Sueno Azul resort – having arrived in the dark and spent the night in an un airconditioned room with only cold water, we were surprised at the beauty of the hotels location with rivers and lakes surrounding it.

Around the hotel............................................................................

It was perfectly quiet, away from it all and the plants and flowers in the gardens were wonderful.  Some photos for the gardeners amongst you…

                                                                                                        Golden parakeet........

All along our route today the farming land is a wonderful green.  We pass dairy farms, coconut, banana and pineapple plantations, all bordered by beautiful colourful hedgerows.

We take our time today, its just a short day, have lunch at the side of the road and then meet up with some of the cars at the Iguana café.  Owners here look after iguanas and they wander around the café.  Apparently they feel like a matchbox if you stroke them and they seem to enjoy it.  I did not like to get that close!!  Picked up another fridge magnet from Costa Rica Faye!!

From here it was a short trip to Fortuna and Montana de Fuego (mountain of fire) and our hotel at the base of the volcano.  Thankfully it is no longer fully active.  Some went in a taxi at dusk to see the lava flow but I think they were disappointed. Clouds are covering most of it tonight.  Another pretty hotel set in bungalow style.  Cars must be getting tired – lots of bonnets in the air as we arrive and JC in his element in his overalls on the floor helping Charles replace his water pump.  I have photos to prove it Geoff!!

The hotel grounds...............                  The mechanic..................                      The volcano - no longer active our side!!

Change in plans for the morning – apparently the final 30kms of the proposed route to the rain forest resort is not suitable for the classic cars.  So arrangements are made to leave the cars at the hotel and everyone to travel by bus/ship/bus to the rain forest and return in two days time to collect the vehicles and head on to Nicaragua.  As you would imagine JC wanted to drive it but Paul and Nikki were asked not to and like any serious 4x4 driver JC decided it was better not to go it alone.  Its Sunday today and the Costa Rican vintage car club have come out to meet us at the hotel – lots of photos and exchanging of hats, cards and experiences.  Also there is a group of bikers led on by Ian Coates from Hebden Bridge!!  A star of a man who has been traveling the world on his Aprilla since 1999.  What a laugh – his stories kept everyone entertained – that is those that could understand him!!

JC and Ian talking Yorkshire..............           One for the bikers who are following us............

Lots of locals had come to see the cars and as we chatted to Oscar, one of them, and told him our plans for after the rally – he recommended that we have our windows tinted and coated.  This would stop anyone seeing what is inside and also breaking the windows to break in.  Quite common in Latin America apparently. JC very keen to do this particularly for when we are traveling alone, so we left the rally members to their rain forest trip and travelled to San Jose, armed with a telephone number for a supplier and details to get to the Best Western.  The trip took us around 3 hours over a winding mountain road and after a quick help with directions in San Ramon we made it to San Jose.

After help from receptionist this morning, we found the supplier and Diamo, a very helpful English speaking local translated at the workshops for us.  Now I am sat in the waiting room, whilst JC watches what is going on.  Apparently, it should take 3.5 hours.  Lets see, we reckon we may be here 5 hours.

The boys....................

We were on the way after around 4 hours and made it back to Montana de Fuego hotel to wait for the others to get back from the rain forest in the morning.  Shame to miss this but we both now feel more secure and prepared for traveling on our own once the others have left. 

Once they get back we are on our way around the lake heading for the border with Nicaragua and a couple of nights in Granada.  Its very hot 42 degrees and we have our first breakdown with the Lotus and a damaged exhaust.  After 1.5 hours at the border – not bad, we navigated through the town and into the Hotel Colonial – very colourful place even the shower was bright yellow!!

The hotel..........................................................

We arranged to get up at 5.30 am the next day and do some sight seeing before the temperatures rise again. 

The Cathedral...............                        Beautiful old chapel....................           JC, Jenny and Nikki finding the way around.......

Delivery boy................                         Paul and Coxy talking cars............           The milk delivery ..................

The town hall.................

