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Big week of travelling, crossing from the Pacific paradise of Mazunte, to Livingston one of the only towns on the tiny Guatemalan Caribbean coast. Mazunte finally gave us chance to swim in the sea, the slightly more sheltered beach meant more manageable waves so we could actually get in the water. However we both still got completed murked and taken out by the odd wave losing bikinis (and looking very uncool) in the process. Took a turtle boat trip out, lurred by the promise of swimming with dolphins and turtles. As usual with these trips neither of these materialised, did do some great dolphin spotting though and a pair of mating turtles.
A slightly uncomfortable overnight bus journey to San Christobel de las casas arriving into the rather chilly city up in the mountains at 7am in the morning. Soon realised it was a beautiful city, another one to add to my list of 'places I'd like to live'. Full of colour, culture, architecture and amazing restaurants and cafes. Coffee here was incredible as was the mulled wine, nice in the chilly evenings. Took a guide up into the local pueblos to see a bit of village life, a bit of a contrast to city living. The guide was telling us all about the influence of Coca Cola in Mexico which has the highest consumption per person of anywhere in the world... 1.5l per person per day. The company has a bit of a monopoly in the country thanks to the fact the former president was also the president of Coca Cola Latin America, bit of a conflict of interests there I think!
Needing to unfortunately avoid Southern Guatamala thanks to the recent twin natural disasters, volcanos and hurricanes we changed our plans and diverted to Palenque in Chiapas via the Agua Azul waterfalls. Probably the most 'aesthically pleasing' waterfalls I have ever seen, a beautiful turquoise colour in the sun but still with plenty of force, great swimming spot!
Arriving in Palenque in the heat of the afternoon after a 5.30am start meant our energy levels were lagging a little but still managed to wander round the ancient jungle ruins in awe and climb up for a better view across the whole city (or the small part which has been uncovered. Definately the most impressive we had seen yet! Staying overnight in the jungle in literally a tree house we had another 5.30 start, packed into a mini bus towards the Guatemalan border. Nine hours later we arrived in Flores, beautiful island spot on the lake, perfect for swimming! More to follow.....
A relaxing couple of days in Flores, getting out to more ruins at Tikal, a much more dramatic size and setting than Palenque right in the jungle complete with Howler monkeys. Think the Jungle Book! Back on a chicken bus with Leah and Marc who we had met in Palenque, down to Rio Dulce to catch the boat out along the stunning Rio Dulce gorge to the rather isolated Livingstone. Very exciting as this meant we had finally reached the Carribean coast! Cue a round of Pina Coladas. Livingstone is a bit of split down with half the population being displaced Carribs who had been pushed out by the British from St Vincent in the 1800´s and forced to make a homes on Rotan and all along the Honduras and Guatamalan coast lines. Met a few local characters at the reggae bar who took us out partying Livingstone styli. Lot of booty shaking in beach bars!
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