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This long stay with Norma and Enrique was really useful: it allowed me to slow down, catch my breath back and dive back into the adventure for its last kilometers. Another TV interview, a visit to San Juan and Granada still in company of my hosts and then it's Christmas time. And then at last, it's time to leave. It has been a real pleasure to live with them and share the Nicaraguayan way of life.

We drive in convoy towards Honduras in the afternoon of this 27th of December; Leonel from the VW club of Tegucigalpa will welcome us. Unfortunately I hadn't planned the Hondurian border crossing: they decide not to leave me go across as I ask for a receipt agaisnt the 40USD they charge for the car and this, despite all the signs that are put up stating "Border formalities are free: please report any abuse or fraudulent charges" or even better, the one on the back of the paper they hand me over: "according to article 381, there are no cost involved for the entry of a foreign vehicle for tourism". Hmhmhmh… We decide to leave the car at the border and squeeze in Enrique's beetle up to Tegucigalpa where I will spend the night in the car to save some money.

The following day we visit the capital and then head back to the border. There are now no "B9 forms" left and so I cannot go across. I have a strong feeling that I will need to explain myself with another corrupted manager on Monday. So I decide to travel via another border crossing point: we spend a night in a hotel still in company of Norma and Enrique. The next morning I leave them for good and cross the border via Las Manos. The "customs fees" are cheaper: only 25USD. I knidly smile and take care not to mention any receipt. Just a few hours later I'm back with Leonel at the airport where he works and this, despite a police check where they find out that my passport isn't stamped. 20 minutes later of a moral lesson (from me) and 1USD buy me my freedom back. With Leonel we go and visit a small typicla village next to the capital and we spend the evening rethinking the world!

Leonel and his wife invite me to spend the night at their home. The next morning, a car-washer recruited by Leonel is working hard on my car. I now have to leave them; with Leonel it was a short meeting but I think it will mark us both for a long time. We plan for me to meet one his friends in San Pedro de Sula in the North-East but I eventually decide to short-cut that destination an go directly to Copan for my contact with Mayan ruins. I arrive in the evening in this small village neighbooring Guatemala.

The following day is a reward! I enjoy every minute of my visit of the site but I'm too impatient because I've spent too much time in Nicaragua and so I decide to cross the same day to Guatemala. Wise decision because the border closes because of the 31st. To tell the truth, I'm also impatient to meet Panchete in Guatemala because every person who has met him just cannot stop praising him. The border crossing is quick and friendly (Guatemala is much better than Honduras). A few hours later I arrive in Coban. It's 16.00 on the 31st of December.