Arm Chair Travel: Time for a Cruise to Roatan, Honduras

Buenas Dias and Bienvenido to the Focused on Story blog by J.Q. Rose.

This week I'm sharing photos from our cruise to Mahogany Bay on the island of Roatan, Honduras and Cozumel, Mexico. The photos tell the story better than words, but as usual, the photos are nowhere as spectacular as the reality of the scenery and people.

The Carnival Ship Line, Paradise, was our ride.

My husband and I traveled with my brother-in-law and his girlfriend. We left on the five day Carnival Cruise from the Port of Tampa, FL. I was so enthralled with everything, I forgot to take my camera up on the deck as we sailed away from the beautiful city of Tampa on the west coast of Florida. I wish I had taken shots of the city as we cruised down the channel and under the Skyway Bridge out to the Gulf of Mexico. BTW, this was the last time I knew where I was in this vast ocean until I arrived back in Tampa five days later.

The lobby was all decked out for Christmas and festive.

This beautiful sunset wished us a good night. And the meal that night on white tablecloths, china, loads of waiters to keep us fed and over fed made us feel like royalty. The food all week was very good, plentiful, and available 24 hours a day!

The morning brought warm showers. The Lido deck with the buffet, pool, water slide and meeting area was wet when we traversed the deck to get to the early morning coffee and juice. The stormy cloud bank with the rains falling from it over the vast ocean was an amazing sight.

Welcoming sign for us at Mahogany Bay.

When we reached Mahogany Bay, the private Carnival Ships port, we hired a guide to take us around to see the island of Roatan. And did he ever! We saw the seedy side, the slums, the parks, the people, the shopping areas, and learned the history of Central America's formation and the political and economic situation of Honduras.

 This family had beads and bracelets to sell to the tourists.

A view of the bay

Shopping at the outdoor market.

 Our guide took us to the Monkey and Sloth Park.

 Ever been hugged by a sloth?

The parrots' colors were brilliant.

 The West End is the tourist's shopping area. and beach. We didn't sit on the beach, 

but opted to do the sight-seeing of the island.

 All kinds of food and shops renting diving equipment, kayaks, boats. 

Such narrow streets, barely room for two cars.

The rusty old shipwreck was left in the bay on purpose because the tourists love to take pictures of it. So, being wide-eyed tourists, we took pictures.

Next week I'll take you on the tour of Cozumel. Thanks for stopping in. Hope you enjoyed the sun and the beach and the water.

Have you been on a cruise? Did you have fun? Did you get seasick? Please leave a comment below and share your experience. Thank you

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December 15 is the release date for my latest mystery/paranormal, Terror on Sunshine Boulevard. Take a peek.

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Terror on Sunshine Boulevard by J.Q. Rose

Mystery/paranormal

Rescuing a naked woman lying in a geranium bed? Investigating mysterious murders? 

Not the usual calls in a Florida retirement community for volunteer first responder Jim Hart.

First Responder

Back of the Book:  Rescuing a naked woman lying in a geranium bed or investigating mysterious murders are not the usual calls for first responder Jim Hart. He expects slip and fall accidents or low blood pressure emergencies in his retirement community of Citrus Ridge Senior Community and Golf Resort. The ghastly crime scenes turn the winter time fun into a terrifying season of death and mystery when the authorities cannot track down the predator responsible.

Jim and his wife Gloria could escape the horror and grief by returning to their northern home, but concern for their friends and residents keep them in Florida. With the entire community in a dither over the deaths, the Harts participate in the normal winter activities of golfing, dancing, and pool parties with their friends to distract them from the sadness and loss.

Can Jim and Gloria work with the authorities to discover who or what is killing the seniors on Sunshine Boulevard and stop the increasing body count?

Now available to pre-order at 

AMAZON

SMASHWORDS

Available in many online digital book outlets beginning this Friday, December 15.

eBook and Paperback available NOW at AMAZON