Short hair Francis

Additional Drainage


Coming out the Temple on the River Cut Entrance




How the Eastern Court looks from the outside




With the main site visit finished, it was now noon and time to head back to down to cool off.
It might be +21C/70F at 9am, but can easily be +30C/86F by 11am under the glaring sun 🥵

Welcome back to Town



Now I might not care much for boozes, but a Iced Coffee in an Air Conditioned room is definitely appreciable in Tropical Heat🧉

I ended up spending my valuable afternoon hours at Cafe Welchez located right at Parque Central.

Cafe Welchez





For the last morning before heading back to Guatemala City, I again started at 830am and ventured to the more obscure part of the ruins by way of Tuk Tuk.

Las Sepulturas


Copαn Surrounding Map


Site Map


Work done by Archaeologist on Site


Local Fields are fallow


Part 20 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

Walk into Las Sepulturas


Guess I'll have to duck


Residental Group














Scribe's House







Part 20 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

Part 20 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

With Las Sepulturas walkthroughs completed, I went back to the entrance and Carlos the Tuk-Tuk driver picked me up at 1045am as promised

Quick shower then a bite, followed by a 12pm shuttle ride back to Guatemala.
Time to start heading home...

Honduras Shuttle



Virus News
Mar 3, 2020 – Virus crisis ebbs in China, spreads fear across the West
Reference - https://apnews.com/c16a114490f806b1beb9b3eaa34b6a32

Mar 3, 2020 – Washington State virus deaths highlight risks at nursing homes
Reference - https://www.reuters.com/article/us-h...-idUSKBN20Q1B8

Mar 3, 2020 – France fights mask hoarding; Virus deaths soar in Italy
Reference - https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireSt...zones-69356319

Mar 3, 2020 – Italy's large elderly population bearing brunt of coronavirus
Reference - https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...-risk-covid-19

Mar 3, 2020 – Iran's military on alert as virus kills 77, sickens leaders
Reference - https://apnews.com/806256c3594e8f6b0b3f17e98e9bd71c

Mar 4, 2020 – Hong Kong Dog likely First Human-to-Animal Coronavirus
Reference - https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...s-scmp-reports

Mar 4, 2020 – Forced online by virus, China's schools run into censorship
Reference - https://apnews.com/article/cbde0ac8f...6a6f374e1f0398

Mar 4, 2020 – China's virus slowdown offers hope for global containment
Reference - https://apnews.com/article/494f9ed01...38cec58bc1af53

Mar 4, 2020 – Italy shuts all schools over coronavirus outbreak
Reference - https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/04/europ...ntl/index.html

Mar 4, 2020 – In Italy and beyond, virus outbreak reshapes work and play
Reference - https://apnews.com/article/595d161ab...43fcc3b238464a

Mar 4, 2020 – How coronavirus spread in New York: From a Man to his family. Then a neighbor. Then friends.
Reference - https://www.washingtonpost.com/local...b81_story.html


Next Part
Part 21 – An Oasis It is Not, American Airlines Boeing 737-800 Oasis Business GUA-MIA

Short hair Francis

Part 21 – An Oasis It is Not, American Airlines Boeing 737-800 Oasis Business GUA-MIA


With the return shuttle journey back to Guatemala City, it seems my luck has finally ran out. 😭
Full van, with all 9 seats taken with substandard AC to keep the van cool, EEK! 🥵

Luckily the border didn't caused any major issue and we were relatively on-time.

As I was going into Guatemala City unlike everyone else in the van, the driver took a northern route today.
First CA-11 across the Honduras/Guatemala border to Chiquimula, then northwards on CA-10 to Rio Hondo, then westwards on CA-9 to Guatemala City.

A 30 min food and washroom break was provided midway at the McDonald's San Esteban around 3:15pm.

The ride was mostly uneventful, until trying to figure out where's the GUA drop-off point...
The driver kept saying “Avenida Roosevelt” at first. 🙄🙄
Ya thanks dumb dumb, why don't you say you're dropping me off at the Van Wyck or Dan Ryan while you're at it. 😡😡

After some pressuring from the native Spanish speakers in the van, the driver finally said “Los Antojitos” as the other reference point, which nobody in the car had any idea where it is.

Los Antojitos, as it turned out was a closed restaurant on Avenida Roosevelt west of Mega Centro.

So around 6:30pm, I got dropped at the closed restaurant.

