On Meeting Famous Islanders (CoastWatcher: Caribbean West)
News from the Honduras Bay Islands and North Coast
10 February 2001
By Pierre Renaldo, The Coastwatcher©

Sunday morning dawned as a brilliant beginning to a serene tropical day. I was on deck well before daylight, rousted out of my slumber, laughing as I was awakened by my number one cat, Felix. He knows how to tickle with his whiskers just so that it makes you start laughing even before you are awake.

Once he has raised me from the reveries of deep dreams, I get a gentle pat on the cheek to insure that he has my undivided attention. He begins conversing immediately, so that there is no doubt as to his desires; breakfast and then to sit watching the beauty of the morning as it unfolds, all of us together at the windows of our dining/family room overlooking the sea. It is a pleasing morning ritual at our house.

Mistress G. is already up, getting the fuzzbutts feed ready and starting our morning brew of the most delicious Honduran coffee. She has been trampled by Sammy, our fat cat who has an insatiable appetite, and who is much more noticeable than Felix, due to his girth and weight. Sammy's idea of gaining the attention of his sleeping mistress, is to walk across various parts of her anatomy, thereby producing the desired result.

There is something special in the air this morning. The gang is restless after the dreary rainy season. They are pestering and that is an indication that they think it would a wonderful treat to go our for a walk, on the jungle trail that parallels the sea. They are very excited at the prospect, because this is their favorite activity besides begging tidbits when I am filleting fish.

Mistress G. says, "Okay, let's all go out for a walk," and the stampede begins. A mad rush down the stairs to see who can be the first out. Ms. Bitsy is winner by a whisker this time. She is fast as lightning, and the most agile acrobat of the group. A very daring and adventurous little creature, who can hold her own against any of her brothers, and even an occasional dog or rooster.

Felix is very chatty this morning, describing to me all the scenic things we are passing and how he intends to climb some of the trees, to make his mark up higher that anybody before him. And he will do some stunts for me over on the rocks too.

Suddenly all activities and romping stop. Patch, Tigger, Bitsy and Sammy scamper into the jungle. Felix and Buddy stand still, looking back down the hill from where we had just walked. Their ears go back flat against their heads. Someone is coming up the trail, and Mistress G. and myself had not even heard a whisper.

Lush green foliage blocks our view, as we had just rounded a curve where the trail intersects with an old footpath. Who or what could be out here this early on Sunday? Then we hear footsteps, and an old black island man comes towards us, a big smile on his face, and his brilliant white teeth gleaming.

"Oh! Miss Glory! Mr. Pierre! I did not mean to startle you. I know you both, though you may not know who I am. I drive my heard of cattle past your house frequently when I take them to the high pasture. Oh, sorry. Permit me to introduce myself. My name is Alexander Hamilton."

We shook hands, and though I had never seen him up close before, I did recall seeing the large heard of bovines pass our house many times. His dog is circling around us, as Buddy crouches ready to spring, not the least bit frightened. Felix stands his ground too, though using the protection of my legs for a little moral support.

The dog thinks better than to challenge two large cats, and scampers off ahead of his master. We chat with Alex for a while and part, beginning our journey homeward.

"Well isn't that interesting? Alexander Hamilton. I never new anyone here had the family name of Hamilton. Did you? I'm certainly glad he didn't have his heard of cattle with him this morning."

Felix has many comments about the incident all the way home. Probably mostly about that nosey dog the man had with him. What business did that dog have around our jungle trail anyway? Buddy just lumbers along without making any comments at all. That Felix sure is a talker.

The foursome rejoins our safari and treats us to a display of acrobatics all the way home. Bitsy demonstrates her ability to jump straight up into the air about two feet, from a standing position. Wow! I can't do that.

Almost Progress?

The road from my house in Flowers Bay to Coxen Hole has been closed in the daytime for most of the week, so that progress could be made with the road paving project that runs from the courthouse to the cruise ship dock. Last night I left the office late enough to travel over this new welcome improvement that is being installed so that the cruise ship passengers do not get muddy feet while making discoveries at this exotic tropical port of call.

What I observed as the progress that had been made over a three day period was almost as bad a joke as Hondutel calling themselves a telephone company. Yes, friends. I have identified a road building company that is as inept at road building as Hondutel is at imitating a telephone company. Even the Florida road builders are faster than these guys. I think it has to do with all the "specialistas" they have in this country.

There is one guy who carries a stick that he holds to the ground while some other guy looks at him through a telescope. Then there is the guy who sprays the water on the road to keep the dust down, and another guy who goes along hammering little sticks into the side of the road. And if one of these specialistas happens to be out to lunch, or on vacation, then the whole operation comes to a halt, because there is nobody else trained or qualified to do that specialista's job. Only the specialista can do it.

I remember one time when we took some friends to the airport for the 6 A.M. flight to Belize, and when we got to the terminal, everybody was outside, in the dark, sitting on their suitcases, because the specialista, who was the only guy who could unlock the doors to the terminal had overslept and did not get there in time. Everybody missed their connections to Houston that day. Stupid alarm clock did not get winded up enough. Carumba!

Speaking of "specialistas" did you know I am also a "specialista" Yep! I specialize in writing books about constructions and third world retirement, and things to help those of you who will someday be residents here, or to help you build houses here or elsewhere. You can preview these e-books by clicking. http://www.eroatan.com/cgi-bin/pierre.cgi?books

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Cloud & Rainforest Adventure ala Indiana Jones

I have been hearing some very good reports on Salt & Pepper's ECO Tours. But this is much more than a tour. It is a total adventure. Not for the faint of heart, and you should be in good physical condition. If you are into hiking and outdoors, the jungles, waterfalls, a little Tarzan stuff and some great surprises, then get yourself hyped up for this one 8100 feet to the top of Pico Bonito!

There are no guides with pony tails who speak seven languages, but just some fun loving outdoorsmen who thrive on adventure, and showing you a good time. You will never experience anything more fun and exciting. Plunge into a pool of cool water at the base of a tropical waterfall. Have a super lunch on the trail. Travel with a jungle safari. You've always dreamed of doing something like this, and now it is a reality. E-mail: PARADISE@GLOBALNET.HN

Remember to bring some essentials on your trip to the Bay Islands and the North Coast. Pocket calculator, insect repellent, sun screen and tanning lotion, Imodium and Pepto-Bismol just in case, aspirin, mini first aid kit. Get your Tetanus booster shot if you have not had one in the last five years. Just suggesting that you play it safe. We want you to enjoy your experiences with us here, and we want you to come back often. More next week, Ciao Pierre

Ciao, Pierre

By Pierre Renaldo, Mountain Coastal S.A,. General Contractors, Construction Management and Construction Consultants.