Saved on Sifnos - a travel story out of the Aegean Sea that includes little harbours, sleeping villages, several tavernas, a ferry onward, a Greek cultures festival and a room with a view, travelogue, trip, travel, Greece, Cyclades, Sifnos, Kythnos, ferry, island-hopping

 
 
 

 





Step Pyramid, Copan


December 16, 2000
Mayan Ruins

In the morning we walked to the entrance of the ruins from town. Just outside the main entrance to town there is a clearly marked, paved pedestrian pathway that leads directly to the entrance of the ruins. As we walked we passed something we had seen a lot of along the drive; large concrete slabs covered with drying coffee beans. We stopped and chatted with one of the young workers spreading the damp beans over the concrete to dry. From what we understand, after the beans dry, the coffee is then bagged and exported to wherever to then be roasted and probably show up in your local Starbucks.

After a short walk we reached the archaeological park of Copan Ruinas. The entrance fees were expensive; US $10 for the ruins and another US $12 for tunnels. We decided that as long as we were here, we should see everything. Then, we hired an guide which we had heard was another "must". The guides available are now all "official" and the price is set, about US$20 for a 2 hour tour with explanations of the ruins. There was no choice as to who, except that we asked for someone who spoke English, basically it was you take what you get. Had there been other English speakers around, we could have split the cost with them.
Our guide, Freddie, was only ok; he spoke English but in a monotone. Ask him a question out of the ordinary and he was lost. He seemed to know what he was talking about, but his delivery was just boring.

After about 2 hours, the tour was over and we ended up in the Jaguar court. It was time to enter the tunnels. These tunnels were created by archaeologists who are researching the ruins that lay beneath the ruins. Supposedly there are five layers of civilization, four below ground and the one remaining on top. It seems that the Mayans just built over existing building when they wanted something new. The first tunnel shows a complete temple underground and it is only partially unearthed. The second tunnel is longer and shows not only the outside of another temple wall, but rooms complete with waterway for baths. All in all, they were interesting, but seemed overpriced in comparison to everything else.

I'm not going to go into the details and history of the ruins here. They are really something that have to be seen to be appreciated. Please see the photo page "Ruins" for more details.

After the ruins, we had lunch at Llama del Bosque, a place Howard Rosenweig had recommended to us. Service was very slow, but the place was air conditioned and had cold sodas and decent burritos de pollo. Lunch cost us 161 L. Back to the hotel for siesta and then we found one of the 3 or 4 local internet cafes.
We had dinner at Las Carnitas where we had been told we could find some of the best local food in Honduras. We ordered the restaurant's namesake, which turned out to be a yummy, huge portion of stewed beef with peppers and onions and thick, homemade tortillas. That, with an order of anafre con chorizo, and a couple of drinks set us back 160L, including tip.


Part 5: Butterflies, Haciendas, and Las Seputuras


this travelogue is part of the subside travelzine
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