About Genny Ross-Barons

Recent Posts by Genny Ross-Barons

Bananarama Sundays on Roatan’s West Bay Beach

A good friend shared with me a fable of—“A laughing Child of God hides in a Tiki Torch, while the Sun Family should be getting ready to go to bed.”

On Roatan there are many hidden children who you can join in on helping support; every Sunday, at Banarama, West Bay Beach! And you’ll have a heck of a lot of fun too!

Proceeds and donations support the efforts of Familias Saludables; a non-profit, non-denominational organization devoting to fighting AIDS on Roatan. Their major focus is on reducing the incidence of mother-to-child transmission of the virus both at birth and via breast milk. To help achieve this goal, Baby Formula is provided to the new mothers, thereby reducing the odds of transmission.

Every day of the week is fun on West Bay Beach, just be sure on Sunday to stroll across the warm sugar soft white sand to Bananarama for 4 PM when Kristofer and the Kultura Band perform an eclectic selection of songs that celebrate the Island of Roatan, and classic tunes that will have you on your feet dancing (or at the very least tapping toes and singing along.) Later in the evening, George Adams will start playing and singing for your listening pleasure.

Watch a sand-sculpture masterpiece being created, or perhaps create your own!

Enjoy some ice-cream, grab a burger and beverage!

And when someone comes by your table with a bucket of Hermit Crabs be sure to buy a few… don’t worry you don’t have to keep them as a pet; giving them a cute name… like HERMY, or anything like that!

Just choose the ones you think will be the best racers, and you could win some great prizes!

Once the crabs are done racing; the garland of roses has been placed around the winning crabs necks (kidding, they just hide in their shells when anybody tries to put it on them), the photos have been taken, the prizes have been handed out; it is time for more spectacular entertainment when…

Fire Dancers take to the beach!

What a fantastic way to spend a Sunday on Roatan. Not only do you get to join in on the fun, and (maybe) win some great prizes… you get to help Familias Saludables help the hidden children of Roatan! Additional donations of Baby Formula, newborn diapers & infant clothing is always appreciated and distributed to those who need it most.

More pictures of Sunday at Bananarama, West Bay Beach, can be seen: here!

Hockey Night in Canada on Roatan

Yup, you read the title correctly—today’s insider view of day to day life on the Island of Roatan, nestled in the Caribbean Sea, is about NHL ice hockey!

When I was growing up in Ontario, Canada, hockey was the sport of choice. From a young age most EVERYONE watched and/or played hockey. Backyards would be flooded, and then left to freeze over, in anticipation of lacing up the skates to get out there and play. Arenas: with one and sometimes two, ice rinks could be found in every community.

Even when a suitable surface to wear skates wasn’t available, it was typical to see two hockey nets (goals) set up on the road in neighbourhoods—game on! Mind you, it would get regularly interrupted when someone yelled; “CAR!” and the nets had to be moved aside so a vehicle could pass.

I never played hockey, couldn’t skate worth a darn—but I was always an eager spectator. I got to see my first NHL (pre-season game) at the Kitchener Auditorium when I was only 8 or 9 and my first NHL (regular-season game) at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto when I was 12. I was hooked on hockey! And yes—a Toronto Maple Leafs fan—stop snickering please!

For many years, I rarely missed a game. I didn’t get to see live ones too often, but still enjoyed watching them from home.

There was a period of time when I didn’t watch hockey very much anymore (kids at home, career, etc.) and I did lose track. Then I moved to Roatan, and well, I didn’t give hockey much of a thought; tropical island: white sand beaches, swaying palm trees and all that—if my yard gets flooded it sure as heck isn’t going to freeze over! And yet, I’m glad to let you know—NHL hockey is here! So was the Canada Wins Gold Olympic Hockey Game!

Just head over to Sundowner’s, West End, Roatan, Honduras to watch a game. Order a beverage (and perhaps a burger or wrap) at the bar, then make your way to the semi-big screen TV under the palm tree, kick off your flip-flops and settle in to watch a game with fellow hockey fans. It can be a tad distracting at times though… when from behind the TV—a cruise ship can be seen sailing by on its way to its next port of call! Oh, and if you’re not a Leafs fan, best to keep that to yourself—the Box Seat holder’s might “Hab” you, and you’ll be delegated to move the “standing room only” area!

