Pictures from Yesterday.

Here are our Copan Ruinas photos and our ziplining pictures and videos.  FYI, finally got some warm water today!  Whoot, we don´t smell any more!  But our clothes still do.  Off to Chichicastenango tomorrow to the market!  Then celebrating Stacey´s big 40 at Casa Del Mundo on Lake Atitlan.

We have proof!

See Stacey.  See Stacey run up the Mayan ruin...humming the theme song from Rocky.

Jungle Jane and her vine action.



I love you Mr. Tree.



Oopsi. 

So, anyways, there I was trying to pick up some birds in the ruins...by the way, what are you two doing later? Hey, would a butterfly/duck threesome be a butterduck? or a duckfly?



Honestly, we´re not in Thailand!  Tuk - tuks rule Honduras, too.



Karen dwarfed by the towering ruin.  Don´t worry, Linda, she´s not a real dwarf.



And it just fit in the palm of my hand.



Oh, I was the hottest Myan on the blocks.



No, I´´ll give him a good run for his money and my blocks are bigger.



I´m crrrushing my minions below.  I am the Mayan God of Crushing...beware of my strong fingers.



Whose got the bigger booger?  I win!



I´m squeezing out your brains.  Wait, why are they not coming out?  Where are they?  Have you had this done before?



I am the Goddess of Mimicry...I will outpose anyone.  Bravo!



Yep, you´re right!  That´s definitely a cavity!  Is that a minion stuck in the back of your tooth?



I have been trapped in here for millions of years...free me,  free me....



Chuck hitting on some of the local birds.



Some where over the rainbow, I will fly.  I´ll change from an ugly larva to a butterfly.



A newly hatched butterfly.





Cute con-artist in training.



This one took Stacey for triple the cost...sucker.  She is the youngest graduate of con-artist school ever!



Stacey and her gringo. 



Survival of the fattest.  It´s Barena time!



Look at me...I can fly!



I´m too sexy for my helmet...sooooo damnnnn sexy.



Copycat.

Karen´s short zipline video.  I have 2 others but will post them some other time.  And this is Miss Stacey ziplining over the jungle.





We have arrived.  Lock up your young men! 

This picture should be near the top, but I am losing interest in moving them!



Chicken Buses Aren´t the Only Dangerous Form of Travel but Dangling from a High Wire is Safe!

Hey Everyone, we made it to Honduras yesterday.

Our wonderful Hostelier Blanca, booked our shuttle from Antigua to Copan, Honduras.  It was an "interesting" ride to say the least.  It was much better to close my eyes and pretend I was sleeping than to see how close we were to death while overtaking a transport on a curve with oncoming transports and less than 1/2" on either side.

We met some girls in the van that already had a room booked so when we got to Copan, we followed them and were able to snag a private room with bath for $9/night.  It was fairly clean and seems to be a decent location.  We checked out the Ruinas as soon as we dropped our bags off.  To get there, we took our first "moto" ride.  Morley, I want to deck out one of these motos for our tour by bike down the east coast...hahaha.  The ruins were fabulous and we had many unique photo ops as you will see when we post the pictures a manana.

It was an early night, following a few cervesas and our self-made gourmet supper of crackers, apple and cheese and wine. Oh, and an orange Fanta each....yum.  We fell asleep watching American sitcoms with Spanish subtitles.  A little touch of home.

After a mere 11 hrs (minus the freakin rooster who doesn´t know when morning is) sleep, we rose refreshed and ready for our next adventure.  We wandered to the Chorcha Lodge and checked out the Butterfly Garden.  There were not too many active species due to the weather  but we got a few pics and we wondered up and checked out his newly made cabins.  They were really neat.

But that was not the event of the day.  The event of the day was our ziplining experience.  It was AMAZING!  I was a bit nervous at first, but after the first line, it was fairly easy.  The height did not bother me at all.  I only had problems with breaking as my hand got a little sore.  You´ll see from the videos we post tomorrow what it was like!  Imagine it, this not so slim body hurling down a thin wire above the jungle!  We had 14 lines and the longest was 1 km.  I can now check this off my bucket list.

