Insider’s guide to Honduras

Honduras, although not the most popular of Central America’s countries, is an absolute diamond in the rough. Its fantastic culture, history and world-class natural beauty stunts visitors from all over the world. Its beaches, wildlife reserves and Maya ruins are second to non, and the vibrant traditions of the native people will truly dazzle you.

Avid snorkelers and beach bums alike will fall in love with the Bay Islands, while the foodies amongst you will thoroughly enjoy the fusions of flavours in Honduran cuisine. Honduras has warm and fairly dry weather all year round, and each season brings with it new and exciting possibilities. There’s truly something for everyone in this magical country, and we’ll tell you all about it in this Insider’s guide to Honduras.

Roatán

Roatán, the largest of the Bay Islands, was once a secret gem of Honduras. But thanks to the many curious tourists and cruise companies, it’s now one of the most popular vacation spots in the country. Its beaches are everything you would expect from a tropical paradise; white sands, glittering turquoise water and swaying palm trees. Roatán’s shores are also lined with flourishing coral reefs, that are teeming with vibrant sea life. Many people flock to this island for its amazing snorkel, diving and deep-sea fishing opportunities.

Copán Ruins

Copán was home to one of the most important Maya civilisations that ever lived. They thrived in this beautiful area from 250 – 900 AD, and built some remarkable structures, sculptures and even hieroglyphics.

Although the Copán Ruins are only a 1km walk outside of Copán, have a gift shop, visitor centre and sculpture museum, very few people actually visit this UNESCO World Heritage site, so you can walk among the haunting structures virtually alone. Anyone with an interest in history, archeology, or just a lust to know more about a country you’re visiting, should take a trip to the Copán Ruins.

Lago de Yojoa

The stunning Lago de Yojoa is the largest lake in Honduras, and its surroundings will leave you breathless. This spectacular lake is quickly becoming the most popular place for weary travellers to  rest when traveling in the region.

While the lake itself isn’t great for swimming, you can Zipline over it, tube across it, or take a scenic walk around it. With over 485 species of bird, lush jungle, world-class hiking trails and waterfalls galore, this is one of the best places to ‘get back to nature’ in all of Honduras.

Comayagua Street Carpets

If you’re visiting Honduras during the Easter break, then this is one of the most culturally unusual and stunning traditions you absolutely must see. Honduras is the only country in the world to create these magnificent carpets, and they really do it in style.

In the quiet village of Comayagua, the locals rush out to the street, and create these vibrant, multicoloured carpets out of rice, sawdust, flower petals, and other natural materials. They are made to depict the actions and life of Jesus, but even the non religious visitors will be blown away by their beauty.

Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve

This 350,000 hectares UNESCO reserve is the largest protected area in the entire country. The Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve is one of the only tropical rainforests left in Central America, and is home to over 2,000 indigenous people. If you’re searching for a place to see an outstanding array of wildlife, then this is it. Río Plátano is home to 411 documented species of bird, 586 species of plant, 721 species of vertebrates, and half of all the mammals in Honduras. During a trek through this amazing reserve, you can see the critically endangered Mexican Spider Monkey, the West Indian Manatee, the endangered Great Green Macaw, and the near-threatened Jaguar.

Roman Religious Chaos

“The actual devotion is to produce,” says. And doesn’t the farmer deal with many obstacles throughout the year to be able to get the product? The reality will come out as goodness at the end of a proper and formidable labor.

Zoroaster says that: “The idea should be thought, the saying should be said and the work should be done in a proper way.”

However, Zoroastrianism did not find so many followers. Social and moral corruption degenerated in the faith confusion of that time constituted the main reason. Anatolia was going to be interested in the adventures of the Olympian gods.

Zoroastrians did not used to construct temples for the honor of Ahura Mazda. They used to just make a fire over the altars and then pray. They did not worship the fire but generally known so. Fire is the representation of purity. The Persians were particu­larly more dominant in Cappadocia region. Since they stayed for a long time here, they have performed their fire-altar rites over this geography and succeeded in make the Zoroaster religion pre­vailing here.

