Improviser

It's been some time (maybe 15 years) since I last visited Roatan. I'm wondering if tourism has spoiled it now like so many other places.

Has anyone visited both that far back and currently and can give me their opinion on how things have changed? Pros/cons, general impressions.

mad

We were just there in February. It was our first visit, so can't give you a comparison. I would say West Bay is on the verge of being spoiled. There are cruise ships that come in several times during the week and you can imagine the issues that go along with that. The rest of the island, as far as what we saw, is still relatively undeveloped and very peaceful. We enjoyed staying in Sandy Bay at Tranquil Seas. The beach isn't as nice as West Bay, but it's a great spot for snorkeling/diving and avoiding the cruise ship crowds! The reef, aside from West Bay beach, is still spectacular.

Improviser

Thanks mad, doesn't sound too bad. When I was there, nary a cruise ship in sight. Nor all the condos I hear have gone up.

The same is true of the Turks and Caicos islands. In particular, Providenciales. While the natural attractions still remain, condo/timeshare has ruined it in many ways.

Katzgar

ruined is really very subjective. roads are paved, there is a clinic, wifi, vehicles, golf resort and lots of tourist places like resorts and restaurants. The 2 cruise ports dump the requisite cattle off. Fosters has a crowd wander through from each ship for their free watered down low shelf liquor. Look at it on gmaps to see how much development has occurred. For me it is generally ruined but you can find little pockets of no tourists. The food is still local and good at those water front shacks in Punta Gorda.

Katzgar

its not all negative. you sit at the bar and when the cruisers come in you start talking about the guy that a shark killed the day before. their expressions are priceless. You really need to go there or to Belize if you are a diver.

Improviser

Good point Katzgar re the sharks. As a sailor(as in sailboats), I've visited many a bar on many an island and had many a laugh at the jokes played on the gullible, of which cruise passengers probably rate fairly high on the list.


The comment I would make in the bar if someone started talking about a shark attack yesterday, goes like this.

First though picture the scene. You start telling cruise passengers about the shark that chopped the guy up. Bartender nods and says, "yeah, sad, sad, but it happens, life goes on" (playing along with you).

Then this guy (scruffy dressed in fades shorts, Beer brand advertising t-shirt, flip flops; in need of a shave, not to mention a haircut; sitting a few seats over at the bar sipping his cerveza and minding his own business, quietly but audibly says.

"Umm, that explains it." "Explains what" a cruise passenger squeaks.
"Well yesterday as we were sailing into the harbour I saw a hand. I yelled to my wife that someone was drowning. But she said no, it was just a little wave. Must have been from the guy the shark got."

An old sailing joke but it would fit right in. LOL

But best of all sea stories I think, is not a joke but a true story (or maybe an urban/sea myth).


This is the actual transcript of a radio conversation between a British Navy ship and the Irish Coastguard, off the coast of Kerry, 1O.Oct 95

Irish. Please divert your course 15 degrees to the south, to avoid collision

British. Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees to the north, to avoid collision

Irish. Negative. You will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the south ' to avoid collision.

British. This is the Captain of a British Navy Ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.

Irish. Negative. I say again, you will have to divert YOUR course

British. THIS IS THE LARGEST SHIP IN THE BRITISH FLEET. WE ARE ACCOMPANIED BY 3 DESTROYERS, 3 CRUISERS, AND NUMEROUS SUPPORT SHIPS. I DEMAND THAT YOU CHANGE YOUR COURSE 15 DEGREES TO THE NORTH, OR COUNTERMEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS FLOTILLA.

Irish. THIS IS A LIGHTHOUSE ....... YOUR CALL!

Peter_S_Aus

Myth.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightho...l_urban_legend

Improviser

Ah yes, Peter probably but then again, could it be that the British Government in their embarassment have worked hard at telling everyone that it is a myth? You never know. ;-)

Denise_Weber

We go twice a year (just went this past April and are going back next Saturday) - Roatan is NOT spoiled at all!! It is just as beautiful with a few added "Western" conveniences and upgrades - like a paved road at West End and generators at most hotels (due to frequent power outages). Yes there is a golf course (The Black Pearl and Pristine Bay) but it is stunning and is actually watered with the sea water - a special grass they planted -
Also- I would ventured to say that some of the development has given the locals some steady employment that is and still is desperately needed.
Roatan is a beautiful island with a great mix of upgrades and unspoiled portions of the island