{"id":34936,"date":"2017-04-26T19:30:53","date_gmt":"2017-04-27T00:30:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/?p=34936"},"modified":"2017-04-26T05:32:09","modified_gmt":"2017-04-26T10:32:09","slug":"visiting-central-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/?p=34936","title":{"rendered":"Visiting Central America, Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If you follow us on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/the2seasonsblog\/\">Instagram<\/a>, you got a sneak peak into Yankee&#8217;s and my recent trip to Central America. \u00a0It all started while Little Miss was asleep for the night, and Yankee and I were talking about our day. \u00a0Then he asked me, &#8220;Are you calm right now?&#8221; \u00a0I was calm, but all of a sudden I wasn&#8217;t with that question. \u00a0He paused, and then told me he had booked us a trip to Central America and that he already arranged with my parents to watch Little Miss. \u00a0What?!?! \u00a0I was excited and nervous about leaving Little Miss for the first time, but what could I do?\u00a0 It was already booked. \u00a0I think it was smart on his part, because while we said we would do our best to do an &#8220;us&#8221; trip each year, I wasn&#8217;t sure I was ready. \u00a0So, he basically made me ready. It was the best thing to do for us as a couple. \u00a0It was hard leaving our daughter, but she had as much fun as I recall having with my grandparents when I was little.\u00a0 It was a good situation for all parties involved.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-35037\" src=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Book.jpg\" alt=\"Visiting Central America\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Book.jpg 480w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Book-242x323.jpg 242w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Book-300x400.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">(Yankee used <a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/2pDjrkr\" target=\"_blank\">this book<\/a> and the internet to plan it all.)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>When we travel, we tend to travel fast and hard but not <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">too<\/span> fast. \u00a0I still had plenty of time to read four books, drink my coffee in bed in the mornings, and come back refreshed. \u00a0Central America was a great trip because it is not that far away, and we didn&#8217;t have a long travel time in a plane, or a lot of\u00a0jet lag to deal with.\u00a0 That was a plus already.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-35209\" src=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Visiting-Central-America-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Visiting Central America\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Visiting-Central-America-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Visiting-Central-America-430x323.jpg 430w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Visiting-Central-America-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Visiting-Central-America.jpg 1037w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Our first stop was in El Salvador, and the moment I \u00a0got off the plane, it felt so good to be immersed in another culture and country.\u00a0 The people, the language, the smells, the colors all\u00a0 just made me happy.\u00a0 This is why I love travel. \u00a0We always felt safe in El Salvador. Like traveling anywhere, there are areas to avoid, and we had to be smart. \u00a0I had the best coffee of my life in this country, and I am so bummed I didn&#8217;t buy any to bring home.\u00a0 I was able to drink it black, and I can&#8217;t do that with any other coffee. \u00a0We visited <a href=\"http:\/\/whc.unesco.org\/en\/list\/675\" target=\"_blank\">Joya de Cer\u00e9n<\/a> which is an UNESCO world heritage site that was accidentally discovered in the 1970&#8217;s.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-35011\" src=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6785-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Visiting Central America\" width=\"640\" height=\"853\" srcset=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6785-768x1024.jpg 768w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6785-242x323.jpg 242w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6785-300x400.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>After spending some time in El Salvador, we did a few border crossings into Guatemala and then into Honduras where we visited the <a href=\"http:\/\/whc.unesco.org\/en\/list\/129\" target=\"_blank\">Maya site of Cop\u00e1n.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-35013\" src=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6800-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Visiting Central America\" width=\"640\" height=\"853\" srcset=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6800-768x1024.jpg 768w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6800-242x323.jpg 242w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6800-300x400.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Mayan ruins are fascinating to me. The details and how they were able to build these temples and structures without the tools we have today is just mind boggling. \u00a0 This picture is the hieroglyphic stairway plaza. \u00a0Each stair has individual\u00a0glyphs that tells the history of the people, and is\u00a0known as the longest Mayan inscription.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-35010\" src=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Central-America1-908x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Visiting Central America\" width=\"640\" height=\"722\" srcset=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Central-America1-908x1024.jpg 908w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Central-America1-286x323.jpg 286w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Central-America1-300x338.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The detail were unbelievable in these carvings.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-35014\" src=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6804-1024x808.jpg\" alt=\"Visiting Central America\" width=\"640\" height=\"505\" srcset=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6804-1024x808.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6804-409x323.jpg 409w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6804-300x237.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>These cuties were around the site.