If anything, Honduras (country number 134), has a more frightening reputation for an assortment of criminal activity than anywhere else in the world let alone Central America. Huge numbers of drug related murders are committed here, but this is by no means the extent of the problem and it's not unknown for tourists to be victims largely through resisting mugging attempts. San Pedro Sula is known to be the most violent city in the world with Tegucigalpa a close second. Fortunately neither of these cities made it to our itinerary! Accordingly we only spent 1 day in this country at the stunning UNESCO registered Maya ruins at Copan which is located just across the border with Guatemala. Honduras has a population of 8.25 million people and I was delighted that my fellow travellers were able to pronounce the unpronounceable name of the capital, Tegucigalpa!

Whilst in Honduras the group became aware of the sad events in Brussels. I have travelled through the the targeted metro station of Maelbeek on many occasions so the poignancy of the outrage really struck a cord. Indeed I had organised a weekend in Brussels for early May which must now be at risk.

Buoyed by some good news re Leyton Orient's supreme 1 - 0 victory against the mighty Morecambe, we set off for the Honduran border at 6.15 am in order to avoid the horrendous Guatemala rush hour traffic. Copan Ruinas archaeological site is one of the most important of Maya civilisation. Our expert and passionate guide to the site, Mike, pointed out the Museum of Sculpture exhibiting tall temple pyramids, the Rosalila Temple and limestone relief panels, the Great Plaza and its Stelae, the Acropolis, tunnels showcasing pre-existing structures below the visible surface structures, the Ball Court and Hieroglyphic Stairway and Las Sepulturas excavation site.

Over dinner at a very nice Honduran restaurant which had the longest ever "Happy Hour" (8 hours - fully exploited by "Two Drinks" Claire), and where the waitresses carried food and wine on their heads when their hands were full, it was revealed that it was Mark and Laura's 4th wedding anniversary, a nicer and more suitable couple you could not wish to meet. Paul and Hilary added to the celebratory mood by informing the group that 2016 will be their 50th wedding anniversary and that they were married on 30 July 1966, the same day that England won the World Cup! It was suggested that our tour guide Jose, was a doppelgänger for former England footballer, now BT Sports pundit and racehorse owner Michael Owen. There was much wild and ill-informed speculation as to Jose's age and I sought incontrovertible proof of the age that he advised me of, which was still awaited as we departed Honduras. Following a crateful of the excellent Honduran beer, Park Royal, (isn't that a tube station?), I let it slip that my internet age is somewhat at variance with that stated on my Birth Certificate! It was also quickly established that my roommate Duarte was the baby of the group.

Following one night in Honduras the next destination is El Salvador.

Last updated: 1st May 2016