Copan Ruinas, Honduras-The Mayan ruins (Part 1)
The big attraction to the town of Copan Ruinas, Honduras is the Mayan Ruins located only one (1) mile outside of town. It is an easy stroll. Part of it being a tree lined walk. Suggest you go in the morning, because of what can be sometimes be intense heat. Make sure you wear a hat! If your walking partner starts to complain about the heat or the distance, just remind them of all the work the Mayans did while on a corn diet!
The tree lined walk to the Mayan ruins of Copan Ruinas, Honduras
I have visited the ruins on two (2) different trips to Copan Ruinas. The second time was like being there for the first time, because there is so much to study. I have visited a number of sites in Central America and Mexico. Each time I learn a lot more about the Mayan civilization.
You will need to pay an admission charge to enter the park. Plus, I strongly suggest you get a guide. They can add so many details to the tour that you would never get on your own. There is a little office on your left as you enter the park where the guides hang out. You can make arrangements there. If you are going to spend all the time and money to get to Copan Ruinas, Honduras then let go of a few bucks to do the ruins in the best possible way. The cost of a guide for 2 hours was around $25.
The entrance to the Mayan ruins of Copan Ruinas, Honduras
There is an open air museum that is very interesting where you will actually buy your tickets to the park. In addition to the open air visitor’s center, there is an enclosed museum building with some very interesting examples of the Mayan work.
The musuem center of the Mayan Ruins of Copan Ruinas, Honduras
Don’t try to take the easy way out by only visiting the museum. You HAVE TO visit the actual ruins to get the full effect of the Mayan life. Don’t let the Mayans think they did all that work for nothing!
Next-we will go visit the actual ruins!
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
Read about the rest of my travels in Honduras
Read about the rest of my other world travels here
Comments? Please post below or email me at ssb11@prodigy.net
The Grab Guard(R)-a really neat travel security device
A really neat travel security device-the Grab Guard(R)
I am always on the lookout for cool travel accessories. Some of them are listed in my travel tips column. I am huge believer in practicing security when I travel. I have heard too many horror stories from other travelers who have had backpacks, purses or bags stolen right in front of their eyes. So, I was particularly intrigued with this easy to use locking device called the “grab guard”
The Grab Guard in black
It is an easy to use two (2) number combination cable lock that is extremely lightweight and serves the purpose of temporarily delaying any thief that is trying to make a “quick getaway” with your stuff. Usually all it takes is a slight deterrent to make a thief choose a different target.
I often travel with a 22 inch roll aboard suitcase and carry a small backpack. The problem is when I am sitting in an airport waiting area and trying to keep both the suitcase and the backpack secure. With the Grab-Guard, I simply put the cable lock through both pieces to keep them secured together.
I recently used it on a trip to New York and it eased a lot of my concerns with keeping my bags secured together. I really liked using it. My next trip was to Chicago, where I forgot and left the Grab-Guard at home. On that trip, I had much more anxiety about my bags when I wasn’t using the Grab Guard.
The grab guard in brown
I wanted to get some other people’s opinions about Grab Guard. I started out with my daughter who travels a lot. Her comments were “Yeah! I can totally see this in the airport. I am always afraid I am going to fall asleep and someone will walk off with my purse” “Now, I can attach my purse to either me or the armrest while waiting for my flight. This would be perfect for travel”!!
When I showed it to my wife, she said, “Wow that is a neat little gadget! It’s cool! It’s small! I wish I would have had that this morning to have secured my purse in the restaurant when we were having breakfast”!
My friend Kim said, “I think it is perfect for securing my purse in the cart at the grocery store.” “I see women all the time that are getting ready to have their purses stolen because they just set them in the grocery cart.” ” I am going to have my husband get me one”!
