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Published: December 23rd 2007
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Lanquin
A street view of the village of Lanquin. It´s the jumping off point to Semuc Champey and other activities in the area. Notice the Gallo sign - it´s the most popular beer in Guatemala and the signs are everywhere. When we returned from El Salvador on Sunday evening, I was no longer one of the housemates. There were new students in my room, and I quickly grabbed my things and checked into the hotel next door. In the morning I left in a shuttle to the small town of Lanquin, jumping off point for the tours to Semuc Champey. My shuttle came at 8 am, and the roommates met me to say goodbye. For Sacha and her father Terry, it is a final goodbye as they will be moving on - for the others it is a short goodbye. I´ve decided to head north for a week and then back to Antigua for Christmas. I´d rather spend Christmas with my friends than in a hostel somewhere with people I don't know. Sacha and Terry - wonderful to meet you both, enjoy the rest of your trip!
There are many things to do in Semuc Champey, but the main attraction is the caves, and the 300 meter long natural limestone bridge over the river. I decided to take a day long tour to see them both.
Our first stop was the caves close to Semuc Champey. I grabbed a
El Retiro
The hut, or palapa in the middle is the one I shared with two guys from Israel and a girl from Holland. I spent most of my second day in the hammock reading and listening to my IPOD. I could have stayed here a week or more but had to move on the Flores. pair of old shoes to wear in the caves, not a good idea by the way, am given a candle which I light and follow the others into the cave. The tour last about 2 hours and includes swimming with one hand while holding your lit candle out of the water with the other, climbing old ladders, climbing a rope through a water fall, jumping off a ledge into the dark water below, and finally squeezing through a small hole with water rushing around you to a bottom that you can´t see. Simply amazing! Not safe, but amazing none the less!
Next we headed to a bridge and were told to jump off. This was great fun but not too difficult - it was about 30-35 feet - you´ve jumped off higher if you´ve jumped at the Snake River (go cougs!) or at Lake Chelan. Only four other people from the tour made the jump, a girl from Canada jumped with me, a couple from Germany, and a guy from Holland. I can´t remember everyone´s names, usually only the countries they come from.
Next we climbed a steep mile up the mountain to a lookout where you can
El Retiro Restaurant
Restaurant at El Retiro - dinner was family style which provides a great opportunity to meet other travelers. After dinner is happy hour and many stay for drinking and dancing into the night! view pools at Semuc Champey from above. It´s is really beautiful and my pictures don´t do it justice.
Next down to explore the pools - the pools are actually on top of a 300 meter long natural limestone bridge. The water rushes under the rock formation at the top, and comes crashing out 30 meters later. In between is a gauntlet of underground rapids, waterfalls, and caves. As we peer over the edge to see the water rushing under the limestone our guide is quick to remind us that if you fall in your dead, period - sounds about right.
After about an hour and a half exploring the pools, we head to the last pool and the waterfall where the water rushes violently from under the limestone back into the river. We climb a rope ladder down the waterfall, and then crawl into the cave for a view of the underground river. I know I use this adjective a lot, but this was amazing! It´s cold in the cave with a constant drip of water leeching through the limestone from the pools above. It was so interesting and beautiful, my favorite part of the tour!
There
Vaca de El Retiro
This cow hung out at the hostel, El Retiro. He was right outside our hut and was quite vocal. There were also dogs, cats, and chickens sharing the hostel. was still one more challenge ahead! Our guide asks me if I´d like t jump off the waterfall or go back up the ladder. Hmm, tough question… jump of course! He tells me to jump feet first into the white wash were the water is crashing down from the waterfall and the limestone cave, and then swim hard for the wall on the other side. If you miss this, aim for the rock in the middle of the river. If you miss this, try to swim for the other side. If unable to do this, brace yourself for a ride through a narrow channel of churning white water, a ride sure to end with the use of your travellers medical insurance! I jumped in and made it to the far wall, worked my way down stream along the wall, and to shore. The other jumpers all had to go with plan B, and ended up on the rock in the middle, which resulting in a little longer, more stressful trip to shore.
What can I say, another amazing activity in Guatemala. Tomorrow I´m just going to chill along the river, then off to Tikal on Thursday, very excited to
After Jumping
Standing at the bridge after jumping off - Krista from Canada jumped with me, is was only about 30 - 35 feet but fun none the less. see the ruins!
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Chuck
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Merry Christmas
Looks like a good trip.....misssing a raining Hawks game today. Merry Christmas and we'll see you soon.