Guatemala

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After 4 nights in Player El Tunco we headed up to Guatemala. The beach was beautiful and we had a great time relaxing and catching up with other people we met in San Juan Dur Sel. Scott got a haircut, we swam in the ocean each day enjoying the sun and ate great food each night!

Guatemala has a population of 13.1 million, famous for maya sights and the budget was around $20 USD a day. After a 7 hour shuttle ride we arrived in Antigua which is an hour from the Capìtal of Guatemala city. Antigua is one of the main tourist cities in Guatemala and is a town nestled between three volcanoes, the streets are all cobbled stoned paved and a city rich in culture and history. Antigua is known for its craft markets, the second day we spent the day exploring the town and hitting up the markets where we could barter to the best deal. There are alot of churches around 38 and the biggest catherdral in central America. All up we enjoyed Antigua and would recomend anyone traveling through Guatemala not to miss it!

Next stop was lake Atitlan which is 3 hours from Antigua. The town we were staying at San Pedro located right on the hillside of Lake Atitlan was known for its hippy culture as it was cheap and the atmosphere was somewhat extremly ¨chilled¨. The 5 of us walked around the small town shopping around for the best accomodation deal and managed to find hotel Pinochio where we had two private rooms with hot showers and a view over the lake for $7 bucks each a night. The weather tempurature had dropped quite a bit and soon we were all wearing jumpers and jeans. Day 2 we caught a very bumpy boat ride to Panajachel which is over the opposite side of the lake, had a look around and then headed back....Day 3 Sarah and Ryan departed and we had a very relaxing day doing nothing but chilling....just what we needed.

Day 4 we decided to head to Semuc Champey which is a natural monument. It consists of a natural 300 m limestone bridge which under it passed the Cahabon River. Above the bridge is a series of stepped, tuquoise pools which is a popular swimming sttraction. So once again we set off at 7 am in a nine hour shuttle to Lanquin which is the town sitting at the base of a national park where Semuc Champey lies. We stayed in a Eco lodge recomended by some Australian girls we meet in Panama. The lodge was set above a valley and looked like a fake setting it was so stunning. Day 2 we did a full tour of the caves, the pools and mini hike to a look out of the pools. Caving was a little scary consisting of jumps, absailing and sliding through narrowing rockfaces whilst swimming with a candle in one hand! But it was a great exerience and one that will be remembered.

After 4 nights we were off again this time heading north to Flores, which is closer to Belize and Mexico...here lies Tikal, the mummy of all maya ruins in Central America. Another full day of travelling we arrived on the island of Flores with Daniel to spend the next few nights. And this afternoon we are off to explore the ruins...............

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Comments

[Jeweline Sly]

Guatemala
The world,s your oyster comes to mind- enjoy. Think of us in NZ. Jan has just given us one of her sunday night dinners- as good as your send off Happy travelling- Jeweline

[ScottandLaura]

thanks. hope you have had a great summer back home.