After an alledged day of rest – JC did his back in pushing one of the Healeys, we just spent the afternoon having a siesta before meeting Nikki and Paul for dinner at the “Third Eye”

It’s now 8^th May and we are on our way to another border .Tales of  protesters burning tyres along the route make for some nervous people, testing radios and staying in groups of cars today.  We did see some blocking lanes with trees and lots of buses parked – but we pipped and gave them the thumbs up in sympathy.  The people are protesting about the cost of fuel, there are trucks parked up for miles along the highway – a bit like UK after all!!

On the highway – trucks, cars, tuc tucs, people, ox carts and cattle.

At the border, there are plenty of people to help (especially if you tip them).  There are trucks all over the place and we spot a driver sleeping in his hammock underneath his trailer.  Coxy says ‘things are the same all over the world – driver’s sleeping”.

At the border.............                           No sleeper cabs here boys!!                     A local keeping cool...................

He loves it........................                                          Our helpers...................................

Heading for Tegucigapa the Capital – the roads run through Alping like vegetation but the temperatures are still above 40 degrees.  Here we are heading for the Intercon.  The traffic is a nightmare – almost as bad as Damascus and it’s the rushhour.  Wouldn’t like to get into a taxi in this town even the bull bar doesn’t put them of, but we finally make it to the oasis of calm which is the Intercon.

The traffic chaos.....................................................................................................

The next morning sees us on our way to Copan with Coxy telling everyone to follow us out of town as I know the way – no pressure there!!  We make it  and out of the city we see people selling fish, pineapples, mangoes, and frozen grapes along the road side.  A bit different from fresh eggs and potatoes.

At one point we are following a container which has chalked on the back – Hull Customs T/O – it’s a small world.

Has this really been to Hull????              Can you spot us in the mirror.........          Strange loads you see here..........

It’s been a long day today and as we climb the final hills to Copan the temperature reached 50C.  Good thing the hotel has a pool and a bar – we’ll need a dip and a drink when we get there.  We stop just outside of the village and JC stocks up on blackmarket diesel.

Early start next day heading for the Mayan ruins at Copan in a tuc tuc. 

                                                                                                                                                               Washing his shirt........

On 11^th May we are heading for Guatemala – heard a lot about this place.  The border is only 12kms from Copan but I managed to get us lost – what chance do we have of getting through Guatemala.  The border this time took two hours even with government assistance from the Guatemalan tourist board.

Entry to Guatemala............                    Strange creature having a rest......          We waited...........

and we waited..........

First impressions – very poor and dry with lots of burnt off dried grass, replacing the previous lush greens. Some pics from along the road:

Bit of trouble with the Dutch jaguar today.  Lots of long steep up hill climbing in the 50C heat and she keeps overheating.  We keep stopping.  Guatemala is definitely not a pretty country so far and a bit smelly.

As we approach Guatamala City it looks even worse.  So glad Aimee is in Dubai and not still here.  One car pulled up at a traffic light next to the old Rover and advised Dave not to stop in the City for anything and to keep his door locked!!

Around Guatamala City.........................................................

After my recent successful navigating, I was feeling very confident about getting through the city but our escort from the tourist board who had been bringing up the rear decided to lead us through with lights flashing.

We reached our hotel in Antigua – the old capital city of Guatemala mid afternoon, what a contrast to the city.  The hotel Casa San Domingo was formerly a convent which has been beautifully restored, with lots of small chapels, museums and secret gardens to explore.

Around Casa San Domingo

That night we were welcomed by the Guatemalan Tourist Board at a reception in the hotel, where the lovely girls were dressed in traditional costume – some of which we will see as we drive on through the highlands.

The following day is a rest day which gives us a chance to explore the city with a guide.

Curious cross mix Catholic & Mayan??       The Cathedral...........                           Wash day.....................

Mum & baby Guata.........                      The rear of the Cathedral..........             Colourful bus and front of town hall - it has no back!

Yes that is JC sight seeing......

Then head back to the hotel for some lunch and a bit of a rest.  After a swim in the very warm pool JC thinks he is back in Brid lying in the cooler mountain air of Antigua and the macaws share his lunch.

Mappleton beach?????                           Good news about Keith...........                Poolside macaw..........

Joins JC for lunch..................                 Good table manners..........

Well that's that put back together may not be as good as the original version but best I can do.

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