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The hotel is situated next to the church and only a short distance away from the historical Mayan ruins.

 

"Though I did not reach Copán 'till about 6pm, I soon found a small hotel, and for the first time on this journey, I met some other people travelling around like myself. Later, I was able to join them, an American couple, at a nearby cafe, where we passed away an enjoyable evening talking of our experiences over a good meal and a few local beers. Meeting other travellers like this and being able to pickup some tips on the route ahead is all part of the fun of travel for me.

 

The town of Copán was an attractive little place built on the traditional old Spanish colonial plan, with a large plaza flanked by the church and other civic buildings, and the rest of the streets of single story dwellings leading off on a grid pattern.

 

To leave Copán the next day I had risen early with the intention of walking, if necessary, the 7 miles along the dirt road to the border. But as luck would have it, after about 3 miles I was offered a lift in a passing truck. El Florido, the village at the border was a rundown looking place, with an equally tatty customs office that looked as if it had been abandoned. After a few enquires I was able to track the official down to a nearby cafe, where he was having his breakfast. As I could see it was going to be some time before I would get any service, I decided to join him and have a snack. By the time he had finished and we were able to return to the office together, a German traveller had also arrived, having taken a taxi up from Chiquimula on the Guatemalan side. My custom formalities dealt with, I was able to join the taxi on its return to Chiquimula, the driver only charging me a few dollars for the 32 mile ride, as he had not been expecting a fare back.


Being able to take the taxi turned out to be more of a bonus than I had first realised, as we passed little other traffic on route, and I think I could otherwise have finished up having to walk most of it. Reaching Chiquimula it came as a pleasant surprise to find the town busy with local Indians gathered for the Sunday market. It was a colourful sight and as it was still only about 11am I was able to have a few hours in the town before catching a mid-afternoon bus on to Guatemala City. This was my first experience of these local Indians, descendants of the original Mayo. I found the presence of these colourful and friendly people added an extra dimension to what was already starting to become a most interesting and exciting journey." - MH

Hotel Plaza Copán, 1976

£4.50Price
  • All items are produced from original paintings by Martyn Hanks.

    Prints:Size is A4 (8.27" x 11.69"/210 x 297mm). Printed onto high quality 245gsm fine art watercolour paper to give the print an authentic look and feel. Supplied in a textured off white mount size 12" x 16" (305 x 406mm), backed and sealed in a clear cellophane wrap and delivered in a protective carton to ensure it reaches you in perfect condition.

    Cards: Size 7" X 5"/178 x 127mm. Packaged in a clear cellophane wrap with a top quality 150gsm self-seal white envelope.

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