Tegucigalpa

The capital city of Honduras was founded in the 16th century on the site of an indigenous village called Taguzgalpa.

Spanish settlers in search of silver deposits decided to settle near this village and it was on 29 September 1578 that they founded the mining village of " Real Minas de Tegucigalpa ".

The historical centre has preserved some colonial buildings such as the

" Cathedral of San Miguel Arcangel " and the church " Los Dolores ".

We visited the " Casa de la Cultura " where we enjoyed a film about the ruins of Copan

As in Guatemala and El Salvador, the capital city has little interest.

We appreciate Honduras that many travellers avoid because of its reputation as a " dangerous country ". Not once did we feel insecure.

But it is true that its cultural poverty is a brake on tourism.

Comayagua

On the road to the capital we stop in the "old capital".

We join the golf club which accepts to host us ... it is the opportunity to make a first course of 9 holes in the afternoon and 18 holes the next morning ... very affordable price: 25 euros for the green fee and the cart.

"Comayagua" was founded in 1537 and is one of the oldest cities in Honduras.

Its historical centre offers a very small architectural complex, including the "Cathedral of Santa Maria

Yojoa Lake

" Lake Yojoa ", located in the centre of the country, is a magnificent stretch of preserved water, surrounded by small fishing villages and nature reserves.

On the advice of " Sylvia " we book a 4-hour excursion to this lake to admire the birds in the early morning.

At 5:15 in the morning, the alarm clock rings. Still half asleep, we find our guide, who equips us with binoculars.

After a stop at his home for a coffee and a brioche, we reach a little stream that shelters the boats.

A nice vaporous mist rises to the surface of the waters in...a mysterious atmosphere.

It’s the perfect time to get a chance to see the birds before the temperature rises.

We see: Jacanas, Ducks, Blue Herons, Tiger Herons, Eagles, Toucans, Owl, Parrot, Martin-Pêcheurs and many others with very complicated names ...

A delight for our eyes ... unforgettable moment

Gracias

The weather for the next few days is similar to the one of the previous days. We then decide not to go to the coast of the Caribbean Sea.

The long road is a dead end and one has to drive back for hundreds of km !!!

We head to the lake " Yojoa " stopping at " Gracias ".

" Gracias " was founded in 1536 and only three churches remain from its colonial past : La Merced, San Sebastian and San Marcos.

We visit this small town under a gloomy sky.

Since we arrived in El Salvador, the cities are similar and not very interesting. The scenery is beautiful and we don’t feel like we’re under the tropics. We walk through huge pine and fir forests.

ROAD BOOK 084

MAVROS ODYSSEE