Copan
(DAY062 : Rio Dulce - Copan : 185 miles)
(DAY063 : Copan)
After more back tracking south towards Guatemala City, I took a turn at Rio Hondo towards the small Honduras border at El Florido. The border is a few shacks and a rope closing the road, and I'm greeted by a few guys, offering assistance and/or money exchange. There really is no need for any assistance, so we only get to chat a bit while I exit myself and Katirga from Guatemala, then enter Honduras on paper. These guys know about Galatasaray and Turkish soccer players more than I do! But then, that's not saying much as I know nothing about sports that involve chasing a ball.
After spending my last 10 Quetzales for immigration paperwork, I also exchanged the 400 Mexican Pesos that I've been begging Guatemalan banks to exchange. The guy's best offer was 560 Lempiras, while an internet exchange price would have been 680. A $6 commission on a $36 transaction may be steep, but if Bank of America had this kind of opportunity I know they would've taken all $36 and charged me another $5 for talking to their teller, so we had a deal.
Past the rope is Honduras customs, which doesn't even bother checking Katirga's VIN#, but requires 2 photocopies of something and something. So where do I get copies? In Guatemala! I ride back to the other side of the rope and get my copies, but now I don't have any Quetzales. So I pay with Lempiras, and end up with Quetzales for change. Just when I had gotten it all perfect!
In short, the border crossing was painless and relatively quick in under an hour, and cost me about $30 or so, most of it Katirga's temporary importation tax.
Aduane Honduras
Then, after only 7 miles of curvy smooth asphalt, I was in Copan Ruinas, a very cute small town. It was already 3pm, and the park closes at 4, so I check into San Jose hotel 1 block north of the central park. A basic but clean room with secure parking for $15.
Below: Copan Ruinas
The next morning I visited the ruins, tunnels, and the museum. The cost of all fees was $37.
The logo of the ancient city of Copan. (No giggling please)
Intact only in Copan.
The entrance to archaeological tunnels.
the buried Rosalila temple as seen from the tunnels
Full scale replica of the Rosalila temple
I spent the evening at Red Frog with John and Stina. John had pulled in with his R1150GS in the morning and met Stina here, so we are new friends with lots to chat about. The local beers in Honduras are a disappointment and Red Frog's nachos was the absolute worst I ever had, yet it was another great night.
Also see : Palenque vs. Tikal vs. Copan
(DAY063 : Copan)
After more back tracking south towards Guatemala City, I took a turn at Rio Hondo towards the small Honduras border at El Florido. The border is a few shacks and a rope closing the road, and I'm greeted by a few guys, offering assistance and/or money exchange. There really is no need for any assistance, so we only get to chat a bit while I exit myself and Katirga from Guatemala, then enter Honduras on paper. These guys know about Galatasaray and Turkish soccer players more than I do! But then, that's not saying much as I know nothing about sports that involve chasing a ball.
After spending my last 10 Quetzales for immigration paperwork, I also exchanged the 400 Mexican Pesos that I've been begging Guatemalan banks to exchange. The guy's best offer was 560 Lempiras, while an internet exchange price would have been 680. A $6 commission on a $36 transaction may be steep, but if Bank of America had this kind of opportunity I know they would've taken all $36 and charged me another $5 for talking to their teller, so we had a deal.
Past the rope is Honduras customs, which doesn't even bother checking Katirga's VIN#, but requires 2 photocopies of something and something. So where do I get copies? In Guatemala! I ride back to the other side of the rope and get my copies, but now I don't have any Quetzales. So I pay with Lempiras, and end up with Quetzales for change. Just when I had gotten it all perfect!
In short, the border crossing was painless and relatively quick in under an hour, and cost me about $30 or so, most of it Katirga's temporary importation tax.
Aduane Honduras
Then, after only 7 miles of curvy smooth asphalt, I was in Copan Ruinas, a very cute small town. It was already 3pm, and the park closes at 4, so I check into San Jose hotel 1 block north of the central park. A basic but clean room with secure parking for $15.
Below: Copan Ruinas
The next morning I visited the ruins, tunnels, and the museum. The cost of all fees was $37.
The logo of the ancient city of Copan. (No giggling please)
Intact only in Copan.
The entrance to archaeological tunnels.
the buried Rosalila temple as seen from the tunnels
Full scale replica of the Rosalila temple
I spent the evening at Red Frog with John and Stina. John had pulled in with his R1150GS in the morning and met Stina here, so we are new friends with lots to chat about. The local beers in Honduras are a disappointment and Red Frog's nachos was the absolute worst I ever had, yet it was another great night.
Also see : Palenque vs. Tikal vs. Copan
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10:03 AM
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