After 10 mins of hailing a Uber, the comment “Asiαtico gringo con Equipaje de Mano” seem to have done the trick and the driver finally found me. 🤷‍♂️

Around 7pm, I made it back to the Courtyard by Marriott Guatemala City for the last night of the trip.
After quickly checking-in and dropping off my stuff, I quickly stepped out to buy a Pollo Campero takeout dinner to bring back to the room.


Mar 5, 2020 – Thursday
AA 983 GUA – MIA 2:58pm – 6:38pm (738/J)

With a 3pm departure flight, I had the morning open in Guatemala City.
After the usual hotel breakfast, I walked 15 mins down 13 Calle to Oakland Mall, also located in Zona 10.

Oakland Mall



Retractable Roof at a Mall?


One of the few Starbucks in Guatemala


I ended up spending 1.5 hrs at the mall out of sheer boredom, and had a small lunch before heading back to the room for shower and packing up.

At 12:30pm, I checked out of the Courtyard Marriott and got in a 10 min uber ride to the airport.

Guatemala City La Aurora International Airport



The airport wasn't very busy and I was able to find the AA Priority Check-in counter on the Far End of the Landside area.

American Airlines Priority Check-In


With the 2 AA Boarding Passes in hand, I headed to the the central of the building where the entrance of the exit control was located.

However to get to airside, it requires one to go through some touristy shops (non-duty free nature), exit control immigration and airport security.
The entire process took about 30 mins, as security was slow... 😐😐

Airside



The walk to Gate 11 takes about 5 mins.

Gate 11



I ended up having too much time on my hands and did some reading near the gate.
Around 2:10pm, I did my gate lice routine and lined up for Group 1 boarding.


*11th flight of the Trip, 16299 Miles Flown
American Airlines 983
Guatemala City to Miami Int'l
Scheduled - 2:58pm – 6:38pm, 2 Hr 40 Mins flight
Actual Departure – 2:48pm
On-Time Arrival – 6:23pm
Business Class, Seat 3A
Food – Dinner
Equipment – Boeing 737-800 (16J/30Y+/126Y) Oasis Configuration “N821NN”



With No Concierge Key onboard, Group 1 Boarding began at 2:20pm.

American Airlines Boeing 737-800



American Airlines Boeing 737-800 Oasis Business Class Cabin


American Airlines Boeing 737-800 Oasis Business Class Seat



How narrow is the aisle? This Narrow 😒


Magazine Rack


Seat Storage Space


Part 21 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

Drink Stand


Pre-Departure Beverage


Door were closed on time at 2:48pm, 2 Hours 2 Minutes flight time to Miami today

Pushback at 2:50pm



Wonder what plane does the US CBP operate to?


Avianca Hanger


Taxiing down to Runway 2



Nothing to stop you rolling off a Runway



Lining Up to Runway 2


Airborne at 3:00pm





See ya Guatemala City






Part 21 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

Service took awhile to start, it took about 40 minutes after airborne before drinks were served.

Drinks and Hot Nuts to Start


Could use Lesser Sodium


Back out to the Caribbean near Belize City




At 4:05pm, the FA finally served dinner.


AA 983 Dinner

Appetizer
Assorted Salad with Tomato and Assorted Pepper with Balsamic Vinigrette

Main Course
Beef Chili
Topped with Ranchero Sauce and Served with Rice
or
Grilled Corvina
Served in a Creole Sauce, accompanied by Blanched Zucchini and Greek Rice

Dessert
Cream Cake with Strawberry


For today's flight, I pre-ordered the Corvina in the AA system.
That being said, the FAs originally had a cross-up and served me the Chili by mistake.

Tray Service Dinner


Salad


Beef Chili


Grilled Corvina


This much meat on a Short Haul AA flight?


Some Lime for the Fish? Alot Tastier 😋


Cream Cake with Strawberry



With the meals cleaned up, there were less than 1 Hour left in the flight.
At 5:50pm near the Everglades, AA 983 started the descent into Miami.

Descent started near Everglades





South Florida


Part 21 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

Miami Int'l Airport



Miami









Turning around at Biscayne Bay to line up for Runway 30







Landing at Miami at 6:04pm




Part 21 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

On Ground




Long Taxi to North Terminal



And all the way down to the end to D4.





And finally parked at the gate at 6:23pm after waiting 7-10 mins for the original aircraft to push back.

