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Honduras

(San Salvador - Choluatec - Nicaragua)

The Nightmare

[November 7, 2004] The border - no problem. That's what I thought after my experiences at the Salvadorian border formalities. So, let's go through, this time with the help of one of these tramitadores, a specialist-in-crossing-borders-through-all-the-bureaucracy. Nice phrase, isn't it?

With his help the total crossing (12 different offices and forms to fill in and 20 copies of all my documents) "just" took 2 hours and did "just" cost US$ 43 (for that I have receipts) and 5$ for speeding up the process and another 5$ for my helper. A bargain, no? Bulls…. And finally my helper wanted to srew me, too.

At the frontier I met Dirk and Sander from the Netherlands (yes, these are everywhere and no, didn't have a caravan, but little scooter bikes Honda 100 cc). They are a funny team and also had made their experiences at the border, somewhat 4 or 5 hours.

So I had literally speaking no more interest in Honduras after this (that"s my best English I can find for it) and therefore I speed off with "joy". And while enjoying at least the good road on the Panamericana, no, cannot be, a Police control point. "You were just a little too fast here, mister". No, couldn't be, the bike is so heavy. Yes, they have heard the roaring engine scream through the mountains, no, that's the exhaust pipe, I said. Shit… After many discussions finally the magic word "Aleman" once more saved me from more trouble. Pure luck, I thought.
10 miles down the road I was back on my normal speed and, No, cannot be, another Police control point, this time with a laser speedgun. This is no 3rd world, they have learned too fast the rip-off techniques here!

So I headed off to the next city and needed a break. That's enough I thought and decided to leave tomorrow for Nicaragua.
Right on the border I met again the flying Dutchmen and we after having learned the hard way decided to cross as a team the borders. And then it finally was "Adios Honduras".

I may have this one wrong and don't give Honduras the credit it may have earned, but that's what I had experienced and it was basically frightening me away! Probably not only me…

So let's go South to Nicaragua.

Rasmus