1998 - Central America (Part 3 - Honduras)

Our first taste of Mayan ruins.

Sunday 12 April 1998 - Friday 17 April 1998
View 1998 Central America, Mexico, California on nzhamsta's travel map.

Sunday 12 April - The early starts continue with the 5:00 am bus to Tegucigalpa in Honduras. A first class bus, reclining seats, Jacky Chan movie (dubbed in Spanish and very loud) and comfortable enough that I fell asleep. The scenery very spectacular but huge amounts of rubbish on the road side, especially plastic water bottles. A mid afternoon arrival. We wandered into city centre but most things were closed it being a Sunday. Superb dinner but no beer, it being a Sunday. There being nothing else to do, we went to the movies, "The Man in the Iron Mask" with Leonardo Di Caprio (ho hum).

The Galeria Nacional se Arte, Tegucigalpa.

Museo Presidencial, Tegucigalpa.

The Virgen de los Dolores, Tegucigalpa.

Monday 13 April - An early flight via La Cieba to Roatán on the Bay Islands. These islands are off the northern coast and is an important tourist destination for Honduras. The afternoon spent relaxing by the beach with dinner at "Salt n Pepper" restaurant.

Tuesday 14 April - I picked up a car rental (Suzuki Samurai) with four of the others and spent the day driving around the island. We stopped in Coxon Hole (capital of province) for supplies and then found the iguana farm. Lunch at Oak Ridge Bay (very persistent water taxi drivers here). The final stop at Paya Bay Resort for coffee. In all, a very good day sightseeing off the beaten track.

The iguana farm.

They climb trees as well.

Phillip, Martin, Kerron and Robyn with our dodgy Samurai (no hand brake).

Oak Ridge, Roatán.

This is the life.

Wednesday 15 April - Caught water taxi to West Bay for a trip in a glass bottom boat over the reef. Lots of fish and coral. Relaxing afternoon by beach.

West Bay.

Lunch. I think battered with chips and a crisp green salad, washed down with a nice cold beer.

Thursday 16 April - A flight back to La Cieba and then onto San Pedro Sula. There were more dramas as not everyone could get on the same flight so had to wait for them before continuing. A very full chicken bus to La Entrada and then a very empty chicken bus to Copan Ruinas. Afternoon siesta (a feature of the trip).

Friday 17 April - A morning tour of the Copan ruins. We had a very knowledgeable guide in Antonio. Lots of Mayan statues, including Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiil (pronounced as 18 Rabbit), the ball court and lots of other temples. The afternoon spent at Agua Caliente, a hot water spring close by. Very relaxing and yet another afternoon siesta.

The main plaza.