www.hondurasthisweek.com

Monday, January 15, 2007 Online Edition 02

Tela Bay and CA Travel Market important achievements of 2006

Anette Emanuelsson
Honduras This Week

An increased number of chartered flights and cruise ships arrived in Roatan in 2006 and the growth is expected to continue after the island was declared a duty free zone.

In the recent evaluation made of all the government ministries, the Ministry of Tourism received the second best qualification with over 80 percent of its objectives for 2006 executed.

The Minister of Tourism, Ricardo Martinez, is content with the results. "The most important accomplishment last year was achieving the private investment of 22 million dollars from Honduran investors in the Tela Bay project," he said. The government also received a 15 million dollar loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) which will be used for infrastructure such as streets, treatment plants, water and electricity. "Before the end of this administration, we hope that the construction of one or maybe two first class hotels has been completed," Martinez said. By Anette Emanuelsson

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Did you know HTW Online is an award-winning site?

We have earned over a dozen awards.
Visit our About page for
more information.

Honduran Paintings

hon
Las Lavanderas (Red)
Benigno Gomez Lopez
Honduras 1988
Born January 17, 1934 in Naranjito, Honduras. Graduated Escuela Nacional Bellas Artes, Honduras 1959. Academia Bellas Artes, Italy 1960.

23 3/4 X 17 3/4 24 1/2 X 18 1/2

More paintings at www.honduraspaintings.com

CLICK HERE FOR REAL ESTATE

VILLAS DEL REAL

Conjunto Residencial de 400 Viviendas Unifamiliares y Futuro Desarrollo Multifamiliar

Complejo Residencial ubicado en la zona de mayor desarrollo habitacional de la ciudad, con acceso por el Anillo Periférico Sur, contiguo al Boulevard de Las Uvas. Información

Copans Best Accomodation Options

La Casa de Cafe B&B, Copan Ruinas

Copans first Bed & Breakfast Inn. Ten rooms, private hot water bath, full breakfasts included in rate. Excellent complimentary Copan mtn grown coffee served all day. Lovely garden with panoramic views of the Copan River Valley & distant mtns of Guatemala, hammocks. Colonial charm, excellent service, bilingual hosts. Four blocks to downtown, close to all restaurants, museums & shops. A charming and comfortable base from which to explore the Mayan ruins of Copan. Recommended by Lonely Planet Central America, Footprint Guide Central America & Mexico, Rough Guide Central America, Moon Handbook Honduras,Honduras Adventures In Nature, Open Road Honduras. Information:

www.casadecafecopan.com

Copan Ruinas, Long & Short Term Vacation Rental,
La Casa de Don Santiago Town House Rental

Brand new, comfortable and stylish rental home with all amenities, 2 bdrms each with private balcony and valley views, 2 1/2 baths, sleeper couch, hot water, granite countertops throughout, color tv w/ cable, ceiling fans, custom furniture, extra large closets, fully equipped kitchen, purified water, all new appliances, living room, dining room, maid service included, garden w/ hammock, centrally located & close to all shopping, dining and cultural offerings. Avail by night, week, month. Copans best vacation rental.

http://www.casadedonsantiagocopan.com

Copan Ruinas, Casa Jaguar Rental Home. Charming & comfortable village residence. Quiet street, 5 blks from Central Park, all shops, restaurants, cafes, museums. Newly remodeled, 2 bdrm w/ 1 dbl bed in each bdrm,1 bath w/ hot water, fully furnished, sleeper couch, full kitchen w/ all new appliances, all utensils, purified water, living room, dining room, maid service included, a/c, ceiling fans, color tv w/ cable, travel & Maya culture reference library, hammocks. Available for rental by the night, week, month.

www.casajaguarcopan.com

Fishing Boat Captain Needed!

I need a fishing boat captain, or an experienced fisherman who can handle the daily routine of a charter fishing boat operation in La Ceiba. Must have interenet and be dependable, reliable and honest! Please email me at sail_fever@yahoo.com or you may call me in Texas, USA +01 432 631-2193.

