My first week in Central America has included Antigua (Guatemala), Copan (Honduras) and La Ceiba (Honduras). It has also included extensive travelling, heavy rain and old-fashioned farce about a bag.
Antigua is colonial style town with cobble stone streets, Spanish style central park, church and a dramatic natural setting in the arms of three volcanoes. Lookout point just outside the city is called Cerro de la Cruz which gives great view to the city and surrounding volcanoes. Antigua is not a safe city. Especially after dark it is reasonable to use taxi or walk in groups. Two members of our group were involved in muggings after dark. One of them happened just a few meters from the hostel door.
From Guatemala we took a bus to Copan, Honduras which is a home of some impressive Mayan ruins. For me this is exactly one of the biggest reasons I want to travel and explore the world. The feeling of anticipation going through a jungle path as it opens and unveils something that has been there since Mayan times. Great experience which definitely also had some similar features to Macchu Picchu and Angkor Wat. Copan is also a home to greatest natural hot pools I have experienced so far. Luna Jaguar offers many different kind of pools in a natural environment. Road to Luna Jaguar is a challenge but it is worthwhile.
We were actually not supposed to stay in La Ceiba but nature had other plans as heavy rain and wind stopped the ferries to Roatan. So, we were stuck in La Ceiba for couple of days before skipping Roatan since the forecast did not look good, and headed one day early to Tegucigalpa and from there to Leon, Nicaragua.
For me the trip has had a challenging start. My bag is currently 6 days delayed. Last news is that I’m going to get it in Managua on 30th. So it will make 8 days total. (update: this also was the case yesterday) I do not recommend this experience to anyone. I will definitely have some bones to pick with my airlines and insurance company. I’ll write the whole story as I finally get the bag, but in short I see KLM ground staff in Helsinki Airport as the main factor for this incident. Their incompetence in check-in caused my bag not to make it to the plane in Helsinki. What is interesting is that according to aviation business agreement it is the last airline in the line that is responsible for all. So I’ll be talking about compensation with Copa Airlines who only flew me from Panama City to Guatemala City. So although mistake was clearly made by KLM, Copa will be handling the issue with me. I really hope I finally get my bag on 30th to be able to have a peace of mind and some clothes.
On top of that my health situation is not the best which does not make travelling very pleasant at the moment.
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