http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Toons/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Toons en-us Mon, 04 Jan 2010 06:09:51 +0000 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 06:09:51 +0000 Semuc Champey was not in our original plan as it seemed to be somewhat out of the way and far to get to but the curiousness and the adventurer in us got the better of us so off we set on yet another day of shuttles and buses and pickup trucks. As usual the shuttles always have space for one so this time there was even a wooden chair in the isle for that extra lucky extra person. Maria as usual http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Guatemala/Semuc-Champey/blog-441497.html We arrived in Antigua on a beautiful sunny day with clear blue skies which enabled us to see this gorgeous city in the clutches of several active volcanoes. It was a stunning sight seeing this compact yet large colonial city with its cobbled street and lovely squares with its cold air but yet inviting atmosphere. It was easy to understand why so many eager Spanish students choose this city for t http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Guatemala/Antigua/Antigua/blog-418271.html We arrived in Panacachel by shuttle this time. The view of Lake Atitlan was amazing even on a hazy day like this. The lake was rough looking but even so this place gave me a tranquillity I had been looking for for some time now. I felt so relaxed here so in touch with myself and totally at ease. We had decided to stay in Santa Cruz at the Iguana perdida a small hostel on the bank of the lake. http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Guatemala/Lago-de-Atitlan/Santa-Cruz-La-Laguna/blog-418223.html We came back from the ruins absolutely knackered but we decided to hop on the night bus to Xela or Quetzaltenango as it is formally known as. I was going here for one thing and one thing only to get a new backpack. My backpack was starting to fall apart so I thought it would be best to get a new one before I found myself in the slightly awkward situation of having everything scattered all over th http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Guatemala/Quetzaltenango/Quetzaltenango-/blog-398763.html We got up at the ungodly time of 3 in the morning to get on the 4 o clock bus to go to Tikal. I am not made for rising before the sun I mean seriously how good company can one be at that time of the middle of the night anyway We walked down to the bus stop and waited patiently you need plenty of patience if you are travelling in Latin America. One bus pass full another one came stopped http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Guatemala/Flores-Tikal/blog-398749.html Our shuttle driver was very helpful and made for a very quick border crossing As we hopped along the extremely bumpy road on our way to Flores there was a continuous flow of animals in the road and the driver told us that due to the fact that many people do not own land here they buy animals and let them loose to grace by the side of the roads. We arrived in Flores by late evening and just drivi http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Guatemala/Flores-Tikal/blog-398740.html As I sat on my last chicken bus in Mexico and my first chicken bus in Belize I was excited at the prospect of warmer days meeting new people and a new and different culture. I arrived in Curazal the first big town across the border greeted by a mix of Creole and Mestizo. The people here were friendly but I was fascinated to see that these Caribbean people did not seem to have the same relations http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Belize/Belize-Barrier-Reef/Caye-Caulker/blog-396367.html Maria Sarah and I looked for accommodation and what we found was ok for one night but it reminded me of a rat hole Placencia was not a place we wanted to stick around so we headed for the town of San Ignacio on the Guatemalan border.We drove through Belize seeing the lush green countryside as well as the dodgy looking towns of Belmopan Dangriga. We rode the chicken bus from one place to the o http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Belize/Cayo-District/San-Ignacio/blog-396382.html As I turned up for the briefing I saw the 14 other passengers for the first time as well as saying hello to the three crew members. Firstly we were informed that due to still bad weather we would be using a 35 foot sail boat in stead but not too worry as there would be space for everyone and taking one glance at the boat I knew that was a lie.I turned up at the dock at 7 sharp as I was told had http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Belize/Belize-Barrier-Reef/Tobacco-Caye/blog-396375.html The bus ride became a long sleepless one as we got pulled over a few times by the military to check passengers and luggage and as morning fell and we though we could finally get some hours sleep our bus broke down forcing us to rub the sleep out of our eyes yet again to move our bones and bags to another bus. I arrived in Tulum a little delayed