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Travel in Central America – Unlisted prices

Thomas Rye — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:46:56 +0000

My wife and I took our honeymoon to Central America in the summer of 2010. The first half of the trip was only vaguely planned (if at all) and we flew by the seat of our pants. I documented as much of the costs for travel that I could because we had a hard time figuring out a lot of the costs during our planning of the trip. Most things just weren’t listed anywhere. So this list is in chronological order of our trip. Any place where no local currency is listed, it means we paid in US Dollars. Feel free to make any corrections or share your own experiences in the comments.

	Local	in Dollars	Distance	Time
San Pedro Sula Airport to Puerto Cortez by taxi *		$50	34 mi	1 hour
Puerto Cortez to Puerto Barrios by taxi *2		$60	65 mi?	2.5 hours
Puerto Barrios to Rio Hondo by bus	Q.40	$5 each	99 mi	3.5 hours
Rio Hondo to Chiquimula	Q.10	$1.25 each	29 mi	1.5 hours
Chiquimula to Salvador Frontera by van taxi *3	Q.15	$1.80 each	30 mi	2 hours
Frontera to Metapan by bus		$0.50 each	7 mi	1 hour
Metapan to San Salvador by (nice express) bus		$2.50 each	70 mi	4.5 hours?
San Salvador to Belize City – Taca Airlines *4		$400	272 mi	1 hour
Dangriga to Placencia by plane		$46 each	31 mi	15 mins
Placencia to Independence by water taxi *5	B$10 each	$5 each	3.5 mi	10mins
Independence to Punta Gorda by bus (James line)	B$10 each	$5 each	62.5 mi	2 hours
Departure Tax *6	B$37.50 each	$18.75 each
Punta Gorda to Puerto Barrios by boat	B$50 each	$25 each	31 mi	1.5 hours
Puerto Barrios to Frontera by van taxi	Q15 each	$1.80 each	25 mi?	1 hour
Frontera to Puerto Cortez by bus	L20 each	$1 each	40 mi?	2 hours
Puerto Cortez to San Pedro Sula by taxi	L600	$30	34 mi	45mins
Hotel Terrazas *7	L400	$20
San Pedro Sula to Airport by taxi	L200	$10	20 mi	30mins
Total *8	-	$797.20	853 mi	25.2 hours

* – $50 was a bit steep, but they kind of have you at a disadvantage because you’re at the airport outside of town and you just want to get going.

*2 – A guy named Flash drove us all the way to Puerto Barrios. Great nice guy. Was a little pushy when selling us the trip, but in the end it was direct and he was leaving right away. Spoke great English and was very funny. It really allowed us to ask a lot of questions about Honduras as we drove through the countryside.

*3 – What we didn’t realize was that the Salvador border (Frontera) was the end of the line for the day and would not have any hotels, motels or hostels… at all. We asked the young guys at the border gate if any more buses were coming that night or if there was any place to stay and they said no to both. But they understood the predicament we’d gotten ourselves into and they opened up the holding cell [video] across the street for us to stay in. It had a bare mattress and a toilet. Also there was a family cafe nearby that allowed us to purchase a late meal and pretty much sit down to eat dinner with their family long after official cafe hours were over. We conversed in broken Spanish while a game of soccer played on a fuzzy television in the corner.

*4 – After about 12 hours of traveling on hot crowded buses the day before, we weren’t very excited to do it all again and potentially miss the start of our “Relaxation Phase” of our trip. So we bit the bullet and got a flight to Belize. Taca is one of the only airlines that flies between destinations within Central America. So they don’t really have reason to try to accommodate anyone with lower prices or specials.

*5 – The Hokey Pokey was our water taxi. And they actually do have some information on this site: http://www.guidetobelize.info/en/travel/belize-water-taxi-timetable-guide.shtml#independence-belize-placencia-watertaxi

*6 Required departure tax when leaving Belize

*7 Great Value Hotel in San Pedro Sula [video]. A guy we met on one of the many buses we rode, Jose, suggested this hotel and it was great. I don’t think you can find it online anywhere (not that I’ve found yet), but it was a great deal.

Hotel Terrazas
6a Av entre 4a & 5a Calle
Phone: +504 550 3108

L400 ($20) / night
Internet, TV, A/C
We heard there was great breakfast at the restaurant on the first floor too, but we didn’t check it out.

*8 – Totals are not necessarily perfectly accurate. And the time does not include waiting during bus changes, overnight stays, etc – Just travel time.

