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 Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور (Re: Osman Musa)
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Contents [hide]
[+]Understand
Regions
Cities
Other destinations
[+]Get in
[+]Get around
[+]Talk
See
Do
[+]Buy
Eat
Drink
Sleep
Stay safe
Stay healthy
Respect
Cope
Get out
[[File:noframe|250px|frameless|Honduras]]
Location
[[File:noframe|250px|frameless]]
Flag
[[File:Ho-flag.png|108px|frameless]]
Quick Facts
Capital Tegucigalpa
Government democratic constitutional republic
Currency lempira (HNL)
Area 112,090 sq km
Population 7,326,496 (July 2006 est.)
Language Spanish, Amerindian dialects
Religion Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant minority
Electricity 110V/60Hz (two-prong North American plug)
Country code +504
Internet TLD .hn
Time Zone UTC -6
Honduras [1] is the second biggest country in Central America. It has colonial villages (Gracias, Comayagua), ancient Maya ruins (Copan), natural parks (Moskitia), and a Pacific and Caribbean coastline and the Bay Islands, with great beaches and coral reefs where snorkeling and diving are exceptional by any standard.
The country is bordered by Guatemala to the northwest, El Salvador to the south and Nicaragua to the southeast.
[edit]Understand
Good amenities can be found in cities like Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, Tela, Utila, Roatand#225;n and at Copan, but elsewhere conditions can be quite basic, especially in the rural areas.
You can find good hotels even in small towns if you are willing to pay a bit more (Honduras is not really an expensive country). Nevertheless a visit is worthwhile, especially to the ancient Maya ruins in Copand#225;n, the colonial towns of Gracias and Comayagua, and the fantastic Caribbean Coast.
[edit]History
During the first millennium, Honduras was inhabited by the Maya civilization in the western part and other Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cultures in the rest. Columbus first explored the country in 1502, and Honduras became a Spanish colony. Honduras, with four other Central American nations, declared its independence from Spain on September 15, 1821 to form a federation of Central American states. In 1838, Honduras left the federation and became independent. Political unrest rocked Honduras in the early 1900s, resulting in an occupation by U.S. Marines. Dictator Gen. Tiburcio Carias Andino established a strong government in 1932.
In 1969, El Salvador invaded Honduras after Honduran landowners deported several thousand Salvadorans. Five thousand people ultimately died in what is called “the football war” because it broke out during a soccer game between the two countries. By threatening economic sanctions and military intervention, the Organization of American States (OAS) induced El Salvador to withdraw.
After two and one-half decades of mostly military rule, a freely elected civilian government came to power in 1982. During the 1980s, Honduras was a haven for the anti-Communist contras fighting the Sandinista government of Nicaragua and an ally to Salvadoran government forces fighting against leftist guerrillas.
The country was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, which killed about 5,600 people and caused almost $1 billion in damage, affecting seriously the development of the country and its vital infrastructure.
[edit]Climate
Honduras is hot and humid almost year-round. Temperatures vary by altitude rather than season. The average high temperature nationwide is 32°C (90°F) and the average low is 20°C (68°F). Temperatures are coolest in mountain areas. The Caribbean coast can experience a lot of rain, the heaviest being from September to February. In Tegucigalpa, the capital, the climate remains more temperate and the dry season takes place from December to May. The capital can get chilly between December and January when the temperature in the city hovers around 23°C (73°F).
[edit]Terrain
Honduras consists of a mountainous interior with narrow coastal plains. The Pacific coast is short but the Caribbean coastline is long, including the virtually uninhabited eastern Mosquito Coast. The land experiences frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes. Highest point: Cerro Las Minas 2,870 meters.
[edit]Regions
Map of Honduras with regions colour-coded
Caribbean Honduras
the Caribbean coast with its beaches and port towns, offshore islands and a huge area of lowland jungle, including the UNESCO world-heritage site Rand#237;o Pland#225;tano Biosphere Reserve.
