Blogs from Guatemala, Central America Caribbean - page 5

Cj writes: Last night - our first dinner post-Exodus tour - we went to an Argentinian parilla (steak) restaurant. All very good (note to self: in Central America ‘medium’ evidently equates to ‘bleeding all over the plate’, what in the UK we would describe as ‘capable of being resuscitated by a good vet’) ... but then we had to get back to our hotel at the advanced hour of 8:30 pm. Having been warned of the dangers of walking, we eventually managed to flag down a tuktuk (yes, the little 2stroke things found all over India, and now exported here). (SC - We were helped in finding the tuktuk by the armed guard outside the restaurant. That tells you all you need to know.) We agreed a price, and set off. The streets of Antigua city ... read more

SC writes....So here we are in Antigua having waved off our touring companions. Surrounded by three more volcanoes, Antigua is "impossibly cute" to quote Lonely Planet. Cobbled streets, low colonial buildings that give nothing away on the out side but usually reveal beautiful interiors and gardens within. Our hotel is one such building and we will be very comfortable here. It is only 10 minutes from the centre of town but the streets are VERY quite at night and we have been advised to take a taxi when returning to base after evening meals !! Security is clearly an issue. So what does regrouping involve? A) Getting 20 lbs of laundry done at the local lavanderia. That's what you get after about 18 days travel. All good.B) Finding a place to get Cathy's back pack repaired ... read more

So I was wrong about Belize - that's tomorrow.Today we were in Tikal - a major Mayan site only partially excavated and dating from about 800 BC. Many sites over a large area - we walked about 8km and climbed several monuments. Fabulous views from the top with the ruins emerging from the green sea of the tropical rain forrest.The day ended at lovely lake side hotel with a fab sunset.... read more

I just spent eight weeks traveling all over Central America. My plan was simple. No plan. Back when I was 18, and fearless, I backpacked my way through Central America with my best friend Linda. We were just a couple of inebriated surfer girls living off the kindness of strangers with no inhibitions, no limits, no pesos. I look back at that experience fondly, but also as stupid reckless. If nothing less, it was the perfect set up for one of those cheesy slasher movies. As we hitchhiked our way south from beach to beach, I hardly saw any of Central America. To be fair we were all about thrills, boys, and parties - not culture or history. The trip ended abruptly in Panama City when all my belongings were stolen including the photographic evidence I ... read more

Flores is our last stop in Guatemala and we hope that we have left the best to last as this is our base for visiting the Mayan city of Tikal. As with many of these ancient sights it has become popular to go for sunrise, but here, that’s only really feasible during the winter months. They also charge a whopping 100Q extra for the privilege on top of an already significant 150Q entrance fee. I’m happy to have escaped from Antigua and though we pass through the outskirts, to have avoided Guatemala City altogether. We have a long day on a bus to reach Flores and arrive just after dark but this still gives us time to book a shuttle to take us to Tikal the next day leaving at 8am and returning at 3pm. Flores ... read more