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Yesterday we were woken by our fellow hotel guests (the very large party) and the hotel parrot who had taken to squawking. Our intention was to go to the Lagunas de Sepalau. These are three lakes that are said to be very beautiful. However, this proved difficult. We followed the directions in the book. We went to the plaza and inquired. It was, however, market day and everything was busy. The market was interesting. We tried to work out how to get to the lakes and concluded it was possibly only viable in tourist season. We think a lot of the stuff in the books only works during tourist season...
We decided to head back to the hotel, pack our stuff and head for Antigua. Microbus to Coban (1.5 hours) with some excellent scenery. Got lost for a bit in Coban. Found the bus station we needed (turned out to be totally unnecessary as, when we got on the Guatemala bus, it actually took us past there and we could have flagged it down. Rode through the Quetzal forest biotope reserve and saw the cloud forests. Totally different vegetation. Very spectacular ride. Arrived in Guatemala city at 5:30 and hopped
in a taxi to be taken to the bus stop for Antigua. We were taken to the public bus stop so on we hopped, holding tight to our bags. We were, apparently 'very brave' to have come on the public bus with our bags but we did not feel threatened. It was a bumpy ride and quite squashed at times, but, as ever, lots of fun.
Arriving in a strange city at night is disorientating. We finally found a tuk tuk and, whilst he didn't know the hotel we were headed for (Casa Cristina) we were able to give him the address.
The hotel is amazing! Very much 'our kind of place'. Friendly, small, clean and thoughtfully furnished. Chose a room, dumped our bags and headed out for beers. Then dinner. We had been travelling for over ten hours so didn't feel too adventurous. Found a middle eastern place just round the corner from our hotel. I had koftas, Ashley had chicken kebabs. It was HUGE and we couldn't finish it. Back to the Red Bar for more beer then hotel.
Hotel has CNN in English so we know about Cameron and the coalition government. No comment
here. Reserve that for when I have more detail.
Today we have taken our washing to the laundry and wandered around town. I have got a new handbag as the one I have been using in the evening is falling apart. Soon we will organise ourselves an excursion for tomorrow. Not sure whether we will go up the volcano or to Lake Atilan.
Whatever, it does feel like we're 'on holiday'. Yes, it is set up for tourists here, quite a few people speak English and it is much easier... Also less hot. Altitude. Which is affecting me, but not too severely (i.e. I am coping!). We even got coffee this morning... first coffee we've had since leaving Flores. And it was excellent coffee by any standards.
I think it was a good idea to come here at the end of our visit. It's a bit of R&R prior to our return to the grind of the UK.
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