I then interviewed some random 20-something(ages) young women at Starbucks. Their comments were, “I would use it at the airport or in the grocery store”. “It would be perfect”! “I really like it.” The most shocking comment I got from the younger girls was a shrug when asked if they would use in a restaurant. Several of the younger ones said “I probably wouldn’t use it to secure my purse in a restaurant, because no one in this city would ever steal your purse off a chair” (???) Famous last words of the uninitiated!
Grab guard secures purse to chair
Grab Guard used to secure backpack to chair
Do yourself a favor and check out their website for ordering info. Plus you can see the video on the various uses of the product. www.grabguard.com
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
Read about my travel tips here
Read about the rest of my other world travels here
Comments? Please post below or email me at ssb11@prodigy.net
McCaw Mountain Bird Park and Nature Preserve-Copan Ruinas, Honduras
Visiting the McCaw Mountain Bird Park in Copan Ruinas, Honduras
By now you have read some of my other posts about different leisure activities I have participated in while visiting Honduras. If you haven’t, you can catch up on all of them by clicking here.
I don’t know anybody that is not interested in seeing the beauty of tropical birds. Well, Copan Ruinas in western Honduras has a great place to see them. It is the McCaw Mountain bird sanctuary.
You will see plenty of colorful birds at the McCaw Bird Sanctuary
One of the beautiful birds
One of the guides available to take you through the park
One of the students from the Ixbalanque Spanish School enjoying one of the birds
My new best friends
One of the teachers from the Ixbalanque Spanish School enjoying the birds
Some of the "inmates"
In Copan, the means of transportation for tourists are the small golf cart taxis. That is what you will ride in up into the mountain where the sanctuary is located.
Taxis in Copan Ruinas, Honduras
On the day I visited, the trip was arranged as a side excusion as part of my studies with the Ixbalanque Spanish school in Copan, but you can find any golf cart taxi to take you.
There is an admission charge to enter the park. Plan on spending 2-3 hours. I wanted to share with you some of the photos I took while visiting the park.
The park is open everyday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entrance fee is $10USD per person. If you are interested in checking out their web site, you can click here.
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
To read about my other travels click here.
Comments? Please post below or email me at ssb11@prodigy.net
Horseback riding in Copan Ruinas, Honduras
During both of my one week study programs at the Ixbalanque Spanish School in Copan Ruinas, Honduras, I have taken advantage of their after school excursions. One of my favorite activities is the horseback riding into the countryside.
Both years, I have had the same guide for my horseback ride. I don’t remember his name, but he is one of the nicest, most accommodating people I have ever met. Here is a photo of him:
My guide for the second time on the horseback ride in Copan Ruinas, Honduras
My first trip, I was the only person on the ride with him. When he brought the horses to the school, the other students all came outside of the building to watch me climb on the horse. What they didn’t know was that I was from Oklahoma and have had my share of horseback rides. Foot in the stirrup, swing up on the horse, and away we rode. I think they all expected me to fall off the horse!
My guide brought the horses to the school
When we got to the outskirts of town we rode into the Copan River. We stopped in the middle of it to allow the horses to drink. The water was up to the belly of the horse. I had to raise up my feet to keep them from getting wet. It was 8 a.m. There was a light fog hanging in the Copan Valley. It was a beautiful morning. It was about as good as it gets.
Crossing the Copan River by horseback
My guide spoke no English. I could understand about half of what he said in Spanish. We rode down the middle of the river for several hundred yards, finally climbing the bank to get up on a dirt road for better footing and more rapid travel.
Riding down the middle of the Copan River
We rode past several small farms. As we rode side by side, my guide told me about his life in Copan, his family, and how much pride he took in his horses and making them available for tourists.
horseback riding down a rural road outside of Copan Ruinas, Honduras
Part of the countryside outside of Copan Ruinas, Honduras
Part of the landscape outside of Copan Ruinas
The countryside as seen from on top of a horse
We continued to climb higher and higher into the hills until we reached the top with an incredible view of the Copan Valley. As I surveyed the valley below, I remember thinking, “only a few days ago, I was sitting in a white shirt and tie in my office and now, here I am high on a hill in the tranquil Copan Valley, sitting on top of a horse”!