Tonight, we are congratulating ourselves with a couple of cervasas and some snacks.  Not too late a night though as we are getting our shuttle to Antigua at 6 am tomorrow.

Adios Amigos!  Karen

I did this ONCE already...and the damn computer didnt save it...so here I go again.......DAMN COMPUTER!

THE BUS RIDE WAS SOOOO MUCH FUN!  I quickly realized that a combination of Gravol and sleep was the only option!  We were driving up and down winding roads through the moutains.....with steep drop offs...and way too many transports trucks to pass.  There were some close calls where we screamed like little girls....and maybe peed our pants a little!

Now let me dispel a myth about Central America.  It is not always hot here.  Especially in the mounains.  The days can be quite warm..and our noses may be a bit a pinkish (from the sun...not the amout of alcohol being consumed...) but most of the time we are wearing sweaters and/or jackets!  We have been known to sleep fully clothed...not just for the purpose of the early morning buses...but because we dont want to wake up shivering!  Which brings me to showers!

As of today...we had not yet had a warm shower.  I still have not had one...but Karen managed to hit the sweet spot on the tap...and managed not to freeze her ....toes!!!!!  I on the other hand...have yet to figure it out...and have even opted to wallow in my own filth...rather than get frostbite while showering...followed by a cold wet night of NO HEATED ROOM to escape to. 

We have now learned the secret to warm showers...but it will cost you 100 quetzales for the info!

Ziplining was fanatabulous!   It was so much fun to zip over the trees..and there was just the 2 of us..and 2 guides and they would go ahead of us on the line...and video us coming after them..and the surrounding view!  ALL very cool for 35 dollars US!  We really didnt tip them enough..so I think we are going to try to stalk them tonight...and buy them a beer..and give a better tip!

Chuck will not be joining this forum this evening..as he is pouting in the room, because we did not take him ziplining with us. BUT HEY...if you can fly for free...why would we pay for you to zip line?

I believe that is all we have to say...stay tuned tomorrow...for the video/pictoral of todays events!

Buenos Noches all!

Stacey

Christmas Night Mayhem....and Boxing Day excursion!!!!!!!!

So...apparently here in Guatemala at Xmas,  they like to blow up firecrackers and chase people with a bull (el toro!!!!) which is really a  man with a cage lined with firecrackers that chases you around, while leading the Virgin Mary Procession down the street that passes in front of our hostel!  Some of the firecrackers are just kind of like sparklers sticking out of the costume and burning quietly..and some of them are hurled at the bystanders and burn around in a random flaming direction..that can definitely NOT be determined in advance!

And...of course...there has to be a catch!  People are supposed to go up and kind of head butt the bull...to show their courage. YES....it is true!  I did do it!  No pics to prove it....but I have thousands of witnesses!!!!!  UNICORNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!  Sorry...only the people that came to last months trip in the DR will know what that means...but it is THE ultimate UNICORRRNNNNNN!!!!!!   Click on Unicorrrnnnnnn!!! to view.  Some parts are blurry due to the lights at night but the important stuff is clear.

So....after an evening of beer and flaming bulls........we had a fairly early night to bed....as we had a ride picking us up at 0600 to head out to Volcano Pacaya for an early morning stroll!  YEAH RIGHT.....within minutes, Karen and I hired horses....and rode our way up the volcano!  this enabled us to get some great pics...while the minions were walking up, sweating and unable to breathe!  It was an hour ride/walk up....and who do you think enjoyed it more????????  yes...you are likely correct if you picked US!

At the top...we had to go for a stroll through the old lava beds..and roast marshmallows in the volcano vents.  Unfortunately since the volcano erupted in april....the open lava flows no longer exist.  SOOOO....no lava photos!  On the way back we did have to do a pretty long, steep climb up a shifting bed of lava rocks.  1 step forward.....half a step back.....IT WAS NOT FUN!  BUT......little miss Karen, got half way up...and her heart stopped, her knee locked up...and we had to call an ambulance!  The ambulance had a long swinging tail....some pointy ears, and 4 long skinny legs!  We like to call him Doctor ED!

