Lake Atitlan & Antigua

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We tried to wake up before 5am to see the sunrise on the lake, without the noise, but didn't quite make it. We strolled down to the lake thru the very quiet streets, arriving around 6:30am. Although somewhat overcast it was still very pretty. Afterwards, we decided to hike to the nature preserve Richard had told us about. A bit tiresome uphill in the high altitudes, but very scenic. Unfortunately, when we got to the reserve, we found out they didn't open until 2pm, and it was not quite 8am at the time. Oh well, it would have been nice (they had a zip line tour!), but we were booked on the trip back to Antigua at 12 noon. Back to the Inn for some coffee and a bit in the natural hot tub. Very refreshing! Waiting for our ride to Antigua...

Because of a major transportation foulup, we didn't leave Panajachel until almost 2pm, at a cost of $20 each for a "special coach" instead of the usual $10 for a standard departure. After another harrowing ride, we were dropped off at our hotel, Hotel El Carmen. A very nice, small hotel just off the main plaza. After checking in, leaving our bags, and finding out the tour meeting was 6pm, we headed out to eat lunch and shop some. We had a roast beef sandwich and cheesecake at good old Cafe La Contessa. We arrived back at the hotel courtyard for our tour meeting and discovered our tour was composed of 6 people... including us! There were four ladies, ages 20 some to 30 some. After a short but informative meeting, and paying our $350 in country payment (each), we went out to dinner together at Las Palmas. Excellent meal again. Well, tomorrow we leave for Copan, Honduras.

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Photos

Lake Atitlan soon after dawn.
A slightly overcast photo of Lake Atitlan from the lakefront in Panajachel, Guatemala.

Hotel El Carmen Room
Our room in Hotel El Carmen, Antigua, Guatemala.

Antigua Street Performance
Mayan musicians on the street in Antigua, Guatemala.

Antigua Arch
The famous archway over the street in Antigua, Guatemala.

Antigua Dinner
Our Tucan Travel group dinner at Restaurante Las Palmas in Antigua, Guatemala.

Comments

[Tanya]

Once again...looks like an awesome place to be. Keep having fun. I love you! Don't forget....hammock..lol. Love Tanya