Grand Marathon in Central America
If you are ready to get up early, eat fast, pack fast and are good at coping with stressful situations, then this tour is for you. Tune in to the fact that you have a 20-day long march ahead of you, that you will be tested for stress resistance and sociability, and your efforts will be rewarded. Forget about the rest: you can either see a lot of interesting things or relax on the beach. Unfortunately, there is no other way...
If you want to spoil your trip, take the children, a capricious mistress, a lot of alcohol and the attitude “I paid, everyone should jump around me” and go….
In 8 countries of Central America, you can expect surprises of the weather, local cuisine, not always adequate behavior of fellow travelers ...but "experienced tourists" can cope with such twists of fate without any moaning.
The most valuable thing in life is positive memories, and we determine how our memories of the trip will remain in our memory. The significance of a person is not measured by the amount of money spent on travel, or the number of countries that he has visited ...
I must say right away that the majority of people in the group were positive-minded. They thanked the guide and the tour leader for interesting comments, listened with pleasure to any advice, information about the country, defended me from the attacks of individuals, the second category grumbled all the time with or without reason, arranged “showdowns”, shouted that “the problems of blacks sheriffs don’t care, ” she drank, the third category of citizens was silent, did not get involved in clarifying “who is right and who is wrong. ” I am very grateful to the first and third categories that they did not succumb to the hysteria that the "initiative group of comrades
Day 1.25. 12.11
When checking into the hotel (at 12 o'clock in the morning) I met one tourist already "on the eyebrows". Recognizing him as a compatriot, she greeted him cordially and asked if he needed help. He was obviously trying to explain something to the girl at the reception, what he needed. At the same time, he spoke loudly in Russian, believing that the louder, the clearer.
Ravil (and it was him) immediately switched to a boorish “you”, and he was immediately unpleasant that someone was trying to teach him how to do it better ...I think it would be better to go and pretend that I had nothing to do with it ...by morning He wouldn't even remember me...
It is impossible to get to know even one country in one trip in 20 days, but since the tourists decided ...they were warned right away, from the first day, that it would be difficult, that the trip requires discipline and a positive attitude from everyone, so that the bad mood of one could not spoil the long-awaited for everyone else vacation.
Day 2.26. 12.11
The guide in Mexico City went to the group simply "gold".
He talked a lot about the program, additionally freely answered any questions about the culture of the ancient peoples of Mexico, the current situation in Mexico and in Latin America in general. Wonderfully shown Teotihuacan, Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe
Day 3.27. 12.11
Already in the middle of the 2nd day of excursions (3rd day of the tour), everyone realized that if you walk slowly, and not “run”, then you won’t have time in Mexico City because of traffic jams, a huge number of tourists and the early closing of museums ...Despite the objections of some tourists against an early rise, we nevertheless left early and were among the first in the Anthropological Museum when there were practically no tourists in it. When we left after 2 hours, the queue for tickets was at least fifty meters. We also had time to walk through all the chambers of the presidential palace (it didn’t work out on the first day, the palace was closed, perhaps because of Christmas), see the ruins of Tenochtitlan and the Frida Kahlo Museum.
In the middle of the day there were comments: what a fine fellow our tour leader is, he runs forward so briskly, dragging us along with him.
Unfortunately, in the evening the mood changed and it was rudely expressed to me: you, girl, may not hear this from others ...but everyone thinks the way I will tell you now ...You have already pulled us up with this running around, and I will show you again how to drive us. Work so that we can eat tasty and a lot, relax ...until I see your work! ! ! I'll make you work...As you understand, it was Ravil again (who had a hard time, because Mexico City, after all, is at an altitude of 1.5 thousand meters. And it's extremely hard to drink there).
The delights of local cuisine are far from clear to everyone, and if you did not like the dish, this does not mean at all that the restaurant is bad ...