In Canada, when hockey season is over it’s time for golf. The only difference on Roatan… you can go golfing the same day you watch a NHL hockey game! No waiting for the ice to melt!

FYI: Some of the Box Seat holders here on Roatan are organizing a Road Hockey Tournament to raise funds for kid in need, to teach those who are unfamiliar with the fine art of hockey, and to just plain have some fun!

Boards will be set up outlining the rink—can’t have balls rolling across the beach and into the Caribbean Sea don’t you know. Advertizing space on these boards is available! Donations and sponsors (corporate: Tim Horton’s, Canadian Tire, Scotia Bank, TD, Royal, Sunwing Charters, Home Hardware—wink wink—nudge nudge, and individual hockey fans like you) of hockey related prizes and helping get stuff to the Island (can’t buy hockey sticks here) are also welcomed and appreciated. All sponsors will be recognized in a future story that will be posted on Roatan Vortex and on the Roatan Vortex Show on 101.1 FM Roatan Radio.

How About Those Bugs in my Pasta?

I love a good movie, sitting in a comfy seat, surround sound engulfing me, munching on popcorn, chewing Red Twizzlers, and gulping a large Coca-Cola. As for going to a LIVE production… you can’t beat them, I’m partial to plays; drama, comedy, musical—they all work for me. But alas, those aren’t available on Roatan.

Then there are those things that are a part of living on Roatan, I’d rather weren’t, but I’ve gotten use to them… more often than not… they involve… BUGS!

WARNING: The following information is not for the squeamish or faint of heart! Graphic descriptions of bugs (and other critters) wreaking havoc is described in great detail. The information within this commentary is based on fact and may cause nightmares, or worse yet… scare you off from visiting and/or moving to Roatan.

Kidding! It’s not that bad… actually pretty funny stuff… a few encounters did require doing the “heebee jeebee” dance before I laughed though.

Lizards (including Geckos)
They are everywhere! Once I got used to them, I realized it was a good thing that they like to hang out in my cabana! They are faster than any flyswatter I can buy. It is quite entertaining to watch them stalk their prey… then lunge… the flies don’t stand a chance, as the lizard chomps on their tiny wings and body.

As for my personal encounters with lizards: When I opened a kitchen cupboard, and unbeknownst to me there was a gecko on the back side of the door, I definitely did the “heebee jeebee” dance when the gecko flew through the air (I had no idea I opened cupboard doors with such force) and wound up… going down my shirt!

The only other issue I have with lizards is that they poop everywhere! Now, their fecal matter is not that big, and it doesn’t smell. But, sheesh… why does one always come by (after I’ve made the bed) and poop on my freshly laundered sheets!

Ants
Did you know that 9 out 10 ants prefer FreshMint Pepsodent over WinterFresh Pepsodent? I do, when I have to rinse them off my toothbrush, and from around the edge of the cap. What does that tell you about how much sugar’s in toothpaste!

Army ants are my favourite; I never know when they will arrive, but when they do… what a show! They march (of course they do, they’re army ants) up the stairs by the thousands, then break off into numerous lines, the scouts in the lead, as they enter the cabana. Please don’t try to stop them with bug spray, leave the chemical warfare to eradicate the odd scorpion that may wander in. We’re too big for army ants to bother with anyhow. Just stay out of their way and they will (within an hour or so) hunt down, and cart away EVERY bug in your home! Then, as orderly as they came in… they leave!

Bats
I’ve got enough material and photos to do an entire story on bats, but for the purposes of this one, I’ll keep it brief.

Bats are good! They do a mighty fine job of keeping the mosquito population down. But, the bats, that we have many of on Roatan, are also partial to fruit. So when they’re not winging around at night, swooping in and catching mosquitoes, they are snatching fruit from trees and bringing it to my front porch, where they hang upside down in the rafters to dine. Bits and pieces of peel and pulp are carelessly dropped. The big finally is when they have nibbled away as much as they can… the bat drops the pit, which lands with a loud “clank” then rolls around for a while. Sweeping up after them in the morning wouldn’t be so bad, except they also (frequently) use their dining room as a bathroom too!

I have done battle with the bats for a long time, trying all kinds of contraptions to encourage them to roost elsewhere… nothing worked, until about ten months ago when I devised a plan, assembled the necessary tools and products, and now I can say the rafters above my cabana porch are BAT FREE! Okay, except for that one little guy, that I still have to do something about. Stay tuned for the complete story on how to get rid of the bat in your rafters.