The Romans came to Anatolia 204 BC. Within the process started by the imaginative aerolite of Mother Goddess Cybele having been taken to Rome, King of Pergamon -Attalos the Third- grants the whole land of Pergamon Kingdom to Rome. Rome was not considered so brutal at the very beginning. They had a liberal policy when it came to religion. The primary reason behind this was the fact that there was actually no any notional Roman religion for the time being. Religion was not viewed highly grave among the Romans who were a military society.

In the beginning no god was worshipped in Rome. They used to solely go to magicians so as to abstain from evils. The magicians who were called Luperci would to form a circle among themselves. They had a ritual ceremony by filling the goodness inside the cir­cle and removing the evils out of the circle. Goodness and evil used to always beside each other. In other words, the Romans had based their religion on goodness and evil as Zoroastrians did. Yet, Persian religion had a philosophical dimension while the Roman religion was extremely primitive. The Romans believed that the help of fire they used to make against darkness on December 17 would be with them throughout the year and also the Daphne branch and New Year money they used to hang on their doors on the first day of March would bring them luck.

Having forming its belief system initially by conventions similar to these, Rome got down creating its own gods and god­desses in the course of time. Most of the time, the gods of Rome were being exported from outside. Like Hittites, the Romans ad­opted the god of the enemy they had defeated. By the time the Rome grew into an empire, the following discourse would be put forth; “Rome worshipped the gods of entire world”.

However Rome sympathizes to Greek polytheism. The Greek gods are romanized. Namely, Vesa became Hestia, Venus- Aphrodite, Diana-Artemis, Mars- Ares, Bakkhus- Dionysus and Jupiter- Zeus. Rome usually acted politically at religious issues. They had never applied sanctions to people under their hege­mony. Military borders of the empire and military power carried weight for Rome. They did not interfere with the beliefs of the societies since they had no so much interest in religion. They in­flicted punishment on anyone in case of any riot bringing the re­ligion in the foreground. Rome adopted Christianity partly in 330 AD and officially 395 AD. Yet, the first adherents of Christ faced severe persecu­tion, above all at Neron time. Rome treated the other beliefs within the borders of empire with tolerance; however, practiced immense violence on Christians.

5 Interesting Facts About the Aztecs in Mexico

The greatest empire to rule over Mexico, the Aztecs were a phenomenal indigenous civilization which ruled far and wide for over 300 years. Brought to a grounding halt in the 1400s by invading Spanish conquistadores, the last great Mesoamerican ingenious empire has left an impressive legacy behind, overshadowing that of the Toltecs from whom the ruling crown was snatched in the early 13th century.

From their inception, and within merely 50 years, their influence over the central region of Mexico was substantial and surprisingly swift. N’ahuatl, the Aztec language, was introduced immediately and even nowadays its remnants remain. From guacamole to chocolate, chilli and avocado: there are countless words in the English language which derive from the Aztec.

The local economy was single-handled driven by bartering. Colossal markets throughout the kingdom would attract tens of thousands of people. Much like the Maya, the Aztecs were also immensely advanced. Their artistic, architectural and philosophical achievements were impressive.

Plus, as many of you might know, the Aztecs invented chocolate. Reason alone to worship this incredible ancient culture, you say? We agree!

Here are 5 Interesting Facts About the Aztecs you ought to know before visiting Mexico.

The Aztecs were actually Mexicas

Mexico derives its name from Mexicas, the name the Aztecs people gave themselves. Aztec is a name given to the culture by the Spaniards, as they hailed from Azteca, the region of Mexico from where they originated.

The Aztecs were master accountants

If there’s one thing many ancient cultures in Latin America had in common was their distinctive lack of written accounts. But not the Aztecs. They kept immaculate records and had a complex system of writings. Much like Egyptian hieroglyphs, their alphabet was a series of pictures, written by scholars and priests and inscribed in deer skin or tree bark.