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-35012\" src=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6786-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Visiting Central America\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6786-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6786-430x323.jpg 430w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6786-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It is hard to wrap your head around it when you see it in person. We were at the site right when it opened at 8 am, and I am so glad we were there when it opened. \u00a0For about 30 minutes, we had the place to ourselves, and it wasn&#8217;t too hot yet. \u00a0We could really soak up the history. While in these countries, we had our own driver\/guide \u00a0and used the tour company <a href=\"http:\/\/www.intertours.com.sv\/\" target=\"_blank\">Intertours<\/a>. \u00a0They were awesome, and we had a great time.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-35016\" src=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6812-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Visiting Central America\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6812-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6812-430x323.jpg 430w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6812-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>From those countries we took a quick flight over to Nicaragua where we rented a car so we could explore a few cities. \u00a0Our first stop was a visit to <a href=\"https:\/\/vianica.com\/attraction\/2\/masaya-volcano-national-park\" target=\"_blank\">Masaya Volcano<\/a>, which is active. \u00a0We had to sign a book with our names and only had five minutes once we got to the volcano. \u00a0When we arrived, we had to have our car backed into the parking space so we could get out quickly if the volcano started spitting. The guide books say that only in this country can you get so close to an active volcano. \u00a0Due to the gases, we could only be there for five minutes, but it was amazing.\u00a0 We were able to get really close and see the lava.\u00a0 It was a great experience!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-35022\" src=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6840-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Visiting Central America\" width=\"640\" height=\"853\" srcset=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6840-768x1024.jpg 768w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6840-242x323.jpg 242w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6840-300x400.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>After our five minutes, we drove to \u00a0Granada which was a beautiful Spanish town with beautiful churches and Spanish style buildings.\u00a0 When on a bicycling trip in Europe and Africa, I was in Granada, Spain.\u00a0 This time I was able to be in another Granada.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-35019 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6828-611x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Visiting Central America\" width=\"611\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6828-611x1024.jpg 611w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6828-193x323.jpg 193w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6828-300x503.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 611px) 100vw, 611px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I will say it was hot, hot, hot so thank goodness for fresh coconut juice and watermelon juice (which I am now addicted to.)\u00a0 I have\u00a0 been making watermelon juice since we returned home, and I&#8217;ll do a recipe soon. It is so refreshing.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-35018\" src=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6826-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Visiting Central America\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6826-768x1024.jpg 768w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6826-242x323.jpg 242w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6826-300x400.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>One day we went to <a href=\"https:\/\/vianica.com\/go\/specials\/25-apoyo-lagoon-nicaragua.html\" target=\"_blank\">Laguna de Apoyo<\/a> ,which was a lake inside the crater of a volcano, and it was so fun to swim and enjoy nature. \u00a0We only \u00a0saw four other people the whole day.\u00a0 We loved that.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-35017\" src=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6821-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Visiting Central America\" width=\"640\" height=\"853\" srcset=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6821-768x1024.jpg 768w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6821-242x323.jpg 242w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_6821-300x400.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">(Bikes lined up in church on Sunday.)<\/p>\n<p>After our days in Granada, we hopped into our car and went to the town of Leon.\u00a0 I&#8217;ll post a part two to tell share with you our experience with volcano boarding and my favorite place in Belize.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-35211\" src=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/What-to-do-when-visiting-Central-America.jpg\" alt=\"What to do when visiting Central America\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/What-to-do-when-visiting-Central-America.jpg 979w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/What-to-do-when-visiting-Central-America-430x323.jpg 430w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/What-to-do-when-visiting-Central-America-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Cheers!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Affiliate link provided.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you follow us on Instagram, you got a sneak peak into Yankee&#8217;s and my recent trip to Central America. \u00a0It all started while Little Miss was asleep for the night, and Yankee and I were talking about our day. \u00a0Then he asked me, &#8220;Are you calm right now?&#8221; \u00a0I was calm, but all of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":35012,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34936"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=34936"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34936\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35213,"href":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34936\/revisions\/35213"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/35012"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=34936"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=34936"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=34936"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}