Rain and the Cruise Ship
News from the Honduras Bay Islands and North Coast
21 October 2000
By Pierre Renaldo, The Coastwatcher©

Thursday dawned, with dark gray skies and a misting rain. The Caribbean was as smooth as a mirror, not a breath of breeze. We sat having our morning eye opener wondering what all those 800 tourists on shipboard would do today, once they hurried out to the waiting busses and taxis. We could only hope for their sake that the sky would soon clear, so that all the people coming ashore would have a good day on our island.

The great white ship was just rounding Lighthouse Point, coming into view on our side of the coast. The massive hull slipped silently through the sea, hardly leaving a wake. It passed within a thousand yards from where we watched. The Norwegian Lines logo was distinctly visible on the huge blue funnel. It seemed as though the early signs of the rainy season would interfere with many well laid plans this trip.

Our water is like crystal, so even on dark days the snorkeling is wonderful. The sea creatures are less timid in the dim light, and even though they are more difficult to see, if you just allow yourself to float, suspended and inert, they will make their presence known in short order. That's what I like to do. If you just hang over a particular place on the reef, you will eventually see almost all of the inhabitants of this underwater palace swim past.

There would be several of my wife's friends in today for exploring our majestic ironshore and the waters along our coast, before the luncheon she hosts every month. They are not deterred by rain or clouds. Only when the sea becomes hostile, do they opt for land-side activities. Walking the ledge along our shore and swimming there, can be precarious on rough days.

Sightseeing would be hampered because the misting rain creates a fog-like atmospheric condition limiting the viewers to less spectacular scenes. The view of the mainland on clear days is worth many thousand words. It is a panorama that fascinates, no matter how often we are treated to the spectacle.

The Hondutel Saga Continues...

Most of you have very likely heard of Mextel. It is one of the most amazing success stories ever, in the telecommunications industry. The Mexican Telephone Company has been negotiating with Honduras to purchase controlling interest in the worlds worst 'telephone company', Hondutel. Negotiations broke off without any conclusion because Honduras is trying to get much more money for the clunker than it is worth. So there was a Mexican standoff, and the people from Mextel walked out of the meeting.

To cite an example of how nonexistent the word service is, in the vocabulary of Hondutel et al, we have been paying exorbitant rates and getting absolutely nothing in return for our money. We have been unable to access the Internet all week; the Hondutel computers responsible for sending and receiving e-mail have not been answering the phones.

It is amazing to me how the worst things seem to linger for the longest. They are the most difficult to get rid of, like a bad cold. Every time you think you have it whipped, it just climbs back into your bronchial system and starts up again. In the case of Hondutel, the condition persists in a much lower part of the anatomy, and they just keep on giving nothing and nothing and nothing. Not working at anything, but just clinging, hanging on like a bad case of poison ivy.

Mextel, would be the most favored by the public, of the current bidders in this, the most serious attempt by the government to divest itself of a losing 'enterprise' that has been a drain on the National Treasury. AT&T tried to purchase controlling interest in Hondutel several years ago, but unscrupulous factions in government blocked that sale for their own self interest. AT&T was not one of the bidders in this recent, compulsory effort to sell off non-profitable government owned public service entities.

Operations of the commercial airports throughout Honduras have recently (Oct. 1, 2000) been taken over by a private company from San Francisco. It is too early to see anything significant in the way of change, but the public employees in these facilities seem to be making an attempt at efficiency. Very out of character for most. They have all been put on notice that they are on temporary employment status for the next sixty days and then they will be terminated if they do not perform to standards outlined by the new Operating Company.

All of these efforts at government streamlining are aimed at two major objectives. First, attaining fiscal responsibility, and secondly, attracting tourists from countries with hard currency. European, Canadian, and American tourists like to travel to places that offer something for their money. Competitive air fares, a variety of rival International carriers from which to select, and safe comfortable destinations, that offer things of interest for tourists.

Roatan has a great deal to offer. True, some of our facilities are not as good as they should be. Some resort operators are setting the pace now and the others will have to match up or be gone. That is what free enterprise is all about. The days of just getting business-by-accident, or by virtue of your existence are almost over.

The new open sky policy of government will doubtless bring in new air carriers. This will stimulate competition, which has always been a dirty word here. We will benefit from efforts by inventive new companies and resort operators who are willing to put something back into the communities from which they derive their livelihood. The touring public deserves a break, and Roatan deserves a better share of tourism revenues that it has enjoyed to date.

Change is inevitable. It will come like an avalanche once it begins. It is becoming evident everywhere we look.

I was watching a movie last night that had Spanish subtitles. The following dialogue in English, was recited by a male actor. "What do ya think?", he queried. The subtitle in Spanish was very short, just two words, much to my dismay. "¿Tu, si?" Translation: "You, yes?" .

Roatan! You, yes?

More next week. Pierre

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