but that did not matter I had met three travellers http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Mexico/Quintana-Roo/Tulum/blog-383371.html Travelling to Tuxtla to see the Caon del Sumidero was a must on my list so even though had fallen sick once again with stomach problems accompanied by a very high fever this time I carried on as planned. I arrived in Tuxtla at six in the morning and just had to wait at the bus station for a good few hours until the park opened and buses started running.The boat ride up the river was majestic wit http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Mexico/Chiapas/Palenque/blog-383363.html It was great to see the sea again and those long white beaches and most of all feel the warm air early in the morning. I got of the bus at Puerto Escondido and I made my way to the mayflower hostel close to the bus station. This is a little beachside village situated on the pacific coast. The place is well liked amongst tourists and is great for surfing apparently. It had a long bay and stretch of http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Mexico/Oaxaca/Puerto-Escondido/blog-383358.html I hopped on a night bus to get to San Cristobal de las casas. A Night bus in Mexico is a great way of getting around that way you do not loose many days travelling but on the other hand it can make you a little exhausted always being on the bus at night and never sleeping properly. I found that this was a safe way to travel although I had met people who told me that they had been robbed on these http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Mexico/Oaxaca/Oaxaca/blog-383264.html I hopped on a night bus to get to San Cristobal de las casas. A Night bus in Mexico is a great way of getting around that way you do not loose many days travelling but on the other hand it can make you a little exhausted always being on the bus at night and never sleeping properly. I found that this was a safe way to travel although I had met people who told me that they had been robbed on these http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Mexico/Chiapas/San-Cristobal-de-las-Casas/blog-383263.html As my plane touched down in Mexico yet again I felt the cold chill of dry January air. I headed for El Rosario and Miguelrsquos parents house where they were expecting me. As his mother let me in we greeted each other with a great big hug. As I had been up all night I headed straight for bed As soon as I got up Maria Miguelrsquos mother prepared some lovely tasty food for me offering me ple http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Mexico/Estado-de-Mexico/Distrito-Federal/blog-383259.html As I walked down Obispo and towards my favourite casa particular I realised I had become quite fond of Alex and Aleida son and mother. I loved coming back there and them always having a room for me and letting me be a little part of the family with little gestures as making me breakfast letting me take care of new guests letting me in on the family gossip and the family secrets. Alex opened t http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Oeste/La-Habana/blog-383253.html In the afternoon the man of the house said he would take us to Viales we had to pay him of course. When we got outside and saw the car we had to giggle and we all looked at each other wondering how we would all fit in and where to put our luggage. In size it was like a little mini with no booth for storage. Somehow we managed to pack it all into the car it was a miracle and I am sure we loo http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Oeste/Vi-ales/blog-383246.html After hours on the bus we finally arrived in Pinar del Rio and I had been told it would be easy to get from there to La Bajada which is the village next to Maria La Gorda. We initially tried to book rooms in Maria La Gorda but unfortunately it was all booked so we I checked around for other options and I was told about a Casa Particular in this village close by.We got of the bus in Pinar Del Rio http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Oeste/Maria-la-Gorda/blog-383190.html On new years even morning Vanesa Diana and I took a walk around town to get a feel of the ambiance and to get any last minute things as the shops close early. We also met up with the Argentineans for some lunch which ended up us eating and them watching Big plazas in the town was closed off for commercial use and I truly do find it horrible that the people who live in the area are unable to tak http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Oeste/La-Habana/blog-383183.html After a sleepless night at Casa Silvia due to the rooster that lived inside my AC I moved back to Alex and Aleida closer to Obispo I had stayed there before and it was cheaper and also friendlier. It was nice getting back there and almost feeling like I was home. It was the 24th of December which for me meant Christmas. It felt a little strange to be all alone on the most family orientated day http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Oeste/La-Habana/blog-383174.html