Finally Rolling In




American Airlines Boeing 737-800 Oasis Business Class Quick Review
Check-In – It's a little hidden since it's on the far side of all AA check-in counters, but hey no wait 😄

Security – No Major Glaring issues, notwithunderstanding to the lack of Premium Security lanes 🤷‍♂️

Lounge – Non-Applicable

Boarding – A Bit of Gate Lice started by me, but overall calmness.
There is a random security check after the boarding pass scanner.

Cabin Ambiance – Old Bins + Old Lighting + Oasis Seats + Flimsy Cabin Divider 🤢🤢
Who designed and signed off this junk??? 😡

Seat – Is there a good feature about the B/E Aerospace MiQ seat? 🤔
Maybe the side personal storage? Which oddly enough can't fit my Bose Headset
And above all else, the seat pitch stinks! 🤮

Food – One of the better AA Short-Haul main course I've had in recent years.
A couple slice of Lime was the perfect zing for the Corvina 😋

Entertainment – Prepare to be bored or BYOD. 😪
How much alcohol can you drink to drown your sorrows on a Oasis flight? 🥴🥴

Crew – Very hard to evaluate this crew. 🤷‍♂️
Yays – Pre-Departure Beverage, Cabin/Seat photos
Nays – Received Wrong Main Course by mistake

Overall Impression – 🤮🤮🤮
This was my 1st attempt trying the Oasis Business Class.
Whose is American's competition? Spirit or Delta? 🤔
If its Spirit, why don't I pay cheaper and tolerate the N-Word, C-Word or B-Word fellow passengers will spew while I'm at it. 🙄🙄
Best Piece of advice, avoid like the plague for any flights above 90 minutes flight time because your body will let you know about it the next day. 😖😖


Next Part
Part 22 – Due to Be Retired 2, American Airlines Boeing 757-200 First MIA-LAS

Short hair Francis

Apologies on posting of the next TR section 🙇🙇
I'll try to have the next part up next week ☹️

In the Dystopian Non-Fiction of 20-21, the Minister of Entertainment discovers "Deletion of Videos" generates more Likes/Hits in the Modern Era vs. the Traditional method of "Book Burning" 🥺🥺🥺

Short hair Francis

Part 22 – Due to Be Retired 2, American Airlines Boeing 757-200 First MIA-LAS


As I wanted to leave Guatemala in the afternoon vs. 6am, that basically means I couldn't get back to YVR on the same day since MIA-YVR doesn't exist.
Therefore, the choice would be stuck airside somewhere on West Coast.
By stumble or fate, I discovered the late night MIA-LAS was to be operated with a 757 while other West Coast markets were using short haul equipment; SFO/PDX/SAN/PHX (738) or SEA/LAX (321).
Ok Sin City it is 🤷‍♂️


Mar 5, 2020 – Thursday
AA 2341 MIA – LAS 9:45pm – 0:18am (+1) [Mar 6] (752/F)

Sunset in Miami


Unlike most of my previous CBP experience at MIA, this time around it was a smooth experience.
However, the transit security checkpoint was awhole another matter.
Complete gongshow with lines all over the place with hoards of angry travellers.

Airside at Miami Int'l


After 45 minutes, I finally made it to airside and made my way to the D30 Flagship Lounge
First a quick shower and then I had dinner at the lounge since AA only provides finger food on late night flights.

At 8:50pm I left the Flagship lounge and made my way to D49.

Gate D49


American Airlines Boeing 757-200



*12th flight of the Trip, 18471 Miles Flown
American Airlines 2341
Miami Int'l to Las Vegas
Scheduled - 9:45pm – 0:18am(+1), 5 Hr 33 Mins flight
Actual Departure – 9:37pm
Delayed Arrival – 0:21am(+1)
First Class, Seat 1B
Food – Refreshment
Equipment – Boeing 757-200 (16J/52Y+/160Y) V2 Configuration “N191AN”



With minimal traffic at the gate, boarding began at 9:10am.

American Airlines Boeing 757-200 Int'l Business Class Cabin



American Airlines Boeing 757-200 Int'l Business Class Seat



Full Flat Mode







Dougfied!



Drink Storage and Seat Control



Part 22 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

Personal Storage


Pre-Departure Beverage


With the pandemic unfolding in Europe, Iran and China, domestic traffic started to crater from record loads.
This flight originally had 9 passengers upfront, until a bunch of non-rev were cleared upfront at the gate filling up the cabin.
Those would include the couple seated next to me in 1A (female) and across the aisle in 1E (male)

5 Hours 1 Minute Flight Time for tonight's flight to Las Vegas



Door were closed ontime at 9:37pm and we shortly pushed back at 9:43pm.

