Semuc Champey's marvels

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 pick-up 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 did the manly role of making sure the luggage had been placed onto the shuttle, whilst I made sure we had food and drinks. We did make such a good “couple” on the trip 

As the kilometre’s lessened, the scenery got more and more extraordinary. The mountains turned into hundreds of rounded hilltops. The bumps forming the landscape in front of me seemed to be never ending. It stretched out ahead of me as far as my eyes could see. As we stopped to stretch our feet we found a young boy sitting there on a rock with his machete. It is funny how after such a long time travelling it seems completely normal that everyone should have a machete .

After another 7 hours of travelling, a sore backside, hunger and thirst making its appearance we finally arrived in the village of Semuc Champey. It was a tiny little village bustling with locals and young foreigners looking for a tranquillity and beauty. We hopped of the shuttle and waited for some pick ups to take us to the cabins we wanted to stay at. As the wind ruffled my hair on the back of the truck and we moved further into the mountain, and deeper into the Guatemalan jungle.

We crossed a yellow bridge over a wide clear watered river, and just on the other side on the rocks above the river was our home for the next few days; El Portal. Beautiful wooden cabins scattered around joint together by wooden stairs all leading up to a restaurant bar. The surroundings so quiet and serene! We settled into our room that had a light until 22 every evening, but if people stopped drinking or eating earlier the lights could just as easily go of then. The restaurant served dinner for everyone together at 7 which was lovely, and a nice way of getting to know the others.

As the lights went off and Maria and I tried to make our way back to our inviting cabin with its hammock hanging up front I paused and looked up at the skies. It was a stunning sight. Standing there amidst the darkness, I could see every star in the sky. It was spectacular! It was breathtaking! I don’t think I have ever before seen the heavens above so bright.

When I awoke I sat outside in the hammock just watching the day come alive right before my eyes. The morning mist laid as a blanket over the river, the hills, and the cabins. Little by little the sun broke through, and the birds all sang in joy! I woke Maria up and we got ready to go into the famous Semuc Champey Park that is just 50 meters up the road from El Portal. Our guide met us, and took a fruit and “war” painted us with red lines on our faces. We were in for a day of jumping from the bridge into the river, rafting down the river on rubber rings and flippers on our feet.

I put my big toe into the water and it was as cold as it was clear. The sun still had not warmed it up. After Maria and all the others were brave enough to just jump in, I could not be any worse, so I carefully placed myself on the rubber ring feeling the cold water wrap itself around my body….. As I floated down the river on what earlier used to be the insides of a car tire, I watched the river floating by so peacefully and in no rush to get anywhere. Suddenly the ring would be stuck in a whirlpool and I would be turning round and round without any control. Who knew that life’s little amusements could be so great!

After we made it to the riverbank after having not so gracefully fallen into the water, and then slipped a few times. Safely on soil, we strolled back up to the yellow bridge we had crossed the day before when arriving. The guide told us the next thing to do was to jump from the bridge and into the water, but usual I chickened out. Instead I watched the others and took control of their cameras to record the moment of bravery.

The next stop on out trip was the Semuc Champey Park, and definitely what I had been waiting for all day. We climbed some hills, and followed the narrow paths, until below us we could see the river of Semuc Champey appearing under the trees hanging of the cliff sides. The river was divided into various smaller pools of shallow clear blue water caressed by limestone basins. The tempo was easier to follow as we climbed back into the valley to have a closer look, and a swim in one of nature’s many wonders. We watched the roaring river go under the ground, and after that all that appeared before us were the shallow pools of water strung together like pearls.

We carefully got into the first pool, and due to the limestone the bottom was quite slippery, so one had to watch one’s step carefully. We moved down river jumping, climbing and swimming from pool to pool. After the guide left us Maria and I sat down in one of the pools and enjoyed the cool water. We suddenly felt something nibbling on us and we realised we were surrounded by little fish that feed on old skin cells, so there we were getting our spa treatment without having to pay a dime for it . It was the strangest feeling something eating your skin on your sore and tired feet, that had been given next to none foot treatment for a long time. It tickled and slightly hurt at the same time. I realised it was time to move when one of them snuck into my bikini… hahaha

We made our way back to the cabin and prepared for another evening of dinner with the other people staying. That evening we were all drinking and dancing and having fun after dinner when suddenly the lights went out before they were supposed to. The wonderful reason being that the owner wanted us to consume more, so he said "if everyone buys another drink I will put the light on for another little while”. You just have to love the mentality. I took this cue to go to bed, as we were after all getting up in the middle of the night to hop on a bus again.

Whilst most of the jungle was still sleeping Maria and I packed our bags with the help of our little torches. We made our way to the road with plenty of time as you never know if the bus will early or late. As we waited we suddenly heard some loud howling, and as we were standing there in the pitch black we got scared. With out little torches we tried looking around, and all we saw was ourselves and our expressions of panic on our little faces….. I think Maria’s comment was “I am going to pee my pants”. We shortly afterwards realised the noise was coming from the howler monkeys hiding in the dark jungle. Hahahaha

Suddenly we heard the sound of a motor and to our surprise the bus arrived just on time which is seldom in these parts. We hopped on and by the time the first rays of sun hit we had arrived in the next village ready to head for Rio Dulce.

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