Back on the mainland after our ferry ride, we took the bus to the hotel that was keeping our bikes and thank God, they were still here. As we were chilling out before dinner, four motorcycle riders pulled in. They were on a similar trip as we were, heading down to South America, one Englishmen with a BMW GS1200, two Germans with another BMW GS1200 and a Honda Africa Twin and one American with a Suzuki DZ650. They had been traveling for a while together and were thinking about going to the islands as we did. It was really nice to have dinner with them and share our best motorcycle tales. We will try to meet them later on the trip and potentially coordinate shipping from Panama to Columbia in the same container.
An unexpected twist in our riding day
The next morning, the guys left for the islands and we went off to get some oil. Both our bikes were due for an oil change and we decided to do it in the next town we would stay at, a little further from the coast where the weather is cooler. We found the oil and started our journey south towards the capital city. All was going well, we stopped for lunch in Santa Rita, excited to have our peanut butter and jelly sandwich (we decided to go back to old habits for a few days). Later, as we were ready to cross the bridge south of town, there was a big pile of gravel blocking the bridge and signs warning that the bridge was damaged. We took a little side path and found out what the drama was: the bridge had collapsed into the river. There were two cops and we asked them what our options were: either we could back track to take another road (a 2-hour detour) or we could take a boat across the river. Intrigued by the last option, we asked where the boats were and immediately, they escorted us there. It was quite nice to have our private official escort.
We made it to the boat (or launcha as they said) pier and to our surprise saw little wooden flat bottom row boats. What, this was the only option to cross the river? The boat “captains” were trying to convince us that it was totally easy and doable. Nothing to worry about. Really? Did they realize that our bikes weighted more than 450 Lbs each? We talked about it for a while and finally, tempted by the adventure and after jumping in the boats to test solidity, we agreed to take the bikes on the launchas. We would start with Chad's bike first and if we did not lost it in the middle of the river, then it would be Caroline's turn. The saddle bags were rem
oved and the bike pushed in the launcha using a little wooden ramp. The crossing was ready to start, Chad with his hands firmly on the bike. It made it to the other side of the river and four guys helped to push the bike off the launcha there. Incredible but it made it safely. They all came back and this time, we crossed with Caroline's bike: a piece of cake! Both happy with our bikes safely on the other side, we thanked all the strong men who made it possible, cheered by the locals as they were posing for the picture. They all waived us goodbye and we were back on the road. 
The only microbrewery in Honduras
Our destination for the day was Lago de Yojoa, where we would find the only microbrewery in Honduras, opened a few years ago by an American from Oregon. The drive was beautiful as we took some back roads along the shore of the lake: well groomed green lawns, trees casting welcoming shade and cute little houses. We even saw a big fruit market on the side of the road where we stopped to buy a fresh pineapple. There are so many fresh fruits here and they are so sweet, juicy and tasty: it makes "winter" so much nicer. We finally arrived at the B&B Brewery, nested in a little tropical garden with a nice fresh swimming pool. We tried the beer: raspberry and apricot amber, pale ale and porter. With such good beer, we could not resist and ordered two hamburgers, coleslow and fries. It felt almost like being in the USA:)
The next morning, some of the guests we had met at dinner offered us to join them on a bird watching tour in the mountains. One of the guys, who also happened to be an ornithologist, just bought a property nearby with the project of building an ecolodge in the mountains. The eight of us jumped into a camper and off we went. We did not see a lot of birds but sure enjoyed the hike in the mountains. It was really in the middle of nowhere, coffee fields on the slopes and just jungle around us with spectacular views. After the hike, we stopped in a small village to enjoy some of the best coffee in Honduras. It was very smooth and sweat: maybe we were becoming coffee drinkers after all.
