Since internet is very spotty this will be a quick update.
We left Palm Springs via TAXI (!!!) to LAX as our plane broke down on the runway. Not a good start to a vacation. We were the fortunate ones in that our flight out of LAX was not until midnight so had sufficient time to make the 2 hour drive and still catch our flight. Many others were stuck and very unhappy.
From LAX to San Salvador was almost 5 hours and fairly uneventful except that it is almost impossible to sleep on a plane (at least for me, even after taking Gravol). The next leg was from San Salvador to Roatan, with what started out to be a 2 hour layover which stretched into 3 hours..we are now on Honduran time. Finally into La Ciebe and Larry, who was to meet us, was not around. Oh oh, now what do we do. However, after paging him and then pacing the airport, he showed up..had been shopping and picking things up for the resort. Finally at 2:30 Honduran time ( 2 hours ahead of BC/CAL time) we were on the road to Trujillo. Every 50 feet a gigantic pothole that you had to manouvre around, and every few miles a police road check! A little unnerving when you are not used to that lifestyle. Double solid centre lines are only there as a suggestion as to which side of the road you want to be on!
You are advised too NOT drive at night due to the road conditions and lots of animals on the road at night, truly the road conditions are a sight to behold. We were not sure whether we were expected to bribe the police at each checkpoint and we didn't and other than a few long delays (probably meant to unnerve us) we got through OK.
Tranquility Bay, where we are staying is absolutely gorgeous in its location, about 7 KM outside Trujillo. 5 Cabanas, two single beds and a double bed in each room, open air concept, with a step in tiled shower and washroom. Everything is stone tiles and bright cheerful colours. Our cabana (#1 only a few feet from the ocean) is yellow & orange, big ceiling fan, louvred/screened windows, nice sitting area outside overlooking the water and lots and lots and lots of gorgeous plants. Bird of paradise in abundance and all the colours so vibrant. If you google Tranquility Bay (Honduras) you can get a better idean.
Honduras is the 2nd most poverty stricken country (second only to Haiti) in Central America and Triujillo is one of the most poverty stricken cities(pop. about 42,000). Very high unemployement
and living conditions are extreme in their poverty. Roads have huge potholes in them throughout the city and nothing seems to be ever repaired. Dale compares it to what areas of Mexico would have been like 40 years ago. The town area is a mishmash of winding streets and many vendors working out of small stalls. Until you go in, you don't really know what they are selling. Other than buying fresh veg and a few souveniers, haven't spent a lot of time in the town.
The little bit of spanish I learned via CD's before coming has come in handy but thank goodness Linda us fairly proficient as we would be lost otherwise. People are very friendly and appreciate your efforts and have found them to be honest in their transactions despite knowing they could take advantage of you.
I'm going to sign off now as the interest is starting to act up. Will try and do more later..just wanted to let everyone know we are here, safe and sound and soaking up the 80 degree ocean and 85 degree or so temperatures...paradise!!!
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