Honduran Highlands
the capital city, mountains, Maya ruins and old Spanish colonial hill towns
Pacific Honduras
small region with major Pacific ocean ports
[edit]Cities
Tegucigalpa (Spanish pronunciation: [teand#611;usiand#712;and#611;alpa]) — the capital and largest city of Honduras with an international airport.
San Pedro Sula — located in the Sula Valley in the northwest corner of the country, this is a major transportation and economic hub.
La Ceiba — port city on Caribbean coast with great beaches and daily ferries to the Bay Islands.
El Progreso — located at a strategic crossroads where major highways towards Comayagua, San Pedro Sula and Tela all converge.
Comayagua — the former capital of the country is today a quiet colonial town with a beautiful cathedral, notable Spanish architecture and an historic town centre.
Gracias — a pleasant colonial mountain town; nearby Parque Celaque is home to the highest mountain in Honduras set amongst wonderful cloud forests.
Puerto Cortes — the main harbour town on the Caribbean coast.
Tela — an old city with a beautiful sandy coastline and is also home to the second largest humid tropical botanical garden for commercial plants in the world.
Santa Rosa de Copand#225;n — temperate mountain city in the western part of the region, and the nearest place of any size to Copand#225;n.
[edit]Other destinations
A beach in the Bay Islands
Cusuco National Park — One of Honduras most exotic destinations, Leaving from San Pedro Sula by a 4x4 trail into the dense cloud forest.
Bay Islands — Utila, Roatand#225;n, Guanaja, and the Hog Islands are a natural Caribbean paradise very popular for snorkeling and diving.
Copand#225;n — one of the most impressive ruins of the Maya civilization, known for the quality of its sculpture.
Lake Yojoa — the biggest lake in Honduras which is famous for its fried fish. Nearby are two national parks that hold pristine rainforest and cloud forest as well as Honduras's first microbrewery.
Rand#237;o Pland#225;tano Biosphere Reserve — the largest tropical rainforest in Central America.
When refering to Copan Ruinas many people call it just "Copan" But that is incorrect. "Copan" is actually the name of the departamento (like a state). If you want to refer to Copan Ruinas then you need to use the full name, "Copan Ruinas" which translates to "The ruins of Copan".
[edit]Get in
Tegucigalpa
Citzens of the EU, Japan, Norway, Malaysia, Singapore, Switzerland,India and most western countries do not need a visa. If you do need a visa, contact a Honduran consulate.
[edit]By plane
Major international airports with daily flights to Atlanta, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, New York and Houston are in San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa (Toncontin) and Roatan. The main international airlines serving the region are TACA, Copa Air, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Spirit, and American Airlines. Iberia, Spain operates daily flights from Madrid to San Pedro Sula via Guatemala City (connecting with TACA). Maya Island Air also has a direct lfight from Belize to San Pedro Sula (phone number 011-501-223-1140 or [email protected]). For interior flights check Isleand#241;a, Atlantic and Aerolinas Sosa. Note that the interior domestic airlines frequently have flight cancellations, do not guarantee service, and are under no obligation to issue refunds if a flight does not occur. However, American carriers and their international code share partners listed above guarantee travel per U.S. industry standards. Hence, it is advisable not to rely on a domestic carrier to connect to an outbound international flight without having an alternative means to get to the departure point of the foreign bound aircraft in a timely fashion. For instance, if a flight cancellation occurs in La Ceiba headed to San Pedro Sula due to insufficient ticket sales (a common occurrence), a taxi can be hired for a $50-$100 spot price to run the distance in under two and a half hours. Note that if flying out of San Pedro Sula you will be charged a hefty 37.50$ (34$ if you are from Honduras) airport tax.
