From: Antigua to Copan, Honduras
The day started out with a bit of rain and a bit of insanity (at least we had three good days in a row). We left Antigua heading for the Honduran border in the mountains. Unfortunately a city of over six million with no reasonably marked roads lay in our path. Guatemala City is daunting. It took well over an hour to cross it. Rain and highway construction made things very difficult and detours took us away from Highway 1 and even with Harold's expensive GPS we had a tough time getting back on track. Finally the day calmed with a good road and the rain withdrew.
Our easy riding lasted for perhaps 45 minutes until we crested a hill and could see nothing but cars and trucks going nowhere. As far as we could see (mostly trucks) the vehicles sat with occupants milling around. We assumed there must have been a major accident and after sitting for several minutes decided to ride in the unused on-coming lane (in other words move up and butt into line). This is a rare advantage to being on a bike and we passed perhaps a hundred or so machines before tucking into within what appeared to be a short way to the scource of the problem. After standing around for a while I tried my espanol on a couple of military types and was told it was a road block and it was political. The bottom-line was a small town was protesting some conditions by blocking a major two lane highway with burning logs! The impasse lasted for about an hour (much longer for those getting there before us.
Harold poses with
the group of
young people we
met while waiting
for the road
blockade to end.
A group of young people came by an were intrigued by our bikes. One of these was a young woman named Karen who had lived in Los Angles for 10 years before returning to Guatemala. We took advantage of her English to learn more about the road problem. When we finally started up, I estimate about three miles of vehicles began to move. The final phase in this strange day found us back into the high mountains and reaching the border around 2:00. This border was a bit crazier and took a little longer than the previous crazy borders. It's strange finding that the customs office only signs (stamps) papers but you must walk a distance to find an office that "copies" the papers. And of course it would have taken a lot longer without the paid assistant. Our 4:00 arrival at Copan came just as rain began again to fall. Copan is a major site for those interested in Archeology. Remains of major Mayan civilization bring people here from all over.
Day 13
From: Copan To: Siguatepeque, Honduras
Harold and I spent the morning doing a self-guided tour of Copan ruins. For more info on Copan. It was very interesting and within walking distance of the little town. Leaving Copan around 11:00 gave us only a half day of riding but it was as usual. . . an adventure. Topes are no longer a regular occurance but bad pavement is. Especially in the mountains where I'm normally paranoid because of the "chicken buses" and other crazy drivers. Actually Harold is probably more paranoid that I as he saw one bus on two wheels rounding a curve. And two pickups apparently racing, came around a curve in his lane. Bad pavement in the mountains make you wonder if you could get that two wheel thing between your legs to fly. On one super tight switch-back there was a huge chunk of asphalt missing right in my lane. Also we encountered mud floods in three places that recent rains created. We carefully followed a semi thru one of the bigger slides as it crept through leaving a trail which we gladly followed.
Three or four times today we encountered cows. Mostly accompanied by a farmer or farmer's kids and each time in the middle of the road. The food continues to be wonderful We usually have two "good meals" each day. Sometimes having a spanish breakfast and an evening meal. Other days we've started out with just coffee.
1.
2.
3.
4.
1. Copan Ruinas is an ancient Mayan ruins that hosts colorful birds as well as magnificent relics.
2. View of a Mayan temple.
3. I got to pose with a group that was fascinated by the two old gringos.
4. The armed guard seemed pleased to have his picture taken. He worked in a camera store.
Harold poses with
the group of
young people we
met while waiting
for the road
blockade to end.
A group of young people came by an were intrigued by our bikes. One of these was a young woman named Karen who had lived in Los Angles for 10 years before returning to Guatemala. We took advantage of her English to learn more about the road problem. When we finally started up, I estimate about three miles of vehicles began to move. The final phase in this strange day found us back into the high mountains and reaching the border around 2:00. This border was a bit crazier and took a little longer than the previous crazy borders. It's strange finding that the customs office only signs (stamps) papers but you must walk a distance to find an office that "copies" the papers. And of course it would have taken a lot longer without the paid assistant. Our 4:00 arrival at Copan came just as rain began again to fall. Copan is a major site for those interested in Archeology. Remains of major Mayan civilization bring people here from all over.
Day 13
From: Copan To: Siguatepeque, Honduras
Harold and I spent the morning doing a self-guided tour of Copan ruins. For more info on Copan. It was very interesting and within walking distance of the little town. Leaving Copan around 11:00 gave us only a half day of riding but it was as usual. . . an adventure. Topes are no longer a regular occurance but bad pavement is. Especially in the mountains where I'm normally paranoid because of the "chicken buses" and other crazy drivers. Actually Harold is probably more paranoid that I as he saw one bus on two wheels rounding a curve. And two pickups apparently racing, came around a curve in his lane. Bad pavement in the mountains make you wonder if you could get that two wheel thing between your legs to fly. On one super tight switch-back there was a huge chunk of asphalt missing right in my lane. Also we encountered mud floods in three places that recent rains created. We carefully followed a semi thru one of the bigger slides as it crept through leaving a trail which we gladly followed.
Three or four times today we encountered cows. Mostly accompanied by a farmer or farmer's kids and each time in the middle of the road. The food continues to be wonderful We usually have two "good meals" each day. Sometimes having a spanish breakfast and an evening meal. Other days we've started out with just coffee.
1.
2.
3.
4.
1. Copan Ruinas is an ancient Mayan ruins that hosts colorful birds as well as magnificent relics.
2. View of a Mayan temple.
3. I got to pose with a group that was fascinated by the two old gringos.
4. The armed guard seemed pleased to have his picture taken. He worked in a camera store.
