Day 6 – Cowboys in Minca
We woke around sunrise. We have now been conditioned for this. I got a really nice shower and we packed up for the hike out. The only way to these beaches is at least a 3 hour hike, so we wanted to get an early start.
On our way out we saw that we could ride horses out. So we did. We we walking, trotting, and galloping through the jungle on thin muddy paths. Passing each other, the horses shoving each other as we went. At one point when we were in a fast trot, a local flew past us on a horse like we were standing still. I was holding on tight, afraid I was going to fly off at a couple points. About a third of the way the chaffing of my inner thighs was now more than just annoying; it was raw. For 45 minutes we clung to our steeds going up and down paths. Occasionally we passed some poor hikers that had literally miles to go. Towards the end, the path opened wider and all three of our horses started racing for the finish where they would be fed, watered and rested.
When we stopped I was so happy to climb off. I now understand why horseback riding is also exercise for the rider. I also know now never to wear shorts. I had rubbed the top layers of my inner thighs so raw that it may be more than a week to heal.
As we walked out of the exit to the park there was a taxi soliciting for rides. We negotiated a fair rate and off we went. On the way to Minca we stopped at Calabazo to grab our bags and in another 2 hours we were in Minca. Our hotel was another 20 minutes past on windy mountain roads. About 10 minutes, we turned off to an unmarked dirt “driveway?” for Masaya Casas Velahos, our hotel/hostel. The driveway was narrow, windy, with gulleys and went up up up. At multiple points I wasn’t sure if our little taxi would make it as it bottomed out, clanked and spun out.
The hotel was beautiful. On the side of a mountain, an infinity pool, bar, restaurant, TV room, reading room, etc. all overlooking an amazing valley. Time to chill.
