by: Melissa Deskovic
Writer, LatinTrends Magazine
Nestled in the heart of the Caribbean is a place
where life slows down, and your worries vanish
in the warm island sun which melts away the
stress of everyday life. As your feet slowly sink
into the soft white sand, you find that you have
again found your serenity in the island oasis
of Roatan, Honduras. This romantic getaway,
which is 37 miles in length and only 5 miles
wide, was originally home to a vast majority
of indigenous cultures believed to be related
to the Mayan, Payan, Lencan, and/or Jicaque
tribes. Many of these cultures left behind their historical footprint in the form of ancient
pottery (known as yaba ding dings) discovered
throughout the island, which can now be found
on display at the local museum.
During the pre-Columbian era, the Native cultures were eradicated due to widespread illnesses. As an end result, the Roatan Islands were left unprotected and deserted for many years. It wasn’t until the colonial, post-Columbian period that Spanish sailors made the islands a safe transport for shipping goods through the waterways of the tropics. These conquistadors opened the island to a vast majority of sailors, pirates, traders, and settlers…all of whom created a colorful and diverse melting pot of culture that is rich in everything from music, art and dance to science, history and commerce…”
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