Honduran Beachfront lot. 3500 SqFt in Santa Fe (near Trujillo) ..
Road is in, Electric, Water and Telephone adjacent. Sat TV and Internet
available. $18,000 contact hondprop@mail.com

REAL ESTATE

Roatan Realty http://www.ROATANREALTY.com

For Sale- Roatan Island Real Estate
The global investment community is calling Roatan Island the hottest new investment destination in the Americas!
This spectacular beachfront home has marvelous sunset views which crystal clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean at your doorstep, this property is located in the sought after community of Lawson Rock.
The community has two pools, a restaurant and marina. With 102 feet of beachfront this 6/10 acre site has been lushly landscaped with almost every tropical flower in the Caribbean. Asking Price $US $1,449,000
Own a magnificent island estate with a natural deep water harbor, more than 310-ft. private beachfront, 4.8 acres on tropical paradise and a fully furnished luxury home. Located on Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras, Central America.

Asking Price- $2,250,000
Tel USA + 1 877 716 1388 – Tel Honduras + 504 455 6022- email: info@roatanrealty.com
Roatan Realty Office Park, Main Rd, Brick Bay, Roatan

Keyhole Bay

Only 45 Luxury Condominiums

With Pre-Construction Discounts

Private, Gated Community
Community Clubhouse
Concrete Roads, Sidewalks & Street lighting
Infinity-edged pool
Restaurant & Bar
Meeting facilities
Commercial Center
Private Beach
Short Walk to West Bay Beach

A World Away From the Ordinary

45 luxury Condominiums
23 Estate Lots
Exclusive Facilities
Gated Community

Phone: USA (228) 533-2001, Honduras (504) 403-8035. Salesinfo@keyholebay.com, http://www.keyholebay.com

Infinity Bay Spa & Beach Resort

Roatan Most Elegant Condo & Hotel Development

Infinity Bay Spa & Beach Resort is an exclusive upscale development of 110 spacious one, two and three-bedroom condominium villas that together create a luxurious, relaxing escape on the sunny Caribbean coast. Here, in a lavish resort hotel setting, you’ll be able to enjoy all that the Caribbean has to offer in your very own villa, while taking advantage of a tremendous investment opportunity.

White Sandy beaches
Turquoise Water
Best Coral Reef in Caribbean

For investment Opportunity
Visit our website at: http://www.infinitybayroatan.com
Contact Information: Tommy Bauer at (504) 967-0777, (504) 403-8076, (504) 403-8077 or e-mail at: tbauer@infinitybayroatan.com

Parrot Tree
Plantation
Century 21
J. Edwards Real Estate
Beachfront Condos from $239,000* price subject to increase
THIS IS ROATAN´S BEST INVESTMENT VALUE ON THE MARKET TODAY!
Overlooking a secluded blue lagoon and 2,000´ of white sandy beach. Luxurious, fully furnished one-bedroom condos-Financing available.
For more information please contact: jedwards@globalnet.hn
Phones. 011 504 978 8355, Tel: (504) 470-1001
http://www.parrottreeplantation.com

Roatan Life
Real Estate
We’re working
So you don’t have to

Hard work and market knowledge. Enthusiasm and integrity. Passion and commitment. Professional service.
Roatan Life has founded on simple principles and a simple philosophy: treat every client as we’d like to be treated, each and every time. And as our company continues to grow-with new listings, new brokers, and new clients-we never lose sight of that goal.
Of course, the right approach and the right attitude wouldn’t mean much without the knowledge to back it up. But we’ve got that, too. With over 30 combined years of living on the island, our experts take care of the details while you enjoy your new property.

Real Estate Sales, Property Management, Vacation Rentals
Offices at Anthony’s Key Resort and West Bay Mall, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras, Office Tel: 011-504-445-3130 or 445-3028
US Phones:1-813-774-4686 or 1-970-300-4158
Visit us online at: http:// roatanlife.com or e-mail: sales@roatanlife.com

Rentals

House for Rent, Sale or Exchange
Located in Comayaguelas´s best commercial area, ideal for business. Location novena calle entre 3 y 4 ave. Across from ¨Japon Internacional¨ (Mitch Proof Location).
Six rooms, plus a seventh room in a mezzanine. 1 ½ bathrooms, warehouse, water tank, steel entrance door, steel bar protected windows, e/w sound isolation(glass reduces external noise). Two telephone lines, roofed patio, safe ceiling bars, ceramic floors, and a 30 ft. tower for communication. The house has the following measurements: 151.94 mts.2, 217.93 vrs2.
Sale Price:2 Million, (0r exchange for a house located in Col. Los Robles, Roble Alto, Las Hadas etc.) Monthly rent: L.7,500. If you are interested Call Phone: (504) 234-5018, or e-mail: rpfm96@yahoo.com.

