Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Find Vicki and Liz
Well this is the first installment of our trip......we landed in Guatemala on 6th May (following a simply delightful Iberia flight - not) and headed straight out of the City to Antigua. It's an old colonial city and formerly the capital of Guatemala until it was pretty much flattened by an earthquake a couple of hundred years ago.
Antigua was a haven for Spanish School - something we soon realised we needed pretty quick! After our first night at the Yellow House hostel we took a trip to Volcan Pacaya. After a two hour hike uphill we were met by a very impressive (and hot!) lava flow. It was well worth the climb. Our photos don't do it justice at all.
From Antigua we headed to Lake Atitlan in the Western Highlands more than 2000 metres above sea level. We stayed in San Pedro at the edge of the lake. A town full of travellers who went for a couple of days and decided never to leave. Lots of cool bars and restaurants. While we were there we met our first travelling friend Rory an Irish teacher who lives in Denmark. All three of us kept ourselves busy with Spanish school, kayaking, eating and drinking. We also visited San Marco a hippy village full of yoga and medetation retreats.
After a semi-relaxing few days we bid farewell to Rory and bused north to Flores via the Chi-chi market which was definitely worth a trip although we managed to spend our money on things that simply would not fit in our ruck sacks.
We recovered from the 23 hour journey in Flores for a day before visiting Tikal, ancient mayan ruins set in the middle of a jungle. It was first light when we arrived and misty. A brilliant setting for our first sight of the temples.
From Tikal we went South to Rio Dulce where we saw the most amazing electric storm and downpour. From there we took a boat trip along the river which proved to be a highlight. Still waters provided mirror images of the beautiful mangroves and wildlife, and of the odd local child fishing for crabs along the way.
The boat trip took us to Livingston, our first taste of the Caribbean. The town has a unique Garfunia culture, decendants of African slaves that were bought to Central America who have to this day preserved their heritage and identity.
We spent our last night in Guatemala in an old colonial style building which looked like it was just about to fall down!
Yet another early start. Next stop Honduras!
- comments