Blogs from Guatemala, Central America Caribbean - page 350

Yesterday Ryan and I arrived in Antigua, Jord headed east to Belize to sit on the beach. I updated my blog yesterday about the jungle trip, but the webserver had problems publishing it so hence its not there until now (hopefully). This computer has problems with the USB so I can´t get any more photos up of Antigua or the jungle trip, but as soon as I can I´ll let everyone know. We left Flores at 10:30 Sunday night, which was rough because it was only hours after getting back from the jungle. I threw all my muddy gear in the shower and bathed with it before tossing it in a garbage bag and into my backpack. The bus ride was great, no leg room but I had two seats so I slept like a baby. ... read more

Well I had received several emails from home asking whether I was back from the expedition safe and sound, so rest easy because I´m OK. I had some trouble publishing my last entries before departing for the jungle so I hope everyone read those OK. Sorry to all my devoted readers who are struggling with my spelling mistakes, I blame my lack of formal education, these keyboards, lack of Outlook for spell checking and time constraints on the pay computers. I´m not sure who sent the anonymous comment about the filming location of Raiders of the Lost Ark (which is in Tikal thanks) but I didn´t opt to pay a tour guide so no, I did not know that. So, let´s talk about the expedition for awhile. We left last Monday morning at 6:30 even though ... read more

So we paid our guide today for the 6 day excursion into unknown jungles, and were quite happy to find we have a genuine guide who in fact does not speak a word of english. Should be interesting. Guess well push our spanish learning into high gear. We were all happy to find out we leave at 5 am tommorow...NOT Anyways, we have a donkey and were not sure what to name it yet, somebody to manage the donkey (havent figured out a name for him yet) and our guide. We bring prettymuch nothing with us besides two pairs of pants (even though i only brought one) and our cameras. We go through mud and swamps and everything else somewhere north of where we are now. The ruins were visiting are called El Mirador. Im convinced ... read more

Buenos Tardes! Well I just got back from climbing Pacaya, an active volcano about 1 and half hours or so out of Antigua. It was quite the journey! It took about two hours to get up, and all though that does´t seem like a long time, when you are climbing straight up it's quite the workout. It was especially hard hiking it in my jean skirt! I took all my dirty laundry to the laundromat yesterday and forgot to take my jeans out of the bag so I could wear them today. It was something like 7 km up or may be that was in total, I don't remember. It wasn't actually too bad for the first while but once you got to the final part towards the hole up top, it was very steep. I ... read more

With another hangover hanging over us, we decided it was time to hit the beach; Monterrico. We decided not to take the chicken buses (due to the hangover..) and let the kind Doña Mercdes of Hotel Cafetin organize a shuttle for us. In Monterrico life is simple; tranquilo. The main "street" is a muddy/sandy PATH with all kinds of animals; pígs (of all sizes and colours), chicken, dog-pig mixes, snakes, cats, normal dogs. Apart from the animals the place seemed deserted. We did however, find a very nice place to stay, right at the beach! It is a small place (only one dorm for 5 and two doubles) with a bar run by a very nice young guatemalan couple. It is next to Johnny's, the backpacker-nest. It is called El Caracol and we recommend it highly. ... read more