Copan Ruinas, Long & Short Term Vacation Rental, La Casa de Don Santiago ... comfortable and stylish with all amenities, 2 bedrooms each with private balcony and valley views, 2 1/2 baths, hot water, granite countertops throughout, color tv w/ cable, ceiling fans, custom furniture, extra large closets, fully equipped kitchen, all new appliances, living room, dining room, garden w/ hammock, centrally located & close to all shopping, dining and cultural offerings. Copan´s best vacation rental. Contact: http://casacafe@hondutel.hn, http://casadecafe@mayanet.hn

Apartment For Rent
Located in Col. Altos del Trapiche, near The University UNAH, residential area and private security. Beautiful view you can see all the city. It has one bedroom, one bathroom, living room, dining room, kitchen, independent entrance. Garage for three to four cars, beautiful garden, cable T.V., water (cistern), luxurious ceramic floors. If you are interested please call us to Ph.(504) 255-5093, 255-5094, Cel. Ph.(504) 963-7702 or 896-7940. E-mail: RICARDOARTURO1957@yahoo.com.
(English poken).

For Rent

"Fully Furnished Studio – one of the most preferred by single foreigners!

Perfectly located in Residential Tres Caminos – near Boulevard Suyapa and Boulevard Miraflores. With private access and balcony, kitchen with all it’s amenities and dining room, bedroom, private bathroom, cable TV, free wireless Internet connection - and all utilities included. $225 per month. For information call: 231-0316 or 931-7662 or email: mirianyo2@yahoo.com"

Many more ads in classifieds!

Honduras goes organic

Sasha Arms
Honduras This Week

Since the first National Congress of Organic Agriculture was organized by the Secretary of Agriculture and Cattle Ranches (SAG) in 2002, the number of organic producers in Honduras has increased by hundreds. A movement supported strongly by the Minister of Agriculture, Hector Hernandez, the Congress has been widely deemed as an outstanding success. The number of registered organic banana producers has risen from less than 50 to over 200 in the last two years alone. Honduras now stands as one of the most influential countries in the Central American region for creating a successful future in organic production. Not only is this important for creating a healthy increase in Honduran organic exports, but as the very nature of organic production is often small-scale and localized, it is creating job opportunities and an important income stream for some of the most isolated and deprived communities in the country. By Sasha Arms

New crops provide huge potential for small farmers

Alex Jones
Honduras This Week

The potential for small and medium farmers in Honduras is great, but due to a lack of information they have not been able to take advantage of it. This is according to Santa Fe Agro, the first private agri-business center of Honduras. The location and climate of Honduras make it an ideal place to specialize in all sorts of exportable crops in addition to the more traditional bananas and coffee. Moreover, these new crops, which have not been efficiently capitalized on, are often accessible to small and medium scale farmers. This means that poorer farmers all over the country have a chance to enter a huge international market. If many take this chance, thousands of lives of could be improved. By Alex Jones

Roots and tubers - The possibilities dig deep

Courtesy of Santa Fe Agro
The bushbuck sweet potato can be grown and exported all year round throughout Honduras.

The first two major new products that Santa Fe Agro is advocating are Roots and Tubers. According to information that they have collected together, there is great space on the international market for a number of roots and tubers that can all be grown with a high yield and low risk across many areas in Honduras. Full Article

Doris Gutierrez:
"We are a pain in the neck, we make them lose their balance"

Anette Emanuelsson
Honduras This Week

Anette Emanuelsson/Honduras This Week
Doris Gutierrez being interviewed by a radio station while getting a ride to her next meeting.

Interviewing Doris Gutiérrez, Congresswoman for the party Unificación Democrática (UD), means constant interruptions. Her cell phone rings repeatedly and people that recognize her stop to ask for assistance with their problems. By Anette Emanuelsson

week review

Zelaya finalizes Cabinet changes
Marine limits to be agreed
Seven Directors of Education resign
12,000 identity cards are un-issued

EDITORIAL

Welcome 2007
A message from Honduras This Week to its readers and friends

In 2007 HTW will work to attract foreign investment, promote Honduras as a top tourist destination while also covering the work of groups and individuals fighting social injustices.

