After we finally leave the confines of Jungle Party, a few miles outside Antigua the ambulance blows the cam belt. Luckily we’re still able to get it back to the town, and bemused and amused faces await us as we return to the hostel for breakfast.
It’s not as serious as first thought and we’re underway within the hour. Our plan is to cross the border and make some ground into Honduras. As the vegetation becomes increasingly more green and tropical, we discover that the border is closed for the night. A swift change of plans sees us making for the small lake side town of Rio Dulce.
Our digs for the night are only accessed across the water, and as night falls we wait for a boat to take us over. It’s dark by the time we chug out across the lake, with a light at the bow illuminating the many bugs attracted to the gleam. We approach an opening in the waterside greenery, and it feels like we’re trekking up the Amazon. The night is alive with sound and noise, mysteriously calling from the dark. The exotic trees reach to touch our faces as we glide on into the unknown. It’s an exhilarating experience, but one that puts the fear of god in me. This is the jungle, and that means bugs. It reminds me of when I was back in ‘Nam.
Lights appear out of the darkness ahead, and our hostel looms closer. It is certainly one of the coolest digs so far. A thatched eco hotel rising from the waters, with interlocking wooden walkways reaching out to dorm rooms and shower blocks. Low hung lights glow and add to the atmosphere, as do hammocks strung from wooden beams. Apart from the biggest spider I have ever seen, it feels like a tropical paradise. After some wonderful food, good company and a hefty blogging session, I turn in, slightly uneasy in seeing the mosquito nets and the giant bug threat. I curl the blankets around me and pray.
Welcome to the Jungle!
After we finally leave the confines of Jungle Party, a few miles outside Antigua the ambulance blows the cam belt. Luckily we’re still able to get it back to the town, and bemused and amused faces await us as we return to the hostel for breakfast.
It’s not as serious as first thought and we’re underway within the hour. Our plan is to cross the border and make some ground into Honduras. As the vegetation becomes increasingly more green and tropical, we discover that the border is closed for the night. A swift change of plans sees us making for the small lake side town of Rio Dulce.
Our digs for the night are only accessed across the water, and as night falls we wait for a boat to take us over. It’s dark by the time we chug out across the lake, with a light at the bow illuminating the many bugs attracted to the gleam. We approach an opening in the waterside greenery, and it feels like we’re trekking up the Amazon. The night is alive with sound and noise, mysteriously calling from the dark. The exotic trees reach to touch our faces as we glide on into the unknown. It’s an exhilarating experience, but one that puts the fear of god in me. This is the jungle, and that means bugs. It reminds me of when I was back in ‘Nam.
Lights appear out of the darkness ahead, and our hostel looms closer. It is certainly one of the coolest digs so far. A thatched eco hotel rising from the waters, with interlocking wooden walkways reaching out to dorm rooms and shower blocks. Low hung lights glow and add to the atmosphere, as do hammocks strung from wooden beams. Apart from the biggest spider I have ever seen, it feels like a tropical paradise. After some wonderful food, good company and a hefty blogging session, I turn in, slightly uneasy in seeing the mosquito nets and the giant bug threat. I curl the blankets around me and pray.