Do and Don’t on Roatan
1 May
Do Need
• to be able to improvise a favourite recipe
• WD40
• a source for canning jars before you decide to make Voodoo Mango Chutney
• to know someone who can get your IPhone going again after APPLE crashes it
• containers with tight fitting lids – preferably not metal
• to be able to enjoy doing…nothing
• to know how to convert Lempiras to US dollars
• to accept when the Roatan Vortex pulls you in
• to carry a book when you go to the bank – you might be in-line long enough to read the whole thing
• if you are Canadian; a red shirt with a maple leaf on it when watching Canada beat the US in the final gold medal Olympic Hockey Night in Canada, on Roatan
• a friend who also needs a drivers license when you go for yours – they only process two at a time
• a running list of things you need, so when friends come to visit they can bring them
• to keep a towel handy to wipe the sweat off your face
• to accept that when you are told something will be available manana (tomorrow) that really means, next week, next month or maybe never
Don’t Need
• A mailbox –we don’t get mail delivered
• a reason to have a party
• to take vitamin D
• a last name
• winter clothing
• a watch
• high heel shoes
• to try to rescue a Portuguese Man of War
• to prove you know how to drive to get a driver’s license
• anything with “anti-freeze” on the label
• a sauna
• envelopes and stamps
• anything made from pressed board – termite candy
• to worry when the power goes out at the power company
While all my comments and suggestions are light-hearted, sometimes silly statements about life on Roatan, they all represent what I believe is the most important aspects of Do and Don’t on Roatan.
DON’T move to Roatan expecting to turn it into where you came from. Instead, DO enjoy and appreciate everything it has to offer you that is different from where you came from.













Hi Genny,
Also don’t need wine stoppers or underwear. Do need earplugs to drown out the crowing roosters at 1:30 am.
Most important is a sense of humour and a flashlight!
Cheers,
Karen
I agree! There were many more I could list, just ran out of room.
Do appreicate the beautiful West Bay beach and the joy a snorkle mask can bring just off the shore…..the goods for sale by the local artists…..the foliage…..the ever changing sky. I have been to the island 12 times and look forward to the next.
Exactly!
I have never needed to convert limperas to dollars, Now Lempiras are a different story
You know, when I wrote the story I looked at the word many times thinking to myself…I think I might have spelled that wrong. Thanks for clarifying that I did. Fortunately I have the power to fix it.
We talked about much this subject when I met you Huh Genny? We will be out again in Sept. 4-18th. Just booked it today. You better plan a party or somthing OK?. I cant wait!
LOVE, Roatanny Pammy!
Hey. Glad you’ve picked a month to come back to Roatan! You and Dennis were definitely the inspiration for Knowing how a newbie will make it on Roatan…you both know exactly what to do and don’t.
Hi, You are so right with your entire list. I love it and I liken the Island to the old Gilligans Island show when I chew my friends ears off about Roatan. No matter how may photos I show them they just don’t get it. Their loss. I Love Roatan, own a home there and plan to move in 2014. The wait is driving me crazy. Let me know if you need some batteries for that flash light.
Marina (Avalon Flowers Bay)
Your right some people just don’t get it! It’s up to us to help them see what they are missing.
Okay on batteries right now, thanks for asking.
Bet you make the move before 2014
Hi-
Need some help from an almost native. My boss and her family will be on a cruise ship stopping in Roatan . . I’ve been scanning all the typical sites . . . very touristy. What she’s looking for is the best off the beaten track restaurant . . . where the locals go and and if you could help me with which beach – Half Moon or West Bay? Gumbalimba Park . . . I’m thinking yes . . there will several kids under the age of 12 . . also do you know of a great driver for the day . .
Thanks so so much.
Kind regards,
Jan
Oh my goodness—you just don’t know how much I could identify with a lot of these!!! We lived in Australia for about a year and a lot of the same things apply!!! A lot!! I was amazed. I would have to add a Do to mine—always check the toilet for frogs before using….don’t know if you have that there or not. Also the sweat thing~~whewie~~~I could identify!!!
Thanks for stopping on over to my blog—it was great to read some of your posts and get to know you! I’ll be back!! Have a great day!
Frogs in the toilet! Nope, that’s one I can say hasn’t been a problem. A tree frog does live in a planter on my front porch though. We chat every now and then…well I chat, he blinks at me. Thanks for coming by, when I read your listI knew we had a connection.