Day 26 - 13 Hours of Bus Joy

Correen was none to happy about getting up at 3am to catch this bus to El Salvador. The news that it is an 11 hour bus trip didn't make her smile either. Frankly, the kids and I weren't thrilled about it, it is just one of the sacrifices that go along with traveling between Central American countries. Lucky for us we were mostly packed and ready to go. The taxi ride was only 10 minutes to the Tica bus station. Nothing much was happening when we arrived at 4am. Correen and the kids went and got some breakfast for themselves. Eventually we started making lines to drop off our bags and get the documents needed for crossing the borders. Today we would be exiting Nicaragua for a short ride through Honduras and eventually arriving at the El Salvador border later in the day.

I sat next to Elliot and Tegan sat next to Mom in the seats across the aisle. All of us slept for the first 2-3 hours on the bus. Elliot was keen to play games which he did while the rest of us still slept. We reached the Honduras border around 11am and left our passports with the Tica bus representative to process us through the border. There was an $8 each exit fee associated with this crossing too. We were able to get off the bus here, stretch our legs and grab a treat from the local vendors selling their food stuff at the border. We then had to board the bus and travel to the Honduras side, where we went through a similar process but this one included a baggage check.

Once this was completed we boarded the bus for our passage through Honduras. A few hours later we reached the El Salvador border, but this time we didn't get off the bus. Instead we waited there in the highly air conditioned bus while our documents were checked over. The a quick cross of a river to go through another document check. Then we were off... to the narcotics department down the road escorted by the police. One person was asked off the bus and he and his bags were given a work over by the dogs. Nothing was found on him, so back on the bus and bound for San Salvador. At this time it was just after 2pm and given we were 200 kms away from San Salvador we should make our 4pm'ish arrival. Or so I thought!

Also we were near starvation as there was no stop for food at the border. It was another hour before we stopped and the crazed hungry people from the bus marched into the gas station to get food from the comida inside. We grabbed some fried chicken, fries and a sandwich for Tegan and I to share. The food was far from delicious, but it did the trick.

We arrived at the first bus stop at 6pm and since it was closest to our hotel we were out of the bus, gathering our bags and hailing a cab for the ride to our hotel. The Holiday Inn was really nice and Jorge the concierge was very nice and helpful. Our room was perfect and we had a pretty good view from our 6th floor room. We decided to go across the road to a plaza that had many different restaurants and settled for some sushi. The sushi was a little different and Correen and the kids had some of the safer choices from the menu. I thought I might be able to handle some beef soba noddles but the sauce they used was too strong and I couldn't eat much of it.

After we walked down to an ice cream shop, Tegan and I shared a banana split, Elliot had a cone and Correen ran into McDonald's for an apple pie. Back to our room to watch some TV and finally sleep and look forward to a sleep-in the next morning.

Day 18 - Dia Por Los Ninos

Elliot and I were up early as usual and we were playing a new game on the iPad together until the girls got up. The fiesta provisions were still be dismantled in front of our building. Downstairs at the restaurant, we enjoyed the free buffet breakfast. Then we grabbed a few things from our room before heading off to the Museo de los Niños. We arrived just after 8 am and were told it opened at 9 am, but in fact it opened at 9:30 am. While we waited I had Tegan perform her Irish dance video in front of the Museum. The crowds slowly grew as we waited including a Scout troupe of Castores (Beavers). I would say there were at least 300 people waiting to get in when the doors opened.

Inside we spent time dressing up in various costumes, playing games and puzzles, exploring space, the body, the environment, history and agriculture among other things. The hours quickly went by and without any real food comida on site we had to eat a couple of small bags of corn tortilla chips and share a pop. It was a pretty exhausting day and by 1:30 pm we were outside hailing a taxi for the hotel. On the way back, we asked to be taken to the Walmart instead. The Walmart was guarded by security gates which right away suggested this was not like home. The other differences were the food court inside as well as the aisles of liquor. We were here to get something to eat and some things for on the bus to Nicaragua.

Immediately outside we stopped the 3 wise men for a photo and then proceeded to go in and do our shopping. After buying our things, Tegan and I ended up eating at a Chinese food comida while Elliot played it safe with McDonalds. We Should have done the same, the Chinese food was rubbish. Outside we hailed a taxi and went back to our hotel. The kids went again with Mom for a swim while I worked on some blog updates etc.

The rest of the night was dinner at the restaurant, the Smurfs movie, popcorn and packing again for the next day.

Day 4 - Arriving at Lost & Found

Tegan and Elliot were outside in the courtyard early checking out the parrot Coco and they both got to have the parrot perching on their arms. They really loved the parrots and the toucan, Tegan liked the 2 labradors that lived there as well. When I completed the latest blog entries we went on down the street to get some breakfast. The crepe place just a few doors down was closed so we opted for the bakery across the street.

