It occurred to me the other day that I have not yet posted a final report from the Spring 2014 Central America Adventure Log. Some day, when I am really old, (not just sort of old, as I now am) I expect to read all this and smile with fond remembrance of these good times. Better get it down before I forget. So here goes:  Carol and Frank came down and spent our last few days on Caye Caulker with us.  From there we went to Roatan, Utila, Copan, Antigua, and San Marcos on Lake Atitlan.  We had a great time.  Well, I can do better than just that so here are some of the details.
We flew from Belize City to Roatan on the new Tropic Air service offered there.  Our destination was West End where most of the little hotels are located.  We stayed at Arco Iris, each with our own little kitchen and a large shared balcony where we enjoyed many a game of cribbage after spending time on the beach in front of the hotel.  We rented a car for a day and toured the island, stopping at a little eatery (Cal's Cantina) with a magnificent view and the best cheeseburger I have ever had!  We drove over to West Beach for breakfast before turning the car back in.
It had been our plan to go by boat directly from Roatan to Utila but the trip was cancelled due to weather (my guess is the boat captain came up with an alternate plan for that day, but okay).  So we went by ferry to the mainland and then from there by ferry out to Utila.where we had a house on the shore rented for a few days.  The place turned out to be outstanding.  Right over the water with a view of town and boat traffic coming  and going in the harbor between.  A wrap around balcony and well supplied kitchen completed the setup.  We took a tuktuk tour of the island and were especially impressed with The Jade Seahorse, a fairy tale like place where the owner has spent years creating an intriguing scene from bits of broken tiles and glass and various other oddments. From Utila we took the ferry back to the mainland (La Ceiba) and made our way to the bus depot where we learned that we could take the bus to San Pedro Sula but the bus on to Copan from there was sold out.
San Pedro Sula is hailed as the murder capitol of the world.  But we were welcomed and treated so nicely, staying in a small hotel down town with our only hint of violence a caution from the hotel about not walking the streets after dark.  No problem there as I can't keep my eyes open after dark anyway.
In Copan we stayed at ViaVia, a cute little hotel attached to a rather noisy restaurant.  But also the headquarters for many interesting tours. The hotel was reasonably priced at $18 per night! Carol and Frank went to the ruins at Copan (where we went last year) and we went to the hot springs.  Lester and I each had a great massage!
Next on our trip was Antigua for Semana Santa (Easter Week). We stayed at a small hotel (Pasada San Vicente) with a lovely courtyard and pleasant rooms.  Carol's cousin and his wife  who are in the area waiting to begin a Peace Corp assignment joined us in Antigua.  The Easter celebration there is impressive.  Amazing, actually.  We believe that at least 3,000 people , in costumes, took part in the processions.  We later learned that they all had to pay to participate, with the more expensive parts going to those who start out walking from the church.  The floats were carried on the shoulders over the cobblestone streets and over the flower carpets arranged daily on the parade routes.  The crowds were unbelievable.  At times they were pressed so tightly together it was difficult to move other than inching along and hoping not to lose your footing on the rough street.  Frank and I each got caught up in the crunch at which time he was relieved of his wallet and I lost my camera.
From Antigua we traveled up into the mountains to Panajachel and Lake Atitlan, left by a long ago  volcano  eruption.  It is considered to be one of the world's most beautiful lakes situated as it is between three remaining volcanoes. We went by launch to the village of San Marcos where we had rented a house for the week.  The house was lovely and the surrounding garden awesome.  But the rough and rocky trail up to the house was an unwelcome development.  Especially as yearly (or maybe even daily) I become less sure footed and less able to climb. Which speaking of climbing, Carol and Frank climbed up the volcano at San Pedro.  Pretty impressive! (We, instead, went for another massage.)  Hey, we know how to have a good time too!
At the end of the week back down the hill to Guatemala City airport and a homeward bound flight.  Another fine adventure.







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