Day 4.28. 12.11
Swimming in the cenote was perhaps the most uninteresting thing we saw in Mexico. Chichen Itza had a great guide and really a lot of souvenirs…
Day 5.29. 12.11
could bring a fascinating trip to Xcaret, but for some reason the group refused to listen to any recommendations ...And everyone decided to just “play the fool” on the beach ...The tour leader's stories about Xcaret, Coba, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel were not of interest to most tourists ...Someone arranged their own leisure time, someone shouted that the tour leader should not dare to leave Cancun, because then they would be left helpless ...alone ...but the day passed calmly ...
Day 6.30. 12.11
On the way to Hidden Wold, no one spoke of their poor health. Everyone put on life jackets, signed that the briefing had been passed, got into the buggy and drove off.
I have already described this situation in the first explanatory note.
To be honest, Hidden World is for "beginner" tourists who come to Mexico for the first time and there is nothing dangerous there.
We arrived in Tulum on time, there was enough time to inspect the park, the guide was (although I think that the price for his services was clearly overpriced, the tour was not long), the transfer suited everyone, after the park everyone had the opportunity to eat hearty, without rushing anywhere .
On the way to Chetumal, I handed out questionnaires, explained in detail into the microphone where and what to write, and accordingly I expected that at the exit of the bus in Chetumal I would collect correctly completed questionnaires for the Belizean consulate, money and we would quickly go to bed. However, I had to collect questionnaires until 11 pm, then I checked the questionnaires filled out somehow, corrected incorrect information, glued photos, put everything in order ...I went to bed at 1.30.
In the morning, the consulate made visas for 43 tourists in 80 minutes.
At the border with Belize, Alexander Patlakhov continues to harass with his comments about my height, voice and manner of dressing.
His whole family wore red T-shirts throughout the trip, apparently experiencing discomfort, being afraid to get lost ...(...One can only guess what the second wife feels on vacation, forced to live in the same room with her husband's son from her first marriage for almost 3 weeks ...But Marina she behaved very well, benevolently ...She even apologized for her husband's boorish behavior. And the "real traveler" Sasha was irritated at me ... )
By the way: Miniature girls are not 1.70 m… My height is 1.65 m, but this does not prevent me from being a good translator… And everyone who wanted to hear the translation stood nearby and heard everything…
I spent the whole trip in bright T-shirts, a pink panama hat or pink shorts. Believe me, it was easy to find me...
Day 7.31. 12.11 The ancient city of Lamanai met us with rain. Nevertheless, everyone said goodbye to our guide Alexei, thanked him for Belize and promised to return again ... ))
Most of the tourists still managed to appreciate the ancient Mayan city, which existed for more than one thousand years ...Lunch after a walk through the ruins came in handy. In fairness, it should be noted that in Moscow for 360 rubles you are unlikely to eat your fill.
Moving a little away from the topic of lunch in Lamanai, I want to note that tourists generally have rather strange ideas about the rights and obligations of a tour leader.
According to the beliefs of tourists, the tour leader must: respond to You, work at least 16-18 hours a day, do not eat while eating, stand behind the chair of tourists, persuade tourists to choose their own food in a restaurant, even if the tourist has not been able to formulate for 10 minutes that he wants fish or meat, to help the waiters deliver food, even if the tourists do not admit who ordered what and, to smile in response to rudeness, to help carry suitcases from the bus to the reception upon check-in, so that you do not have to tip the porter, monitor the personal belongings of tourists in the hotel so that tourists do not forget them at the hotel, the departure of luggage at the airport so that the luggage does not fly the other way, do not dare to take pictures with your camera even after you have finished translating the synchronous tour, but take pictures of tourists on their camera at the first request of tourists, do not talk to the local guide and driver, if the tourists did not ask him about it, if he talks, he will definitely translate and all all the talk ...
New Year's Eve could have been great for everyone, but, unfortunately, some tourists sat at the table with gloomy faces. It was not written in the program about going to sea on a ship (I checked with my copy received from the agency, Patlakhov said that he had it written, but I did not see it. ). Mr. Patlakhov, although he did not reconcile himself in his soul with the fact that he would not celebrate the New Year at sea, nevertheless did not lose hope of arranging the New Year “creatively” ...He repeated to Alexei five times that his family and his friends (represented by Ravil with household members) at New Year's midnight they want to see authentic Indians dancing in the light of spotlights (powered by generators. Alexander was ready to transfer a great idea to Alexei as know-how for the future “completely free of charge, that is, for nothing”) somewhere in a deserted place against the backdrop of a pyramid ...which no tourist has set foot on.
