We got a live one!

Guatemala - a country I´ve long wanted to visit and the place I´ve been looking forward to the most. And, so far, it hasn´t disappointed.

We arrived at Guatemala City airport and took a bus straight to Antigua - an enchanting colonial city surrounded by volcanoes. We stayed in an hotel called San Sebastian that Dave described as being "on the right side of falling down" - very quaint, relaxing and owned by a friendly guy called ´Dog´.

We spent a couple of days there but could have stayed much longer. We didn´t venture far on the second day as I had three telephone interviews for a job with Microsoft. Not sure they went that well with a bad line and significant time delay. But sat on the roof terrace of my hotel looking at the volcanoes is probably the nicest place I´ve done an interview from.

Before leaving Antigua, we had the grand idea of walking to the top of Volcan Pacaya, a live volcano. Tbh, I hadn´t really thought about what that meant and so off we set on quite a tough climb but pretty views. Then the terrain started to change and we stumbled over rock and ash, getting more difficult as we went. It was at this point I started to wonder how we´d get down. Hadn´t seen anyone coming back down, so decided either they had burned alive at the top or there was a lift and a MacDonald´s on the other side, to help the tourists get back down.

Started to get concerned as steam appeared and the heat rose. But still we climbed until it started to get really hot and we could see heat shimmers. We turned the corner, and right there (minus any health and safety signs or barriers) was molten lava running down the side of the volcano. So, like tourists, we had our picture taken. Dave even toasted me a marshmallow. It was so hot under foot, I was worried my trekking shoes were melting.

But I only really got the fear when, walking along and considering how brittle it felt underfoot, I saw a crack in the ground, below which was live lava running along. And apparently someone did put their foot through a brittle piece of rock while we were up there, but very fortunately for him, there wasn´t lava under that bit.

So, a little bit crazy and I´m sure someone´s going to have a nasty accident up there soon. But very glad to have done it. It was awesome to see, but that will probably be my last live volcano.

We´re now in Panajachel (known as Pana) which is on the beautiful lake ´Lago de Atitlan´. We took a boat across the lake yesterday to see a little town, but it poured down with rain. Worth it, though, for the public ferry aka speedboat ride home.

Today we´re heading across the lake again to San Pedro for some hiking and swimming in the hot springs. Tonight we take the 11 hour overnight bus to Flores. From there, most people go to Tikal to see the Maya ruins. However, we´ve opted for a five day trek through the jungle to El Mirardor, where there are, apparently, equally awesome ruins, but less tourists. I´m hesitant as the trek has been described as medium to hard for physically fit people. Let´s hope all that walking in Greenwich Park will pay off....

ps have to mention the guy on our bus to Pana. It was one of the those rides where the bus is hurtling along at break-neck speed around corners on cliff edges, with massive drops. The type of ride when everyone just looks at each other and laughs nervously. This guy was doing his maths homework and displayed an incredible amount of determination, trying to write out his equations as we hurtled along hanging on to the seats in front. He did give up, though, when he started trying and failing to draw triangles. Respect though..