Travelreport No. 30, Honduras, 10.7. - 22.7.2009
Travelreport No. 31, Nicaragua 22.7. - 4.8.2009
Travelreport No. 32, Costa Rica 4.8. - 15.8.2009
Travelreport No. 33, Panama 15.8. - 25.8.2009

Travelreport No. 30, Honduras, 10.7. - 22.7.2009
Copan Ruinas - Santa Rosa - Gracias - La Esperanca - Marcala - Tegucigalpa - Las Manos


Entering Honduras is an one minute affair after paying the entering fee at the border.

The Maya ruins in Copan are one of the main attractions in Honduras. Impressing is the Museum, which you enter through the mouth of a serpent and walk through the entrails of the beast before emerging, shows a series of original pieces of sculptures and facades that have been recovered within the Archeological site. And the real size replica of the Rosalila temple gives a very clear idea of how the temples were decorated with stucco and paint during the peak of the Mayan culture, over 1000 years ago.

Cycling across the highlands of Honduras was a good choice. Beautiful valleys, countless pine-clad hills, cloud-forests, coffee plantations and colonial towns - very enjoyable with nearly no traffic. Only the many inclines bother me sometimes, especially when pushing the bikes uphill over rough stoney gravel roads. So I ask Pius soaked in sweat, why do we do this. His answer with a smirk in is face: to cycle down the mountain on the other side. Every day we accomplish more than 1000 meters of altitude and even break our record with 2017 m. The rainy season (invierno) takes a break, so we are happy to travel without getting caught in the rain.

While writing these lines, loud bangs are heard. But this has nothing to do with the recent military coup, which we did not notice as tourists at all. So no fear. The people in all the Central American countries we have visited so far, love to celebrate any event with the use of firecrackers, the louder the merrier.

Travelreport No. 31, Nicaragua 22.7. - 4.8.2009
Esteli - Leon - Granada - Ometepe
After the strenous mountain stages through Honduras, we are happy to cycle flat parts and speed along tabacco- and coffee-plantations. With great pleasure we visit the colonial towns Leon and Granada and are especially fond of the Island of Ometepe, which is formed by twin vulcanoes rising out of Lago de Nicaragua. Hiking there through primary forest to see the petroglyphs (depicting humans, animals and geometric shapes) we are amazed of the enormous diversity of beautiful butterflies and birds. Mornings and evenings we hear the concert of the howler monkeys and watch them climbing and jumping in the trees.

Especially delightful we find the friendly and open way with which the Nicaraguans discuss with us any topic.

 

Travelreport No. 32, Costa Rica 4.8. - 15.8.2009
Los Chiles- Grecias - San Jose - Dominical - Neilly
Citrus-, pineapple- and sugarcane-plantations are followed by coffee and vegetable in higher regions (up to altitudes of 2200m). The hilly landscapes are charming with many rivers and tropical vegetation.

In the capital San Jose we are very lucky to get hosted by Carmen, the Secretary of Servas - and she makes as feel like at home.

At the Pazific one finds surfer paradises with high waves and nice beaches, so we took a days break. While having one of the occasional rests while cycling, we sit beside the road and a farmer approches us and invites us to his home. Walter and his son David are poor, but they spoil us with ramputan and coconutmilk and show us proudly the plants and trees which they grow on their small premises. Real hospitality is the greatest thing to experience for everyone.

 

Travelreport No. 33, Panama 15.8. - 25.8.2009
David - Santiago - Panama City
First thing we notice in Panama, is, that houses are not fenced in and shops not barred anymoren. To cycle the Panamerican Highway is easy, only moderate climbings and most of the way a hard shoulder. In a village called Tole, we wanted - again cycling with Matthias - camp at the missionary station, but get invited by Caesar and Mary-Sol. Of course we love to take the offer and chatting all evening, we learn a lot about people and the country.

Crossing the canal on the bridge Las Americas is impressing - and then we head right into Panama City, undoubtedly the most cosmopolitan and richtest capital in Central America. The reason is international banking, trade and the income of the canal.

Visiting the locks, with an excellent museum and watching some of the huge , 14'000 ships passing through the canal each year, is a fascinating an unforgettable experience.

Honduras on the road to Copan

Honduras on the road to Copan

Vulcano on Ometepe Island Nicaragua

visiting Walter and David in the jungel, Costa Rica

visiting Walter and David in the jungel, Costa Rica

pacific ocean coast in Panama

pacific ocean coast in Panama