Hondorus

Under covered stairway

Covered stairway at Copan

Poor horses

Cowboy Bob

After the long ride with our guide Hector

At Copan

Day 3 Explore Copán ruins and  la Pintada Village Horseback Ride with dinner

This morning we had an individually cooked breakfast with omlet (not buffet).  Then we are off to

This morning we had an individually cooked breakfast (not a buffet) of omlet and fresh breads and fruit.  Then we are off to explore the crown jewel of the Mayans endeavors: Xukpi (to the Maya), now known as the ruins of Copán. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980, Copán is Honduras' most significant pre-Columbian site and the most elaborate of all Mayan cities, earning it the title “Athens of the Mayan World.In AD 250, the Maya—Mesoamerica's (and the Western Hemisphere's) most advanced culture—began constructing elaborate cities that flourished until about the year 900, an era now known as the Classic Period of Mayan civilization

explore the crown jewel of the Mayans endeavors: Xukpi (to the Maya), now known as the ruins of Copán. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980, Copán is Honduras' most significant pre-Columbian site and the most elaborate of all Mayan cities, earning it the title “Athens of the Mayan World.In AD 250, the Maya—Mesoamerica's (and the Western Hemisphere's) most advanced culture—began constructing elaborate cities that flourished until about the year 900, an era now known as the Classic Period of Mayan civilization

Our guide is very knowledgeable about the Mayans as he is a descendent, himself.  We spent a full morning here exploring its sprawling ball court, adorned with markers resembling macaw heads; and the Great Plaza, scattered with altars and lined with carved stone columns called stelae, which represent powerful Mayan rulers and date from AD 711-736. Among the ruins here that have helped to unveil Mayan history is Altar Q, a rectangular stone altar with carved portraits of all of Copán's rulers, from the founder, Yax Kuk Mo, to the last ruler, Yax Pac.

The most impressive remnant is the Hieroglyphic Stairway—63 steps with 2,500 glyphs, or symbols, carved into the stone, transforming the pyramid’s steps into the Mayans' longest historical record. The ancient Mayan belief system gave extraordinary importance to precisely measuring and recording the dates of events such as the reigns of rulers, and many of Copán's monuments, and those of other Mayan centers, are elaborate sacred calendars.

We saw some beautiful MacCaw birds that inhabit the surrounding jungle. They were magnificent in flight and had beautiful coloring.  We depart the ruins for lunch at a local “Mexican” restaurant where we enjoyed home-made tortillas and lots of fillings with fresh avocado, and of course, beer.  Bob was happy because he found someone who did not eat their ice cream.  Sorry Charlie—we miss you, but it takes so little to make Bob happy. 

It is hot, and we return to the hotel and leave after 25 minutes for a 45 minute horseback ride through rolling pastures and fields of wildflowers on our way to La Pintada, a quaint farming village of thatched-roof homes and garden patches. At La Pintada, we are greeted by children who are descendants of the Maya.  It is Sunday, and the village has come out to greet us.  The young people show us some of their dancing, and we then have to climb back on our horses and descend the hill.  It is a 45 minute horse-back ride back down the hill  to the bus.  Bob got a fast horse back down the hill, and I had to really kick my horse to catch him.  Think he was very happy, but very sore (I mean Bob) and I am sore and tired too.   We stopped off at a local bar and had more beer.  Just as we got into the bar, it poured down rain outside.  We were very lucky with the weather.  It stopped after just a few minutes.  We came back to the hotel where we have just an hour for a short swim and shower and then we return to Copán for a dinner at a local Honduran restaurant – mixed kabobs.  The girls balanced drinks and food on their heads.  We are all tired as we have to have bags out at 7:00, breakfast and on the bus by 8:00 for the ride to Guatemala