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Published: December 12th 2010
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Anthony's Key Resort
Welcome! I really did feel welcome. I had heard about Anthony's Key Resort from a little scuba shop in Richardson "Crazy Scuba". Last year, they had featured a trip to Anthony's, I had planned to go and even put up my deposit money. My water heater decided to die, so it was either replace the water heater and be able to take warm showers or go to Anthony's Key Resort. The score was water heater = 1; Anthony's Key Resort = 0.
Fast forward to this year, I was going. I was ready to go to my beloved Caribbean for the second time this year.
I flew down there on Sunday. The flight down there is pretty easy, from Houston, it is 2.5 hours. When I got down there, it was nice to be in temps that were 80 degrees and water equally as pleasant. That afternoon at the resort, I settled into my hillside cabin. It was a nice cabin, it didn't have air conditioning, but did have a nice ceiling fan. The breezes at night were really good, so I didn't need A/C, plus in the fall, the islands are a bit cooler. The cabin had 2 double beds and a nice bathroom. There
Home away from home
Cabin was really nice! were cabins on the hillside, and then some were over the water. Those over the water were more pricey. The only complaint that I had, no fault of Anthony's Key Resort, was a knocking sound in the middle of the night. At first I thought someone was knocking on the cabin door next to mine. I found out what the culprit was, Red Bellied Woodpeckers!!!
The weather was fantastic with the exception of a shower on Wednesday evening. Thankfully, the shower came well after we had our supper and Fire Dancers entertainment. Altho, it did make currents a bit rough for Thursday, and part of Friday. One good thing about the rain, the Woodpeckers didn't come out.
Monday morning we took our first snorkel. There were 4 couples (1 couple from Belguim; 1 couple from Illinois; 1 couple from Ohio; 1 couple from Canada); 1 fella from Canada; and myself. We went out with our guide Ross.
As a group we quickly bonded, had some great laughs, shared some stories, and always looked forward to the next snorkel excursion. The water was fantastic. Some canyons were 110 feet deep. Life was in abundance, and it seemed you could
see forever in the waters.
Monday afternoon we went to Maya Key which is also owned by Anthony's Key Resort. We snorkled; had lunch on the beach; swam with Nurse Sharks and Southern Sting Rays. The best part of Maya Key was the Animal Rehabilitation and Rescue Center. Simply put, I think these pictures say it all. I really enjoyed seeing the animals, and getting up close and personal with them.
Tuesday, we had a morning snorkel, an afternoon snorkel, and our first night snorkel. The night snorkel was incredible! We saw several Sea Urchins; Sea Snakes; Lobsters; and 2 Octopus! I didn't take my underwater camera (I regret that one) because I didn't think I could get some good photos. When I saw the first Octopus, I was in 4 feet of water, for certain, I could've got some good photo shots, especially with the help of the snorkel gang holding their flashlights. We kidded about the Lobster, because it was good sized, we wondered where the butter was. He was good enough to be on someone's plate.
Wednesday, we had our morning snorkel. I didn't go on the afternoon snorkel, since I went to Gumbalimba
Park . The main reason I went there was so I could take the canopy (zipline ride) tour of the park. I've never been on a zipline before, and I figured this would be the best place for my first time. My first time on the platform, I kept asking myself "are you insane". Plus, there was a small part of me that wondered if I was going to meet Jesus on this ride. There were 13 platforms. Several hundred feet in the air, and flying at about 30 mph with the help of cables and harnesses blows my mind. It was fun!!! I am no longer Captain Wuss!!!
Besides the canopy tour at Gumbalimba Park, there are other things you can do there: snorkel, snuba, scuba diving, cave history tour, and hanging out with some wild animals.
Wednesday evening, we had dinner on the beach, followed by Hermit Crab races, and entertainment by Fire Dancers. There's one really cool thing that happens at Anthony's Key Resort. That is weddings and marriage proposals. During the day on Wednesday, a couple was married. That evening, one of the couples on our snorkel team decided to propose.
Thursday, we
Lobby at Anthony's Key Resort
I loved the fireplace and the painting above it! had our morning and afternoon snorkel. It was a bit of a challenge due to the rainstorm the night before. Especially the morning snorkel, I would say it was equal to a Caribbean Spin Class. Still, we managed to see lots of good things. One thing that I was a little amazed at, was the number of Lion Fish we saw on our snorkels. They are becoming quite a nuisance in the Caribbean. They aren't much of a problem on the Pacific Ocean, since there predators that will devour them, but on the Caribbean, they have no predators, yet.
Friday, we had our morning and afternoon snorkel. The morning snorkel resembled a Caribbean Spin Class, it was a tough work out - swimming against the current. Friday was also my BIG day! No, not marriage or a proposal, but something as cool. A Dolphin Encounter!! I had signed up to snorkel with the Dolphins, but the current was too strong. Our Dolphin was named Kenny, and he was the oldest of the pod, at 6 years of age. It was fascinating to watch them interact with the trainers, the sounds they make, and how fast they swim!!! Friday's snorkel
Red Bellied Woodpecker
These guys would peck on the trees at night! had another reward waiting for us, and that was seeing a Spotted Drum!
Friday evening, we were entertained by Garifuna Dancers. The music was good, and the costumes were colorful. That night, we were beginning to say our "goodbyes", since some of our snorkel team had to leave on Saturday.
Saturday, we had our morning and afternoon snorkel. Things were starting to wind down, as I knew the next day, I would be saying "see ya later" to Anthony's Key Resort.
Sunday, it was time to face grim reality and return home. I barely made my connect flight from Houston to Dallas. Plus, I had come down with a cold, so I felt like Grandma Grump. I knew I'd be glad to see my "girls" again, but I also would miss my beloved Caribbean. I look forward to when the Caribbean is my life 24/7.
What can I say about Anthony's Key Resort? AWESOME!!! There's so much to do there, besides diving and/or snorkeling. There is horseback riding; kayaking; day excursions; birding; hanging out at the swimming pool. It is all inclusive which is nice (drinks are extra). It is clean, safe, and the staff is
friendly. Food?? Excellent. I got to have Sea Bass (my first time) twice that week!!! I'd go there again and would recommended it highly.
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Marcia
non-member comment
Great Blog!
Wow, what a well written blog - excellent photos. Sounds like you really enjoyed Roatan and all it has to offer. You were brave to do the zip line. Quite adventurous! Looks like the snorkeling spots were great. Haven't been to Maya Key, but I understand they did a good job in reinventing it for the cruiseship crowd. If you come back to Roatan, try the less congested East part of the island. Its beautiful! Marcia www.castaways-cove.com