EC-Rider Travels

Poor Cynthia left at 4am to come to take me to the airport – negotiating petrol shortages and roadblocks. Goodness knows how she will get back as she wont have my boarding pass. It was so kind, but to be honest, probably not necessary as I was only half a mile from the airport. Still it was lovely to have her with me, particularly as she had advised a three hour check-in, so we had a nice chat for a couple of hours before I went through to the departure lounge to join a lot of Bolivian friends.

International departures were rather more efficient than domestic and Copa Airlines (Panamanian) left on time and we arrived in Panama City Airport just under five hours later. Goodness having a window seat is such a joy, it was a stunning flight (for some reason we seemed to fly quite low) and particularly coming into Panama. Incredibly green, with huge amounts of forrest and lots of rivers winding through. The Caribbean Coast was stunning with clear turquoise blue sea and beautiful looking beaches. We then flew over the Panama Canal full of huge container ships and tankers with a very grey sea and part of the coastline appearing to be covered in oil. We flew over a considerable number of major industrial plants, Panama certainly seems to be much more prosperous than its South American neighbours, although as we came into Panama City it was apparent there are definitely the haves and have nots.

Flying with Copa was a bit of joy as all the announcements were also in English, even the Captain’s to the crew. Panama Airport was also quite a culture shock – huge, incredibly sophisticated and very American. Needless to say my plane docked at the far end of terminal 2, and I needed to get to the far end of terminal 1 – so I got my step count in. By the time I had walked half way across Panama it was time to board the next plane. I was sitting next to one of Art’s friends from the Cartel – the chief honcho I think! We didn’t converse much but he liked Reese’s chocolate cups, so he cannot be all bad. (Not that he offered me one! 😖

We arrived in Guatemala City just under two hours later which was again very much more sophisticated than I had imagined. Getting through immigration was pretty straight forward, which was a relief as I had been told it could be quite a lengthy process. What was quite lengthy however was waiting for my luggage. I think it must have been the very last to go on to the belt, meanwhile I was fairly sure it was still in Bolivia… but no, at last my trusty friend, Mary, came around the corner followed soon after by her big brother! Phew!

I left the airport to find smiling Raoul – another phew! It was now quite late and I really didn’t fancy a night alone on the streets of Guatemala City! We drove about an hour along good roads, passing endless Macdonald’s and other American fast food chains (Grr!). Again everything seemingly much more sophisticated than I anticipated (but things look very different at night!). until we reached Antigua and turned down a little cobbled street to our hotel – Las Cruces Boutique. This is a gorgeous hotel, not very Gap Year! I assume an old town house and perhaps before that a convent/monastery. The owner is a great silver collector and the hotel and rooms are full of the most amazing treasures. Our room is quite beautiful and big enough for you to all come and join Lottie and me. So looking forward to her arrival tomorrow.