With our convoy now the size of a small army we decided to ignite the cultural bone inside us and head to the mountainous Copan Ruinas. This is the home of the ancient Mayan ruins, Copan. 

After a long day of buses we arrived in the small village in need of showers and nourishment. We were greeted with great hospitality and delighted to hear the hostel had hot showers, a rarity in Central America. We were recommended a fantastic food place and all went to bed full and happy. 

With an early rise and a lift from the hostel owner we arrived at the site of the ruins. Deciding to go without a guide we roamed around aimlessly trying to figure out what we were looking at. We all agreed the detailed carving was impressive even if we couldn't understand any of it! 

A local guide overheard my accent and decided he needed to say hello to the Irish. Much to our delight he gave us some great information about the structures of the ruins and the activities that would have gone on there. The reason he needed to say hello (it wasn't my great charm!) was the founding archaeologist was indeed an Irish man. 

John Gallagher was the first to produce a map of the ruins and is regarded in the highest respect in the world of Mayan ruins. He discovered the Mayan ruins at Copan in 1834 after he went searching for what the locals called a lost city. Deep in the rainforest he was surprised to find a Mayan city, almost completely preserved, with no less than 28 palaces.He became famous in Central America. He is buried in the city-state and is the only non-Mayan to be buried there, a great honour. 

It was with great pleasure to hear the strong connection with an Irish man in a remote location in Honduras. His influence has left a great trail for Irish people who are greeted warmly by the people of Honduras. 

Travelling through Central America it is a common occurrence to bump into the same people in different places. It's great to see a familiar face ( even if you can't remember their names!!) , catch up, discuss where you both have been, swap some stories and move on to the next destination, maybe never to see them again.

The opposite can be said for a group of four lads from America. On our second day in Costa Rica we met these four lads beside a rope swing. They convinced myself and Sue to give it a shot, giving us some pointers. After nearly killing myself (twice!) we all had a laugh about it, had the chats and bid farewell. We saw them again three hours later at some hot springs!  Since this first meeting we have bumped into each other in nearly every town we have visited ( they claim we are following them!). In Leon, we were all staying in the same hostel. We discusses our plans for the next week, we were heading in opposite directions. Phew!

The next morning Sue and I changed our plans and headed for the Bay Islands of Honduras. A 14 hour bus journey later we arrived at the dock for the boat to Utila. To our surprise (and definitely theirs!) the four lads were also at the dock awaiting the boat, they too had changed plans last minute. 

We decided to give into fate, we were clearly destined to be together! This time we exchanged names, and remembered them. Utila is an island where learning to scuba dive is the main event. Within an hour on the island, we had all signed up for a diving course, and moved in together for the next week. We shared an apartment right next to the dive school, so we wouldn't be late for class! It was also right next to the bar! 

The following week consisted of theory classes, practicing diving skills, going scuba diving and a few nights out. We got to know each other pretty well, through chats when it was raining, supporting each other through the diving, piling into our room to watch the only English tv, and playing games while drinking. As they say if you want to know me, come and live with me! 

By the end of the week , they were no longer the American lads, but Lee, Shawn, Peter and Kurt, our friends.