Volcano Arenal
./../img/photos/centralamerica/009cr_080904_volcanarenal.jpgThe Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica. And just saw a Tucan.
Tucan
./../img/photos/centralamerica/010cr_080904_volcanarenal_tucan.jpgWhat a lucky photo. Made easy through a telescope. How perfect is that?
Volcano Arenal
./../img/photos/centralamerica/023cr_080904_volcanarenal.jpgThe Arenal volcano is still active. During the day you can already observe the volcano.
Butterfly
./../img/photos/centralamerica/032cr_080904_volcanarenal.jpgIn the region around the volcano Arenal, there are still a lot of butterflies.
Arenal volcano at night
./../img/photos/centralamerica/045cr_080904_volcanarenal.jpgBut at night the volcano Arenal is spectacular. Especially when glowing magma rolls down the volcano.
Monte Verde Cloud Forest Reserve
./../img/photos/centralamerica/067cr_080906_monteverdecloudforestreserve.jpgThere are still many animals in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
Hummingbird in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
./../img/photos/centralamerica/082cr_080906_monteverdecloudforestreserve.jpgLike hummingbirds, for example.
Plaza Artigas in San Jose
./../img/photos/centralamerica/091cr_080907_sanjose_plazaartigas.jpgChurch on Plaza Artigas in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Tratro Nacional
./../img/photos/centralamerica/093cr_080907_sanjose_tratronacional.jpgFor tourists, San Jose is not really appealing. Some buildings stand out, however.
Modern Architecture in San Jose
./../img/photos/centralamerica/094cr_080907_sanjose.jpgIn San Jose, just like everywhere in Costa Rica , has not very appealing architecture. Sometimes you will see experiments that stand out from the mass.
Tratro Melico Salazar
./../img/photos/centralamerica/095cr_080907_sanjose_tratromelicosalazar.jpgAnother example in San Jose: The Tratro Melico Salazar.
Getting out of town
./../img/photos/centralamerica/119cr_080909_manzanillo.jpgJust after Claudia arrived in San Jose we fled out of San Jose to Manzanillo on the sea.
Beach in Manzanillo
./../img/photos/centralamerica/123cr_080909_manzanillo.jpgAt the beach you can relax.
Water over Water
./../img/photos/centralamerica/143pa_080910_way2bocasdeltoro.jpgThis is how boating makes fun.
Port in Bocas del Toro
./../img/photos/centralamerica/152pa_080910_bocasdeltoro.jpgAnd then we went over the border from Costa Rica into Panama. More precisely, the port of Bocas del Toro.
Hopefully it will not burn
./../img/photos/centralamerica/154pa_080910_bocasdeltoro.jpgThe fire station in Bocas del Toro. Well, the first fire engine would probably be a museum piece... hopefully.
Panama Canal
./../img/photos/centralamerica/160pa_080912_canal_miraflores.jpgThe Panama Canal is already a huge. However really big ships can not pass through the Panama Canal. It only goes up to Panamax class.
Panama Canal as the main source of income
./../img/photos/centralamerica/172pa_080912_canal_miraflores.jpgThe Panama Canal has become -next to banana and banking sector- one of the main sources of income for Panama.
Panama Canal
./../img/photos/centralamerica/181pa_080912_canal_miraflores.jpgMeanwhile the administration of the Panama Canal was handed over from the Americans to Panama. First, they were skeptical that the Panamanians are able to keep the canal up and running. Now we know that the doubts were unfounded.
Mira Flores Locks
./../img/photos/centralamerica/187pa_080912_canal_miraflores.jpgIn close proximity to Panama City are the Mira Flores Locks.
Old City of Panama City
./../img/photos/centralamerica/203pa_080913_panamacity_cascoviejo.jpgBack from the Mira Flores locks we went right to the old town of Panama City.
Metropolis of Panama City
./../img/photos/centralamerica/206pa_080913_panamacity.jpgPanama City is definitely the biggest city of Panama. Here, many banks and other investors are resident.
Casco Viejo
./../img/photos/centralamerica/212pa_080913_panamacity_cascoviejo.jpgCasco Viejo, the old town of Panama City.
More Old Town
./../img/photos/centralamerica/218pa_080913_panamacity_cascoviejo.jpgMore Old City of Panama City.
Run as fast as you can
./../img/photos/centralamerica/219pa_080913_panamacity_cascoviejo.jpgWith a police car like this one you only can say: Every man for himself.
More photos from Panama.
./../img/photos/centralamerica/220pa_080913_panamacity_cascoviejo.jpgMore photos from Panama.