Now...I did walk down the volcano..managed not to break anything, get any blisters, blow out another knee...or fall down! So this counts as a very successful outing!  Not often that things go quite so well in the world of Stacey!

Now...I will pass the blog over to Karen for any additions or rebuttals!  Oh yeah...Chuck came too..but he is sleeping right now...no comments from him....but wait until you see his new outfit!  He is now very metroducksual!

Stacey

I agree with Stacey´s comments and want to add additional information on my lameness.  I am admittedly fat and out of shape.  I valiantly thought that I could do the volcano climb, but gravity overtook and it was not to be.  She failed to mention that the ¨horse¨ that I rode on was about 3 million years old and should have been glue already.  To add to the age, they then dumped my enormous ass on it and that slowed it down even more.  We were always a step or two behind.  The saving grace was that Augustus, my trustee handler, kept me amused and informed as much as a non English speaking guide could with a non hablis espangnol fatchick .  I did try to do the descent and did have to walk up to the vent, etc. but found that when we reached the super slippery volcanic rock climb, I just couldn´t make my legs go.  No mas.  So the guide asked me if I wanted a taxi, in fact, she pretty insisted that I take a taxi.  So my trusty handler and his old nag scurried down the slope to rescue me and I rode the rest of the way down.  Other than walking bowlegged for the next couple of days and having a bruised pubic bone, I did survive a volcano ascent and descent.  I am still proud of myself even though I´m a complete schmo and had to take the easy ride out.

Early to bed tonight as we have to head off to Copan, Honduras at 4 a. freakin. m.  Adios amigos!

Santa Paws in Puppy Jail

 Stacey posted bail in her loud Hawaiian shirt (do you love it, Jen and Linda?) Santa Paws very greatful.

Crazy flaming bull.  Stacey headbutted him.

Santa Maria procession.

Karen on her old nag who wanted to make friends with the scythe/axe wielding alleged (at least in our minds) bandito.  We call him Tito Bandito.  Fortunately, Augustus, the nag´s handler fended him off and saved the day.

Notice how the trees are not sporting much greenery?  What´s in those clouds anyways?

Stacey ascending the volcano on her trusty steed, we named Steve.  AKA Canario.

Chuck on Volcan Pacaya sporting his new metroducksual look.  It will soon be the rage among all ducks.

Yes, Facebook fans, she said she´d do it and...she did!  This is the preferred look for the trip.

Yeh, for us!  Top of Volcan Paycaya. In the background, Volcan Feugo erupting, Volcan ? next to it and the closest to the right is Volcan Agua.

Volcan Fuego erupting.  View from Volcan Paycaya... not erupting.

Karen and the little kids riding down the volcano.  Does this mean she can´t sit at the adult table any more?

FELIZ NAVIDAD!

December 25, 2010.  We are adding the date because we think the computer is whacked on peyote. 

We landed in Guatemala Airport just after 6 after a brutal 12 hours in Chicago airport.  They had the nerve to close down the bar at 8.  Did they not know that it was Christmas Eve and we needed beer so that we could sing carols?   It was a quick trip through immigration and customs.  Our shuttle guy was standing outside waiting for us with a sign so we got avoid all the taxi pests.

We took a crazy ride on windy roads through some very interesting parts of the city.  There were extremes from Chucky Cheese to very poor housing and everything had high fences around it.  We got to the hostel and got settled in our little room.  We even have our own bathroom with a shower...whoot!  The owner of the hostel, Blanca, is great.  She has given us a lot of good advice and is arranging our volcano tour and ride to Honduras for us!  It is a small hostel, but very secure and friendly.

We decided to walk around for awhile and check out the local sites.  All the streets are cobbled and pretty rickety, which means that traffic drives slow and there is less chance of us getting run over.  We went to Central Park, a bit smaller than New York´s, Dori!  Then we headed back to the hostel for breakfast and had an authentic dish that tasted like mashed potatoes with pork and had a tomato sauce on it.  It was slow cooked in a leaf, we think it was a banana leaf.  Of course, we had a beer with it.  I had a little lay down while Stacey and Blanca plotted out our days. 

