Surprise! I made it...and there's WIFI!
Marathon travel day!! Alert! It might cause you some pain to read this!!
My general policy is to leave early. It gives me more options in case something does not work smoothly. Generally, that works well. However, in the confusion and contradiction of information about shuttle times, I wasn’t sure? Travel support from the hostel and people I talked to with very sparse. Yes, there is a shuttle. Just go and then, go some more!
CLUE: when there is that much contradictory information, and nothing is clear, be prapared for EXTRA flexibility!
I went! I left early, walking over at 5:30. I had time to talk to the two men at the stop where people told me there was no shuttle. There is! I thought this was the first shuttle of the day? It was not! No worries! I was the only passenger as we left and I arrived at the border 10 minutes later.
CLUE: when there is a large tourist shuttle van in front of the immigration office, be prepared to wait!
When I crossed from Guatemala, there were only a couple people in line waiting. This morning, there were over 30 people traveling with a tour. Seven countries in 30 days! Rapido! Fast travel for them, a long wait in immigration for me.
CLUE: I had no success on the internet finding recommended connections or anything resembling a reliable time schedule. In Mexio, there would be a schedule, option, ability to purchase tickets online and a bus reliably leaving on time!
However, none of that happened here. Essentially, I fell into the local shuttle driver circle!
For example! Once I left immigration and walked about 100 meters, a van was waiting to take me onward! Great! However, he wanted more passengers so he trolled through villages looking for more passengers. The short drive took a long time! Midway, in the village of Jocotan, he stopped and told me I needed to get on another shuttle. One fold down seat remained. Five guys had to stand in the space by the open door.
In Chiquimula, I went into the bus station to ask about a bus toward Poptun. A strange thing happens some times. When I start speaking, people freeze up! They are NOT used to a gringo speaking any Spanish! Frozen, they kept shaking their heads saying NO! Finally, I asked them in Spanish, “Help me please! Are there any other options?” They replied I should try the other station. Other station?? They pointed nebulous and randomly out the door and down the street, looking happy that I left!
Two guys on the street to me where to go. It was only a block away. I arrived and helpers for different buses rushed to see where I was going?? I waas put on a but for Puerto Barrios. A bit out of my way but generally, in the right direction!
For a while!!
As we progressed down the road, they made several rest stops. The time it took to get to Rio Hondo, rather than a couple hours, wss now over four hours!
And then, traffic stopped completely! As far as the eye can see, traffic was stopped! Buses, trucks, passenger cars, pickup trucks, shuttles…nothing moving.
Suddenly, our driver lurched into the other lane with traffic approaching. He’s pull onto theshoulder and let cars pass then return to the lane with traffic going in the opposite direction! We passed at lest 20 luxury deluxe first class busses sitting, not moving at all. Truck drivers were sleeping on the pavement under their trucks! And this went on for roughly 30 kilometers!!
At 15 kilometers, we approached a bridge where a tractor trailer had something go wrong. The truck was across the bridge in the lane of on coming traffic. There were inches to spare for my bus. We crept by and then continued. Had I gotten onto of those first class buses, I would have been sitting for hours, perhaps overnight! A blessing in disguise!
On and on I went! Instead of Rio Dulce, I was dropped in a place called Morelos. Changing to another shuttle, that tried to charge me a fortune to ride 40 minutes with them. I knew better! Still, I overpaid but it was the option “right now” so off we went.
Now, I’ll abbreviate! They dropped me at a shuttle in Rio Dulce. The onward ride should have been 2 hours…under ideal conditions. That shuttle dropped me at another. That dropped me at another. And finally, from San Luis, I got a final shuttle to Rio Dulce.
Good news….I made it! I had only minutes between shuttles all day. Bad news, it took 12 1/2 hours instead of the 6-7 hours I read about. Must have been pure fiction! I walked into the Finca near 6:00.
And that my friends, that’s how travel sometimes works. During the day of travel, with the exception of people at immigration, I never saw another tourist. And my body felt pretty good actually! For the moment!
Resting on the farm!
It might look like I’m relaxing in the hammock! Sort of but it ws more from the pain of attempting to stand upright or move around! It is actually a form of temporary paralysis, from sitting for over 12 hours, in various sized seats, that once had some padding. My low back was out and I could hardly stand! This was therapy!
Fortumately, I brought along my roller and was slowly able to work out most of the kinks. When I go to Hotelito Perdido tomorrow, they have a yoga/meditation space. So I’ll be able to stretch out to my hearts content!
The Finca!
I woke around 5:30 am. Getting out of bed was the first indication I had that something was out of alignment! I walked to the swimming pond and took a stroll around the farm. The birds were amazing! And so were the smells of freshly made and baking breads in the kitchen. Awesome!
I headed back to my hammock to relax, watch the birds, listen to the morning sounds and relax!
Relaxing day!
I didn’t have any big plans for the day. Hector arrived in the afternoon and I helped him and the staff with some milk frothing tips. It’s new to them. Then Steffi, one of the staff, took me on her motorbike into town after her shift to see about buying a ticket for the bus tomorrow.
No! We can only sell tickets all the way to Guatemala City! You have to come back the morning you depart, one hour before, and buy a ticket. Ok…I’ll do that…in the morning!
The day was perfect for me after the long trip here1
At the Finca, some photos
Changes!!
Poptun has changed a lot! Many new buildings and businesses. Lots of nice cars. Expansion. Entering town by Domino’s and Little Ceasars and a shopping mall feels like being back in the USA!
The atmosphere of the finca is different. Once, there were 6o people a night staying her, youngsters traveling. Now, it’s mostly locals who come for dinner or to stay for a night. Very different energy!
And I was very surprised by the sattelite dish on my treehours in the edge of the forest. Yes, there is WIFI now! Likely, that is essential for many guests. It is very fast as well!
Thus, I’m writing this. Tomorrow at Hotelito Perdido, there won’t be any connection. Electricity is marginal as they utilize a solar system with battery. I’m charging everything I have so they will be full when I arrive.
That’s it! I’ll write when I have my next opportunity.
One small change…I’ve decided to stay one extra night near the village of Rio Dulce. I found a very nice looking place on the shore of the lake just West of Rio Dulce. When I wrote to them with questions, they replied that they have a shuttle connection direct to Antigua! I found a couple others. However, they will arrange to get me to the pick up spot so this is perfect.
Have a peek: Tortugal Boutique River Lodge.
sounds like you had a very long day followed by a day that was slightly misaligned. Hope you’re feeling better and smiling nonstop.