A view of the Copan River
A view of the Copan Valley and Copan Ruinas Honduras
So, if you visit Copan Ruinas, Honduras, I highly recommend that you take a morning and invest in a nice leisurely horseback ride through the countryside.
Next-I will give you an overview of the bird farm
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
To read about my other travels click here. If you want to read my entire Honduras blog click here.
Ixbalanque Language School in Copan Ruinas, Honduras
For studying Spanish, I really like the Ixbalanque school in Copan Ruinas, Honduras. I have attended it twice and can highly recommend it. The lessons are one on one. They have a very nice, new school building within walking distance from anyplace you would be staying in town.
Outside of the Ixbalanque Spanish School in Copan Ruinas, Honduras
Welcome inside the Ixbalanque Spanish School
The very modern Ixbalanque Spanish School
Inisde the individual classrooms at the Ixbalanque Spanish school
Students taking a break at the Ixbalanque Spanish School
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The entrances to the classrooms at Ixbalanque Spanish School
There are various outside activities that the school offers. I have visited the bird farm and done the horseback riding as part of the school activities.
Amadea and Kathy are the directors of the school (sisters). If you want more information you can e-mail them here: www.ixbalanque.com
Next-I will post some photos and info about the excursion that Ixbalanque offers its students.
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
To read about my other travels click here
The Kimpton Palomar Hotel-Los Angeles
Just completed my second stay at the Kimpton Palomar Hotel in Los Angeles. The Kimpton Palomar is located on Wilshire Blvd. just a stone’s throw from the city of Westwood and a few short blocks to the UCLA campus. This is one of my favorite areas of Los Angeles.
I have stayed at several hotels in the area including the Hyatt and the Intercontinental which are also nice places, but decided it would be better if I stayed with one property and made it my hotel of choice. I chose the Kimpton not only because of the location, but also because they offer some very good internet specials from time to time if you are a member of the Kimpton “in touch” repeat guest program.
The Kimpton Palomar is a nice break from the normal “brass and glass” 4-star hotel. The design could probably be described as an art deco style. You have the feeling of staying in a small, high end European hotel.
Entrance to Kimpton Palomar Hotel in Los Angeles
The staff is very friendly and helpful. Each morning, there is a very nice coffee bar set up in the lobby. There is also an ample supply of newspapers. It is nice to sit in the small lobby, read the newspaper and have your cup of coffee.
Kimpton Palomar Los Angeles Hotel Lobby
The hallway to the rooms at the Kimpton Palomar-Los Angeles
Inside of a double room at the Kimpton Palomar hotel, Los Angeles
The rooms have a modern or art deco style. Takes a little getting used to the first time you walk into one of their rooms. But, it is a nice diversion from the “standard” hotel room.
The furniture in the room has a modern look to it.
The modern furniture inside the rooms at the Kimpton Palomar Hotel
the entrance hallway to the elevators in the Kimpton Palomar Los Angeles
This is the hallway that leads from the restaurant to the main lobby in the Kimpton Palomar
If you want more than coffee, there is a great restaurant in the hotel. Breakfast prices are decent and I like the varied menu. Try the 3 cheese omelet or the yogurt/granola dish. They also offer a good selection of organic teas.
So, if you want to stay at a place that is just a little different, but with an elegant flair, I highly recommend the Kimpton Palomar hotel on Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles. Kimpton has a number of other hotels in large cities across the U.S. You can check out their web site here or just type in www.kimptonhotel.com
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
To read about my other travels click here
Honduras, public meat market of San Pedro Sula, Part 8
Part 8-Honduras- the public meat market of San Pedro Sula
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect in the meat market of San Pedro Sula. I was prepared for anything. I actually found it to be reasonably clean. It was one booth after another. All selling varying kinds of meat.
