Monterrico and back!

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Well been really busy so have been pretty relaxed about blogging. Since my last blog we have been to Monterrico, Antigua and back to the lake. I am sitting here in my little slice of heaven, located here on Lago de Atitlan in the small town of San Pedro. Monterrico is a small town on the Pacific coast of Guatemala. The beaches are black sand and very hot, in fact so hot you can't walk on them without shoes and even then you had best to do it early in the morning or late in the day. We stayed at a very nice place run by a Finnish man and his beautiful artist wife. They have a small place with about 11 or 12 rooms? The pool and the gardens are just amazing, so if you know me, you know I was really happy. The main problem with Monterrico is the bugs! I have so many bites along with a sunburn that you may think it doesn't sound too fun to go to, but had fun anyway. We plan on spending a few nights here then back to Antigua for our last night. However, just checked the news and sounds like a storm may affect travel, guess we will have to wait and see.

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Photos

Washing Day
Group of the local women washing their clothes and bathing on the shores of Lago de Atitlan

Gardens on the shoreline
They grow vegetables, mainly tomatoes and peppers on the shore line. Before the lake rose so high their were many more but with the water level rising they have lost much of the shoreline and many homes are under water.

Just pretty!
We walked a long way this morning along the finca (farms) road which is lined with coffee fields which go all the way up the Volcano San Pedro.

Beautiful Garden
Someones private garden on he lake.

Hibiscus flower
The flowers are just amazing here!

Drying the Coffee Beans
This is just one of the first steps before they get the beans to buyers who will roast them.

San Pedro along the gringo trail
The lower part of San Pedro is mostly where they have all the hotels, bars and restaurants that are frequented by the travelers. The path use to be dirt but in the last 6 or 7 years they have paved it.

San Marcos
Not sure why anyone would stay here long but this is a church made of rocks that is probably the only thing worth seeing here. Lots of people think they want to stay here because San Pedro is more a party place but not sure what they do over there. I guess if your New Age place, it is okay but not my kind of place.

Inside the church
Very simple but pretty

Road view back to San Pedro.
We took a boat over there then came back in a Tuk Tuk.

View of Volcano
Three Volcanos are on the lake making for some spectacular views, very dramatic!

The village of San Pedro
The main village sits higher on the hill making for a steep climb. The roads are narrow which is why the only real vehicles to go up the streets are the Malaysian purchased Tuk Tuks. When I first came 20 something years ago, a car was a rare sight

My friends Restaurant
Rick and I first met Jaunita many years ago. Her restaurant was actually quite a ways from the lak but now all is under water.

Pool in Monterrico
We stayed at a pretty fancy place in Monterrico. The pool was the draw.

Front of Hotel Ateliea
This is the entrance to our hotel at the beach

Outside the hotel
Not many streets here. This street runs along the beachfront.

Cocktail Hour
Sitting here watching the sunset with a cold Caprihiania

Mango tour
We left the hotel at 5:15 AM so it was pretty dark. This is the best time because the birds are having breakfast and the heat hasn't set in.

Morning on the Mangrove tour
The sun was just coming up as we entered the lagoon. There were so many birds flying it was like being in a National Geographic Documentary.

Egrets everywhere
There were so many Egrets, pelican, Herons and flying fish it was really loud with their bird calls

Comments

[Doris Field]

none
Loved the pics. Welcome home, 4 above here D

[Wandering Gal]

Not home yett
Glad you liked the pictures!

[Lois]

I can taste the delicious food from here!
Oh those plates of food look soooooo good! And what wonderful gardens! Thanks for posting all the pics - it looks so fabulous!!

[Wandering Gal]

The food has been wonderful!
Hey Lois hope all is well! Glad you like the pictures. We are having a great trip but almost over.