3 sisters with John's fleece, Guatemala

The border crossing into Honduras was farcical.  The Guatemalan officials were polite and efficient as they were on the northern border. The Hondurans however were quite different.  They bounced me between two offices – both bored and not wanting to deal with processing my entry.  There was a big permanent sign which stated in English and Spanish the procedure for entry and the costs including for driving a vehicle into the country – however the costs were  painted over for vehicles with foreign plates.  The rental car rates were listed as $0.50 USD, while $35 USD was demanded from me with my foreign plates.  While trying not to be too much of an arrogant accusatory foreigner I asked to see the official listing of costs, none was to be found.  When I asked for a receipt I was told they didn’t have any receipt slips.  I explained the foreigners dilemma with handing over cash when no rates are posted and Honduras’ reputation.  This didn’t phase them much but the acquiesced to the demand of a receipt. However it was 140 Lempiras less than I paid. Scoffing at this produced the explanation that the bank that privately processes these payments takes the difference…

Macaw, Copan Ruins, Honduras

Perhaps I’m bored of moving around or of myself but I’ve not found much to be inspired by in Guatemala or Honduras.  The food in both is atrocious and in Guatemala came with the added benefit of unsettling bacteria. I’ve come to Tela on the Caribbean coast and will head to the Nicaraguan border tomorrow

Quezaltenango Plaza Morning, Xela, Guatemala	En-route to Lago Atitlan, Guatemala	En-route to Lago Atitlan, Guatemala
Lago Atitlan, Guatemala	San Pedro, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala	San Pedro Volcano, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala	Lago Atitlan, Guatemala
San Pedro Volcano, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala	Lago Atitlan, Guatemala	Lago Atitlan, Guatemala	Lago Atitlan, Guatemala
San Pedro Volcano, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala	Lago Atitlan from afar, Guatemala	Lago Atitlan from afar, Guatemala	Lago Atitlan from afar, Guatemala
3 sisters with John's fleece, Guatemala	Blown fuse again – El Florido, Gautemala	Honduran side of border, Copan, Honduras	Copan, Honduras
Macaw, Copan, Honduras	Macaws, Copan, Honduras	Copan Ruins, Honduras	Copan Ruins, Honduras
Copan Ruins, Honduras	Copan Ruins Principal Plaza, Honduras	Hector and Sergio, Copan, Honduras	Sergio, Copan, Honduras
Tela, Honduras	Tela, Honduras	Tela, Honduras	Tela, Honduras

Lago Atitlan, GA to Copan, Honduras

Border crossing details for anyone else wanting to do this:

The border crossing from El Florido, Guatemala to Copan, Honduras is very small (only about 15 trucks waiting and no one else) and would have only taken 1/2 hour . The steps are:

1. Pull up to the first gate, Guatemalan customs are on the left. Pay vehicle exit at window #2 27 Quetzal, go around to the building to the left and set back a bit to check-out of migracion.
2. Change your Quetzales for Lempiras – I’m sure I was robbed at 2.1 Lempira/Quetzal
3. Drive up about 50 meters and park on the right.  Go to the building on the left and get bounced between the two people sitting inside offices.  $35 USD (640 Lempiras) were demanded from me for the motorcycle temporary import permit.  Ask for a receipt after you’ve gotten all your paperwork – it annoys them. You’ll get an import certificate and stamps – I didn’t get a migracion stamp which they didn’t seem to care about.