Bugs in my Pasta
It’s warm on Roatan pretty much all the time (of course it is, being in the tropics), an ideal climate for bugs to do their thing—and they like to hang out in sealed packages of dry pasta! The pasta I purchase at the grocery store I inspect for signs of the beasts, more often than not I won’t see any. A dead-giveaway that they will appear soon is if the edges of the noodles are whitish grey, with a chalky dust settled in the bottom of the bag—I’ll put that package back on the shelf and hunt for a fresher one. But, even when I choose one that appears to be bug free, by the time I dump the pasta into a pot of boiling water… there they are, hundreds of them… floating to the surface.

It has been suggested that I should skim them off at this point… I don’t know about that! Once I’ve seen them cooking along with my pasta… I kinda lose my appetite. Instead, I’ve gotten into the habit of dumping the dry pasta into the strainer (that I’ve got ready in the sink) and shake out the bugs before I cook it, watching them scurrying around, as I turn on the tap, and flush them down the drain. Works for me!

Bees
Roatan is not swarming with bees, if anything efforts are in progress to encourage more. Bees are definitely good, and have a very important role when it comes to pollinating plants. I’ve not had any trouble with them nesting in my cabana, but I did witness what was done when a large nest was discovered behind an outside wall at the Municipal Office in Coxen Hole.

I was there bright and early Monday morning to pay my property taxes (that too warrants a story of its own.) While I stood at the counter… waiting, and… waiting, and… waiting, I glanced toward the (glass doors) entrance. The people outside preparing to enter the Municipal Office were frantically waving their arm, swatting and shaking off BEES, that I caught glimpses of through a cloud of smoke that was wafting by.

Oh my God! Is this it… Have African Killer Bees made their way to Roatan? Are we under attack?! Or perhaps there is a film crew outside, and the bees are just prop-bees, the people trying to enter the building are actors in a movie being shot about what would happen if African Killer Bees DID make it to Roatan!

And then I saw him—an empty onion sack pulled over his head, a bucket of smoking coals clutched in his hand. He climbed the ladder, propped against the outside wall, fighting his way past the tangle of electrical lines strung between the hydro poles. In preparation for his attack, a 4×8 section of wall had been removed, exposing a massive bee’s nest! “Onion Sack Head Man” did manage to retrieve chunks of honeycomb (using the smoke to calm the bees) before he switched to a can of RAID!

Getting out of the Municipal Building to return to my vehicle proved to be quite the challenge—dodging angry bees, and other frantic pedestrians anxious to get where they had to go without getting stung!

I made it to the Municipal Parking Lot, and before I drove away, I took a moment to wander to the far end of the lot to gaze at why I choose Roatan.

So what if I have to put up with bugs in my pasta!

Super Bowl Sunday at Infinity Bay

This is one of those postings that instead of me babbling on and on trying to find the best words to describe another spectacular day on Roatan… I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves… sorta. You know, “a picture’s worth a 1000 words” and all that!

The one thing I will preface the pictures with is a little intro into Infinity Bay Spa & Beach Resort located on West Bay Beach, Roatan, Honduras. When I first moved to Roatan in 2007 I really didn’t need a calendar to keep track of day to day happenings… as they came up they got included. But if I did have a calendar I would have noted every Sunday as “Infinity Bay Beach Day!”

Click on this last picture to see full-screen size!

The Roatan Triathlon 2011 in Action

I’ve shared–obvious, and not so obvious benefits of living on Roatan, then there are the spectacular International news worthy events! 2011 Roatan ITU Triathlon Pan American Cup

The fun started on Friday, January 21, 2011:

Expo and Registration – 2:00 to 5:00 PM – At Henry Morgan.

Free Tour of the Course – 3:00 PM.

Sunset Gathering – 5:00 PM – On beach.

Opening Ceremony – 5:30 PM – On beach.

A weather system had moved in, churning up the Caribbean Sea (in front of West Bay Beach) that is more often than not, as smooth as a sheet of glass.

The kids had fun, frolicking in the waves crashing ashore and the parasailing was pretty good too! And the sunset, well… it put on a show second to none!

The winners take center stage!

Just as it had been on Friday, the waves were still rolling in, bring in a little seaweed too.

This didn’t hamper the progress of the kid’s in the mini-triathlon and beach run.

The wind did give them a little trouble with getting their competitor vests on for more photo taking though.

