Thursday, December 13, 2012

Santa Rosa de Copan & Gracias

From Copan Ruinas, we got on the 8:00 AM direct three-hour bus ride to the west to Santa Rose de Copan, Honduras, a stop-over on our way to El Salvador and then Antigua, Guatemala. [Note to travelers: That 8:00 AM bus goes through La Entrada but you don't have to change buses.]

Santa Rosa is a colonial town off the main tourist trail with old churches, cafes and restaurants frequented by locals (rather than tourists), a few cobblestone streets (and many unpaved ones), colorful buildings of many architectural styles, and a shady town square. We had heard good personal reports for SRdC, but in the end we were not much charmed. However, we saw buildings being spruced up, roads being paved, electrical grid work, and much efforts going into improving El Cerrito park and viewpoint - we enjoyed our sunset walk up the 150 steps.

During trip research, we had agonized over how to see the nearby town of Gracias, the oldest colonial town in Honduras. After much study, we began to suspect that Gracias was overly hyped. Just to prove our suspicions, we made a day trip and were not impressed. Gracias is heavily touted by most guide books, but it's hard to see why. Let's just say it was hot and dusty, the Castillo was uninteresting, and not much seems to have happened since 1536. Not all was lost as the bus ride was quite scenic.

Santa Rosa from El Cerrito viewpoint.
Santa Rosa de Copan, Honduras

Atole de PiƱa, a favorite Honduran dessert that we checked out at Hemady's Tipico along with a nice meal.
Gracias, Honduras

On the road to Gracias.
The road to Gracias, Honduras

Not only was the Gracias bus ride scenic, but it's not every day that you get a fillup from an attendant sporting a pistol.
Gracias, Honduras

The Castillo in Gracias.
Gracias, Honduras

And some shots showing the architecture of Santa Rosa.

Cathedral(Catedral).
Santa Rosa de Copan. Honduras

Central Market (Mercado Central).
Santa Rosa de Copan. Honduras

Army HQ (Battilion).
The Battilion  - Santa Rosa de Copan, Honduras

The former Cine Rex.
Santa Rosa de Copan. Honduras

And all the shots from Santa Rosa de Copan and Gracias are here.





6 comments:

Kathy said...

That looks a lot like an insect in the desert. I trust not?

Crash Eddy said...

The link to all the shots hits a private page, cannot view. Help!

john said...

@Crash - Fixed!

Sun-Ling said...

@Kathy, those are cinnamon pieces.

Sun-Ling said...

@Kathy, those are cinnamon pieces.

Crash Eddy said...

Thanks. More fine photography. Love to join you if only vicariously.

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