Alexei also repeated five times that all authentic Indians would not work that night, and if anyone undertook to perform a ritual dance against the backdrop of a pyramid, it would cost unrealistically expensive. To which Alexander said that he was not a poor man and was ready to pay even $ 300 (I just don’t remember, for the whole family or per person), if only there were Indians, a pyramid and searchlights.
...and also tapir on a spit ...as a national Belizean dish ...Alexei defended the tapir, referring to its immunity due to its extreme rarity ...
Day 8.01. 01.12
On the way to the border with Guatemala, it turned out that one couple forgot their passports and money in the hotel safe. The problem was solved very quickly and calmly, thanks to the tourists themselves, who simply informed Alexei of their forgetfulness: no noise, no hysteria. Aleksey called Ilya and did everything possible so that the money and passports were handed over to the forgetful tourists as soon as possible.
Upon arrival in Tikal, we received lunch boxes, which were a pack of juice, something like a cupcake and a sandwich. But I think the problem was not in lunch, but in the fact that the day before, many slept little and drank a lot, not calculating their strength, which ultimately caused fatigue and irritability.
While the group was waiting for the guide, coatis approached the tourists. Everyone enjoyed taking pictures of the animals. I couldn't resist and tried to take some photos of the coatis. It wasn't there. I was rudely told to stop taking pictures because I didn’t pay for the trip and didn’t have the right to take pictures in order to brag to my girlfriends in Moscow that I “visited 8 countries for free. ” I obediently put my camera away.
Some adequate tourists were surprised by such comments and stood up for me with the words that since the tour leader fulfills his duties (he translates well and manages everything), then it makes no sense to forbid him to take pictures.
The guide was good. He talked a lot and with pleasure. Most tourists liked it.
Day 9.02. 01.12
The next day we arrived at the Rio Dulce, got into the boats and went for a walk along the river. Immediately there were comments that "it's about to rain. " First we arrived at the island with hot springs in a cave. We were asked to pay $2 each to enter the caves. Some tourists prefer to stay on the shore and not go to the cave. The dinner could have been fabulous, but it wasn't… I suggested that they order offhand 20 fish dishes and 20 chicken dishes on the way to Livingston so that the restaurant would have 40 minutes, if not an hour, to prepare for our dinner.
And then we could distribute the dishes and “re-order” what we like additionally. But the group objected to such a "leveling" and we went to Livingston without making a reservation.
When we arrived in Livingston, I arranged with the locals for a small concert, which was quickly organized a little later. It turned out very interesting. While the musicians were gathering, I whispered to one of our boatmen: “Help me out, brother, otherwise they will yell not only at me, but also at you. ” And the guy began to tell who the Garifuna are, why the river is called sweet, and so on and so forth ...
Day 10.03. 01.12
In the morning we left for Honduras. On the way we visited Quirigua. When leaving the hotel early in the morning, keep in mind that the park opens at 8 o'clock, but the guides appear at 8.30. The Quirigua guide told us a lot of interesting things about this wonderful city and in the 30 minutes that we had before leaving for Honduras.
We spent quite a lot of time in Honduras Copan, the tour was at a comfortable pace. See everything you want.
Day 11.04. 01.12
Salvador. Was he really needed? The tourists had different points of view. I don’t know...Of course, I remember the modern church associated with Diego Matias Delgado...Probably, out of respect for the heroism of this people, it was worth visiting this country...I want to do something to help the country. What - I don't know. We were filmed for a news release on national television channel 12. All the time, either in front or behind, we were accompanied by the tourist police ...It was nice
At the Holiday Inn, the rooms were excellent, only the restaurant at the hotel took a very long time to serve ...
