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30 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday October 25, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com A visit to Tela is like stepping back into history C onquest's latest destination in Honduras has a long history and you will be living it, if you spend your vacation at Villas Telamar, on the outskirts of the little town of Tela. Tela's history dates back to 1524, and explorers, adventurers and pirates have all left their stamp. In the late 1890s, Tela settled in to growing bananas. It was the home of the Tela Railroad Company, owners of the Chiquita brand. In 1974 the company pulled out leaving 4,000 people out of work and struggling. This country, though, produces innovative citizens who keep plugging away and now a large portion of the old plantations are growing African palms used to produce vegetable oil, but you still see traces of the old colonial days. The Telemar property was home to the company executives and you can walk down little streets and see some of the homes. Visitors, though, will be staying in one of the 68 new plush rooms, in the 214-room, four-star, allinclusive resort. I don't know of many resorts anywhere where you can have a beach experience, change and, in a 10-minute walk, be in the centre of town taking in the action. The rooms are everything you would expect in a new four-star resort -- two queen beds, with attractive bedding, and great pillows, iron, ironing board, coffee maker, a full bathroom including tub and a in-room safe. If you are addicted to Timmy's coffee best you bring your own. Three of the two-storey buildings face the long, wide beach; the other three are across from the huge pool. pier are artisans selling amazing jewellery at surprisingly low prices. Give them a day or two and they'll make you something to order. You'll need to learn some Spanish words, and be able to draw it for them. Like some of its more wellknown neighbouring countries, Honduras is nature at its best. There are more than seven million acres of protected areas of rain forest, cloud forest, beaches, mountains, mangrove lagoons and forests. The 15 national parks, two biosphere reserves and 10 biological reserves make the country the perfect place for an eco holiday. Aside from this, they have the beautiful Mayan ruins of Copan, and the second largest barrier reef in the world. Some tourism people brag that the second largest country in Central America has much more to offer than its neighbours, but is 20 years behind simply because they haven't had the money to advertise its splendour." "We have two living cultures; the Mayan and the Garifunas, and of course the Colonial history," I was told. There are enough tours in the local area to keep you busy all week, and the bonus is that they aren't far away from your hotel. Since I started coming five years ago, there have been noticeable changes, as Tela is the perfect spot for large tourism. "We've been there - Now let us take you" Meet Bullas Travel Representatives FREE TRAVEL PREVIEW in Oakville Saturday, November 1st, 2:00 pm at the Country Inn, 2930 South Sheridan Way featuring Australia, New Zealand & Fiji Reserve your place call 1-800-565-1133 Ontario Registration 1283912 Deluxe escorted Group Feb. 16 to Mar. 16, 2009 for info contact veronica@bullastravel.com The large pool has a great kid's water play area at one end, two water slides -- one for big kids and a swim-up bar at the other end. For folks like me who like a quiet, shaded pool to read by, there is a nice one. Unlike most resorts the rooms and the halls are lined with original art. If you love it, ask for directions to the artist's house. His living room is a small gallery and he'll be pleased to sell you a piece of his work. Two kids under-13 stay and eat free if they're sharing a room with their parents. There is a nine-hole golf course included and so is the short ride to and from. The carts are mandatory and an extra charge. The air-conditioned dining room, like the other new buildings, is built in a colonial style, and you'll feel like a banana executive when you dine on the wide, covered veranda. There is a bar and restaurant at the end of a long pier. Along the Five new banks have opened, and new little restaurants, and cafes are opening monthly. There is a huge development coming, which will put Tela on the map down the road, but in the meantime, this is a destination with real value for the dollar. The prices are still low compared to other destinations, not only do you not feel gouged, you can actually shop. Rum is still $4 a bottle, $8 for a seven-year-old bottle and Internet access is $1 an hour. Italian men's shoes can be bought for as little as $10, cotton jersey tops in interesting styles for $8. The market is a fascinating place to wander and you'll notice no one is urging you to buy anything. There is meat hanging on hooks and hammocks for sale, and everything else you can imagine, in this bustling area. Art is unique and inexpensive, wood carvings are stunning. The streets at rush hour are still filled with bicycles and you see horse carts downtown. You'll get used to a horse cart stopped at one of the two red lights waiting behind a brand new SUV. It has a lovely long beach and is close at hand to many must-see famous sites. This is a destination for those who want more, but also want to be able to walk into a hotel room that feels just like home Ask your travel agent. -- Sam Ion can be reached at sion10@cogeco.ca.