So after turning my bed around so I slept under the fan I got a better nights sleep than the previous night. Aimee and I went for a late breakfast at GB's again and then spent the morning chilling at the hotel reading. I'd bumped into Adam the diving instructor at the bar last night and had promised to pop down for some fun dives. Rob and I walked down via Munchies and I booked myself in for 2 dives. I got my own instructor which was really good, dove by the big rock and then the black coral wall. Both [View Full Entry]

---

---

So after not having air con and a slightly hot room we got up and wandered to Munchies for breakfast. Finally got my bowl of cereal and milk (weird the things you crave) before meeting up with Amy and Heather to go to the public beach. Walked about 25 mins to get to the public beach. Hayley and Kate were already there. Within 2 mins of sitting down I{d been bitten 7 times so went straight into the rather dodgy looking water - it has a film of oily sllime on it. Later was informed this was algae. I still think [View Full Entry]

---

---

So left the hotel at 6 to get the 6.20 bus. The 1st of 4 transportations we would be enjoying this day. In fairness apart from almost cooking myself in the bus with no open windows, it was comfortable and I did have leg room... I woke up and there were people sitting in the aisle on little stools. They really do know how to make the most out of the space. After 3 1/2 hours we changed buses onto a less spacious one, but at least this one had ventilation!! We were on this for another 3 1/2 hours before [View Full Entry]

---

---

So the first day with the new group and the last day of private transport and we're leaving at 6 again. Josh and Claudia came to say goodbye which was sweet of them (I'd have been in bed if I didn't have to get up!!) It was about a 7 hour trip to the border and then onto Copan (only 20 mins after the border). Here we could go and visit the Copan Ruins, go to the bird park and get pictures of you with them, or in my case nap and watch awful TV... After pancakes and milkshake though!! It [View Full Entry]

---

---

I will apolagise now as after I promised I would do no dangerous activites we were offered the chance to climb a volcano and get really close to flowing lava... At the time it sounded a great idea. The 6 am start to get to Pakaya wasn´t ideal, the 2 hour hike to get to the lava (only 4km..) again wasn´t that fun but I did get pictures of lava!! The hike up was through jungle, then sand and then lava rock that crumbled under your feet. Both Amy and I have lava rock scars from it falling onto our legs [View Full Entry]

---

---

Left the beautiful Panajachel to return to Antigua. As this has been the cleanest place we have been to I was glad to be going back to spend some more time here. We got in around lunch time and being the creatures of habit we have turned into we went back to the place we spent New Year for some lunch with Amy and Heather. Aimee and I then did the coffee plantation tour. I do realise that I don´t drink the coffee but you know, it´s good to know where things come from :-) Actually the tour was really interesting [View Full Entry]

---

---

The group all went on the boat trip, nice early start (except Michelle as ill). We had a breakfast stop in an amazing place. Would love to come back and stay here. It was called Hotel la Casa, he views were amazing, the food divine... It was a great start to the day. We then went onto Santiago Atitlan, went to the church. Here we had another odd experience. We went to visit Maximon, their god that looks after them. He resides in different houses and you can go any give him rum and cigarettes... He is a wooden statue that [View Full Entry]

---

---

Was ready for 8 and Josh was waiting for us!! This is a good start :-) Got private transport to Panajachel, via Chichicastenango market. We got there just after 10 and had 4 hours to go shopping mad. Wish I could speak or even understand Spanish now!!! The markets were colourful, thankfully a little quiet as in was new years day, but it was good fun to wander around, tring to barter with the stall owners and just watching Heather in action really!! You could get jewellary, pashminas, tons of stuff. The sad thing was the kids trying to sell you [View Full Entry]

---

---

Long travel day again to Antigua. We were meant to be meeting at 9.30 to get the water taxi over to get the bus for 10. This time we were prepared and knocked for Michael after he was 10 minutes late... Thankfully we are on private transport but still we shouldn´t be waiting for the guide. Drove through Guatamala City. They have got awesome buses over here. Photo will follow I promise! Glad we are not staying here as looked a little scary compared to everywhere else we´ve seen. The country is really green, mountainous and very beautiful. Got into Antigua [View Full Entry]

---

---

Got into Rio Dulce yesterday not too late, got a bit for late lunch and then waited a while as the heavens opened before we moved. Had a quick wander around, but not much to see, bit of a market. Got the water taxi over to Tijax where we were staying. It was a group of huts, joined together via boardwarks, separate showers and loo :-( Thouhg not as bad as the long drops at Trek Stop. I think if we´d arrived when it was light we may not of been so judgemental, but it was dark, the boardwarks were slippery [View Full Entry]

---

---