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Minecraft: Legos for grown up nerds

Thomas Rye — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 22:53:44 +0000

Let me just start by stating a few disclaimers:

1. Legos are certainly allowed to be the Legos of grown ups. Legos really don’t stop being awesome as you age. Especially if you have a ~~box~~ huge bucket of them with lots of specialty pieces mixed in.

2. Age aside, Legos and Minecraft are certainly ok for nerds and non-nerds alike. I bought Minecraft when it was still in Pre-Alpha stage (Indev) – nerd. But as of this posting Minecraft has over 3.5 million paying users and over 14 million registered users in its Beta stage and has a massive conference planned for this November when they will release the first “official” version. I’m not really sure if they still call it ‘official’ when the game has been available to the public for years now as they’ve been developing it. Suffice it to say, Minecraft is way beyond some niche nerd group or even hipsters that call themselves nerds.

Alright, now that I’ve perhaps answered a few disagreements with the title of this post, let’s move on so I can give you much more to disagree with.

Perfect for display on the mantle

I don’t know when the last time was that you actually played with Legos, but they’re still awesome. If you’re like most Lego-interacting adults, you might have bought a Lego pack and spent a riveting Wednesday evening assembling the 600 piece machine – a wholly worthy endeavor. But when was the last time you held a yellow-headed Lego dude in your hand and fought his arch nemesis or walked through a world you created for him? It’s been a while, ya? So we still “play” with Legos, we just make different stuff out of them – usually more complicated and much less imaginative stuff. The problem is that we have lost the perspective of being IN the world we’re building. Watch any kid with Legos (or any toy really) and they’re usually being the character – often with their eyes right down on the level of the toy itself.

Hey you can’t blame them, it is way more fun to experience our creations in the most immersive way possible. Enter Minecraft. In case you have not played it yet, imagine a world made of Legos and you are living in it, allowed to destroy and create whatever you want. That’s the simple explanation. Now pretend that there’s also water and monsters and gadgets and animals and night and day and weapons and weather and your friends* (if you’re playing online) – Now you’re getting closer to Minecraft.

The beauty of Minecraft is in it’s balance of real world (physics, weather, biomes/climates, nature) and ultimate creative freedom. If you want to, you can dig up a bunch of dirt and built a single column tower to the sky. Or you can take the time to mine enough stone to build a 1:1 scale model of London’s Tower Bridge.

Would look good in Legos or Minecraft

As Notch, Jeb and the rest of the Mojang team continues development on Minecraft, we get to see an already great experience fill out with more and more to do. Recent additions include villages filled with NPCs (non-player characters), new monsters, and XP points. Many of these pieces are pointing towards the role-playing aspect of the game getting a great boost before the full release in November.

Maybe you’re not into the RPG thing with monsters and NPCs (“what are those?”). If you’re not into that, but still like creating things and interacting in a 3D world with your creations – there is Creative Mode on Minecraft. In creative mode, you start with a clean slate of flat grassy plain on which to build at will from your infinite supply of any of the blocks in the game. Make Tower Bridge, make a rollercoaster, make whatever you can dream up! All without the fear of having to survive against the monsters and your own hunger (in the game – you still have to eat in real life while you play.)

Come play – Try it out! I’ll be waiting for you.

Edit – The default graphics of Minecraft aren’t that great, but there are tons of texture packs that you can install to make the graphics much better. If you need help with this, just let me know – I’d be happy to help.

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Topeka Tinman Triathlon Progress

Thomas Rye — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:19:49 +0000

Distances

	Swim	Bike	Run
2009	274.32 m	13.25 km	5 km
2010	457.20 m	29.00 km	5 km
2011	400.00 m	21.00 km	5 km

Times

	Rank	Swim	Pace	T1	Bike	Rate	T2	Run	Pace	Total Time
2009	129	7:14	2:25	2:23	28:06	17.6	1:44	25:01	8:04	1:04:26
2010	75	12:37	2:32	2:08	36:55	19.5	1:27	22:30	7:16	1:15:38
2011	95	5:27	1:21	1:47	46:28	16.79	0:44	23:21	7:47	1:17:47

In 2011 I probably had my lowest amount of intentional training before the race. If you look at the numbers though, several of my times and paces were much better than they had been previously. I attribute these improvements solely to technique. I left the water with my fastest swim ever and didn’t even feel that my legs were very fatigued. Thanks Total Immersion technique! I practiced both transitions for about half an hour a few days before the race, mainly focusing on a moving bike mount and getting my feet out of my shoes before the dismount. In the race, I had a shoe come unclipped before I got it on, but I had already left transition, so it slowed down my bike time, not T1 time. Being able to run barefoot through transition on T2 is what sped up my time more than the actual removal of the shoes. Running in bike shoes is so clumsy.

