The fast track back...

En route we were of course distracted by an avocado farm discovered last minute outside of Antigua, Guatemala. A couple of days spent there (below Griffin is on the swing overlooking the valley where Antigua sits and one of the many volcanoes, although covered by a cloud in this photo), followed by another stop in Boca Del Cielo (Chiapas, Mexico) and then on to Oaxaca City, we plan to leave here tomorrow to head to Mexico City. Haven´t yet decided if we will spend some time there before heading back or if we will just hop another night bus and make it to the border by day break. Vamos a ver...

On the Road Again!

I am now convinced that riding chicken buses actually burns calories. The physical strain of tensed arms, legs, and abdomen in order to keep rooted to one's seat is indeed comparable to that of an aerobics class with a maddened maniacal guatemalan bus driver as coach, only instead of a whistle he chants a mantra (generally a shortened version of the destination) to all those who pass hoping he can attract them to this moving, and rather condensed, bus of calisthenics.

After a night bus from Nicaragua to Guatemala City we decided to pause for a good night's rest in Antigua, Guatemala. Tomorrow we hit the road again, chicken bus style to Mexico where we hope to rest at Boca del Cielo (mouth of the sky).

San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua

Our turning point. The furthest south we'll make it this go around. We've spent the last five days surfing (of course), hanging out with some old friends (Patricia Petmecky!, below) and planning our return trip. After some research and conversation with one Captain Peter, we discovered the hurricane season is indeed shaping northern travel, making it near impossible to get on crew for a boat headed north. So it looks like we will begin the long bus ride home (with a few stops along the way to make it more bearable). Today we say goodbye to Simon & Lee (the aussie's we have now been travelling with for almost two weeks).

Nicaragua

Crossing the border from Honduras to Nicaragua we found ourselves suddenly traveling down a dirt road where the paved highway allegedly runs. Doubting wether we had taken the right turn at the border crossing, we were reassured by semis wielding their large loads through potholes and horse drawn carriages. Apparently road construction is slow in Nicaragua, and despite increasing tourism, it continues to be one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere (Nicaraguans go to El Salvador for better wages).


We have been travelling down the coast seeking waves (oftentimes on four wheel drive roads with a rear wheel drive van). Above the guys (Griff & Simon) scope out the waves for some good prospects. Below the van surprises us all by making it through a low water crossing.