The last entry ended with San Juan, Costa Rica. I am now in Belize planning on moving into Mexico tomorrow. Overall Central America has gone by way too fast, there has not been a country that I haven't wished I could spend a few more days in. Maybe next time I will travel with no finish date in mind.

From San Juan I moved north through some beautiful farm land. The cattle ranches were large and well maintained.

They grow them big here

As I was going through one town I came across a motorcycle club getting ready for a ride. They were a fun group to talk to and rode a short way with.

Moto Club in Costa Rica

Cattle in Nicaragua

Moving through Nicaragua in one day it is all kind of a blur, took this picture of truck full of people to the point of one hanging on the pack. Some are also on top.

I had seen several areas where rice was being grown but this was the first time I saw a tractor in the rice paddy tilling the mud. I do not know what he was pulling but it was making a wake behind the tractor. the tractor is dirty but a newer New Holland tractor.

Farm

Honduras will be interesting to watch in the next couple of weeks. The President was removed by the military after he tried to stay in office longer than the constitution allowed. It now appears that the US is going to try and meddle in C.A. politics again trying to prevent them from enforcing their constitution because he was friendly to USA. They have scheduled elections for the 29th and I was told that it could get interesting.

I got to the El Salvador boarder to early (7:00) and it took me 3 hour to get all the paper work done and back on the road. By 3:00 I was in San Salvador where I had a tire waiting at the Harley dealer.

The dealer had emailed that "was easy to find" when I asked for directions or a GPS coordinate. So after wandering around for a while I headed for city center (historical) to find a place for the night. Had narrow streets with lots of traffic and buses belching black smoke. Vendors of all types set up on the sidewalks and spill into street with people everywhere.

At one point my important paper folder fell out on the street as I had forgot to zip up pocket when I pulled out map. Had to stop and pick it up in the middle of traffic. Found a Hotel with parking and friendly people for the night. Rooms are running about $30 in Central America but this one was $20 with no AC.

This is the parking lot guard that watched my moto all night. In the hotel was another guard with pistol grip shot gun. Seemed that every where had a guard, even the Harley shop I found the next day.

With a map and directions it only took me two and half hours to find the Harley shop. It was a one man shop so it took till noon to get the tire on. Shop was located in Central Commercial area and was a direct opposite of the down town area. This was up scale markets and mauls much like would be found in Seattle. Even had McDonalds and Burger King but I did not find a Starbucks for coffee.

After getting the tire on I moved north to a small town of Metapun. Was a real neat place with friendly people. The night clerk at the hotel had spend time in the US and spoke good English. We sat around out side on lawn chairs talking about places and politics for a long time.

Metapun

When I got to the border (El Salvador - Guatemala) and pulled out my folder at check point my Temp. Import papers were not there. They must have fallen out when I dropped it in San Salvador. Did not even get time to panic one of the guards went with me down to the Customs and in ten minutes had me new papers. Officals on both sides were friendly and helpful. I was through the boarder crossing in 45 minutes, fastest time yet, with no helpers. This was not on the Pan Americana but north as I was heading to Copan Honduras.

Two hours latter I was at the Honduras Boarder and crossing. Copan is the site of Maya ruins. I got to the archaeological site about 3:30 and spent about 2 hours walking around. The town of Copan is a small tourist town, which means lots of vendors trying to sell you stuff. But also many small restraunts and bars to hang out in and people that spoke English.

Copan

Jaguar at Copan

Fields just past Copan ruins. Trickle tube under plastic, no idea what they were going to plant.

From Copan I crossed back into Guatamla and made my way northeast to Tikal (Mayan site). Rode up to park entrance and found a place to set up tent for night.

The next morning I got up at 3:30 and started up trail with flashlight at 4:00. Hiked to highest temple and climbed up to top. Then we sat down and waited for sun rise.

First light

Morning

Temple 2

Now this is a warning sign you don't see often

From Tikal I headed to the Belize boarder, crossing was fairly easy. It is interesting after over two months to be somewhere they speak English. Stopped for the night in town of San Igacio, nice place with a real atmosphere.

I am now in Orange Walk in Northern Belize and will cross into Mexico tomorrow.