Blogs from Semuc Champey, Verapaz Region, Guatemala, Central America Caribbean - page 2

What a day of adventure and how! We set the alarm for 6:15 a.m. for pick up from the hotel at 7:00 (the first alarm on this trip!). We had a boxed breakfast prepared for us the night before, so we were packed, supplied and on our way. The driver of the van also picked up another couple - - the French folk that were on our bus yesterday! Then on to Café D’Acuna for breakfast (included, but we did not know it when we commissioned the box breakfasts). It was very good food, however, we were left there for an hour and a half. Clay is a slow eater, but that was a bit much. Our patience wore thin because we were told nothing beforehand and we just sat, and sat, and sat. After pick ... read more

We found the caves between Tikal and Guatamala City!So as I said in my previous blog we found a great guy called Jimmy in Flores who advised us on a much more interesting passage through his country so we could see some more best bits... This started with a mammoth 10 hour journey through what I can only describe as the most beautiful lush scenery we've seen. It's a bit like a grand prix circuit with hills mind, and has rally drivers to match, so we were all very glad when we arrived at Coban for what we thought was a short transfer to our hostel..... Oh no! Two hours more on what can only be described as dirt tracks for the main, and ... read more

While the dorm settings were less than ideal, the morning's light showed that the place we were staying in wasn't awful – if I put myself in the frame of mind that I'm staying at summer camp. The following morning as we were leaving to stay at another hostel recommended to us by the Israeli's in San Pedro, we met a couple of travelers from Uruguay and a mother and daughter traveling from Europe. The daughter actually told us that this was one of the few hostels in which you could actually walk to Semuc Champey (the only reason we had for traveling through Lanquin). Semuc Champey is a set of pools consisting of turquoise water set in a valley with mountains sloping into it from either side. The water that fills the pools is actual ... read more

The next day I found myself on another bus to Coban back in Guatemala (for the third time).Near to Coban are the caves of Lanquin and the karst lakes of Semuc Champey. Semuc ChampeySemuc Champey is a beautiful series of small ponds and pools on a natural land bridge that crosses the Cahabon River. In the Mayan Kekchi language, Semuc Champey means Sacred Water. The Cahabon River submerges itself at the entrance of Semuc Champey and resurfaces about 400 meters later after it passes this natural limestone bridge suspended with beautiful crystal clear ponds. In this unique natural formation you have water with shades of light green emerald to dark blue sapphire. Before reaching the lakes you have to climb around 300 metres to a vantage point and then you walk down to have a swim ... read more

Dias 19, 20, 21, and 22 What a week! I apologize I haven’t been able to write more frequently, but with the new volunteer/school schedule it is proving to be pretty difficult to find time to do it, my schedule is packed! Thursday was my first day working at the ICA clinic. ICA is one of the largest language schools in Xela and is located over near the cemetery, about 10 blocks from Parque Central. In the large 3 story building they have one small room that is a clinic run by 5th and 6th year medical students. I spent the morning shadowing a young female doctor who was a great teacher, always keeping me included nad showing me what she was doing. I really enjoyed working with her, and was sad to learn that this ... read more