Blogs from Copán Ruinas, Western, Honduras, Central America Caribbean - page 9

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A popular hot springs is about an hour´s drive from Copan along a dusty road. The drive to the hot springs is far more fascinating than the hot springs themselves. Most of the hills around the city have been cleared to some extent of vegetation to make way for coffee plants, bananas, and other crops. It is incredible how the farmers plant crops on slopes that are fit only for sledding or snowboarding where I live. Our driver told us about the cooperative for raising organic coffee in these hills, where about 15 to 20 families joined together to raise shade grown coffee in a sustainable way. We saw very young plants, carefully tended under shadecloth, for replacing coffee plants when they die. The families had been gathering lots of firewood and storing it in a ... read more
Road to Hot Springs, Copan
House near Hot Springs, Copan
Horno


The Parque de Aves, just a short ride outside of Copan, has a short trail next to the river where large enclosures are the homes for various tropical birds. The first enclosure protects about 20 or so scarlet macaws. Visitors can walk right through the enclosure, and be one with the birds. I thought I might be greeted as an old friend, perhaps, but no, these birds tried to drive me away with their noisy protests and taunts. Their responses to me were dreadful, even though I was telling them how beautiful they were and how honored I was to be among them. And they were utterly beautiful, with their crimson plumage, long flowing tails when they flew, and other strong colors of blue, yellow, and green mixed in. I knew they had planned their greeting ... read more
Scarlet Macaw
Scarlet Macaw
Baby Toucan


I have a new family. Donia Orphilia is about my age, and she warmly welcomed me into her home. Her niece Sabrina is a talkative 7 year old who is learning English, and who translates for Orphilia when she needs it. Her sister Elda and her parents also live in the same house. I have my own room painted in the classic yuk green, and a private bathroom. I can stare at the underside of the tile roof, criss crossed by electrical wires. It is quite cozy. Last night I was cold, however, even though it was about 80 degrees F. The family has four dogs and two cats, who all seem to get along well. The cats are lanky, with the weirdest triangular faces. I have not yet met the dogs. So far I love ... read more
Tuk Tuk
Church
Guys


We caught a bus to Chiquimula (I think that´s how you spell it) and from there to the border. No hassles crossing the border. They have a special deal if you´re just going to Copan. There´s a little village called Copan Ruinas which, basically, services the ruins. We found a pleasant enough hotel and booked ourselves in before exploring the town. Found a good bar called Twisted Tanyas. Much recommended should you go there. They also do food. We had excellent tilapia on the second night though on the first night we just had beer. All this time there was thunder and lightening in the mountains. The rain came down as we were heading out to eat so we ducked into the nearest restaurant. Where there was another powercut (did I mention the first powercut?). We ... read more
Trogon
Bird in a tree
Macaws at Copan


Well we finally visited the ruins today. They were spectacular and very… old. There is a hieroglyphic staircase over 100’ high which contains the longest Mayan history ever found. There are also lots of carved stellae of former kings. Copan is a lovely chilled out town. Strangely enough it seems that most of the residents own Chelsea tractors. Walking around is lovely during the evening when the town comes alive. This week the town has been celebrating Semana Santa - holy week, leading up to Easter. There’s been street decorations, processions and children acting out the Easter story. We’ve successfully eaten plenty of street food, one of our favourites is puposas con pollo. They’re chicken stuffed soft tortillas with a side of shredded cabbage and beetroot. We’ve not done an awful lot, not just because it’s ... read more
Iguana Azul rules
Steve making dinner in a very large pestle and morter
Our room at the Iguana Azul


Our numbers have come up on the Honduran mid week lottery!!! 2,000,000 Limpiras that's about 60K!!!!!!!!!! So happy that we got pressured in to buying a ticket now. First class all the way..... time for some fun bubbles! We'll update when we know what's happening next xxxx ... read more


We've both graduated from Spanish school! Our graduation consisted of us preparing a little speech to give to the rest of the school. Luckily that week there weren't too many students, we were still a little nervous though. Although we've had a fantastic time in San Pedro and certainly clocked up a few experiences (I've not even told you about the black spiders and the huge orange one on the last night) we're happy to be moving on and getting a little closer to the beach again. So, the journey. We were so prepared. We had money, food, water, tissues, no stomach issues of any merit.. we were ready for the 10.5 hr journey to Copan in Honduras. The first leg to Antigua was fine, a bit bumpy and slightly scary due to the silly fast ... read more
Tula & Steve
Inventive...
Finished.  It's a bench.


5 Tage Copan Ruinas Wir wohnten im ViaVia Cafe, das nicht nur Bar und Restaurant ist, sondern auch 5 huebsche Zimmer zu vermieten hat. Dass unser Zimmer sehr nahe der Bar lag hatte vor wie Nachteile: wir konntn direkt von der Bar ins Bett stolpern, aber an schlafen war nicht wirklich zu denken, weil wir das Gefuehl hatten das unsere Betten direkt neben den Boxen standen.... Ausschlafen liess es sich dafuer ziemlich gut. Auch das Essen im ViaVia ist sehr gut - wir nahmen die meisten Malzeiten dort ein. Wir verbrachten gemuetliche Tage, waren aber nicht total untaetig: Wir besuchten den Macaw Mountain (Vogelpark), der Maya Ruinen und das Casa Mariposa (Schmetterlingshaus). Alles sehr huebsch. Highlights waren die Aras die einem in der grossen Voliere um die Koepfe flogen, die schwierig zu fotografierenden Schmetterlinge, die auf ... read more
Der Weg zu den Zimmern im ViaVia Hotel
begabte Kletterer
Scarlet Macaw


Visited Countries Map Well, we've been a bit blog lazy recently because we've actually been filling our days in a useful way. We headed for a town called Flores in Guatemala after we left Mexico. The town is really close to what are meant to be the best Mayan ruins there are. The Mayans' are famous for their prediction that the end of the world will happen in 2012, hence the new blockbuster that was out recently. Our guide told us that if you believe that, you've been smoking muchos marijuana! We had an early start to get to the ruins....5am....not a time we're really used to any more, but the best way to see all the critters in the rain forest. The ruins are in the middle of primary rain forest that is home to ... read more
Lake view in Flores
Mayan ruins
Mayan ruins 2


We took Hedman Alas bus from Antigua to Copan Ruinas in Honduras after a one night stay in Antigua. So long Antigua, we will not see you again after passing this way three times! The seats on Hedman Alas were pure luxury! When we got to Honduras, the immigration officer was a joker imitating a lion for “Leona” and me as poquino for “jr.” Everyone is a comedian! Arrived in Copan Ruinas which is a funky little town of 6000 people two miles from the Mayan Ruins. Took a tuk-tuk to our hotel. We were staying on the edge of “town” four blocks from the center of town. The hills around town are full of birds and Casa Del Café B&B is great place to stay. Great people in a quiet area. We went to the ... read more
Copan Ruinas
Copan Ruinas
Copan Ruinas




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