Traditional clothing
./../img/photos/centralamerica/222pa_080913_panamacity.jpgTraditional clothing of Panama.
Panama City Skyline
./../img/photos/centralamerica/226pa_080913_panamacity.jpgThe skyline looks a bit like other cities in the world.
In the undergrowth
./../img/photos/centralamerica/247cr_080915_parquenacionalcorcovado.jpgWandering the undergrowth of the Parque Nacional Corcovado.
Parque Nacional Corcovado
./../img/photos/centralamerica/254cr_080915_parquenacionalcorcovado.jpgThe Parque Nacional Corcovado is terrific. Many lonely places. The good news is that you get there on foot only. This scares many tourists off.
Hanging loose.
./../img/photos/centralamerica/259cr_080915_parquenacionalcorcovado.jpgThis is the way to relax.
Wing span
./../img/photos/centralamerica/281cr_080916_parquenacionalcorcovado.jpgThis is what I call a wing span.
Islet
./../img/photos/centralamerica/287cr_080916_parquenacionalcorcovado.jpgDirectly in front of the Parque Nacional Corcovado is located an offshore islets.
And yet another beach.
./../img/photos/centralamerica/302cr_080916_parquenacionalcorcovado.jpgWhat a miracle... Another beach.
Ara in the Parque Nacional Corcovado
./../img/photos/centralamerica/305cr_080916_parquenacionalcorcovado.jpgIn the whole region, including the Parque Nacional Corcovado, there are many, many Aras. Next time I saw them again was in Guatemala.
Boat trip on the Rio San Juan
./../img/photos/centralamerica/326ni_080919_riosanjuan.jpgFrom the south of Costa Rica, it went straight through to Nicaragua.
Further down the river
./../img/photos/centralamerica/334ni_080919_riosanjuan.jpgWe went on the Rio San Juan down towards the Atlantic sea. Theoretically you could all the way to the sea
River Cruise
./../img/photos/centralamerica/336ni_080919_riosanjuan.jpgBut unfortunately we lacked time to do so.
Encounter
./../img/photos/centralamerica/339ni_080919_riosanjuan.jpgOn the riverfront, it comes to interesting encounters here and there.
Granada
./../img/photos/centralamerica/359ni_080920_granada.jpgAnd then we arrived at the ancient city of Granada.
Praque Central
./../img/photos/centralamerica/360ni_080920_granada_parquecentral.jpgPraque Central in the heart of Granada.
Granada
./../img/photos/centralamerica/367ni_080920_granada.jpgThe ancient city of Granada in Nicaragua has a lot to offer tourists.
Isla De Ometepe
./../img/photos/centralamerica/383ni_080922_lagodenicaragua_isladeometepe.jpgUnfortunately we weren't able to see much of the Isla de Ometepe due to the bad weather. The two volcanoes were mostly overcast with clouds.
Playa Hermosa
./../img/photos/centralamerica/399cr_080923_playahermosa.jpgBack in Costa Rica from Nicaragua we went to relax in Playa Hermosa.
Continues in Guatemala
./../img/photos/centralamerica/420gt_080925_antigua_casadelcabildo.jpgAfter Claudia had flown back home from San Jose I went straight on to Guatemala.
Antigua in Guatemala
./../img/photos/centralamerica/430gt_080925_antigua.jpgMore precisely to Antigua in Guatemala.
Casa Del Cabildo
./../img/photos/centralamerica/433gt_080925_antigua_casadelcabildo.jpgIn Antigua there are still many old houses, such as the Casa del Cabildo.
Pacaya Volcano
./../img/photos/centralamerica/435gt_080926_volcanpacaya.jpgAntigua is located in close proximity to the active volcano Pacaya.
Heat flash
./../img/photos/centralamerica/445gt_080926_volcanpacaya.jpgEven if the heat can not been seen on a photo...... The lava was murderously hot.
Volcanic Activity
./../img/photos/centralamerica/467gt_080926_volcanpacaya.jpgThe Pacaya volcano is very active. Therefore, it smokes everywhere. Due to safety reason you may then not be allowed to go there in the afternoon.
Fluid Lava
./../img/photos/centralamerica/472gt_080926_volcanpacaya.jpgFor the first time I saw liquid lava. It flowed almost like water.
Cathedral of Antigua
./../img/photos/centralamerica/489gt_080926_antigua_catedral.jpgThe cathedral of Antigua.
Colourful street
./../img/photos/centralamerica/492gt_080926_antigua.jpgA colourful street in Antigua. Yes, that's how we imagine Guatemala.
