Other than diving?

[Nismo]

Looks like AKR will be my trip this year. Roatan just seems like a great place to go and a great value. My wife and I want to do more than diving. Curious if people had recommendations for things in Coxen Hole and French Harbour which seem to be two major spots of importance to the island. Since AKR is in Sandy Bay will explore that on foot. Thanks in advance.

 

[Doc]

French Harbour has two highly Americanized restaurants. Coxen Hole does have a couple three artsy galleries that come and go and a few touristy shops for Pod People who are too hard pressed to get to West End or Mahogany Bay.

Both villages have small US style grocery stores that have the famed Nicaraguan Rum Flor de Cana, as well as other items that may have potential as bring-back gifts. look for local spices including Cinnamon, Pepper, and three or more different Honduran coffees.

Sandy bay has no real mercantile, and its name is nothing more than a place name on the local maps. Other than the two towns mentioned, West End is about it for commerce. Oak ridge lies to the East about 40 minutes by car. The Macy's there closed last season.

It's kinda' tough to spend money on tangible objects in Roatan, most certainly anything of Honduran origin.

There are a few other "adventure" type activities easily accessed from AKR including horseback riding, the Dolphin show, canopy tours, Iguana farm, that kind of thing.

 

[Nismo]

Didn't see Mahogany Bay. Anything good there or is it not worth our time? Would love to get something locally made. In Cozumel got a wood carving and some maracas for our son. Bonaire got some sea salt that was about it, not exactly a bustling cultural center. Wood like some local art of some kind. Paintings, carvings what ever. Definitely gonna get some coffee to take home. AKR seems like a good spot to be in order to get to a lot of things. Will go to West End for an evening though. How late are the stores open and what's a good locally inspired restraunt to go to.

 

[Doc]

Didn't see Mahogany Bay. Anything good there or is it not worth our time?

It's kind of a mousetrap built by wealthy locals to draw the Pod People away from the poor locals. They are so well connected that a new cruise ship dock will be built there, they will have their very own Dolphin Pester as well. It is located just East of the Airport, find Dixon Cove on the map. Curiously... a pasty white tourist leg away from Cara a Cara- the big Shark Rodeo on Roatan.

Would love to get something locally made.

There are some things to buy, but I gotta tell you- it's tough to spend money on anything made in Honduras other than beer.

Wood like some local art of some kind. Paintings, carvings what ever.

I am kind of spoiled, the place I go to on Roatan, the artists come to us. It's a bit like a juried art show, each day 1 or two artist/vendors show up with handmade, or sewn and batik things. One of the more highly touted artists got his start right there at CoCoView, Enrique started as a DM, now he and his wife make elegant glass jewelry and appear at most of the resorts.

There is one Black Coral guy (Oscar) who buys his materials as by-catch from Shrimp Boats. (I have a Black Coral & Shark tooth charm, but I refuse to eat Shrimp...(rant) fight the source, not the symptom). Oscar says he was the actual craftsman who did the Black Coral for the famed and wealthy Bernie Pessman of Grand Cayman. Oscar has simple $15 forms in the shape of hearts or Whale tails, up to exotic $400+ creations. He will do absolute custom work as well.

There are also people who harvest and sell shells. I try to avoid them as these are intentionally and selectively harvested individually by hand. Conch shells, for years a standard bring home gift, are now forbiodden by US Customs. There are still clowns running around Roatan selling Turtle shell products and pitiful dried Seahorses.

There are a couple of ladies, Veronica is one, who make nice clothes from flour sacks. She also works the airport. Some are simple and light, some are intricate works of art fit to be framed.

Ask who is doing Batik, it used to be lisa from Marble Hill. I'm sure someone is keeping up the franchise. Look for Marble Hill spices- not sure if they are still produced.

If you can find Miss Pauline from First Bight- she sells things that the kids from the school have made. It might be something as simple as beaded bean necklaces to hand painted papier mache masks.


Definitely gonna get some coffee to take home. AKR seems like a good spot to be in order to get to a lot of things.

AKR attracts the merchants as well. Hey- don't forget that Flor de Cana Rum. Smal 350ml bottles cost almost nothing- and don't worry about US Customs. They're really not so worried about a two bottle limit- more concerned about overall quantity- just list it as 10 bottles, 350ml. Anyone would know they are for little gifts, not commercial. Just scrounge packing material- they'll give you cardboard and newspaper.

Shopping for gifts? Always pack a roll of clear plastic packing tape for your treasures!

Will go to West End for an evening though. How late are the stores open

Interesting, but be aware that it's mostly Guatemalan imports. Not that this is bad, but just so you know. Again- check around in Coxen Hole. I have been surprised more than once by a new bodega that has popped up and is offering something local and unusual.

and what's a good locally inspired restraunt to go to.

I'll invite others to join in on that and all of the other subjects above!

I did pay $4 for a rusty Bay Islands license plate that some guy found on the side of the road. Didn't even haggle. Just smiled. I mean really- how many people have one of those?

 

[CheddarChick]

"I did pay $4 for a rusty Bay Islands license plate that some guy found on the side of the road. Didn't even haggle. Just smiled. I mean really- how many people have one of those?"
Doc Adelman

I can just see you with your prized possession.......In the airport trying to get it thru customs....
You make me smile.....
Hope to be Roatan bound in Feb 09

 

[Nismo]

Thanks for the input! Never heard the term pod people before. I like the license plate idea. Got one in Bonaire. They sell them in the airport which I thought was funny. I love rum so will try that too. I saw that CCV has artists come to them which I thought was really nice. May have to consider them again.