cj9200
DIS Dad #412
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2006
This is a very off topic TR that covers my recent trip to Roatan. For those like me that could never find out Where in the World is Carmen Sandiago, Roatan is located in the Caribbean off the coast of Honduras. The focus of the trip was to 1) Scuba dive, 2) Enjoy a few adult beverages and 3) Laugh a lot. Not necessary in that order.
The impetus of the trip started when a used to be friend (more on that later) started talking to a very good friend about visiting Roatan. The good friend told him to organize a trip and he would go. A few others joined in and I was talked into it.
So we were going to spend a week at a “luxury” resort that was all inclusive. Funny thing happened on the way to the resort, the deposit never got paid. There was no room at that Inn so instead the TA moved us to another resort. I took it in stride.
So who is going? The cast includes:
Me - 50+ single dad to a now 18 YO daughter. She goes off to college in a few months. As I said many times during the trip, life for me does not suck. A year ago it did. For those who do not know, I was hospitalized last year for 6 weeks and many around me thought I was going to check out. It was a tough road back but I feel much better. Still not 100% and may never get there but am much better.
Steve - AKA The Brit. Older than me by a few years. We met six years ago while diving. He has become one of my closest friends. A great guy that has the same juvenile sense of humor that I do. Lives in the UK, works in Germany and often travels to the US on business. An example on how good a friend he is, he made a special trip to Miami from Europe to take me to Key Largo soon after I got out of the hospital. Can’t tell you what that trip meant to me.
R & M - Brothers that live in Connecticut and Long Island respectively. Never met them before but liked them both. M is a little reserved but could come up with funny comebacks when needed. R is an IT guy who is inquisitive on how things work. Interesting perspective.
AM & AF - Married for a number of years. Both retired at a youngish age and are really enjoying life. Also never met them before. Only started diving two years ago but have traveled around the world enjoying their new hobby. Their next trip after this is to Fiji. I only wish. AM celebrated his 60th birthday on the trip. Absolutely adored AF. Since she will not reading this I can say she is an amazing 64 year old (or young).
W - The next guys girlfriend. Cackles uncontrollably most of the time. Has a ball in this game called life. The next guy doesn’t deserve her.
Which brings me to the last of our party, THE MOOCHER. Used to be a diving friend but he has worn on my nerves. Took a photography course with him and paid him to serve as our guide when DD first started going underwater. He started as a friend but in addition to paying him to guide us, he expected free beers, meals and a limo service when I was down there. That and the drama. Loves to be the focus of the universe and is quick to be miffed. Moved to S. Dakota and Steve and I are glad. Our trips to Key Largo became more enjoyable and considerably less expensive. This will be the last trip with the Mooch.
So Steve has to travel to Atlanta for business and decided to get a room there for a couple of days before the flight to Roatan. Last year he got stranded there after the city got a dusting of snow. Rightly decided to come in early in case of bad weather in either Chicago (his debarkation city) or ATL. I decided to join him.
Flew from Miami on Thursday morning and the flight was pleasant. The plane was nearly empty and I had an emergency row to myself. Arrived in Atlanta and made my way to the Spring Hill Suites. The hotel is one of two located at the airport and was a short tram ride from the airport proper. Room was ready so I headed up to the room and dumped my stuff. YES!
Medical side note. I have plantar fasciitis which is a condition that affects the major ligament in the feet. Walking long distances creates a painful tightening in the calfs. Stretching helps but I was not ready for all the walking I needed to do. By the end of the trip they were sufficiently stretched and worked at it so it became much better to walk. Fatigue is still a factor with me but am working on it.
OK, back to the real thing. I relaxed in the room waiting for Steve to arrive. The room itself is very nice. As a suite, you get the two Queen (I think) beds, a couch seating area and a desk for working.
The tram to the rental lot and the hotel. Atlanta has a great airport. Unlike the dump that is MIA
The room
The view wasn’t so good
So that was our room for two nights. Up next: The evening and getting pi**ed. Not the American meaning (POed) but the British one. In other words waking up with a hangover.
The impetus of the trip started when a used to be friend (more on that later) started talking to a very good friend about visiting Roatan. The good friend told him to organize a trip and he would go. A few others joined in and I was talked into it.
So we were going to spend a week at a “luxury” resort that was all inclusive. Funny thing happened on the way to the resort, the deposit never got paid. There was no room at that Inn so instead the TA moved us to another resort. I took it in stride.
So who is going? The cast includes:
Me - 50+ single dad to a now 18 YO daughter. She goes off to college in a few months. As I said many times during the trip, life for me does not suck. A year ago it did. For those who do not know, I was hospitalized last year for 6 weeks and many around me thought I was going to check out. It was a tough road back but I feel much better. Still not 100% and may never get there but am much better.
Steve - AKA The Brit. Older than me by a few years. We met six years ago while diving. He has become one of my closest friends. A great guy that has the same juvenile sense of humor that I do. Lives in the UK, works in Germany and often travels to the US on business. An example on how good a friend he is, he made a special trip to Miami from Europe to take me to Key Largo soon after I got out of the hospital. Can’t tell you what that trip meant to me.
R & M - Brothers that live in Connecticut and Long Island respectively. Never met them before but liked them both. M is a little reserved but could come up with funny comebacks when needed. R is an IT guy who is inquisitive on how things work. Interesting perspective.
AM & AF - Married for a number of years. Both retired at a youngish age and are really enjoying life. Also never met them before. Only started diving two years ago but have traveled around the world enjoying their new hobby. Their next trip after this is to Fiji. I only wish. AM celebrated his 60th birthday on the trip. Absolutely adored AF. Since she will not reading this I can say she is an amazing 64 year old (or young).
W - The next guys girlfriend. Cackles uncontrollably most of the time. Has a ball in this game called life. The next guy doesn’t deserve her.
Which brings me to the last of our party, THE MOOCHER. Used to be a diving friend but he has worn on my nerves. Took a photography course with him and paid him to serve as our guide when DD first started going underwater. He started as a friend but in addition to paying him to guide us, he expected free beers, meals and a limo service when I was down there. That and the drama. Loves to be the focus of the universe and is quick to be miffed. Moved to S. Dakota and Steve and I are glad. Our trips to Key Largo became more enjoyable and considerably less expensive. This will be the last trip with the Mooch.
So Steve has to travel to Atlanta for business and decided to get a room there for a couple of days before the flight to Roatan. Last year he got stranded there after the city got a dusting of snow. Rightly decided to come in early in case of bad weather in either Chicago (his debarkation city) or ATL. I decided to join him.
Flew from Miami on Thursday morning and the flight was pleasant. The plane was nearly empty and I had an emergency row to myself. Arrived in Atlanta and made my way to the Spring Hill Suites. The hotel is one of two located at the airport and was a short tram ride from the airport proper. Room was ready so I headed up to the room and dumped my stuff. YES!
Medical side note. I have plantar fasciitis which is a condition that affects the major ligament in the feet. Walking long distances creates a painful tightening in the calfs. Stretching helps but I was not ready for all the walking I needed to do. By the end of the trip they were sufficiently stretched and worked at it so it became much better to walk. Fatigue is still a factor with me but am working on it.
OK, back to the real thing. I relaxed in the room waiting for Steve to arrive. The room itself is very nice. As a suite, you get the two Queen (I think) beds, a couch seating area and a desk for working.
The tram to the rental lot and the hotel. Atlanta has a great airport. Unlike the dump that is MIA
The room
The view wasn’t so good
So that was our room for two nights. Up next: The evening and getting pi**ed. Not the American meaning (POed) but the British one. In other words waking up with a hangover.