HONDURAS, Copan Ruinas

Wednesday July 21, 2010

"During the Classic period (AD 250-900), the city at Copan Ruinas culturally dominated the region for centuries. The architecture is not as grand as Tikal's but the city produced remarkable sculptures and hieroglyphics. Its culture was so developed, it is often labeled the 'Paris of the Maya world '."   Lonely Planet

 

 

HONDURAS, Utila, Great Diving on North Shore

July 15, 2010

Just realized the last 2 posts were dated June. While backpacking days of the week don't mean a thing and obviously the months are not too important either. Dove the North Shore of Utila today and went down to 110 feet, a new personal best for me. It was like swimming in a box of crayons with all the wonderful colors of fish and coral. No Whale Sharks today but maybe later.

HONDURAS, Utila, (home of cheap diving)

Saturday  July 10, 2010

After a really long day on the boat and bus to La Ceiba yesterday, I finally made it to Utila. Roatan is the more touristy island in Honduras and the beaches are more beautiful and the diving is a little better, but Utila is the backpackers haven. With lodging and food less than half of that on Roatan it was an easy decision. For $185 US you get 10 dives and a free bed in a dorm at one of the dive shops. I opted for a private room at Hotel Seaside with private bath for only $10 nightly. Free wifi and hammocks on the 2nd floor overlooking the Caribbean were bonuses. Food is very cheap compared Belize.

BELIZE, Caye Caulker, Snorkeling in Belize

July 3, 2010

Great day snorkeling in Belize today. Swam with nurse sharks, saw 3 large sea turtles, petted a sting ray and watched two manatees playing less than 5 ft away. Add in beautiful coral and colorful fish and you have a great day.  I can live with the minor sunburn. Internet is $6 hr so blogging will be limited for a while.

GUATEMALA, TIKAL

July 1, 2010

I loved the ruins at Palenque but was blown away by the Mayan ruins and pyramids of Tikal. Our guided tour began a little after 6:30 am this morning and on the road to the ruins we were greeted by howler and spider monkeys who put on a show for us. We also saw various birds such as parrots and toucans. The highlight for me was climbing the two tallest pyramids which are both around 200 plus feet high. The first one we climbed had a wooden ladder straight up the side of the pyramid. We were rewarded at the top with an awesome view of the Mayan complex and surrounding jungle. Tikal is special in regards to other Mayan ruins in that it at one time was completely taken over by the jungle and secondly, that you are able to climb most of the pyramids. Other than the tremendous height at the top, there is also only about 2 to 3 feet of space along the top step. This makes it interesting as the other climbers arrive at the top. Sometimes getting down is scarier than going up. I have great pictures and videos and will post as soon as I find faster internet. Belize tomorrow. Time for a little 5 day vacation on the beach in the middle of my travels.