Our young taxi driver (no more than 14 years old and car 5x that age) had done remarkably well to get us to the
GUATAMALAN BORDER POST
at all let alone before dark, but still a few more miles to find what passes for civilization around here.
at all let alone before dark, but still a few more miles to find what passes for civilization around here.
Lucky then to find an
OCELATED TURKEY
OCELATED TURKEY
in the gloom before reching our destination with Billy disappearing poste haste to find a
HOTEL
for the night (nothing to do with skipping his corner of the taxi fare??) which was all one would want on the inside while outside it sounded as if we had clued up next to a zoo, but we had overlooked
for the night (nothing to do with skipping his corner of the taxi fare??) which was all one would want on the inside while outside it sounded as if we had clued up next to a zoo, but we had overlooked
HOWLER MONKEYs
First plan of attack the following morning was to take the short stroll to the nearby city of
First plan of attack the following morning was to take the short stroll to the nearby city of
ANTIGUA
likely to be familar to many, even though not having been there, but as something of an icon in advertising and other TV images.
likely to be familar to many, even though not having been there, but as something of an icon in advertising and other TV images.
RUFOUS MOURNER
in the park, but what was worrying was the fact that the 3 Portly Amigoes agreed that climbing the still active
in the park, but what was worrying was the fact that the 3 Portly Amigoes agreed that climbing the still active
VOLCAN PACAYA
the next day was the best option. Completing the deal and handing over our hard earned dollars, there was never any mention of a fully armed 3 man protection squad, who made it clear as we set off next morning, that we were not allowed to photograph them and would check our cameras on our return, as there were still bandits operating in 'them there hills'!
the next day was the best option. Completing the deal and handing over our hard earned dollars, there was never any mention of a fully armed 3 man protection squad, who made it clear as we set off next morning, that we were not allowed to photograph them and would check our cameras on our return, as there were still bandits operating in 'them there hills'!
MANGROVE CUCKOO
before we left vegetation behind with the only birdlife thereafter being
swirling
and magnificent
SWALLOW-TAILED KITEs
With fine pumice not allowing for much grip it was considered by the 'unfit' to be heavy going
With fine pumice not allowing for much grip it was considered by the 'unfit' to be heavy going
BILLY
and we'd lost Jim halfway!
You're halfway up and you're halfway down
and we'd lost Jim halfway!
You're halfway up and you're halfway down
And the pack on your back is turning you around
Throw it away, you won't need it up there, and remember
You don't look back whatever you do
Throw it away, you won't need it up there, and remember
You don't look back whatever you do
Better start doing it right.
Dance on a Volcano - Genesis
In fact it was only the spritely
AULD FELLA
who made it to the sumit but again we were as one reaching
who made it to the sumit but again we were as one reaching
BAT FALCON
level, the stratigically placed
level, the stratigically placed
BEER BAR
and yet another addition to the
World Bird List
and yet another addition to the
World Bird List
LINNEATED WOODPECKER
After all that climbing we didn't have the energy to complete the Guatamala Saga so may put an end to it tomorrow as a bonus - Best Wishes to One and All!
After all that climbing we didn't have the energy to complete the Guatamala Saga so may put an end to it tomorrow as a bonus - Best Wishes to One and All!
Maybe we can squeeze Part II in tomorrow - Alert Your Friends - Cheers!
