balcony.

I always love the towel critters!

{day at sea} We cruised the first night and all the next day was at sea. We enjoyed activities, the deck and pool… and sun!

The next day we arrived in beautiful Roatan. There was a chance of rain but we were fortunate to have a clear day.

{Roatan, Honduras} Roatan is a Gem in the Bay Islands of Honduras.

“Roatan is the largest of the Bay Islands. Its rolling hills and mountains, with a maximum altitude above sea level of approximately 900 feet, makes every piece of property virtually a unique ocean view lot. The island is completely surrounded by a large reef system, part of the Mesoamerican reef which boasts the largest marine biodiversity in the world and is part of the second longest barrier reef in the World, extending itself from the Bay Islands in Honduras on the south end to the Mexican islands of Contoy, Isla Mujeres and Cozumel to the North.” Read more.

My mom had booked a private tour guide for this day, so as soon as we got off the ship we had a full day of exciting adventures planned… including an iguana & marine park, monkey park, horseback riding on the beach and enjoying West Bay and snorkeling.

{Arch’s Iguana & Marine Park} 

“All local Roatan students and teachers are allowed to enter the gardens free of charge. Teachers are encouraged to use the Garden’s to teach students the importance of conservation and introduce “hands on” projects that will allow students to gain a better understanding of how nature works.” Read more.

It was a neat experience to see all the iguana up close as they scurried around, especially during feeding time, and lounged in the trees.

{Driving + scenic views} A few pictures taken as we drove from Arch’s and headed to a monkey park.

{Monkey park} This little guy was so cute. We all went in the enclosed area and he literally leapt in the air and landed on us, going back and forth. It was hard to get him to sit for a minute to get a picture. The guide who was with us had the camera. As I learned in SA, they like to take things so I made sure to take off my sunglasses and leave everything else outside the enclosure.

Eyeing my moms phone.

{Ranch + horseback riding} I have always wanted to ride on the beach and was fortunate to be able to do that here! Allie has ridden Bailey a few times so is some what comfortable riding… and my mom got over her fear, after lots of convincing, and finally rode. Here’s proof!

After a long ride along a narrow road and through the beach town we made it to part of the beach that allowed horses. Since I had experience riding they put me on a more energetic guy so it was a challenge to take pictures but we manage to get a few, thanks to a local on the beach. Allie’s was a slow poke and mine did not want to stand still, which made trotting along the beach fun!

{West Bay Beach}

After an amazing ride along the beach we headed back through the town and narrow road to the ranch. It was wonderful! The sun decided to come out and it was quite hot by now so next on the agenda was going in the water! Spectacular weather, sand, sun, water and snorkeling. Perfect!

We managed to fit a lot into one day! Cruising has it’s pros and cons, you’re able to see many places but often you wish there was more time. Roatan is definitely somewhere I’d love to go back to.

Back on ship we enjoyed a coconut drink and watched the sunset from the ship deck before getting ready and heading to dinner.

Such a fun day exploring and what a beautiful island! Check back next week as we head to Belize.