8. The last day in Guatemala (I hope)
Day 71. The last time I’ve had that many roosters around me was in Lihue, Hawaii. That’s why I didn’t like flying there. Well, here there are about a hundred of them and they all think it is a good time to make noise at 4 in the morning. Then cows and horses and everything else joined the party. Oh well, it is their house.
Morning looked awesome with blue skies. But I know that’s only an illusion and it WILL rain later on. But for now, I’ll enjoy what I have. Not too much to pack so I head for breakfast. Nice setting and even better food. And they have a cutest pair of parrots there so I had to take more pics.
I fully expected lakes of water everywhere after the last night’s deluge. But no, few puddles here and there. Cool. Not too much to pack so I am off quite quickly. I had to navigate through morning traffic through the town of Jalapa. No problem for international pros… The road after that was absolutely gorgeous. I realized once again how hilly Guatemala really is. Not too many miles of straight road here. 2nd gear max … I caught in the corner of my eye a nice hacienda. Few km further I turned around and ride back to take pics of the setting. Wow, some people live very nicely in Guatemala. I am sure it was all legal. Artificial lake with an island and few “cottages” around. Hmmmm … Not much else around further down the road. Nice riding, though. Then I quickly descended to a huge valley with river Rio Grande o Motagua. Lots of water there and very brown from the last night rain. But it got really hot in the valley. 36˚C for the most of trip today. Not used to it anymore …
I joined the road heading to the Atlantic coast to port of Puerto Barrios. Very busy, full of large trucks. Hard to pass and many times I had to wake up most of my ponnies to get ahead. Nice ride but not too much around to look at. Even though I follow the river I don’t see it until I crossed it the second time. Then I leave the nice road and head up for the mountains again. In 2nd gear for the next 30+ km … On the ridge, back to the valley, up the hill and repeat. Many times. Pretty cool. It is amazing where people farm here. There is not too many flat places so most of the fields are on a slope. And most of them would be classified as a double Black Diamond back home. Normal here.
This road is in the middle of nowhere with no major cities on either end. Very little traffic. I’ve been warned that is a transit route for drugs. Oh well, it is time to spice things up … Soon enough I reached my destination of town of La Union. A small town on the side of the hill. All streets here are on a very steep grade. My hotel is on the main drag and is only one two hotels in town. Nothing to write home about but I have a bed and a shower. It is no Palace for sure.
A quick walk through the tow takes about 10-15’ … It is literarily only few streets. I am the only gringo in town. I found a place to eat but only thing they have are burgers. Not my first choice but beggars can’t be choosers. Grabbed an ice cream on the way out and sat down at the main square. A gentleman came to join me and we started to chat. He tried English and answered back in Spanish. Hilarious. But one thing he told me to be very careful around this town. LOTS of drugs and crime. And I should not be on the streets after dark. Didn’t planned on that. But good advice.
Planning on getting up before sunrise and head for the border. I have about an hour to ride on the twisty road. I think I have all my papers in order. For most of Central American countries they want you to fill government forms. Without them you might be denied the entry. I’ve heard stories from not even asking for those forms up to people being turned around. Well, I have the form for Honduras and today I have received the approval for entry to Nicaragua. Nicaragua is regarded by far the worse country to cross border to and from by most travellers. Looking forward to it. NOT. Anyway, I’ve done all I could so lets the fun begin.
I plan only short ride tomorrow. The Honduran customs requires you have a booked hotel somewhere in the country. (So does Nicaragua). So I booked a nice hotel about only 100 km inside Honduras. Now I can spend some quality time at the border ;-)
That’s about it for today. In a way a way a boring day but that’s OK. Tomorrow might be different. Wish me luck.
Cheers, Adam