We start this year, like we do every year, with the expectation to improve and to grow in different areas. As in previous years, the goals that we set up this January will be achieved. Full Editorial

BUSINESS WEEK IN REVIEW

Lafise to construct Hotel complex in Tegucigalpa.
African palm and sugar cane planted in Olancho.
CAFTA still not reaping great rewards for Honduras.
Tigo announces $100million investment.
General Electric buys 99.8% of Bamer.
Two million lempiras lost by illegal phone call traffic.

Surreal wood sculptures for sale on the Honduran countryside

Anette Emanuelsson
Honduras This Week

Anette Emanuelsson/Honduras This Week
Artist Abner Gutierrez outside his workshop in Zambrano.

Among the many small handicraft shops that dot the Honduran highways, an artist with a taste for the surreal has his studio. For 17 years, Abner Gutierrez has been creating sculptures inspired by religion, mythology and history in his workshop located a 30 minute drive from Tegucigalpa, a couple of kilometers past Bosques de Zambrano. Moving to the countryside has had nothing but positive effects on his artistry according to Gutierrez. By Anette Emanuelsson

A STRANGE TURN OF EVENTS

As expected, there is some grousing in the streets about the new laws governing the Free Trade Zone. A large group of individuals is complaining about the "no guns outside of the home" clause. You might be amazed at just who is doing the complaining and saying the Municipal has no right to go against the Constitution of Honduras where its citizens are guaranteed the right to bear arms. They say that if an individual has gone through the proper channels and obtained a gun permit, they should be allowed to carry that weapon with them everywhere they feel the need. They say the bad guys will not ever adhere to any laws regarding weapons so the public should be armed and ready at all times. By Don Pearly

Over the course of the past few months I have written a number of columns regarding the airport project which is slated to serve Copán Ruinas. The on again, off again, on again, off again project has flip-flopped from green light to red light to yellow light so many times that I have lost count. To start off, here's some of the back story to the issue. Full Article

Movie Review: The Mosquito Coast

Patrick Ahern
Honduras This Week

Patrick Ahern/Honduras This Week
The movie The Mosquito Coast from 1986 stars Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren.

Yes, it isn't as good as the book of the same name we reviewed last week, but it is still pretty good. A movie rarely can deal with a theme as deeply as a novel. However, the 1986 production starring Harrison Ford (Allie Fox), Helen Mirren (Mrs. Fox), and River Phoenix (son Charlie Fox) is faithful to the novel even if it does have to cut corners to be able to present the story in a reasonable amount of time. There are things in the novel that defy normal belief. It is even more difficult to portray such fantastic inventions of Allie Fox as a forty foot high wood burning ice-maker on film in the middle of the jungle. By Patrick Ahern

Leeward

RN THURSDAY EVENING TOAST:
Here's to a bloody war and a quick promotion.

My brother is an archaeologist and lives in Copán Ruinas. There he is busily searching for a lost civilization, as if we didn't have enough here in town. Like myself, Ricardo is a sailor. Also like me, he has buddies that he sometimes takes out in his sailboat. My favorite story is of the time one of them suggested that he place two 150 hp outboards on the sloop to make it go faster! Full Article

................................TEGUCIGALPA

MUSEO DE HISTORIA REPUBLICANA
The Museum of Republican History is located at the Villa Roy building in Tegucigalpa's Barrio Buenos Aries. It is open 8:30 to 3:30, Tuesdays through Sundays and features portraits, paraphernalia, and other interesting items from past presidents. Admission is Lps. 20 for non-resident foreigners and Lps. 10 for Hondurans and Central Americans. For more information, call 222-3470 or 222-1468. Full Calendar

All original articles and photographs published in Honduras This Week are protected by international copyright law. Reproduction, in whole or in part without prior written permission, is strictly prohibited. Published online by Marrder Omnimedia. Comments or suggestions regarding this web site should be addressed to the webmaster, Stanley Marrder at stan@marrder.com . Letters to the editor should be addressed to: hontweek@hondutel.hn.