[edit]By car
Possible from Guatemala, El Salvador, or Nicaragua. Cars are a good selection, but you must always be careful since the roads are not as well developed but good enough to have a pleasant ride. Traffic enforcement outside of stops to curtail the drug trade is minimal to non-existent, and drivers should be cautious of speeding vehicles as well as aggressive driving tactics (e.g. passing on uphill, curved terrain).
[edit]By bus
Buses to and from San Pedro Sula leave to and from most major locations in Honduras, including Copan Ruinas, Tegucigalpa, Tela and La Ceiba, with some traveling direct and non-stop and others stopping in route. Each of the capitals of the countries surrounding Honduras are also served by buses: Managua, San Salvador, Guatemala City. All buses (except local metropolitan routes)come into and leave from the Main Metropolitan Bus Terminal on the south side of the city. Taxi's and local bus routes can get you from there to the center of the city and other destinations within San Pedro Sula
Major Bus Companies
Hedman Alas, [2] have their own secure terminal at the rear of the main bus station with waiting room, smoking lounge and cafeteria. First Class buses to and from Guatemala City, Copan, Tegucigalpa, Tela, La Ceiba and the San Pedro Sula airport.
El Rey Express, Telephone: 550 8355. Direct Buses to and from Tegucigalpa, hourly.
Catisa-Tupsa, Telephone: 552 1042. Direct Buses to and from Tela and La Ceiba, hourly.
Toritos and Copanecos, Telephone: 553 4930. Direct Buses to and from Nueva Ocotepeque via Santa Rosa de Copan, 7 to 8 buses daily.
Citul, Telephone: 553 0070. Buses to and from Puerto Cortes, hourly.
Tica Bus, Telephone: 556-5149. Direct buses to and from Managua and El Salvador.
Taking the local bus is a great mode of transportation from and to cities within Honduras. Buses are affordable and efficient for you to travel along with the locals. Understand that the earlier you get on a bus, the more time you can spend in the city of your choice. Depending on how many stops the driver makes determines the length of travel time. If you need help knowing the exact fare or which stop is best to get off, ask the locals. Remember the bus is an everyday activity for them.
[edit]By boat
Boats from Belize come in to the Caribbean ports like Puerto Cortes, but schedules are not regular and cannot be checked through the internet. Cruise ships commonly stop at the Bay Islands, however.
You may use cruiselines for temporary visits to Honduras' resorts. Cruises visiting Honduras include: • Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) visits the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Miami, FL, USA. • Princess Cruises, Crown Princess visits the Western Caribbean, roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA. • Carnival Cruises, Carnival Legend visits the Western Caribbean from Tampa, FL, USA. The Carnival Valor departs and returns to Miami, FL, USA.
[edit]Get around
[edit]By train
Railroads in Honduras have been built in the northern lowlands (Valle de Sula) since 1880s by two competing banana growers. They never extended to the capital Tegucigalpa or to the Pacific coast and never linked to other countries.
In 2006, three separate segments operated under the management of FNH - Ferrocarril Nacional de Honduras:
San Pedro Sula - Puerto Cortes (50 km, freight trains carrying mainly lumber) and occasional passenger trains around San Pedro Sula, for example during carneval and other holidays.
City rail in La Ceiba (3 km, passenger transport between downtown and a western suburb, Col. Sitramacsa)
Line between La Uniand#243;n and Parque Nacional Cuero y Salado (9 km, transport of coconuts to a processing plant and of tourists to national park).
[edit]By car
[edit]By boat
There is regular boat service from La Ceiba to the bay islands of Roatan and Utila.
Service to Roatan is on the Galaxy Wave II. The ferry trip costs less than flying, and leaves (mostly) on time. A round-trip prima class ticket costs $53; round-trip general class, $43. Both prima and general seating areas are comfortable and offer air conditioning and flat-screen TVs for your entertainment. The crossing takes about 80 minutes each way.
Service to Utila is on the Utila Princess. Tickets cost about $30 round trip and the crossing takes about 60 minutes.