Back at the brewery, we decided to start off what we had been putting off that day: motorcycle maintenance. The bikes were due for an oil change, oil filter change for Caroline's and sparplugs change. We both worked on our bikes and managed to finish both oil changes before the sunset. Tomorrow, we would finish the maintenance and if we are fast enough, go back on the road towards the Nicaragua border. If not, who could complain about staying another night at the only microbrewery in Honduras?
An unexpected twist in our riding day
The next morning, the guys left for the islands and we went off to get some oil. Both our bikes were due for an oil change and we decided to do it in the next town we would stay at, a little further from the coast where the weather is cooler. We found the oil and started our journey south towards the capital city. All was going well, we stopped for lunch in Santa Rita, excited to have our peanut butter and jelly sandwich (we decided to go back to old habits for a few days). Later, as we were ready to cross the bridge south of town, there was a big pile of gravel blocking the bridge and signs warning that the bridge was damaged. We took a little side path and found out what the drama was: the bridge had collapsed into the river. There were two cops and we asked them what our options were: either we could back track to take another road (a 2-hour detour) or we could take a boat across the river. Intrigued by the last option, we asked where the boats were and immediately, they escorted us there. It was quite nice to have our private official escort.
We made it to the boat (or launcha as they said) pier and to our surprise saw little wooden flat bottom row boats. What, this was the only option to cross the river? The boat “captains” were trying to convince us that it was totally easy and doable. Nothing to worry about. Really? Did they realize that our bikes weighted more than 450 Lbs each? We talked about it for a while and finally, tempted by the adventure and after jumping in the boats to test solidity, we agreed to take the bikes on the launchas. We would start with Chad's bike first and if we did not lost it in the middle of the river, then it would be Caroline's turn. The saddle bags were rem
oved and the bike pushed in the launcha using a little wooden ramp. The crossing was ready to start, Chad with his hands firmly on the bike. It made it to the other side of the river and four guys helped to push the bike off the launcha there. Incredible but it made it safely. They all came back and this time, we crossed with Caroline's bike: a piece of cake! Both happy with our bikes safely on the other side, we thanked all the strong men who made it possible, cheered by the locals as they were posing for the picture. They all waived us goodbye and we were back on the road. The only microbrewery in Honduras 
Our destination for the day was Lago de Yojoa, where we would find the only microbrewery in Honduras, opened a few years ago by an American from Oregon. The drive was beautiful as we took some back roads along the shore of the lake: well groomed green lawns, trees casting welcoming shade and cute little houses. We even saw a big fruit market on the side of the road where we stopped to buy a fresh pineapple. There are so many fresh fruits here and they are so sweet, juicy and tasty: it makes "winter" so much nicer. We finally arrived at the B&B Brewery, nested in a little tropical garden with a nice fresh swimming pool. We tried the beer: raspberry and apricot amber, pale ale and porter. With such good beer, we could not resist and ordered two hamburgers, coleslow and fries. It felt almost like being in the USA:)The next morning, some of the guests we had met at dinner offered us to join them on a bird watching tour in the mountains. One of the guys, who also happened to be an ornithologist, just bought a property nearby with the project of building an ecolodge in the mountains. The eight of us jumped into a camper and off we went. We did not see a lot of birds but sure enjoyed the hike in the mountains. It was really in the middle of nowhere, coffee fields on the slopes and just jungle around us with spectacular views. After the hike, we stopped in a small village to enjoy some of the best coffee in Honduras. It was very smooth and sweat: maybe we were becoming coffee drinkers after all.
Back at the brewery, we decided to start off what we had been putting off that day: motorcycle maintenance. The bikes were due for an oil change, oil filter change for Caroline's and sparplugs change. We both worked on our bikes and managed to finish both oil changes before the sunset. Tomorrow, we would finish the maintenance and if we are fast enough, go back on the road towards the Nicaragua border. If not, who could complain about staying another night at the only microbrewery in Honduras? 
You guys handled the river crossing delimma with poise ~ just like the locals.
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Totally impressed by braving the small boats with your bikes!!
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