Hola to ALL
We had a great trip to Copan, Honduras for New Years Eve with MI friends (Dave & Ellen). It started off with a rainy, overflowing bus ride to Morelas about 45 min away before we could get a seat. You had to be somewhat aggressive just to get a spot to stand. Again I am amazed with the culture differences… We got on the bus and it was like a sauna with no windows open. I immediately asked a women if she would open her window. She tried but I soon realized she hadn’t ever opened a bus window before so I assisted. Then as we took off the rain stopped and the breeze was cool. I knew that she was cold but for miles she didn’t attempt to shut — even alittle. So I asked if I could shut it alittle and she was very pleased. Arrived at Copan around 4pm to no record of our reservation but the inn had room.
We went to the Copan Mayan Ruins New Years Day (end of 13th B’aktun Mayan calendar) and next day MacCaw Mountain where these 2 US gay guys bought some forest to protect it and then built cages to take in/raise injured or birds no one wants anymore. They breed and release the babies at 2-3 months into the wild. The detail of the ruins and stellas (built to tell the life of each king that ruled here) are very good as the stone in this region is very hard. The Spanish REALLY like the firework noise. Even SMALL children are allowed to set them off. So you walk through the main park square attempting to dodge any child that may be throwing a popper in your direction.
We left Copan 5am heading to Guatemala City. It was a good trip but took us 5 collectivo (local van) or nice bus to make the 5 hour journey for $8 US. We could of done it with 1 bus for $35 but unclear as to what time it left Copan and if they had seats. We saw the Ortho Dr to confirm that Tom’s shoulder is doing fine, learned what the shoulder noises were, obtained some different exercises and took the 6 hour bus to Rio Dulce. Unfortunately our MI friends got the flu and had to stay in Copan another 2 nights before heading back to Rio. I feel blessed that I survived not getting hit or pooped on while attempting to provision in the village by the excessive traffic on the narrow main road with veggie stands protruding out into the road. Tuk/tuks, motorcycles, cattle and veggie trucks, tankers etc. all HUNK their way through this small village. I think I have gained some extra sensory skills.
We thought we were leaving the Rio. We left the comfort of Catamaran’s Marina heading for what some say — alcoholic/pot smoking Texan Bay for the night and then thought we were crossing the mud/sand bar near high tide in afternoon and anchor off Tres Puntas, leaving Tuesday 4 AM to attempt to get into Placencia, Belize that evening, prior to the high winds coming in on Wednesday. Its REALLY rainy and squally but to get to Belize we are somewhat behind the outer reef so shouldn’t be too bad. It always amazes me how long it takes to get ready to depart even though we thought we were before we left for Copan….
Well we are back at Catamaran’s. We left and in route to Livingston, Guatemala (before checking out of the country and crossing the bar) we noticed that our diesel engine injector was loosing compression so we turned around and went back to the Rio where we could get some assistance to fix it. Good thing we had went to Honduras and obtained another 3 months on our immigration/passport. We will now try for Jan 13th as we fixed the leaking injector (sorta Guatemala engineering by adding a thin copper washer). We are grateful it happened here vs in Belize where there are fewer services and more expensive. Thanks to Bill on S/V Present Moment for being our diesel mentor…. I (Rose) also got quiet dirty as needed my smaller body/hands to work on things
Since we were delayed abit, we went to the local circus (10Q at 9pm at night — way past our bedtime). It was interesting and mostly meant for children. But hey — this is our second childhood.
As we have said in the past, sailing is for sure a sport where your plans are written in sand at low tide…..
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Make it a great year and live your dreams! Keep in touch as we love to receive emails about your life.
Our Love
Rose & Tom