Having multiple wives was a status symbol

The more the merrier, right? Well, if you were Aztec you would certainly think so! Aztecs practiced polygamy, and although strict rules were applied – only the first marriage would be publically celebrated, for example – polygamy improved a family’s status due to sheer increase in workforce and, consequentially, income.

Mexico City is built upon the Aztec capital

The capital of the Aztec empire, Tenochtitlan, was built on an island in the heart of a lake. Today, there stands Mexico City, one of the largest and most populated capitals in the world. By the time the Spaniards arrived, Tenochtitlan was larger than most European cities, something which the Europeans took an objection to, apparently.

Teotihuacan is the one Aztec site every visitor to Mexico should see

North of Mexico City is where you’ll find the country’s most prominent site, and one of the world’s most important archaeological treasures. Teotihuacan was not actually built by the Aztecs, but rather discovered by them and subsequently occupied. Here you’ll find the revered Pyramid of the Sun, the Moon, and the overwhelming Avenue of the Dead. What sets this place apart from all others, aside from its sheer size, is the fact that its origins are still shrouded in mystery. No one knows who built it, nor exactly when.

5 Interesting Facts About the Aztecs in Mexico

The greatest empire to rule over Mexico, the Aztecs were a phenomenal indigenous civilization which ruled far and wide for over 300 years. Brought to a grounding halt in the 1400s by invading Spanish conquistadores, the last great Mesoamerican ingenious empire has left an impressive legacy behind, overshadowing that of the Toltecs from whom the ruling crown was snatched in the early 13th century.

From their inception, and within merely 50 years, their influence over the central region of Mexico was substantial and surprisingly swift. N’ahuatl, the Aztec language, was introduced immediately and even nowadays its remnants remain. From guacamole to chocolate, chilli and avocado: there are countless words in the English language which derive from the Aztec.

The local economy was single-handled driven by bartering. Colossal markets throughout the kingdom would attract tens of thousands of people. Much like the Maya, the Aztecs were also immensely advanced. Their artistic, architectural and philosophical achievements were impressive.

Plus, as many of you might know, the Aztecs invented chocolate. Reason alone to worship this incredible ancient culture, you say? We agree!

Here are 5 Interesting Facts About the Aztecs you ought to know before visiting Mexico.

The Aztecs were actually Mexicas

Mexico derives its name from Mexicas, the name the Aztecs people gave themselves. Aztec is a name given to the culture by the Spaniards, as they hailed from Azteca, the region of Mexico from where they originated.

The Aztecs were master accountants

If there’s one thing many ancient cultures in Latin America had in common was their distinctive lack of written accounts. But not the Aztecs. They kept immaculate records and had a complex system of writings. Much like Egyptian hieroglyphs, their alphabet was a series of pictures, written by scholars and priests and inscribed in deer skin or tree bark.

Having multiple wives was a status symbol

The more the merrier, right? Well, if you were Aztec you would certainly think so! Aztecs practiced polygamy, and although strict rules were applied – only the first marriage would be publically celebrated, for example – polygamy improved a family’s status due to sheer increase in workforce and, consequentially, income.

Mexico City is built upon the Aztec capital

The capital of the Aztec empire, Tenochtitlan, was built on an island in the heart of a lake. Today, there stands Mexico City, one of the largest and most populated capitals in the world. By the time the Spaniards arrived, Tenochtitlan was larger than most European cities, something which the Europeans took an objection to, apparently.

Teotihuacan is the one Aztec site every visitor to Mexico should see

North of Mexico City is where you’ll find the country’s most prominent site, and one of the world’s most important archaeological treasures. Teotihuacan was not actually built by the Aztecs, but rather discovered by them and subsequently occupied. Here you’ll find the revered Pyramid of the Sun, the Moon, and the overwhelming Avenue of the Dead. What sets this place apart from all others, aside from its sheer size, is the fact that its origins are still shrouded in mystery. No one knows who built it, nor exactly when.

