Semuc Champey, Coban, Flores and Belize (Hitchhiking 101)


Advertisement
Published: May 18th 2008
Edit Blog Post

Semuc ChampeySemuc ChampeySemuc Champey

Here we are at the bridge you can jump from in Semuc to the river down below... Neither of us opted for it as it was just as fun on the giant swing you jump from over the river.
So Henry and I went to Lanquin, just an hour or so away from Semuc Champey, which is a MUST for anyone traveling in Guate! There is this awesome place in Lanquin called El Retiro, although the staff can be asses at times, the benifits outway that aspect. In lanquin you can see the local caves or take an innertube down this FREEZING river. We did neither, but there are no regrets because we enjoyed everything else there. After visiting the Semuc caves, which was the most exciting thing Ive done in a long time, we went to the waterfalls and pools there for a swim. The caves take about 1 hour or so to venture through, it¨s very Indiana Jones and you only have the light of a candle that¨s in your hand.... It was amazing, however had this cave been in the states, with all the safety regulations and threats of lawsuites it would have been a completely different experience altogether... At some points it was a little scary and I would recommend anyone whose out of shape or old to go, whatever the latter actually is I don¨t know. Unfortunately I don¨t have pictures of the caves this
The shimmering pools below... The shimmering pools below... The shimmering pools below...

Jumping was not an option...
time but I will post them soon! After Semuc we stayed another night in Lanquin at El Retiro and then left for Flores. We woke up around 9ish and started afoot to begin our hitchhiking adventure. Needless to say we had a great experience, never waiting longer than 15-20 minutes for a ride even though we had some doubters along the way. The first pickup we got was from a cattle truck, in which case we sat down in the trailer listening to some tunes and chatting about life. The last hitch we recieved was from an 18 wheeler driver who was from Puerto Barrios on his way through Rio Dulce. We never met a bad or shady person, everyone was very hospitable so forget the bad press and try it sometime. PS. Three young ladies from Denmark and Belgium did the same trip we did hitchhiking after we told them about it in Flores... We saw them at our Hotel safe and sound!


Additional photos below
Photos: 25, Displayed: 23


Advertisement

Tired...very tiredTired...very tired
Tired...very tired

We hiked for 1.5 hours for this view and in the state I was in at the time, it was too much. Not much sleep and a slight hangover...
Ice Cold RiverIce Cold River
Ice Cold River

Beauty aint it?
Our first hitch...Our first hitch...
Our first hitch...

This was a cargo truck that transported vegitation...
Asleep at the wheelAsleep at the wheel
Asleep at the wheel

Our second ride but with the heat, man it was rough at times.
Our Last ride the first dayOur Last ride the first day
Our Last ride the first day

The was the last ride of the day as we covered 4.5 hours of ground. This truck took us straight into Coban...
Our second hitch...Our second hitch...
Our second hitch...

I was also tired as well...
In Coban...Our HostelIn Coban...Our Hostel
In Coban...Our Hostel

It was king of basic, okay really basic! There is no motel 6 this bad but it was 20Q each which is about 3 USD for the night.
The inside....The inside....
The inside....

No bedbugs which was a plus!
Next day, first hitchNext day, first hitch
Next day, first hitch

Our first hitch of the day was again, very easy..
Our second hitch....Our second hitch....
Our second hitch....

Cattle trailer with poo... Fun none the less!
Cattle Truck...Cattle Truck...
Cattle Truck...

Just being goofy
Too CoolToo Cool
Too Cool

You smell that?
Fourth ride...Fourth ride...
Fourth ride...

A bit more serious...
The ride from hell...The ride from hell...
The ride from hell...

After we made into the country of Belize we picked up a ride from this cargo trucker to get back to Rio Dulce. He flew past us on the gravel road, hit the brakes and sped in reverse back to us. It was at this point I thought maybe this ride we could pass on, but there were few cars passing through this area.
Truly scaredTruly scared
Truly scared

Although Im feining comedy, Im scared here... The truck was going at least 70 miles and hour, spraying gravel on a few of the sharp turns and we were about to hit a paved road. I told Henry we should get off and grab another since we both left the bed of the truck a few times already...
After the ride from hell...After the ride from hell...
After the ride from hell...

So we did stop at my request and I think it worked out even better. Two old guys picked us up, and the next ride turned out to be a semi with a bed and air conditioning!
After the ride from hell... HenryAfter the ride from hell... Henry
After the ride from hell... Henry

Henry was happy as well...
The Golden TicketThe Golden Ticket
The Golden Ticket

This was the ride we wanted all along, a radio, a cool driver, air conditioning and a bed...
He got the bed....He got the bed....
He got the bed....

But little did he know he was about to start feeling the effects of heat exhaustion...
The endThe end
The end

And that was the end of our adventure...


19th May 2008

Fun and adventure
It looks like you are having a blast. The views around Lanquin are breath taking! I guess the trip is more exciting if you are fearing for your life (18 wheeler, cave, etc) all along the journey. I cannot wait to see a slideshow of the pictures when you get back. Take care and keep having fun! You are truly enjoying an adventure of a lifetime! Cheers, Jonathan
20th May 2008

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Awsome! What an experience. Life changing no doubt. Can't wait to hear all the details (scarey, fun, sordid and more). Love you lots, MOM
20th May 2008

hitching in Guata.
I love the pick. and the trip must have been fast and fun . can`t wait to see all the picks when you get back . happy trails! DAD
20th May 2008

hitching in Guata.
I love the pick. and the trip must have been fast and fun . can`t wait to see all the picks when you get back . happy trails! DAD
27th May 2008

Hitch hiking family
I just want you to know that you and Lauren are the only two Johnstons I know of that are not scared of hitching whatsoever! It must be a family trait! You sound like you are having the best time and are getting the best tan to boot! Love you!
7th June 2008

wooooooahh..
when i read "our first hitch..." i didnt know you meant hitch hiking. i thought you meant you two got hitched and i was gunna congratulate you on your marriage.. i prolly woulda said something generic like, "you two look happy together". i was thinkin the whole time... I KNEW IT!! buuuuuuut.. i guess ill have to wait for another day for your comin out party. honestly tho.. im really jealous, looks like a lot of fun with even more stories to tell. ps.. all the best to you and your new beau

Tot: 0.095s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 9; qc: 50; dbt: 0.0607s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.2mb