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5 Essentials for Wet Camping

Thomas Rye — Fri, 20 May 2011 18:03:22 +0000

I haven’t done as much camping as I’d like to over the last couple of years, but the times that I have gotten out with nature it’s been on some pretty wet days. I certainly enjoy camping on mild days in the late summer when lakes are warm, but evening temperatures are low enough that you still enjoy the warmth of your sleeping bag. However, camping in wet rainy weather is a different type of enjoyment. When wet camping I enjoy the challenge of trying to make it comfortable despite the elements. Here are 5 things that I’ve discovered to help immensely when camping in the rain.

1. Tarp(s)

Nothing is more useful when you get to your camp site and it is raining… or pouring. With some creative positioning and helpful tree placements, you can get some water shed for your tents and even for your fire area (just make sure the smoke has an outlet). Be aware of the slope of the ground you’re on. Try not to shed water onto a slope that will drain back into your main camp area.

2. Rope

I can’t express how useful a good length of rope can be while camping. Aside from normal uses – Tying food in a tree away from animals, hanging trash bags, tying up larger cords of firewood to carry back to camp, line for drying clothes or shoes – It is essential for creating good water sheds for your camp by tying well-placed (and properly angled) tarps.

3. Hatchet

I say hatchet only because they’re smaller than axes (allegedly) and thus easily to tote along. I don’t suggest cutting down trees and chopping up the forest with your trusty hatchet, but hacking off a couple bushy pine branches can be a great fire cover if you’re needing to cook or keep warm in a heavier rain.

Also, hatchets can be nice to have in case all you can find as far as firewood goes is some larger dead branches lying around. Remember, a well-built fire stays lit, burns evenly and doesn’t need constant readjustments. Cut your wood to suit your fire.

4. Waterproof Footwear

Whether it’s sandals, flip-flops, lake shoes or Vibrams Five Fingers just get some kind of footwear that isn’t going to weigh 10lbs when it gets wet. Take in to account your environment. If you’re in more of a rocky terrain, I’d suggest something that will protect your feet a bit better (ie – something closed-toed). Just realize that in most wet camping conditions, slip-on waterproof footwear will save you a few headaches. Tennis shoes are possibly the worst. They get water logged and heavy. If they get muddy there’s no easy way to clean them. You can get caught in the rain longer or letting rain into the tent longer if you’re messing with getting shoes on and off.

Caution: Combinations of Hatchet and Open-Toed Shoes is not advised.

5. Dry Fire Ingredients

It is sometimes overlooked, but if your camp area has gotten a lot of rain you will be hard-pressed to find dry wood anywhere. Rather than spend $10 on a cord of dry firewood at the convenience store 15 miles down the road – you can get a fire going if you have something dry to start it with. I don’t suggest soaking your wet firewood in lighter fluid, but I’m not going to say that wouldn’t work – It’s just cheating in my opinion. Bring along a newspaper and you’ll be able to get started. If you can find some dead grass or leaves they can do ok as kindling even if they’re a little bit wet. It’s important to build your fire right though. You want to protect your kindling and try to harness all the flames that it gives off. First to help dry out the other wood and then to get it burning. One large piece of wood that has started burning will help you more than 20 newspapers.

Bonus: Blanket or Towel

Although packing a blanket or towel can take up some precious space in your gear, when wet camping – you won’t regret it when you’ve got something to dry your head and feet once you’re snuggled into the tent.

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Planning and achieving goals (don’t delay)

Thomas Rye — Thu, 19 May 2011 22:09:33 +0000

I’ve wanted do an Ironman triathlon since I was a kid and first heard about the unbelievable feat of endurance that the race is. In 2009, I finally got up the courage to dive into the sport and competed in 7 triathlons across 4 months. Though I barely survived the swim and had cement legs I could hardly lift for the run of my first race, I steadily improved with each race and grew to love the tri-sport community. The dream of doing an Ironman wasn’t a steady and strong inspiration that got me out on the road everyday, putting my miles in. No, it was really the enjoyment of being outdoors and the feeling I get when I’m swimming, biking and running.

It’s a long journey to the top in any sport, if you’re not enjoying that journey then it is going to feel even longer. Ask any mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter if thoughts of one day being in the UFC are comforting when they’re being ground-and-pounded to knockout. I’d bet my glass chin that most of them will tell you that it’s the love of the sport that brings them back, not tomorrow’s shot at millions.