Elliot and I each had a cinnamon bun for breakfast while Mom and Tegan had some local styled pastry, coffee and juices. Nearing our checkout time we quickly ran back to our hostel to get packed and grab a taxi to the David bus terminal. I paid $14 for the 4 of us to go about 100 kms in distance and to our next few nights of accommodations. I, Correen and the kids jumped on the bus and settled into the back seats.

We passed by many small farms where the family worked together working the land by hand and on horses. The drive up into the Fortuna Reserve was amazing with vistas of rolling hills and clouds blanketing the mountains at the higher altitudes. The roads were quite good considering the shear slope of the hills the mini-bus was tackling. Only about 1 1/2 hours into our ride and we were dropped off at the foot of the hill that our hostel resided. Correen's reaction to me reading that we had a 10-15 minute walk uphill to reach the hostel was priceless.

It was lucky for us and more for me that Patrick, one of the owners of the Lost & Found hostel, had also just arrived and was willing to assist me with getting our big black bag up the hill. I had to stop about 5-6 times on our ascension of the road that turned into some gnarly singletrack. Reaching the top and the hostel the kids encountered the capuchin monkey that they had rescued and was now leashed into an area on the property.

While we waited for our room to be organized for us, we got a tour of the place including where everything was and how everything operated. Tegan and Elliot liked the hammocks right from the start. Elliot really liked one of the girls staying there, her name was Diana and they swung on the hammock, played games or watched movies together. Tegan was always getting herself involved in card games with others as the hostel including learning Poker and an Israeli game called Yannif.

We suggested to the staff that we would like to do a couple of tours while we were there and the 2 we selected were the coffee plantation and the hot springs. Tegan upon learning that there was a treasure hunt immediately engaged her persuasive self to asking us if we could do this. Elliot was also keenly interested in the treasure hunt.

The pantry at the Lost & Found will keep you out of hunger, but the diversity of dishes you could create from the stocked ingredients is few. If you wanted to expand your mealtime choices you would surely need to resupply with some food from a super-mercado. I made spaghetti with meat sauce and fresh veggies including a native root vegetable that had the same consistency of an apple but with just a watery taste.

Not long after our supper we all went to bed and half-enjoyed the rain as it pelted the metal roof all night long.

Day 1 - Bound for Panama City

Elliot at 3:30 a.m.

Our day started early, really early. At 3:30 a.m. we woke up... well I and the kids woke up, Mom didn't get to sleep at all the night before, a little bit too much anxious energy.

Tegan is ready to jump in a taxi.

Our taxi arrived just after 4 a.m., we loaded up the trunk with our bags and off we headed for the airport. A quick run through the check-in counter and US customs onto some breakfast and a little break before boarding our flight for Houston.

In-flight entertainment was really poor, it kept Tegan and Elliot occupied at least. When we landed in Houston we went and got a bite to eat; I had some great tacos and Mom went and got Tegan and Elliot some Chinese food.

We actually weeded through 10 cookies for these.

There was an amusing moment when Tegan was opening her fortune cookie and it flew across our table. Our fortunes seemed to be finely tuned to us or an airport in general.















The flight to Panama started to board as soon as we arrived at the gate. Tegan was sitting in the window seat on this flight and I explained to her that we would be flying over the Gulf of Mexico on our route to Panama. I attempted to show her the oil rigs that dot the surface of the water off the coast of Texas, but she was just not that interested in sightseeing.

The final hour and a half of our flight was turbulently exciting if you know what I mean. The plane took a few dips that had the kids thinking this is more like Disneyland than coach travel. Upon our approach into Panama City we were facing the Pacific side of the Panama Canal and in the dark Tegan counted 38 large ships waiting their turn to proceed through the canal.







On the ground we went through customs quite quickly. All our bags arrived with us, so we were out the doors of the terminal to catch a taxi. A 1/2 hour ride in the taxi and we arrived at our hotel in Panama. We went for dinner downstairs in the hotel. We tried the local Panama beer and food and everyone seemed pleased.

We have yet to make plans for tomorrow, but the canal and old city district are of interest.

Last day before Panama

We made it to the final day before our trip begins!

It is Tegan's and Elliot's last day of school and Tegan's last day of Irish Dance class for the year.  I know Tegan and Elliot both are going to be missing school and their classmates. 

Tegan had fun at my Spanish class last night.  She amazed everyone with her linguistic skills.  Tegan is going to be a handy little interpreter on our trip! 

So today we have a few things to get through, a little light housekeeping, haircut, etc...  We are completely packed now, including Correen!  Good work honey, I think I made her cut 1/2 of the clothes she thought she should bring.

So, the next post you see from us will be the initial post of our exciting journey!  Hasta luego.

The last weekend in Canada this year

Elliot was home with a cold/pneumonia the week before last and just returned to school this week for his last few days of school prior to leaving. I picked up where Elliot left off and managed to contract the cold that he had. We are hoping that this is the last of the sick'ies for the next 2 months.