Both ferries leave from the same dock. You should arrive at the dock in La Ceiba about an hour early to buy tickets and check luggage. **If traveling to the bay islands during Semana Santa (Easter week) it is highly recommended to fly, as the wait for a ferry can be up to 8 hours. If you are a Senior citizen you will find the rate very attractive. If you are prone to sea sickness, the trip North to Roatan can be very uncomfortable, as the Galaxy is fighting the currents. Windy days, re-consider. Otherwise it is a delightful trip, Utila to the West and the Cayos to the East. Last trip of the day to Roatan is awesome with a fanastic sunset.
Galaxy II schedule: Roatan - La Ceiba 7AM.; La Ceiba - Roatan 10AM. Roatan - La Ceiba 1 PM, La Ceiba - Roatan 4PM.
New Princess schedule: Utila - La Ceiba 6:20AM, La Ceiba - Utila 9:30AM, Utila - La Ceiba 2PM, La Ceiba - Utila 4PM.
[edit]By thumb
Hitchhiking is common in rural areas, even for single women, when there is no proper bus connection. By asking around you will be pointed to the various departure points. Expect to pay the #####alent bus fare at the conclusion of your journey.
[edit]Talk
The cathedral in San Pedro Sula
Spanish is the primary language spoken. English is hardly spoken outside of the biggest towns or Bay Islands. In some areas such as Utila, Spanish and English have hybridized in the context of low educational attainment to produce a pidgin tongue that can at times be indecipherable even to native speakers of both languages. Native languages (Lenca, Miskitu, Garifuna, among others) are spoken in various parts of the country, but a Spanish speaker should never be hard to find. Keep a tourist's eye out for "missionary speakers," that is, English or Spanish speaking Hondurans who retain the strong linguistic accents of the nations of their childhood teachers despite no personal links to such countries themselves (e.g. Irish-English overtones are prominent in Utila). Exhibit caution about commenting on linguistic skills to locals even positively, as those who do not speak mainstream Spanish suffer certain social stigmas (e.g. not “real” Hondurans, lower class, etcetera).
[edit]Expressions of Honduras
What "Punta" Means
The best known traditional dance in Honduras is punta, called banguity (new life) by the Garand#237;funas. There are different stories about why punta is danced at wakes. Claudio Mejand#237;a, a Garand#237;funa from La Punta, Colon explains, "If a man was a happy, popular kind of guy in life, then you want to give him a happy kind of wake." This coincides with African traditions, that when the body dies, the soul is in a kind of stupor and does not leave the body immediately. So friends and relatives party one last time with the deceased. Here, new life is understood as making the transition from being a person to becoming an ancestor. Another explanation is given by Fausto Miguel Alvarez, a teacher from Cristales, Trujillo. "People dance, because even though this one Garand#237;funa has died, another thousand will be born." Here new life is understood to be the new life created in the wee hours of the morning after people go home. Garand#237;funas, like the West Africans they descend from, believe in reincarnation. The spirit of the now deceased grandfather, for example, can be reborn in one of the new grandchildren.
How 'Punta' Got Its Name
The story behind the name punta is different from its Garand#237;funa counterpart. Once when an enemy died, the people said, "We are going to celebrate and dance from punta a punta (point to point). The punta here refers to point - a piece of land that juts out into the sea. One Garand#237;funa teacher said, "This is why some Garand#237;funas do not agree with the dancing of punta at wakes. It is as if you were dancing when an enemy died." Punta Music and Rhythm Punta was originally danced just by older people. It is the only type of music played at Garand#237;funa wakes. Punta can be sung at the end of mourning ceremonies, known as fin de novenario in Spanish. During a Garand#237;funa wake, there are a number of activities going on. From time to time, family members wail and cry before a coffin that has been put in a specially decorated room. Then, some of the men tune up the drums to play punta. The women sing. People go in one by one or in pairs to dance. Punta music for wakes is played with traditional instruments. These include first and second drums, maracas, a conch shell and sometimes claves - two hardwood sticks that are beat together. The music is sung in Garand#237;funa with a soloist and chorus, like African music or a Gospel music choir. Punta music sounds happy, but the words are often sad. "Yesterday you were well. Last night you caught a fever. Now in the morning you are dead," says one song.
