Well this one's going to be a bit different, I think ...... 
 

Having previously taken the micky out of a load of Americans travelling around in large groups (baa baa), this time I am joining up with them and it's time for a huge slice of humble pie!!
 

In the past I have preferred to travel about on my own but this time it's a visit to Central America and, to be honest, it's not really a safe place to explore on your own, especially for a young lady such as myself! 


I will be travelling in via Florida to El Salvador, then it's Honduras, Guatemala and Belize, then back to Florida for a spot of retail therapy before flying home.


The somewhat dubious title of Murder Capital of the World is fought over between Honduras and Guatemala, so based on that, I feel there may be safety in numbers! 


Having been stung many a time by the dreaded single supplement, I decided this time that I would find a company that either didn't charge one, or if it did, then it would be at a reduced rate. 

Sad to say there were no options from the UK to Central America, so I looked farther afield. Yes, there are singles travel companies in the UK but their prices are already hiked up to such an extent that you are paying the supplement anyway! 

There are also companies that offer you a no single supplement ....as  long as you share your room with a complete stranger .. er, no thank you. 


 And I don't do tents, bathroom sharing or sleeping in a cupboard, that is somewhat amusingly labelled, a single room. 


 Anyhow, during my research I came across this company called Overseas Adventure Travel, which appeared to fit the bill. There was no supplement and they appeared to go to really interesting places, in a certain amount of comfort. Most meals, tips and excursions were included, in what was a really cheap price. 

OK, I had to either get to the first hotel under my own steam or join their trip from a US airport. I chose to do the latter, electing Miami as my departure location, as opposed to Tampa to which I am flying today. 

Tampa was the cheapest Business Class but Miami gave me a better connection and I wouldn't have to fly the dreaded Delta! So one night in Tampa, then a quick flight to Miami, an overnight stay and on to the holiday proper. 


 BA is as polished as usual in Business Class, lots of Kir Royale and good service. I am more than happy to fly the flag. 

On arrival in Tampa, it should be pretty plain sailing, or even plane sailing ... get it? A little play on words there? They have an automated immigration system where you talk to a machine, it takes your fingerprints and then an extremely unflattering photograph. - well, we all look s*** after flying for nearly 10 hours, don't we! 

Then it vomits out what appears to be a bus ticket or a till roll receipt with said photo printed on in monochrome and this you hand in to a very bored looking official as you leave. It's a toss up, but I think the machine has more personality and better conversation. 

Tampa airport is a joy to behold though, when compared with Miami. Very modern and more classy. It even has phones on the wall of the terminal buildings that allow you to make free local calls. So I shall be calling my hotel from there and request my free shuttle. 


The trip itself is called The Route of the Maya, something I have been interested in for years. I will be visiting lots of Mayan ruins and other interesting places along the way. I have the option to go horse riding and ziplining for a small fee, oh yeah, gulp, also an opportunity to bring up my lunch whilst crossing hanging bridges, a la Indiana Jones. 

The holiday company allocate a proportion of the cost of the holiday to their charity Grand Circle Foundation, which helps with education and health projects, also helping locals to start up small cottage industries and become self sufficient. This I considered to be highly commendable and further induced me to try them out. 

As for cost, well our companies could not compete at all, so away we go and I'll let you know how it goes! 


 I stayed at the Travelodge last night. It's cheap and cheerful with good beds. It looked as though the bathroom had just been fitted, everything was all sparkly and new. 

The food is pretty dire, far from epicurean, but again, it's ok , if only to stop you starving to death overnight. 

The only grotty bit of the hotel was the lift floor but as I was only putting the soles of my trainers on it and not my gastronomic dinner, I managed to overlook it. 

Come to think of it maybe the state of the floor and the greasy spoon cooking are connected .... but there, I'll leave all that to your imagination. 


 I arrived by coach this time, there were some special offers on and so I took full advantage. It was actually quicker to travel from home via Heathrow, Terminal 5 and then another coach to Gatwick than it was to take the so called direct bus to Gatwick. I actually arrived an hour before the direct one. 

I took a taxi back to the airport. How come it cost me £10 coming and only £6 going back? 

I'm staying at the Best Western tonight, I think I get a free brekkie but if not, my cholesterol will be turning cartwheels of happiness. Not the most healthy breakfast on the planet! 


 Later ..... 


 Our 777, India Victor, landed just before 6pm local and I was out of the immigration hall by 6.15, having spoken to that really nice machine. The human specimen who took my bus ticket thingy was very rude and abrupt but then they always are, I think it's part of the training. 

It took a while for the courtesy bus to turn up but it gave me ample time to sit and listen in to a domestic dispute going on further down my bench. It does make you wonder why people stay married and choose to endure such friction. 

Personally I would have ripped the guy's head off and probably performed a bodily function down the gaping, vacuous hole. But then that's me, take no prisoners, life's too short! 


 Oh dear, the Best Western is more a Worse For Wear Western as it is undergoing some serious refurbishment. Never mind, the room is clean and comfortable but there will be no heart attack on a plate in the morning as brekkie is not included. So maybe I'll pick up something nutritious at the airport.... Dream on Missus! 

I have checked in online for my next flight, a one hour swift up and down to Miami. I had to play around with the printer to get it to work, not just a pretty face, you know. 


 
And so to bed, alarm set, and time to rip off a few zzzzzs.....


  Night Night. Xx.