Kindness out of season

Anger, when excessive, created terror; and kindness out of season, destroys authority. Be not so severe as to cause disgust, nor so lenient as to encourage audacity. Severity and lenity should be tempered together; like the surgeon, who, when he uses the lancet, applies also a plaster. A wise man carries not severity to excess, nor suffers such relaxation as will lessen his own dignity: he overrates not himself, neither doth he altogether neglect his consequence. A shepherd said to his father: “ 0 thou, who art wise, teach me one maxim from your experience.” He replied, “Be complacent, but not to that degree that they may insult you with the sharp teeth of the wolf.”

Kingdom and to religion

Two persons are enemies to a kingdom and to religion: a monarch without clemency, and a religious man without knowledge. May there never be at the head of a kingdom, a ruler who is not ail obedient servant of God.

Wrath towards his enemies

It behooved a king not to show wrath towards his enemies, to such a degree as to alarm his friends ; for the tire of wrath first falls on the exciter of it, and then the flame may reach the enemy or not. It suits not the earth-born sons of Adam to assume pride, ferocity, and vanity. You who have so much heat and pertinacity, I do not consider as created of earth but of fire. In the land of Balkan I visited a religious man, to whom I said, “Cleanse me from ignorance by your doctrine.” He replied, “Go and suffer with patience, like the earth, 0 learned in the law, or else bury in the earth all that you have studied.”

Hand of the enemy

A wicked man is a captive in the hand of the enemy, for wherever he goth he cannot escape from the clutches of his own punishment. If the wicked man should escape to Heaven from the hand of calamity, lie would continue in calamity from tile sense of his own evil disposition.

Troops of your enemy

When you see discord amongst the troops of your enemy, be of good courage; but if they are united, then be upon your guard. When you see contention amongst your enemies, go and sit at ease with your friends; but when you see them of one mind, string your bow, and place stones upon the ramparts.

Kindness out of season

Anger, when excessive, created terror; and kindness out of season, destroys authority. Be not so severe as to cause disgust, nor so lenient as to encourage audacity. Severity and lenity should be tempered together; like the surgeon, who, when he uses the lancet, applies also a plaster. A wise man carries not severity to excess, nor suffers such relaxation as will lessen his own dignity: he overrates not himself, neither doth he altogether neglect his consequence. A shepherd said to his father: “ 0 thou, who art wise, teach me one maxim from your experience.” He replied, “Be complacent, but not to that degree that they may insult you with the sharp teeth of the wolf.”

Kingdom and to religion

Two persons are enemies to a kingdom and to religion: a monarch without clemency, and a religious man without knowledge. May there never be at the head of a kingdom, a ruler who is not ail obedient servant of God.

Wrath towards his enemies

It behooved a king not to show wrath towards his enemies, to such a degree as to alarm his friends ; for the tire of wrath first falls on the exciter of it, and then the flame may reach the enemy or not. It suits not the earth-born sons of Adam to assume pride, ferocity, and vanity. You who have so much heat and pertinacity, I do not consider as created of earth but of fire. In the land of Balkan I visited a religious man, to whom I said, “Cleanse me from ignorance by your doctrine.” He replied, “Go and suffer with patience, like the earth, 0 learned in the law, or else bury in the earth all that you have studied.”

Hand of the enemy

A wicked man is a captive in the hand of the enemy, for wherever he goth he cannot escape from the clutches of his own punishment. If the wicked man should escape to Heaven from the hand of calamity, lie would continue in calamity from tile sense of his own evil disposition.

Troops of your enemy

When you see discord amongst the troops of your enemy, be of good courage; but if they are united, then be upon your guard. When you see contention amongst your enemies, go and sit at ease with your friends; but when you see them of one mind, string your bow, and place stones upon the ramparts.