Blogs from Lago de Atitlán, Western Highlands, Guatemala, Central America Caribbean - page 6

After a long week I decided I needed to get away for the weekend so Friday morning I bought a bus ticket (well a tourist shuttle in a comfy van for $10) to Panajachel. Panajachel is the main city on the North shore of Lake Atitlan - a beautiful lake that sits in a volcanic crater. The lake is surrounded by 3 other volcanos and apparently there are some ruins at the bottom of the lake where some indigenous people lived before it was a lake. Arriving late friday afternoon in the rain, I searched for an empty bed in any hotel I could find. Finally aftering visiting half a dozen full hotels (it was packed for Good Friday), I found a room for $15 at a crappy and noisy hotel. While it wasnt exactly comfy, ... read more

… und Gelegenheit zum Austoben. Nach der technisch anspruchsvollen Fahrt durch die Berge sind wir in Panajachel am Lago de Atitlán gelandet. Panajachel ist ein Treffpunkt vieler Weltenbummler. So trafen wir auf dem Campingplatz Panamerica-Reisende aber auch Weltumrunder wie die Niederländer Bram und Anouk in ihrem Landrover Defender. Es war prickelnd sich mit ihnen auszutauschen und etwas an ihrer mehrjährigen Unternehmung teilzuhaben. Panajachel selbst ist ein vom Mayamarkt und Souvenirläden beherrschter lebhafter Ort. Neben Einheimischen in ihrer bunten Tracht tummeln sich hellhäutige Amerikaner und Europäer auf der Jagd nach Souvenirs. Tuc-Tucs, diese dreirädrigen lustigen Taxis, rauschen durch die Straßen. Stolz sitzen die Mayafrauen, mit einem Bündel in der Hand, im Innern. Ein Superlativ gab es auf jeden Fall in Panajachel – den Pana-Super. In einem bunt bemalten Gebäude unt... read more

I woke up on my 3rd morning in San Pedro, thinking of going to Santiago and then to Panajachel (the most touristy village by the lake) and making a full day of it. But at the same time, I was aware that my new found friends had agreed to meet up at 2.30pm back at Zoola, so I wasn't 100% sure. As I got to Santiago dock, I got spotted by the ticket man who made me hurry as the boat was about to leave. He charged me Q20 one way, which I thought was more than normal, but it was too early for me to argue. The short journey was great, I was sat on the roof, snapping away at the shore and enjoying the sunshine. When we arrived in Santiago, the first sight was ... read more

san pedro to relax and wander, santiago to the market and more wandering, san marcos to meet marta, kique and ati...lovely people who are building a home with the rocks they uncover then to panajachel to spend more time with marta immersing ourselves in the ´mayan traditions´ weaving cooperative as well as their other projects. explored the solala tuesday market. had a fascinating time at the soya dairy started by plenty back in the late 60´s. lots to report. a great time meeting people and making friends. apologies for the lack of capitals...sticky keys. joni... read more

This morning we woke up & both feel crappy. Dangit! We're both dragging a bit & still trying to get some sightseeing done. Ugh. We ate a delicious homemade cinnamon roll & headed out to catch a boat to another little town on the lake called San Marcos. When we woke up this morning we noticed little white caps on the water. Since we've been here the lake has been competely flat & calm. Today, of course, we're heading out on the boat & it's the windiest day they've seen in some time. San Pedro is located in a little valley that is protected from the wind. When we got out of our little valley, the waves were huge! It was ocean-like. Unlike any lake waves I've ever experienced. A little nuts for the small fishing ... read more