Border crossings galore

3:45am is a damn early start especially when you couldn’t get to sleep the night before but we are now on the road getting ready to cross the border between El Salvador and Honduras. Its very quiet on the bus, the only sounds being the creaks of the suspension and the whirring of the motor.  Ahead we get a glimpse of what looks to be an amazing sunrise. 

Border crossings have been fun but frustrating. It seems the rules and fees change with great regularity and we don’t know what we are in for until we get there. The best we can hope for is that there isn’t a big tour bus in front of us. 

Leaving El Salvador  Rafa has already given the border officials a list of our details and the immigration officer has come on board with his stamp and saves us the job of getting out. Of course at 5:45am there are no queues but not having to move from the bus is a bonus. 

Out of El Salvador we cross a bridge into Honduras again. El Salvador is partially surrounded by Honduras so today we are going to Honduras simply to transit to Nicaragua. 

Alighting from the bus we join a longish queue. It moves quickly and we wonder why until we get inside and realise that the queue is now inside, seated. Each time someone makes it to a window everyone moves along one seat. We all chose to stand. 

This is the grottiest place we have been to. Outside the immigration office there are some decrepit buildings and for the first time can see rubbish on the streets. 

The power goes on and off inside the immigration office probably making it harder for the officers to do their job. We sit to wait and sigh loudly to each time they go on or off.  Nearly there. They are working in the dark now so we are lucky the queue is moving bit could be worse. It has taken an hour but we are now on our way. Yipee. 

Next crossing into Nicaragua. 

A quick stop at a QM (QuickMart) for some heated cabinet food. QM is primarily a gas station, also has spotless bathrooms, ATM and usual drinks and junk food.  Bit posher than at home. 

Our van is stopped a couple of times for Police checks, where a policeman comes on board, looking very official and threatening, and flicks through each of our passports. Who knows why. Their visits were annoying as they woke me each time. 

We arrived at the Nicaraguan border and our bags were loaded off our van. It is oppressively hot and by the time we walked, carrying bags, the few hundred meters to passport control we were melting. There is aircon but it makes little difference. 

I am now sitting on my bag in a very shiny and sleek immigration hall. Rafa our tour leader is in the process of getting our passports stamped and he must be having fun as it has taken him quite a while. Our bags have already been through the screening and we wait. And we wait. We now have company.  
And we wait. And we waited more. 2 hours later an exhausted Rafa appeared, tired, thirsty and frustrated. What a performance for him. 

Our new van was waiting and our driver loaded the bags up top in the heat. And the humidity is awful. 

The drive through to Leon was uneventful and the scenery quite pretty and green. We passed by one of many active volcanoes in the country. 

For the first time on the trip we have seen livestock alongside the road. Cattle are being herded somewhere. 

Lots of stalls are lined along the road. Bicycle tuktuks zoom in and out of the traffic like buzzy bees. 

We eventually arrive at the hotel about 3:30pm. Its been a long day and our pre ordered lunch is waiting so we left immediately to go to the restaurant.   All the restaurants have been fine but am looking forward to being able to choose where I eat. 

My fried chicken meal beat the KFC I had the other day and as soon as lunch was over I took off with two of the group to go see the sunset. 

We climbed to the roof of the most magnificent Bassilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary to not only see the view but to glory on the beauty of the beautiful building.   It was glorious. 

We also had a birds eye view of the central square and the happenings of the township. Kids were out with drums and taking part in the processional  giants celebration (Gigantones)

Google says “Processional giants are costumed figures in European folklore, particularly present in Belgian, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and English folkloric processions. The main feature of these figures is typically their papier maché head, whilst bodies are covered in clothing matching the costume's theme.
Since 2008, Belgian and French processional giants have been recognised as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, as part of the binational listing of 'Processional giants and dragons in Belgium and France”
The square was decorated for Christmas.  Just beautiful. 


A cold beer was downed while we watched what was happening and then it was time for a wander.  I managed to make myself understood and got something fixed on my phone then walked past the most amazing small street food stall with bbq’d meat. Bumm. I wasn’t hungry but that didn’t stop my mouth watering from the aromas coming off that grill. 
The city is so pretty. I cant wait to see it by daylight. 

I wandered, I watched and I was thirsty so while looking for somewhere to buy a cold drink I bumped into the others. A cold drink was had and here I am, soon ready for bed, but at the moment sitting with my feet in the pool enjoying my cuppa. 

The others are going on a hike tomorrow. I will just have to go for a wander and have a quiet morning to myself. I can’t wait.