Dream Vacation!

The whole contest through Homeaway has been unbelievable. It all started with our Free! condo during Gustav, courtesy of Georges Georgiou and Vacation Rental By Owner. As if that wasn't enough, my blog post about his kindness led a Homeaway staffer to invite me to join this contest...which led to friends and family rallying behind us to win. It all goes back to Georges. I'm amazed by how kindesses and love can multiply.

So now, we're in the planning stages of this big trip. Because we had so much support, we hope to bring any friends and family with us, just as we did when we married. Of course, $5000 isn't much, but what I'm trying to say is that you're all invited to join us. We'll squeeze in who we can (which right now is Tita, Tito, Tia Ella, and Gigi), and help the rest of our friends find accommodations if the house is too small. We're pretty good at setting boundaries, and by no means are we expecting to descend upon the small town like a tour bus. We expect folks to do their own thing, and if we occasionally intersect, then so be it. If you're a good friend, who's curious enough to ask, please do. Being surrounded by people we love is all quite selfish, anyway.

And so as we look at our choices, this one is topping the list:

This is one of four like it, on Half Moon Key. It's at the end of the strip of dive shops and our favorite restaurants on West End Beach. The truly breathtaking beach is West Bay Beach, but it's lined with resorts and a chain hotel or two. West End=MidCity

West Bay=St. Charles Ave.

We are thinking of leaving the week after Jazz Fest, before the rainy season (and hurricane season), while it's warm enough to dive. We plan on a two week trip, one week on the island with our pals, and a week on the mainland with just family, introducing our children to their immense and colorful family that's only met them through pictures!

Ana's already planning the itinerary with snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, and horse-back riding on the agenda.

If you're bored, peruse the Homeaway site (search Roatan). We're taking suggestions on breath-taking accommodations!