Central Honduras and the D&D Brewery

Leaving Copan a little late in the morning we drove along scenic but winding roads for about 6 hours to arrive at the D&D Brewery at dusk, which appears to be our MO, LOL.

After finding our host, Walter, he showed us to our casita, which was set along a winding gravel path back in the jungle. The rooms were spacious and clean with 2 double beds and a large bathroom with hot water!

The whole complex consisted of a centrally located bar/restaurant surrounded by tables and chairs set under covered roofs. Further out was a pool, the buildings housing single  and multi family dwellings. The complex was connected by paths composed of crushed gravel and surrounded by lush jungle and many bird feeders. There were tent campsites interspersed among the buildings for campers as well. Across the road was a parking lot where we tethered the pony safely under the keeping of a night watchman.

We caught a few looks when we brought a bottle and mix to the rooms but liquor laws and an on-site brewery are no concern for Canucks with a thirst.  Brad did try a few of their brews, which were pretty good but not to his taste.

The restaurant/bar served really good food and reasonable, even large portions. Brad especially like the baleada they served at breakfast. This is the popular Honduran street food which consists of a cooked folded flour tortilla filled with eggs, refried beans, cheese, chicken, avocado and chimol, their version of pico de gallo.

  

A nice fire pit surrounded by comfy chairs.

The seating area and fire pit area were very popular with the young travellers who comprised the majority of our fellow inhabitants. We met many young, mostly European people with many interesting backgrounds and reasons  for travelling to Honduras.

Fellow guests chatting in the shade, Austrian Tanya and Lesse from Belgium

Leona in front of the falls

On several occasions other travellers joined us on outings. There were many sights and activities in and around the Brewery: kayaks on the lake, waterfalls. hiking in Cloud Forest reserves, all just a short drive away.  We had the pleasure of sightseeing with Dutch, Austrian, Isreali, Belgian and Lebanese travellers.




We decided to go and see the Pulhapanzak waterfall about 15 km from the Brewery. This was one of the nicest waterfalls in this part of Honduras. There were observation points at several locations along the river and near the falls.












There was a small fee to get into the falls and you could have hired a guide to take you into a small cave behind the falls, but none of us really wanted to get wet. It was wet enough just walking to the observation points! Refreshing!









Another outing took us to the Cerro Azul Meambar National Park. The Cloud Forest Reserve was located about a 45 minute drive from the Brewery.

The boa constrictor blends well with the surroundings.

There was a $7 fee to get into the park and as we were getting our ticket and directions for the different hikes, one of the guides told us about a boa constrictor in the grass just off the parking lot. It was not happy to have so many people around and was hissing his displeasure.

Brad on one of the level parts of the hike.

There were several trails to choose from and we initially chose the 3-4 hour hike, mostly because the young bucks convinced us that a 1,500 feet elevation change would be no problem. As a bonus there were two observation towers for bird watching and two waterfalls along the route.

We climbed pretty well straight up about 2 km through the jungle, stopping often to wring out our clothes and drink the sweat.

After our party had waited for us several times we told them to go on ahead.  We would take the shorter, lower elevation hike and meet them at the lower waterfall.

A  hanging bridge on the trail.

They were visibly relieved that we were turned back, knowing how much tougher the trek would be carrying a 120 kilo Canuck in cardiac arrest.

At a much more comfortable pace we strolled through the jungle trails taking time to appreciate the massive trees and the breathtaking views.

The root system of a ceiba tree.

Even though we spent at least a half hour at one of the best observation towers perched at treetop level we didn't really see any of the stunning birds the area was known for.  No idea why the birds didn't come out as it perfectly quiet, except of course for Brad's gasping and wheezing!

Having given up on surprising any wildlife we went on to find the lower waterfall and enjoy a refreshing dip.

It was a great place to relax and we met a trio of young fellows who had journeyed for a day of hiking from the capital city of Tegucigalpa.

Brad and I in front of the lower waterfall.

We arrived back at the parking lot and were just about to sit down when up loped Les and Yitzla, not even winded from their 3 hour hike. Oh, to be in my twenties again!

The purple breasted hummingbird.

We stayed and had a drink on the huge restaurant deck overlooking the forest and watched the  many types of hummingbirds as they fought over the feeders.  The most beautiful of the hummingbirds but also the nastiest was a magnificent purple breasted species that ruled that deck with utter ferocity!



All in all, a very good day!

We had reached the end of our time at the D&D Brewery.  Although we were sad to leave we had made plans to move through Honduras quickly on the downward route knowing that we may need time to visit the Bay Islands and the Caribbean coast on the return journey.  Onward we must go! 

In the next instalment we spend a final night in Honduras at El Paraiso and prepare for the border crossing into Nicaragua. Too many choices face us in Nicaragua and the Holiday Season approaches.

Hasta luego:  B&L