Hanging beef in the meat market of San Pedro Sula Honduras
Hanging beef and sausage in the meat market of San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Hanging beef in the meat market of San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Beef and sausage in the meat market of San Pedro Sula, Honduras
I think these may be something like Pork rinds in San Pedro Sula, Honduras meat market
hanging meat in the market of San Pedro Sula Honduras
Fish in the market of San Pedro Sula, Honduras
One of the meat stands in the meat market of San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Shopping for meat in the market of San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Again, like in the tortilla markets, the people were friendly and somewhat amused that I was taking photos. I was the only “gringo” in the market.
Next-on to the produce market of San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
To read more of my travels click here
Part 7-Honduras, the street markets of San Pedro Sula-the Tortilla market
Part 7-Honduras, the street markets of San Pedro Sula-the tortilla market
Since I was scheduled to meet Santos at 8 a.m. to hit the markets, I first needed to gobble down an energizing breakfast on the concierge floor of the Hilton Princess. They serve a buffet breakfast with plenty of choices. The flavor of the fresh squeezed orange juice was incredible!!
Breakfast on the concierge floor of the Hilton Princess in San Pedro Sula, Honduras
I needed to catch a 1:30 p.m. bus to Copan Ruinas in western Honduras, so after breakfast, I packed my bags to be ready to go when I returned from the markets.
Santos was waiting outside the Hilton Princess to take me to the street markets at the appointed time. Off we went.
Our first stop was the tortilla market. I found it to be very interesting. The ladies that worked in the booths all smiled or laughed as I was taking photos of them making their tortillas. Here are some pics.
The Tortilla ladies of the tortilla market in San Pedro Sula
Fresh tortillas cooking in the tortilla stands of the market in San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Rows and rows of tortilla stands in the market of San Pedro Sula, Honduras
It was in the tortilla market where one of the women asked me if I wanted a girlfriend. I told her I was married, and like the lady in the fruit market the day before, she said it wasn’t important. She wanted to be my Honduran girlfriend anyway. I politely declined, but gave her a friendly smile.
On our way out, we passed the same tortilla stand. I gave the lady a wink, and all the rest of them had a good laugh!
As we left the tortilla markets, Santos said he wanted to take me to the beef and pork markets. Let’s go Santos!!
Next-the meat markets of San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
If you would like to read about my other travels click here
Honduras-part 5– My first attempts at the streets of San Pedro Sula, Honduras (Cont’d)
Honduras-part 5– My first attempts at the streets of San Pedro Sula, Honduras (Cont’d)
At our agreed upon time, Santos picked me up in Parque Central. He seemed a little stunned that I had disobeyed him by going into the market area that he had told me to stay out of.
San Pedro Sula, Honduras-Parque Central, I am pointing the number on the side of Santos' taxi.
I told him I wanted to go to more markets the next day and asked if he would take me. He pondered it for a moment and said (in Spanish), “ok, I will be your driver tomorrow even though I am scheduled to be off”. He asked me if I liked produce markets. I told him, I did. He said “ok, then before I take you back to the hotel now, we’ll cruise a produce market to see if you like it enough to see more of them tomorrow”. I believe he thought I might be bluffing.
The produce street market was starting to close down, but he parked his taxi on the street and we walked a few feet.
San Pedro Sula Honduras street market-it was close to closing time.
There was pick-up truck loaded with some fruit.
A truck load of fruit in San Pedro Sula street market
There was a man in the market who introduced himself as Francisco. Francisco was sitting on the tail gate of his pick-up, surrounded by 5 or 6 friends. He was friendly and asked me the standard questions…..Where are you from? Why are you here in the produce market (and Honduras)? Where did you learn Spanish? etc, etc, etc. Francisco seemed a little amused to see a gringo in a Honduran street market in San Pedro Sula. His friends just stared at me. I stared back.
