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| My pack in the back of the bus |
My destination was Rio Dulce, a lakeside retreat two hours
inland from the Caribbean Sea. Before I could kayak through the jungle, I had
to get off the island of Utila.
24 hours earlier, it is the day after Christmas, so the
island is sleepy this morning. And then I come out of my hostel in the dark, my
legs become submerged in rainwater. This rainstorm is making up for all the
sunny days I got.
0-12 hour: Race to Puerto Cortes
The two-hour air conditioned ride on the Utila Princess almost
puts me in hypothermia now that my coat is soaked($24USD/500L). Once we hit
port my five days old Spanish bargains a taxi ride to town to catch a bus to the
capital San Pedro Sula. For $16USD/350L and 3 hours later on Viana transportation, we make it to the bus terminal in SAP.
The terminal is crawling with people trying to get on their
way. Buses are the backbone of Central America. They run only by day for safety
reasons, putting them on a limited schedule and in high demand. I became an
early riser fast on this trip. Sometimes waking up at 3:45 am to catch a ride.
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| Bus terminal at San Pedro Sula, Honduras |
Guatemala border [La Frontera] via Puerto Cortes has is two
van rides and a school bus ride. The first
ride cost $2USD/42L and takes 2 hours in a van with Impala. My whole body is numb and I have to pee,
unlucky for me, I'm stuck middle back. Prepare yourself for every ride to take
double since the vehicles are bought used and wore to the last nail.
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| Iglesia San Francisco near Honduras/Guatemala Border |
The second ride by the school bus makes it way from Puerto
Cortes to La Frontera via Omoa. Don't forget to tell the bus driver before the
3 hour/$3USD ride starts.
By the time I crossed the border, the sun was set In good
faith I got into the first taxi and waited to be taken to Puerto Barrios where I
would sleep for the night. Taxi is $9USD/75Q and, 4 hours from the Guatemalan
border.
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| River near Omoa, Honduras |
12-20 hour: Just get me to Rio Dulce
In bitch black the clock reads 11 pm when we got to our
hotel. Traveling at night is bad but after picking up the day shift of workers at
the Chiquita banana factory I feel safer. I sat in the van and watched the
women file, wash, stack and group the yellow export crop into boxes with the
bright yellow and blue sticker. Loaded into trucks for the U.S.
The next morning, I scavenge out for some brekkie and purchase my
boat ticket ($5USD/35Q) that leaves at 9:30 for Livingston. Proud of my
progress I splurge on the fresh meal of (huevos, frijoles, tortillas, salsa, y
jugo de naranja) for $2USD/10Q.
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| Muy delicioso |
The bumpy ride along the Guatemalan coast was refreshing and
amusing with an older lady squealing every time we hit a wave. By 11:30 a.m. we
landed in the seaside city of Livingston. Bob Marley carries across the town,
emitting the rasta-party vibes upon context.
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| Chiquita Bananas leaving Puerto Barrios, Guatemala |
Not sure if I was making a mistake of not checking out this
spot in the Amatique Bay. My friends had mixed reviews about Livingston. Most
described it to be a disappointment from the not-here-for-long mentality of the
place.
The ride up the Rio Dulce into the eastside entrance of Lake
Izabal was a costly trip at $17 USD/125Q. But soon my mind forgot about the
price once I saw the walls of the gorge up ahead. A Jurassic Park setting, where you feel so
small and out of place from the overwhelming natural landscape. The most dense
and vertical rainforest I have seen.
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| Entering Rio Dulce from Livingston, Guatemala |
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| Bienvenidos a Lago Izabal |
White birds glide through the air. From the volcanic burst
of clouds to the infinite lily pads, my eyes were dazed from nature's draw. As
we crept closer to the city, I wished it wasn't my turn to get off. It was and
I was again a traveler on my own.
20-24 hour: I see the Finish Line
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| Guatemalan river hut with lanchas |
Destination- Hostel Casa Perico. A boy no older than 15
picks you up from a local restaurant and jets you on a lancha, deep into the
rainforest. I pass luxurious homes with
there yachts docked (what in Guatemala?). After settling into my treehouse bed,
I spend the night studying my espanol from a high school notebook. It was worth
saving.
-Buenas Noches
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| Vino y papas fritas |
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| Found this in my bed :) |
[Video of a Micoleon]
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