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So it turns out I was a bit hasty in saying you'd hear from Sophie next.. She's busy planning the rest of the trip so blog duty has fallen to me - I probably shouldn't complain!
So we endured the rest of the overnight bus trip without incident, this time being prepared with jackets and beanies to ward off the freezing air-conditioning. We stopped in Guatemala City (which the guidebook isn't too fond of) and immediately jumped into a shuttle which deposited us in Antigua an hour later. We had just enough time to have a quick look around this pretty colonial town before a taxi took us to our destination, an avocado farm on the mountain overlooking the city.
What a great find! We sat in hammocks, taking an incredible view of the city and three volcanoes in the distance, one of which rumbled and spewed ash high into the sky. It turns out that we casually witnessed the biggest eruption they've had in years, prompting evacuations and airport closures. A bit later we were covered in very fine ash which hung around for days. Rumbling continued for a few days as well, prompting nervous glances at the mountain from the locals.
Anyway we made the most of being on an avocado farm, avocado smoothies, guacamole, fresh avo, you name it, we ate it! That was possibly the reason that Soph got so ill the next day, so I ate a communal supper with the rest of the guests while Sophie threw up into a bucket all night. Good times! The following day we lounged around in the hammocks listening to some great live music, all the while still being gently ashed on by the volcano. It's the first time in my life I've ever seen the weather forecast just read 'smoke'. Then our two days at the Earth Lodge were over and we returned to Antigua where we had another two days booked.
Most of our time was spent meandering through the cobbled streets of this clean, friendly and interesting town (a UNESCO heritage site in itself, once the capital of the country until it was moved due to fears that the volcano would destroy it), sampling excellent coffee and checking out some of the many ruins and cathedrals dotted around. Highlights include the view of the city from the cross situated on a nearby mountain, a meal inside a tiny family-run restaurant where everyone is issued a marker and instructions to write on the walls (and where they did great steak), drinks on a roof terrace (sadly no sunset to be seen due to the ash) and ending up in a fantastically sketchy dive bar, where we drank wine and illegal mezcal and put the world to rights.
So far Guatamala is fantastic and Antigua is one of, if not my favourite place we've been to so far.
Love to all,
KL
- comments
Mo Wow, you've seen and been to such amazing places, that if this is one of if not an actual favourite, it must be fantastic. Thanks so much for keeping us updated.
Mo Glad we got a mention :-)
The Arundels Just checking in to let you know we're all still jealous.... That avo farm looked amazing. Fancy you two staying on an avo farm - in your element! X