Within a couple of minutes a sultry looking woman suddenly appeared at the truck, looked at me, and said something to Francisco. Francisco laughs and tells her that I wouldn’t understand. In Spanish, I asked her what she said, and she replied “soltera”, meaning single woman. Then she flashed a big toothy smile at me. They all started laughing. Santos looked embarrassed. I told them I understood completely and then they laughed even more. I showed them my wedding ring and they laughed harder. Santos was getting nervous and said it was time to go. When we left, they were still laughing. Ha, Ha, ha.
By this time, Santos was convinced I was truly up for the street markets. I told him that in the morning I wanted to hit every major street market in San Pedro Sula. He said it would take 3 hours and to be ready to go at 8 a.m. I headed back to the hotel for dinner.
Next-a great dinner at Ni Fu, Ni Fa
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
Read about all of my travels click here
Honduras, the streets of San Pedro Sula-Part 4
Honduras-My first attempt at the streets of San Pedro Sula Honduras. Part 4
It was late in the afternoon when I had decided it was time to tackle the street markets that I had heard so much about in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The front desk of the Hilton Princess San Pedro Sula told me to be careful out there alone. I asked if they could supply a driver to take me. They suggested a hotel taxi. Santos was my driver and agreed to drop me off in the street markets. He spoke no English.
When we got to the markets, there was plenty of activity. However, Santos asked me to stay on the fringes of the street markets and not venture alone into the center of the markets. He did not think it would be safe. He agreed to pick me up at Parque Central in two hours.
Honduras-parque central in San Pedro Sula
I spent about 15 minutes walking the fringe markets, very boring, plenty of booths, but not a lot of activity. You can see for yourself…..but just wait!
Honduras street market-San Pedro Sula-this was a little boring.
HOnduran street market in San Pedro Sula
Honduran street market in San Pedro Sula
Finally, I made the decision that if I was going to have any true experiences, I would have to disregard the advice of Santos and go into the center of the markets to see what was really going on.
I made sure I had everything safely tucked away i.e. camera, money, etc. I crossed Avenida Tercera which seems to separate the tranquil markets from the active markets. Soon, I was in the thick of the action.
Crossing tercera avenida in the markets of San Pedro Sula Honduras
It was one crazzzzy market. I was very careful. No doubt about it……I was the ONLY tourist there!
Honduras street market after crossing tercera avenida in San Pedro Sula
I was first waved over by a man who introduced himself as “Wilson”. Wilson had his arms around 2 girls and wanted to practice his virtually non-existent English on me. He had a few body piercings and was a friendly sort. He wanted to know what I was doing in Honduras and why I was in the markets. We talked for a few minutes while his girlfriends stared at me. After 5 minutes, I shook hands, said goodbye, and went on my way.
Parque Central in San Pedro Sula Honduras-you can find the money changers here
Next, I was stopped by two (2) currency street traders named Angel and Carlos. They were (2) two really hyperactive guys whose eyes were always darting around. Angel had once lived in the U.S. I asked them to tell me about a day in life of a currency trader on the streets of San Pedro Sula. They said they made a few cents on every trade, trading both sides of the currency i.e. dollars to lempiras and lempiras to dollars. I asked them if anyone had ever given them counterfeit money. They emphatically said “no”. I had a feeling if anyone ever had, it was probably the one and only time they ever did.
I didn’t really like the feeling of standing on the streets of San Pedro Sula, Honduras with people who had large stacks of money in their hands, so I made an excuse to leave. They asked me to come back the next day and talk with them some more.
Next stop was a store that sold new and used clothing. The manager, Jose , was standing out front. He was missing most of his front teeth, and spoke about 10 words in English. I asked him where the used clothing came from. He said the U.S., but couldn’t remember any other details. He said he had been in jail in Texas and that was his only experience living in the U.S. About that time, a fight broke out in the booth next to his store. It started out about 20 feet from me and quickly headed my way. Jose said a guy was trying to steal some stuff from the booth. The booth owner grabbed the suspected thief by the shirt and gave him one good drop kick. Fight over. I quickly left the area.
Next-Stay tuned. It gets more interesting
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
To see more of my travels click here