Iglesia y conventola merced
./../img/photos/centralamerica/499gt_080926_antigua_iglesiayconventolamerced.jpgThe Iglesia y merced conventola midst of Antigua.
Tradition
./../img/photos/centralamerica/506gt_080926_antigua.jpgThe people of Guatemala are very traditional.
Traditional Clothing
./../img/photos/centralamerica/509gt_080926_antigua.jpgThis is also reflected in the clothes.
Baby
./../img/photos/centralamerica/514gt_080926_antigua.jpgIt may not always need to be a high-tech strollers.
Men
./../img/photos/centralamerica/522gt_080927_lagoatitlan_sanpedro.jpgIn contrast to women, men are usually dressed more simply.
Lago Atitlan
./../img/photos/centralamerica/538gt_080927_lagoatitlan_sanpedro.jpgThen I went even further back through Guatemala. Not very far. Only from Antigua to San Pedro on Lake Atitlan.
Copan Ruins
./../img/photos/centralamerica/543hn_080929_copan_aramacao.jpgAfter a long bus ride I finally arrived in Copan in Honduras to the city in ruins.
Ara in Copan
./../img/photos/centralamerica/548hn_080929_copan_aramacao.jpgHere again, I also saw many wild aras. The last time I had seen so many were in Costa Rica.
Ruins
./../img/photos/centralamerica/560hn_080929_copan.jpgCopan is not know for his macaws but for its ruins.
Skull
./../img/photos/centralamerica/587hn_080929_copan.jpgAlso stone carvings can be admired in Copan.
Decline in Copan
./../img/photos/centralamerica/595hn_080929_copan.jpgIt's not all restored yet.
Aras
./../img/photos/centralamerica/616hn_080929_copan_aramacao.jpgMacaws are definitely living in groups of two. They are either alone or to see as a couple.
Macaw approaching
./../img/photos/centralamerica/619hn_080929_copan_aramacao.jpgAra approaching.
Rio Dulce
./../img/photos/centralamerica/630gt_080930_riodulce.jpgBack from Honduras I travelled on in Guatemala. Whether the Rio Dulce was really sweet though, I have not tried.
Traditional washing
./../img/photos/centralamerica/638gt_080930_riodulce.jpgIn Guatemala much is washed by hand. I am always amazed how clean the women (I've never seen a man washing clothes) get the clothes. Even white shirts. Respect!
Curiosity
./../img/photos/centralamerica/664gt_080930_riodulce.jpgA curious companion.
Tikal in Guatemala
./../img/photos/centralamerica/669gt_081001_tikal.jpgTikal in Guatemala was already used in many movies.
Tikal
./../img/photos/centralamerica/710gt_081001_tikal.jpgEspecially aerial photographs were always welcome. This also applies to Star Wars.
Belize City
./../img/photos/centralamerica/724bz_081002_belizecity_marina.jpgBelize City was not appealing. Of course this may have also leaned to the bad weather. Or the many tourists who came from the huge cruise ships at anchor.
Tulum
./../img/photos/centralamerica/774mx_081006_tulum.jpgTulum in Mexico I liked much better.
Fantastic Tulum
./../img/photos/centralamerica/797mx_081006_tulum.jpgTulum is truly amazing. Where in the world is such combination of culture and natural beauty?
Gran Cenote
./../img/photos/centralamerica/835mx_081006_tulum_grancenote.jpgThis applies above water and under the earth, as in the famous cave systems, known as cenotes.
Chichen Itza
./../img/photos/centralamerica/863mx_081007_chichenitza_castillo.jpgOne of the main attractions Cucatans is certainly Chichen Itza.
Chichen Itza Castillo
./../img/photos/centralamerica/868mx_081007_chichenitza_castillo.jpgThe Castillo at Chichen Itza, a tourist-mass meeting point. Shortly before my arrival there was a major opera festival with famous names of the scene.
Colourful Mexico
./../img/photos/centralamerica/891mx_081007_chichenitza_souvenirs.jpgThe souvenir stands illustrate the colorful side of Mexico.
Isla Mujeres
./../img/photos/centralamerica/903mx_081008_islamujeres_playanorte.jpgIsla Mujeres is located directly next to Cancun. Amazingly, it is much quieter than in Cancun. Most tourists make a day trip here and return for dinner at their hotels in Cancun. But well, it's quieter but not quiet on Isla Mujeres.
Tourist ghetto in Cancun
./../img/photos/centralamerica/928mx_081010_cancun.jpgCancun has been presented to me as a tourist ghetto. And it's not even nice. Fair to note, however, that the last hurricane has eroded a large part of the beach. But this seems to make no difference to the sunbathers. Who likes it....