Seth Godin remarked on his blog recently, “Most people are searching for a path to success that is both easy and certain.” Rarely are our paths in life both easy and certain, in fact, Godin adds, “Most paths are neither.”

So what is there to keep us going? What will push us to do more than what is required by school or work? What if a conflict comes up, my favorite show is on, everyone else is going to a party, or the weather is bad? Chris Guillebeau of The Art of Non-Conformity puts it in great perspective, “Base [your initiative] on anything outside your control, and good luck getting anything done.”

Set yourself on a track of consistency and commitment. If Tuesday and Thursday are your days to go to Kenpo Karate class (pointing at myself here), then prepare for it the day before. Don’t wait until the moment you should be walking out the door to decided whether or not you “feel” like it. Same goes for just about anything. Don’t kid yourself into thinking that you can be nearly as productive and attain your goals if you don’t plan for them.

* As a married man, I will add that your spouse plays a key role in this. It is healthy and loving to discuss and work together to achieve goals for your family, goals as a couple and individual goals.

Don’t put it off – the planning or the doing. Are you wanting to workout more? Drop down and do 5 pushups right now. Bam! You’ve started. Now, do it again tomorrow.

Image: Sam Javanrouh

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25 minutes with Bruce Lee

Thomas Rye — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 04:38:08 +0000

“The Lost Interview” with Bruce Lee on the Pierre Berton Show (1971)

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Weight Gain Progress

Thomas Rye — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 20:29:04 +0000

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How To Improve cheap coffee in 5 steps – The Office Mocha

Thomas Rye — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:38:44 +0000

1. Pour your office-grade coffee Be it Folgers, Maxwell House or another entry-level coffee this is your base. The main thing is that it has at least some mild flavor of actual coffee. You’ll see here that I’ve gotten the best part of the office coffee – the bottom of the pot, where you’ll find any grounds that slipped through the filter.
2. Add a packet of hot chocolate I’m using Swiss Miss here. I got a box of 10 of them for $1. You can opt for a premium hot chocolate mix and it may improve your office mocha respectively.
3. Microwave for 45 seconds (optional) If, like me, you’ve gotten the last of the pot of coffee, you may notice that the coffee your grounds are floating in is a bit below preferred temperature. It’s important that the coffee be pretty warm or hot because it helps the hot chocolate to melt and mix in.
4. Stir hot chocolate in coffee until smooth and frothy This is where this simple and cost-effective concoction really starts too look tasty. If you are good with a toothpick you might even be able to make one of those cool coffee art designs on top.
5. Enjoy ‘The Office Mocha’ I hope you’re surprised at how tasty this budget beverage is. I find that it really comes in handy if I’ve run out of good creamer at the office or when I need to cut back on $5 coffee shop coffees.

If you have your own version of this or know of some ways to make it even better – please share in the comments below!

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Benefits of an “Everyday I Must…” List

Thomas Rye — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 16:09:07 +0000

You might think of an “Everyday I Must” list like a daily bucket list. Those little things that you don’t want to forget about in the busy-ness of life. The things you don’t ever want to take for granted.

I’ll give you my short list so you can see what it may look like…

Everyday I Must…
- Read a page (article, book, magazine)
- Write a paragraph (blog, journal, essay)
- Read a chapter of the bible
- Pray

For my wife & child
For my friends & family
For my enemies

- Smile at a stranger
- Spend 5 minutes in silent thought

You may have an entirely different list, but I encourage you to make one and keep it someplace noticeable – next to your computer monitor, on your car dashboard, on the frig, etc. I suggest not including work related things like checking emails as those are the sorts of things that usually “busy” us away from our more meaningful activities.

You may consider a “Every Week I Must” list if that makes more sense to you. Just keep it simple.

- Call your parents/grandparents
- Invite friends to dinner
- Color with your kids using only crayons

There’s no rules about this. It’s just meant to help us make each day fulfilling and meaningful.

What are you going to put on your “Everyday I Must” list?

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The Silver Lining and a Fiery Rise

Thomas Rye — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:20:23 +0000

October 21, 2010 - Silver lining on the clouds

October 22, 2010 - Fiery sunrise on the way to work

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ThomasRye.com

Travel in Central America – Unlisted prices

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1. Tarp(s)

2. Rope

3. Hatchet

4. Waterproof Footwear

5. Dry Fire Ingredients

Bonus: Blanket or Towel

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