Well, in about twenty four hours anyways. Brian and I rented a house in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica for the month of December, so we have to pick up the pace a little. We decided to give our sweet Claudette a break from the trials and tribulations of the road for a few weeks. If you are in the area, stop by and say hello!
We will whip up some some beans and rice and fried plantains for you!
One last thing thing that we really wanted to do in Guatemala was go to see Tikal... a little touristy, but well, well worth it. A little out of the way, up in the northern Peten region of Guatemala, about a days drive to get there. The ruins are situated in deep jungle. Walking under gargantuan trees to the screams of howler monkeys a hundred feet up in the canopy, we could almost smell the blood of sacrificed virgins.
The fastest route to Honduras from Tikal was a little border near the river town of Rio Dulce. That night Brian and I had definitely the cheapest and one of the tastiest Thanksgiving Dinners ever for less than $10 consisting of a coca cola in the glass bottle, some street tacos and a couple queso funditos (cheesy goodness in a tortilla). We reminisced about our families a lot and pecan pie a little.
Books and websites and other travelers warned us about the chaotic and frustrating border into Honduras. We were mentally preparing ourselves for an outright battle. But when we got there, it was a little different than expected… it was empty. No money changers grabbing your sleeves to get your attention, no kids begging for money, just a few officials at their windows, ready with their stamps poised for a passport or two. It was eerie. And awesome. And then we were in Honduras.
Already pacts have been made about returning to Central America, as all we did in the entire country of Honduras was boondock for the night at a truckstop and eat a few tasty meals. Not what Honduras deserves. We will be back. It was almost an equally easy transition in Nicaragua.
Funny how we haven't even crossed the Darian yet and plans are being formulated about another trip down the old Pan-American highway.
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| I love how a kid is flying a little plastic bag kite out of the back of the truck. |
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| Is that still considered a pot-hole? |
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| Jaguar crossing! |
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| Big trees with jungle vines in Tikal |
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| The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah... |
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| An unofficial guard to one of the temples. |
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| Temple |
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| History is fun, kids! |
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| Mayan queen! |
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| One of the hardest things down here is all the strays. Breaks my heart. Spay and neuter your pets! |
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| Yes, that is Brian playing on a see-saw at the Honduras border. Yes, that is a man sleeping in the background. |
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| Brian feels left out that he doesn't have a machete. Anyone who is anyone has a machete. |
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| Pretty evening in Nicaragua. I think those bags look even more comfortable than Claudette's front seats. |
Ruka sends her warm regards to you and the strays!
ReplyDeleteKnow that your families were definitely reminiscing about you , too!! And now we know what Brian wants for Christmas... did you get the number for the machete vendor? We are really starting to miss you now! :)
ReplyDeletePuerto Viejo is great!
ReplyDeletethe surf spot, Salsa Brava is one of the heaviest waves in the world. it breaks on the reef just to the right of the old ship. get the street meat in downtown. its friggin great! if you surf, try the beach up (north) of town a little. you can take the trail through the woods. its just after all the rocks and stuff.
be wary of the neighborhoods. theyre a bit sketch ball.
and, if you need anything, talk to a guy name Scott. he owns crocodile surf camp on the beach side, just north central of downtown. he and his wife are great. hes from florida originally. also, if youre nice, he might take you fishing. i worked for him for rent for a while down there. enjoy....and stay away from the river mouths! (crocodiles)