But like the true champions they all are… they got it handled.

More photos of Friday and Saturday events can be seen here:

Pre-triathlon Album

Sunday, January 23: RACE DAY! Transition are opened at at 6:30 am. With the Triathlon starting so early, and the main road (between where I live in Sandy Bay and West Bay Beach) closed to general traffic for the race, I spent Saturday night at John and Barbara’s so I would be in the right area when things got started.

Baba and I headed out early and were on West Bay Beach to join the other spectators cheering on the Triathlon athletes as they entered the water. The Caribbean Sea was still churning and the sky–overcast. While fighting the rough waves (I’m sure) added an extra challenge to the course for the athletes–the usually blazing sunlight staying at bay while they rode their bikes and ran (I’m sure) was appreciated. I’d love to post all the pictures I shot this day. But, the time it would take for the Roatan Vortex site to load, I wouldn’t blame you for giving up on waiting, so instead here is a taste of this extraordinary event, participated in by International class athletes on the little Island, nestled in the Caribbean Sea–Ah Roatan–gotta love it! The rest of the photos can be viewed here: Roatan Triathlon 2011 Results can be seen here: Roatan ITU Triathlon Results and here is what Chris Foster, American Olympic hopeful had to say about competing on Roatan. I pretty funny (and typical) account of getting around the Island–before the race.

Photo Credits: Roatan Vortex, all rights reserved. Please contact me for permission to link and/or to purchase full-size photos.

A Canadian from Roatan in Texas and Mexico

Flea Markets Texas Style

Progreso, Mexico

South Padre Island

10 Tips to Not Get Treated Like a Tourist in Roatan

From the moment you arrive to the glorious Island of Roatan surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, with white sand beaches, and lush jungle flora & fauna extending to the highest ridges, if you look and act like a tourist—you will get treated like one.

Admittedly even though I’ve lived on Roatan for more than three years, I still on occasion get mistaken for a tourist solely based on the fact that I obviously wasn’t born here. But for the most part I don’t get approached with insistent offers of souvenirs or a tour of the Island anymore. Now, there is nothing wrong with being a tourist. But there is a whole new facet that can be added to your visit to Roatan if you blend in a little bit. The following 10 tips helped me out. I’m sure they’ll work for you too!

1. Do not wear anything made of synthetic fibres
A dead giveaway! Not only did I stand-out, I was unbearably uncomfortable wearing a non-breathable fabric. This of course doesn’t apply to my swimwear, which is an assemblage of man-made fabrics designed to keep everything where it belongs—you know what I mean.

2. Do not wear new un-scuffed running shoes
…especially with knee socks! And at all cost avoid wearing sandals with socks…especially knee socks. Personally, I was a flip-flop’s only no socks of any sort kinda gal even before I moved to Roatan (which was no easy feat in the wintertime where I’m from.) I had no choice but to wear what the weather dictated. In-turn, if you are planning on doing a canopy tour or going hiking on Roatan do wear appropriate footwear with socks…just not knee socks.

3. No t-shirts with:
Mickey or Minnie Mouse, or the name of another Caribbean Island printed on it. I had visited many Caribbean Islands before moving to Roatan and always got the t-shirt. But wearing those t-shirts on Roatan is like working for Coca-Cola and wearing something with a Pepsi logo on it…not cool. And as for Mickey or Minnie Mouse—Roatan isn’t Disney World—it’s better!

4. Dress for the weather
If the temperature is below 24C (75F) wear long pants and a long sleeve shirt. That’s downright cold for those of us that live here and have become acclimatized. I used to be able to deal with temperatures below freezing for a few months every year. Now, just holding a glass with ice in it makes me cold.

5. Minimal (if any) precious metal and gemstone jewelery*
The golden rays of sun by far outshine anything I could adorn myself with. The sparkle glistening on the shimmering Caribbean Sea can’t be matched. I quit trying to compete.

6. No big fat wallet jammed in your back pocket or purse*
I carry only the ID I need, with cash (US Dollars or Lempiras) tucked away in various pockets. My Sear’s Card, Zeller’s point’s card, and Blockbuster card (to name just a few) are of no use here.

*These two points are not to scare you into thinking you will be attacked for your worldly possessions when you visit Roatan. Just as anywhere in the world you are, even your own neighbourhood for that matter. The more you look like you have something of monetary value to be relieved of—the more likely it is to happen.