Day 12.05. 01.12
Granada made a very pleasant impression. Beautiful colonial style houses. Lots of cafes, restaurants. In the central square, we got into colorful carts pulled by horses and drove to the lake.
I have no doubt that the tourists were duly warned. Valery (the meeting party) somehow resolved this issue even without additional surcharges.
Rafting on the river was liked by everyone who participated in it. Only 2-4 people did not participate (I don't know for what reasons). It was a lot of fun. And safe. Along the entire rafting route, instructors insured tourists from unpleasant situations when a tourist sitting in a circle got into such a “dead corner” because of the current and stones, from which he could not get out ...or got stuck between the stones. . In principle, you could get up yourself, correct the circle and go down the small rapids further ...but it’s more pleasant when a smiling instructor does it for you with jokes and jokes, and you just enjoy this natural attraction without any effort on your part.
Park staff filmed tourists in the photo and video. Then they offered discs for $20.
The group hesitated at first, but then I still got 10 people who wanted to and we took the discs in the morning at the reception.
Day 14.07. 01.12
When we arrived at the Sky Track / Sky Tram, it turned out that we were given equipment for quite a long time. Nearby was a shop with jewelry made of silver. Very beautiful decorations.
During the preparation and briefing, it turned out that some tourists abandoned the main adventure (descending the Sky Track), but would be happy to climb with a group to the initial stage in order to look at the selva surrounding them from a bird's eye view and take their friends to the "flight" . Not "flying" people 6-8. .
In the evening, it really turned out to be very pleasant to sit in the thermal springs right on the territory of the hotel. True, there was no view of the volcano, because it was already late, it was getting dark. Moreover, it was raining...
In the evening, the meeting party organized an "evening show" with dinner. I have nothing bad to say about dinner.
It was delicious.
Day 15.08. 01.12
Valery decided to drop 2 tourists at the airport on the way to Poas and the park. I did not know how much it would delay us (the whole group), so I agreed, because I thought that it would take no more than 5 minutes. We ended up wasting half an hour.
In the morning, Mr. Mitrofanov, as luck would have it, left 20-30 minutes late. That is, the late exit delayed the departure of the entire group. However, no one said anything to him. Then Valery said that on the way we were waiting for a very pleasant shopping for 40 minutes. Everyone agreed.
The Poas Volcano said hello to us, because on this day, it seems that all Costa Ricans went there, and a traffic jam formed. Valery suggested that we visit the plantation, where we were shown how coffee grows. Also, tourists could buy the best coffee in Costa Rica, taste it there in the cafeteria, and buy souvenirs.
According to the failed excursion, it was decided to distribute money to tourists.
Day 16.9. 01.12
In the morning we went on an excursion to the Embera tribes. Three tourists did not go on the tour (two ladies said they were sick, and Mitrovanov simply did not come out on time). The tour was interesting. Sonya talked a lot about Panama.
The representative of the tribe told about the way of life, about crafts. Tourists had the opportunity to buy souvenirs. Lunch, which consisted of battered fish, was served on banana leaves. Fruit and drinks were plentiful. After lunch, we had the opportunity to participate in the ritual dances of the tribe, take pictures with the representatives of the tribe in exotic costumes. (women wore very interesting beaded bibs and fabric skirts, men wore loincloths, beaded skirts and long strands of beads crossed over their shoulders. )
After the excursion to the Embera tribe, Sonya said that it was not worth going to the waterfall, since it was nothing interesting at that time ...It was proposed to conduct a city tour in Panama immediately after the Indian tribe. This proposal was first accepted "with hostility", but then they reasoned as follows: it is better to complete all the excursions according to the program on one day, then on the day of departure from Panama you can stay longer on the coast.
The Panama Canal tour and Panama City sightseeing tour were interesting.
Day 17.10. 01.12
Finally in the morning a small group of tourists flew away. We said goodbye to them in the morning at the reception.
Wonderful city of Panama without tourists. You can finally relax and take a walk for your pleasure.
Day 18.11. 01.12
Day 19.12. 01.12
I think the tour was a success. Nothing was broken.
