07 FEB 2018: Honduras Shores Plantation is my happy place. I have such a feeling of peace the minute I arrive – and the longer I’m there the more mystical the huge 100- acre property feels. It’s a family business, Canadian owned and managed.

Joyce and David Faust from Guelph, Marie and Len Fenemore from Bobcaygeon and Stella and Walter Narynski from Winnipeg, have been coming to Honduras Shores Plantation Honduras since they read about it in my syndicated column in 2005. The first-year dozens of Canadian long-stays arrived to enjoy the warm sunny weather.

This time it was great to meet up with some of them who still visit.

I first met Len and Marie Fenemore on the plane down in 2005. This is their 11thvisit. “We like it, it is nice and peaceful and quite reasonable. We don’t need a lot of nightlife anymore.” Says Len. Stella says, “Feels like coming home.”

David says, “We come because the owners and the office can’t do enough for you.” Walter adds “If you have a problem, they fix it immediately.”

The gated community has a long beach front, and people walk hours further on the adjoining public beach and at the back of the property a government legislated protected lagoon part of the famous Punta Sal sanctuary is perfect for a leisurely kayak paddle or just a walk on the boardwalk to admire the mangrove groves. Fisherpeople, bring your rods.

There is a variety of accommodation. 12, one and two bedroom casitas, four luxurious two bedroom condos, a small 16 -room lovely hotel on the beach, and 64 privately owned villas some with pools and for rent.

There is a beach club with a restaurant, and large pool. The cobblestone roads are flat, with the mountains in the distance, perfect for a walk where your eyes can feast on the beautiful setting.

We’re in a one-bedroom casita, and I usually cook for us. The kitchen is adequate… Joyce bakes bread, I certainly don’t, the bread like most foods I’ve bought here is delicious. Did I tell you the maids come in every day to make the bed and do the dishes?

We’ve been eating dinner nightly in the restaurant. The seafood is fantastic, and salads are yummy. I could see myself doing an all-inclusive package from the hotel, on a shorter stay.

The sound of silence, is amazing that is unless you’re bothered by some of the 725 species of birds that chatter and sing in the mornings, or the orchestra of frogs at dusk. A stroll at night is amazing with the fireflies twinkling in the dark … thousands of them. Suddenly you realize there are no planes overhead, and very few cars on the private roads. The 30-staff including the 24- hour security staff ride bikes mostly. Here is where I realize what a noisy world I normally live in.

Until seven years ago, there was no diving in the bay. Then Antal Brocsok, known as Tony, and the owner of Tela Marine heard from the local fishermen about the reef and began to explore the area in front of Honduras Shores. Lately scientists from all over the world have arrived to study the reef in depth, to understand why the coral reef is so healthy, and has not suffered the damage of other reefs.

Tony has built an intimate aquarium laboratory on the property, and school children are being brought to tour the educational aquarium. Guests are welcomed as well. It is simply fascinating. Plans are in the works to expand it. Alba Ocampo has come from France to help. He proudly shows visitors young mangroves, corals, anemones, sponges, seaweeds, hermit crabs, lobster, shrimp and other tropical fish.

The town of Tela is 20 minutes away, and the gang goes in on the school bus twice a week, sharing a cab back. After the rainy season the road is an adventure tour of itself. They go grocery shopping, window shopping, and then have lunch. Maria loves to shop here. “The stores are so modern just like home. Love shopping for shoes.” I would add that the prices both of food in the grocery stores and restaurants are very reasonable.

There is now WiFi included, and guests can access it in their accommodations.

There are about 40 new villas to gawk at – making for a fascinating walk. Each one seems to be more luxurious than the next. There is a law that all villas must have 30 percent of its property planted with shrubs or flowers.

The owners do all the landscaping and grow and plant much of the vegetation, that makes the property a feast for the eyes. They have planted hundreds and hundreds of at least ten variety of palms, hibiscus, Jasmine, Magnolia, mangos and the list goes on.

The casitas have their own pool, set in a park like setting strictly for the 12 units. Cocktail hour is at 4pm, every day for the Canadian guests, who arrive with drinks in hand ready to chat about their day. The four condo units have a pool as well, while the hotel is next to the big beach club pool. This means if you want new company, you can simply walk for five minutes and hang out at the beach club pool.

Joyce says, “It feels like going to your cottage, only in the winter.”

Very close is a brand-new Gary Player design golf course.

From December till March Sunwing has a weekly flight.

Can you tell I just love it? It is truly good value for dollar, two weeks isn’t long enough, I’m planning a much longer stay for next winter.

Yes, they pay an agent’s commission.

The Canadian number is 905-728-0806 or lbsales@sympatico.ca