The rhythm pattern is very complex. One drum plays 2/4 or 4/4 beat. The second drum plays 6/8. This is the beat to which the feet move. The women sing in 4/4 time. Sometimes the songs have counter rhythms. The second drum is steady, but the conch shell, maracas, and first drum improvise solos similar to jazz.
This type of sensual dance performed at wakes has also been reported in Jamaica and West Africa. Music also accompanies the dead to the tomb, a custom probably related to Yoruba burial customs, the same origin as the New Orleans jazz funeral.
[edit][add listing]See
[edit][add listing]Do
Cusuco National Park expeditions [3] Cusuco Park can be visited by private all inclusive tours leaving from San Pedro or following the Cusuco backpacking mountain route. Visited 10 weeks of the year by Operation Wallacea, one of the world's top end scientific expedition. Available activities range for all group styles either looking for adventure or just a relaxing mountain experience. Jungle waterfalls, night trekking, dwarf forest and many more.
Volunteer Honduras [4] ($725/week) 8-day, all-inclusive service trips in Honduras. 5 days of volunteering and 3 days of traveling to places like Copand#225;n Ruinas, La Ceiba, etc.
The Caribbean Coast of Honduras is home to the Bay Islands: Utila, Roatand#225;n, and Guanaja. Here you will find the Earth’s second-largest coral reef ready for you to explore. If you wish to become a certified diver, great diving schools are well known in Utila and Roatand#225;n. Also, Utila provides hiking, kayaking, and a glorious beach for eco-friendly and nature-intrigued tourist. Or you may prefer an invigorating scuba dive in Roatand#225;n. Where you will have the chance to swim in the clear waters near the reef’s gigantic barrel sponges. The Mosquito Coast, a large rainforest located in the northeast region, is for the adventurous traveler to explore the natural wonders of the plains and wildlife of the tropics. Please revere to tribal groups living within this region who practice traditional lifestyles. The Western Honduras is home to the ruins at Copan (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) which is believed to have been inhabited by the Mayans from 1200 BC. There are also lively museums and other natural sites for the eco-tourist.
[edit][add listing]Buy
منقول
ونتابع
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Date |
| دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-02-14, 05:41 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-02-14, 06:21 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-02-14, 11:59 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-03-14, 02:33 AM |
 Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | عزالدين عباس الفحل | 03-03-14, 09:23 AM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-03-14, 03:38 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-03-14, 07:07 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-03-14, 09:48 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | محمد المرتضى حامد | 03-03-14, 11:09 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-04-14, 02:06 AM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Yassir Tayfour | 03-04-14, 08:29 AM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-04-14, 04:18 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-04-14, 05:19 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-04-14, 06:48 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | elsawi | 03-04-14, 09:05 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-04-14, 09:16 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-05-14, 00:29 AM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-05-14, 01:56 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-05-14, 04:03 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-05-14, 05:22 PM |
 Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | إبراهيم عبد الحليم | 03-05-14, 05:37 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | خالد علي محجوب المنسي | 03-05-14, 05:48 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-05-14, 08:08 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-05-14, 07:00 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-05-14, 08:44 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-05-14, 09:14 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-06-14, 00:56 AM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-06-14, 02:36 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-06-14, 04:02 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | عبد الحميد البرنس | 03-06-14, 08:41 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-07-14, 01:42 AM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-07-14, 01:54 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-07-14, 04:56 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-07-14, 08:09 PM |
| Re: دي كانت رحلة عمل في سنترال أميركا وبي الصور | Osman Musa | 03-10-14, 11:22 PM |
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Osman Musa
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