Blogs from Lago de Atitlán, Western Highlands, Guatemala, Central America Caribbean

Following a week or so of draining travel days and a couple of sketchy digs (at the last place we stayed even the towels didn't work), Dr Guatemala prescribed complete bed rest with a touch of pamper. Hence we found ourselves gazing out from the upper bedroom of our apartment at a seductive, perfectly conical volcano, one of 3 on the lake's shoreline. On our last visit 13 years back, our guide book described Lake Atitlan as one of Guatemala's most beautiful lakes. Seeing as Guatemala doesn't lay claim to all that many lakes, that particular writer had his finger right off the trigger in terms of superlatives. The same guidebook this time managed to ratchet up the rhetoric claiming Lake Atitlan as one of the world's most beautiful. This writer's dart a little closer to ... read more

Friday 6th Jan - Panajachel to Jailbalito (Casa Del Mundo). It was sad to check out of the Japanese Hotel El Sol after only 2 nights but pleasing to know we'd booked a further 3 after 1 night on the lake. On arriving at the makeshift ferry port in Pana by tuc tuc we were acosted by about 4 different launch capitans. After settling on the public boat we set off in search of hotel Casa Del Mundo on the lake, a much lauded place for it's amazing views and hospitality. It certainly was an amazing place but our room was not, quite the opposite. What a shame to arrive in such a place only to be so disappointed about the room you've got that you feel like going back where you've just come from. Am ... read more

Hola Amigos! The last couple of days have been relaxing. We spent Thursday in San Pedro hoping to try a Hookah at The Buddha, but upon our arrival they informed us that they have suspended offering them due to theft and breakage from others. While waiting for the boat back to San Marcos Cole and I had the opportunity to play some hack with a local boy - it was fun and he clearly enjoyed playing with us. Today was relaxed and for the most part we stayed around Pasaj Cap, with a small trip to San Marcos for some food and some fresh avocados for our dinner. Tomorrow we head for Antigua for two days and then Dad, Mom, Cole, and Jenaye will head back to Wisconsin while we continue on our journey - as ... read more

Hola Amigos! Today was our first morning of brewing our own guatemalan coffee at our rental - it was phenomenol! Guatemalan coffee has a very distinct flavor that is rich, earthy, and satisfying. Dad, Mom, Cole, and Jenaye decided to try the Sauna and had a great time - but they got a little warm and decided to jump in the lake to cool down. Yesterday we bought a hacky sack figuring it would be a welcome friend for our journey and began to acquaint ourselves with it. Amy and I played for about an hour this morning before we lost it out the window and had to do a reconnaissance mission - which was successful! For brunch we headed into San Marcos for some food at Fe. Dad chimed in and noted that Fe stood ... read more

Our morning started at 3am in Minneapolis and is ending at Pasaj Cap resort on the shores of Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. We were greeted at the airport by Chema, our driver to Pasaj Cap who lives in San Marcos La Laguna (our closest city). For the first 10 days of our adventure we have some of my family joining us - my parents, my brother Cole, and his wife Jenaye. I must say that the price we paid Chema for the trip from Guatemala City to Pasaj Cap on Lake Atitlan was well worth it as opposed to taking the scheduled buses which are an adventure in their own right, but we will save those for just the two of us. We didn't arrive at Pasaj Cap until about 5pm, so the views of the ... read more