Bob,
Welcome, I think that you subscribed after we had a couple of 'things to do on Roatan' suggestions, so I will recopy those below.
Best, Steve
>From Sue:
1. Also in Punta Gorda, the Sea View Restaurant serves very good food. Elena, the owner, is a wonderful lady and a good cook. And if you ask, she may have some 'gifiti' you can buy to sample. You are right, this unusual tonic of alcohol, roots and herbs is quite the experience. As it was described to us the first time we tried it ... it will cure whatever ails you. No Doubt! Our last visit there, Elena had some very nice shirts for sale, representing the Garifuna culture. They were handpainted by a Garifuna artist on the mainland.
2. SAIL with CAPTAIN ALEX - Sail the island waters. Snorkel. Dive. Fish. Take a sunset cruise. Pick your pleasure. A fun-loving native islander from Punta Gorda, Captain Alex knows where to go. Often accompanied by his handsome first mate, a shepherd-mix named Mojo, you will be treated to a fun-filled day at sea on a 26 foot, hand-hewn sailboat named ‘Adventure Girl.’ Mid-day, Captain Alex will prepare for you one of the freshest seafood lunches you’ll ever eat. You can usually find Captain Alex in West End near the dock opposite Sunset Inn or in the vicinity of the Twisted Toucan. >From me:
1. Buy a head of cabbage and go visit Sherman Arch and his family a little before noon. Sherman has acres of land and is trying to protect the iguanas and restore their ranks on the island. His place is a bit East of French Harbour. When Sherman or one of his family starts to chop the cabbage with a machete, at least 20 and often more iguanas come out of the trees and bush. Have him point out Big Red. They'll come right up to you. If anyone isn't paying attention in your party, sneak around and grab the back of their leg about iguana height. For a special treat, bring a couple of watermelons too, one for Sherman's kids and one for the iguanas. The critters really like those. Have a look in his hatchery at the little ones. Put a little money in the donation box for iguana chow. Sherman is a great guy to talk to.
2. Hike to the top of Carambola Gardens. There's a great view and many interesting plants.
3. Go to the Garifuna village, Punta Gorda, and have fried chicken at The Chicken Shack (I think that's the name, but I don't remember a sign). Ask around about getting a drink of Gifiti, sometimes called "The Medicine of Love." It's made of alcohol, roots and herbs. Reported to be an aphrodisiac, it tasted a little of garlic when I had it and was definitely an experience.
> -----Original Message----- > Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2001 8:28 AM > Subject: [Roatan] submission > > > Hello everyone, > > My name is Bob Boesel and I am a new subscriber. My family and I > will be first time visitors in March and would appreciate > suggestions on how to get the real flavor of life on Roatan. Any > suggestions for "places to go and people to meet" will be > appreciated, as will how to get detailed maps of the Bay Islands. > My email is: nov8r.....com > > Thanks for your help. > > > http://www.roatanet.com |