At dinner, our tablemates share events from the day. They tell us endearing
tales of touching, stroking and even kissing dolphins at Anthony’s Key and
sunning themselves on popular Tabyana beach. Others snorkeled in crystal waters
above some of the world’s most unspoiled coral, “Second only to Australia’s
great barrier reef,” my snorkelling hubby confides. Wendy and Al had explored
Roatan’s East End. “Still pretty rural and undeveloped,” they report. “Over at
Dixon Cove Harbor we boarded island-style boats and visited a shipwreck out on
the reef, then sampled jellies and jams made from island plum, hibiscus, and
other tropical flowers at a typical farm.” One couple visited iguanas at Sherman Arch’s Farm, where 2700 of these prehistoric creatures roam freely. Hearing this, we recall our cruise director’s quips at a briefing, “Iguana stew remains Roatan’s traditional delicacy, except now they’re protected, so if you go there, you can’t eat ’em—but at feeding time, you can handle ’em!” Grinning, we proceed to munch our succulent seafood dinners…
It’s no wonder Isla Roatan is emerging as the Caribbean’s newest holiday hotspot. In fact, the New York Times recently named Roatan one of the“53 Places to visit in 2008.” And although swanky resorts are rapidly developing along this island’s pristine stretches of white powder sand, on our daytrip we encountered a simpler, more natural Roatan. I suspect its flavor will change, way too soon.