After, that we walked up 300 million stairs to a huge cross on the side of the hill.  While we were doing this, I began to wonder if I will be able to do the volcano hike without having a heartattack.  God, am I fat and out of shape!  Coming down was much nicer and we walked through a residential area and found an internet cafe.  We can get internet time at a rate of 8 Quetzels and hr or $1.  Talk about cheap!  They have mikes and cameras too so skyping is a go. 

There is a huge procession later on this afternoon.  We assume it´s because it´s Christmas Day.  Firecrackers and bells have already been going off.  There were some houses having firecracker wars, I think.  Morley will be so jealous that they are blowing things up and he´s not here to enjoy it! 

Well, that´s all for now!  Adios!
Karen

Now its my turn!   Ok...yet again...Karen told the truth.  Dont get to fight with her!  A little exaggeration on the stairs...but that is all! oK...WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO ADD PICTURES NOW!!!!
STACE

Winnipeg Airport and the Adventure begins!

Airplane from Chicago to Guatemala

Just for you Morley.  We´ll figure out how to flip it another day.

Fountain in Central Park with lactating women.

Cross at the end of the 300 million stairs.  We are laying down.  The world is tilted at this time.

Volcan Agua, one of 4 in this area that we could explore.

Hitting the Road...Or in this case, the "Air"

Leaving the land of snow and ice!

So it is December 24th and we leave our parkas behind in Winnipeg at 12:35.  Whoot!!!  We are flying United Airlines to Chicago.  We have 12 hours or so hours to kill in Chicago.  Bring on the Christmas Cheer and we'll sing you some carols!  

Christmas Day dawns and our Taca flight leaves Chicago at 2:00 in the morning to arrive in Guatemala City at 6:30.   Stay tuned for updates from Antigua where we will be sacrificing a born again virgin to the volcano Gods, right Stacey? Hoping that we will be able to post every couple of days.   

MERRY CHRISTMAS!  FELIZ NAVIDAD!

So the blue lines were drawn by me (Karen) and I'm pretty sure they the pilot will follow it if I ask.

Our Background

Stacey's version:

IT is true!  Everything Karen said is really quite accurate!  I am pretty sure that as we go along on this central american trip, our opinions and/or versions of stories may not be exactly the same.  SO....I propose we fight it out!  Here!  On our blog!  Of course, we must NOT forget the third traveler on our great adventure!  Chuck the Duck will be along to mediate (not sure...is that big enough for a high five?  IT may not be a huge word...but its not a frequently used word????) and perhaps Chuck may even give us some insight into what could conceivably become a drunken pub crawl across four countries!

I am kidding of course!  We will remain sober and have our wits about us AT ALL TIMES!  At least for the first few hours!

Ok....quick overview of what we approximately have planned!
Leave Winnipeg at approx 1235 on Xmas Eve
Spend 8 hours or so in a Chicago Bar singing christmas carols.....OR try to get on Oprah.  Not sure which one we will do yet!
Arrive in Guatemala City Christmas Day approx 0630 am.
WE have a ride organized to pick us up at the airport for the drive to the city of Antigua.
We plan to get our lay of the land, climb an active volcano (way to plan that well!  Do the hardest part of the trip on the first or second day!)  After approx 2 days...hop a bus and head to Honduras for 2 days visiting some Mayan Ruins and whatever else we may feel like doing!
Back to Guatemala for perhaps another night in Antigua...or head to Lake Atitlan for a night in an undecided upon town before hitting  http://www.lacasadelmundo.com/  for my birthday and New Years.  Check out the link.  It looks pretty awesome!
And from then on we do have SOME plans...but I am quickly losing interest in typing.  SO....lets add some pictures!

Above is a pic of Chuck on our Road trip, and Karen and I in our Snorkel Attire!  Yes we are pretty darn good looking I must say!
All right...enough from me.  WE will keep everyone updated!  But dont forget if you can be in Belize City for Jan 7 to Jan 15 you could join us at the following link....     

http://www.slickrock.com/adventureisland.html

Bye for now!
Stace