7. Avoid sunburn lines at all cost
I fell asleep while lounging on the dock one afternoon, oh the sunburn I got. For the next few days (until the red tomato tinge of my skin settled down) I was teased relentlessly by friends on Roatan asking me why I was trying to look like a tourist. The flip side to that is if you are too pale. Now, I appreciate there isn’t much you can do to rectify that one until you spend some time here, just be sure to use sunscreen and ease into a healthy glow.

8. Minimal (if any) make-up
Natural beauty shines through (see #7 re: healthy glow.) Besides, make-up just runs down my face. The mascara and eyeliner that was intended to accentuate my eyes started to spread, giving me the appearance of a raccoon. Raccoons are cute, but definitely not the look I’m going for.

9. Order a local beer like you know what you’re doing
The funny thing about this one is I’m not a beer drinker. But I did learn how a beer is ordered distinguishes a resident from a tourist.
• Salva Vida, ask for a Salva or “a Brown”—which is referring to the colour of the bottle
• Port Royal ask for a Port or “a Green”—same as above
• Imperial is what you ask for if the bar is out of Salva or Port
• Barena is just called Barena. Note: Salva drinkers will tease you about drinking Barena. But if you are partial to a beer similar to Corona this is the one you want to order.

And if you order a glass of wine (red or white) don’t look surprised when it is poured from a box not a bottle. I have become a boxed wine connoisseur.

10. Don’t check your watch every few minutes
I’m on Island time now. I don’t even wear a watch anymore. I do appreciate that as a visitor you are on a set schedule. But as hard as it may be to resist, repeatedly checking your watch is an absolute give-away that you are a tourist from a cruise ship! I mean, really would it be so bad if the boat left without you and you had to stick around Roatan for a little while longer. Perhaps it’s the Roatan Vortex pulling you in!

And for all of you Texans out there! I’m coming to visit your fine State this weekend and staying through Christmas. Got any tips for me? I’d love to hear from you!

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Transat Holidays Vacationer

You never know when opportunities will present themselves, but when they do, you do get to decide if you will pursue them or let them pass by. Recently, an opportunity came knocking at my door and while I listened to the details I knew that this was one of those ones that I should pursue!

Transat Holidays, the most innovative Canadian company specializing in leisure travel, offers quality vacation packages to a wide variety of destinations posted a job opportunity for the Transat Holidays Vacationer.

That’s right, get paid to go on Vacation!

The job entails going to 12 different Transat Holidays destinations (2 weeks of every month) for an entire year. While at each location the “Vacationer” is to share stories, photos and videos of the destination and give fellow Canadians a taste of all that it has to offer.

The application process required submitting a 2 minute video. The first minute, a promotion of an attraction in your area and the second minute, introduce yourself as the Transat Holidays Vacationer.

My ability to create videos has been limited to capturing a moment here and there on my IPhone which I’ve had some fun doing. But for this endeavor a crash course in filming and editing using a real video camera was necessary. Thank you John and Baba for lending me yours and showing me what buttons to push. I did have the very good fortune of having Roatan as my location to promote, the problem I ran into was having too much to choose from to fit in a one minute space. I spent time filming in West End at Sundowners Beach Bar, I’m pleased with the video I made there (it can be seen at my previous posting), but decided for this project I need one with my commentary. I am very happy to let you know that one of the photos I took of the sunset from there is a TripAtlas Editor’s Pick

I ultimately went with the filming I did at West Bay Beach. Thank you Dave for helping me set up shots and making suggestions of what to include.

So I’ve given it my best shot and now I wait for my phone to ring (as do hundreds of other applicants.) Perhaps I will get the call telling me I am a finalist for the position of Transat Holidays Vacationer. And if that happens (I know power of positive thinking – When that happens…) I will be sure to let you know and at that time will be asking for your assistance by voting for me at Transat Holidays official voting site.

For now here is where you can see the video I submitted.
Transat Holidays Vacationer – Genevieve

No matter where opportunities may take me, Roatan will always be my adopted home and I will continue to share all the wonders it has to offer. Excuse me now while I go reply to an email from a fellow Canadian with some questions about vacationing on Roatan.

And one more thing. If you are on Roatan be sure to attend the Grand re-opening of the Library in French Harbour this Friday (November 12) from 2-4 PM…yes Joan, I’ll be there to help you out!

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