As AA 2341 slowly taxied to the runway, not sure what the non-rev girl at 1A was thinking but she suddenly pulled her phone out for a voice call?!? 😲
Luckily a quick wink wink with the #1 FA passing through the aisle kibosh that idea. 😉
Why would a non-rev think that's an acceptable behavior on a plane is beyond me??? 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

A Slow taxi to Runway 26L and we took off at 10:14pm towards the Gulf of Mexico





Luckily the rest of the flight was a quiet endeavor since it was the late flight.
Drinks were served 40 mins after take-off.

Evening Drinks


AA 2341 Refreshment
Southwest Dip
or
Cheese Plate

Refreshment was also handed out, I mainly picked at it for the photo-ops.




After the refreshment, I passed out for the next 3 hrs






Waking up over New Mexico, I just sipped on another Coke Zero and mainly did some small work on the laptop.

Around 11:50pm Pacific, we started our descent into Sin City







4 Hrs 58 Minutes later, we landed at Las Vegas at 0:12am and a quick taxi to Gate D11, and finally parked at 0:21am


Virus News
Mar 5, 2020 – Hong Kong's coronavirus response leads to sharp drop in flu cases
Reference - https://www.ft.com/content/ad7ae6b4-...b-339c2307bcd4

Mar 5, 2020 – Can Dogs get Coronavirus? One Pet tested Positive but experts remain skeptical
Reference - https://time.com/5796510/dog-coronavirus-animal-covid/

Mar 5, 2020 – Airlines brace for $113 Billion in Lost Revenue from Virus
Reference - https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...venue-on-virus

Mar 5, 2020 – US labs await virus-testing kits promised by administrators
Reference - https://apnews.com/article/virus-out...a32e2364f3e5f5

Mar 5, 2020 – Cruise ship is held off California coast for virus testing
Reference - https://apnews.com/8a9f6fd50731fd4c63edb2b5f0e568f8

Mar 5, 2020 – Coronavirus: UK moving towards 'delay' phase of virus plan as cases hit 115
Reference - https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-51749352

Mar 5, 2020 – Virus cancels exams and jeopardizes Chinese students' plans
Reference - https://apnews.com/article/us-news-a...458afcdac74c39

Mar 5, 2020 – Virus, what virus? Italy's “nonni” step in as schools closes
Reference - https://apnews.com/article/b1de69214...43e6de47f29381


American Airlines Boeing 757-200 International Business Class Review
Check-In – Non-Applicable

Security – In retrospect, I should've fully went landside and picked another checkpoint.
The checkpoint feeding from the CBP was a fantastic mess 😠😠

Lounge – Despite a lack of tarmac view at the Flagship Lounge, food & beverage and showers matched other Flagship Lounges in the system 👍

Boarding – One of the calmer domestic flights I've had in recent years, and this 757 was boarded via Door 1L to top it off. 🙂

Cabin Ambiance – There's something about the 757.
757 feels Cozy ☺️, 737 feels Constricting 😣
And the Door 2 and Mid-Cabin Lavatory makes for a more pleasant flight experience ☺️

Seat – The B/E Diamond seat is perfect for a 5 Hrs Transcon flight.🙂
For 8 hour mission like Latin America or Europe, it's passable 😐
Hopefully they can re-use these seats on the 737-8 Max as a Transcon subfleet? 🤔
Otherwise seems a bit wasteful to only have these seats for only a few years

Food – Since its a Transcon after 9:30pm, I don't have a major opinion about the lack of food catered.
Maybe some baked cookies served later enroute along with Southwest Dip/Cheese Plate? 🤔

Entertainment – I'm sorry Discount Dougie, but the empty display monitor?
Reminiscence of Jasper staring at “200 Channels and Nothing but Cats” in the Simpsons here 🤣🤣

Crew – Relatively pleasant, the #1 FA definitely did his walkthrough checking for Seatbelt wearing HAHAHA 😆

Overall Impression – At least I got to try this product once, I normally don't fly on the route that feature the AA 757. 🙁
Another Plane bites the Dust, Enjoy Your Retirement at the Desert 😭😭


Next Part
Part 23 – We're so Not off to Disneyland, Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First LAS-SEA