A day to remember and forget

This morning we didn't even bother to get up to find out if the 6.20am ferry was leaving for the mainland. We could hear the wind howling and the rain lashing against the window from the comfort of our beds, so were able to make a safe assumption that it wasn't.

And when we visited the ferry office to ask about the afternoon departure, the disappointing answer was 'maybe tomorrow... perhaps.'

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Tempting though it was at this point to stand in the middle of Main Street and scream 'get me off this island!', we managed to stay calm and do what any sane person would do in our situation: charter their own plane to take them back to the mainland. Well we lived on Utila in style, we thought we might as well leave it with a flourish!

Now, I thought our plane from Orange Walk to Caye Caulker was small. But this one only had 4 seats (including the pilot's) and just about enough room for our backpacks. Oh yes, no vomit comet for these amigas... instead we soared over the island and turquoise waters back to La Ceiba - and not a sick bag in sight!

Things were definitely looking up!

But not for long...

Having taken a taxi to the bus terminal (it's now about 11.30), we were told that the bus scheduled for 2pm to San Pedro Sula was delayed because it had been prevented from crossing a bridge on it's outward journey by a demonstration. It was possible that it would get through later in the day and leave again for San Pedro in the evening but they couldn't be sure.

So, we decided to go back to the airport and see if we could get a flight to San Pedro (money now being no object!). There weren't any.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, having reached dead ends on all other options, we ended up back at the bus terminal waiting for the 'possible' bus. Doing our best not to be grumpy and irritable or to stand in the middle of the bus station screaming 'get me out of this country!'

The 'possible' bus did show at 4.30pm and we could have kissed the bus driver and all our fellow passengers. Now we only had to negotiate the small problem that we were on our way to one of Honduras' most hostile cities with no hotel booking and arriving in the dark.

As it turns out, I needn't have worried. We played it safe and picked out a reasonably pricey hotel (budget out of the window) and a very kindly taxi driver deposited us there safely. And the hotel receptionist couldn't have been more friendly and helpful.

So, now to sleep, as we fully intend to be on the 7am bus outta here to San Salvador.

Tomorrow's another day :)

P.S. Clarification on yesterday's blog entry. Those are not my favourite music tracks just the ones that I associate with certain significant moments or periods in my life... actually not sure if that's better or worse. Anyway, I told you not to judge me ;)

P.P.S. And I know it's 'love in a hopeless (not strangest) place' - blame it on cabin fever!

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Location:San Pedro Sula, Honduras