Thread: Roatan, Honduras

Just returned from Valor & Roatan. Very poor & undeveloped place. We did visit a beautiful beach called Fantasy Island & had a wonderful tour guide named Kimberly. The beach is kind of rustic & unspoiled by man. They have a gift shop, hotel, beach chairs, bars & restrooms. Hope some of you will go & enjoy......the local economy could use a boost. Guess we don't realize how good we have it until we visit a place like that.

Roatan is my favorite port in the Caribbean. We'll pay another visit to the orphanage there and take along a few supplies for them, which are always sorely needed and greatly appreciated.

We'll be making our third visit there NEXT fall on Sue and Bombero's CLF Group Cruise. (Great prices right now... join us, everyone!)

Is there a group still planning on going next summer to help out at the orphanage? My son is interested in receiving information. If you would email me lhall@cinci.rr.com with the link to put him on the list of those interested, I would appreciate it.
Merry Xmas and Happy Holidays to all!

My family lived in Roatan (West End) for 6 years. It's great that people want to help out the orphanage, but be very wary of people asking for donations on that island. Please make sure you see the money or goods get into the right hands, because it wouldn't be the first time someone donated to the people of the island, only to end up with the goods on a shelf at Warren's (the island grocery store), owned by one of the island's richest families.

After Hurricane Mitch, it was unbelievable how much Red Cross rice you could buy at Warrens. I'm not saying to not give, but be careful where it's going. A lot of times, it's not going where you think it's going.

The island is run by a few very powerful families, and in a lot of ways is one of the most corrupted places I've ever seen...but 10 minutes on the reef-wall in West Bay will make you fall in love with Roatan.

We are aware of them Jeff!!

Just making sure. I hope this isn't taken as a note to NOT help people. There is lots that can be done to help on that island, but some people just get taken for a ride there.

Cheers!
Jeff Birmingham
http://cruisejournals.com - Cruise Community Pages

Where do you live Jeff!!

I live in Victoria, BC. I'm in Montreal right now...but my family lived in West End for 6 years.

There is a group here with tentative plans to go there for a Week in July this summer.
One of the things we will be doing is helping with outreach distribution around the community... actually putting items (many of them donated by cruisers) directly into the hands of those most needing them.

That's great! There are lots of wonderful people on Roatan who could sure use some help.

Cheers!
Jeff Birmingham
http://cruisejournals.com