Elliot is off to his last dance class today, then we have company coming over today and tomorrow. Our guinea pig is heading out tomorrow to the daughter of a friend of ours. Then there is 2 more days of school for Tegan & Elliot, 1 night of Spanish lessons on Monday night (Tegan is coming along with me), and then Tegan has a single Irish dance class on Tuesday night. Correen is off to the Red Hot Chili Peppers concert on Monday night while Elliot has a play date at a friend's house prior to us picking him up after Spanish lessons.

 

Then it is an attempt at a good restful sleep prior to waking at 3:30am to assemble ourselves for the early trip to the airport, customs and our boarding. Can't wait!

 

1 week to go

The family is very excited to hop on that plane next week. The kids only have 3 more days of school left and tonight we are going out for some drinks with friends to wish us "una gran vacaciones". With everything planned and packed, the final challenge is waking up on time next Wednesday morning for our flight.

It looks like the country of Panama is being hit with constant thunderstorms now, during our stay and right up until we leave the country. Hopefully this doesn't affect the start of our trip.

Some places we are visiting will be receiving more than 60mm of rain. The garbage bags that we packed, ya, are clothes are going to be sealed away inside them when traveling.

Less than 2 weeks to go

In 11 days we will be checked into our first hotel in Panama City. Time is swiftly passing us by as our departure day approaches. This week we have packed all of mine, Tegan's and Elliot's clothes as well my camera bag is packed. We are also getting a bag of clothes and other items to donate to children of Central America.

I made my attempt to get some school supplies donated from big box stores, but no luck came from that endeavor. I believe Correen has gotten our dentist to donate a bunch of dental care products. I am sure anything we do will be worthwhile and I know the experience of giving will be a valued lesson for our children.

So far we will have 2 bags checked in and 3 carry ons. The first aid kit and our toiletries are the only items left for the large checked in bag. Tegan's bag was only about 2/3 full when we finished packing; she will have room for some souvenirs. Elliot is bringing a small backpack for books and the both of their DSs. Correen has yet to fill her pack and so we are unsure how heavy or how bulky her bag will be. All in all it is looking like we are traveling light for this trip; as planned.

With less than 2 weeks to go; I have our travel insurance to purchase, prepping the house for the time we are away and a send-off party to attend.

We are getting so excited around here and can't believe it is nearly time to begin this journey. Nearly time to amp up these blog entries!

 

Bubble Bum onboard for Central America trip

The Bubble Bum booster car seat arrived on Friday as promised by magicbeans. This was the only retailer that would ship this product to Canada. The $50 shipping charge was a little excessive, but we are still happy to have them in our possession and able to use them on our trip.

The construction of these booster seats is very good. The materials used are designed for strength and durability. They inflate in the same way that a Thermarest inflates, through a screw type inlet. I can't see why these seats shouldn't last 10 years of use.

Even though we can't use these in Canada, they will become part of our travel gear for future trips after our Central America adventure. The $40 cost per seat is warranted and I am sure the kids will be happy to use these at any time on our vacation.

Countdown from 40

Here we sit 40 days away from departing form Central America.  We have our itinerary 1.0 posted as well as a silly introduction to our family, a packing list and the start of some website links.  I have spent the time since booking our tickets planning our itinerary and sourcing accommodations and activities to do on our travels. 

Some challenging conversations in Spanish with Central American hotels, thank goodness it is only written at the moment.  We have about 60% of our hotels/hostels booked.  I need to book some bus tickets soon since we are traveling over Christmas we will need to book ahead of time to guarantee the seats.  We just spent the last week going over the vaccinations and medicines we will be taking on our trip with us. 

Next on my agenda is to work on what we are going to be up to while in Costa Rica and while we are in El Salvador.  Currently I only have the hotels booked for the start and the end of our stay in each country.  Phew!  Costa Rica looks like it is going to have tons of activities to cram into our week there and El Salvador is the surprise I have yet to explore.  I will keep you posted.

Anniversary time in Central America

This year marks our 10th wedding anniversary.  10 years ago, my wife Correen and I spent our humble honeymoon backpacking through Guatemala and Belize for 2 weeks.  It was an adventure that was memorable and rewarding.

This year we are returning to Central America with our 2 children; Tegan and Elliot.  Tegan is 8 and Elliot will be turning 6 this fall.  Both of our kids attend a Spanish school in Calgary, Alberta, Canada; where we live.  My wife and I speak very little Spanish; however, I will will be returning for my 2nd level beginner Spanish language lessons this September.

Our trip will begin with our arrival in Panama City and over 53 days we will travel through all of the 7 Central American countries until we eventually depart from Belize for home.

Our blog will serve as our journal for our trip and we will share with you our stories and adventures.

...more to come.

Shane