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Guatemala

By : John Keller
Trip Begins February 14, 2009
Trip Ends February 21, 2009

On week in Guatemala, including visits to Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Volcano Pacaya, Tikal, and the hanging bridges near Flores.
See my photos : Guatemala in February

Want to go? Guatemala Classico

I went to: Guatemala
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February 14, 2009
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Arrival and transfer

Antigua, Guatemala

Arrived in Guatemala City on a direct flight from Newark airport, and, as is the custom with this company, were greeted promptly and courteously, and taken to our hotel in Antigua in time to rest and walk around the town for a bit. The road trip to Antigua included an amazingly long and steep hill, on which it is quite possible to burn out your brakes if you are not careful!! Antigua is a beautiful little town, with a small main square (with views of two volcanoes, including an active one) and lots of hidden courtyard gardens to explore. Unfortunately for me, my ATM card stopped working, and I had to rely on my good friend as a cash cow. Luckily, things here are so inexpensive that it was never a problem.

February 15, 2009
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Chichicastenango Market

Chichicastenango, Guatemala

On our way to Lake Atitlan, we stopped for lunch and shopping in this amazing kaleidoscope of colors, smells, and sounds. There is SO much merchandise for sale!! My favorites, though, were the indoor produce market and the flower market on the stairs of a white church. In front of the church there were two old men doing a benediction with incense - I caught one of them with my camera, as you can see in my gallery. After a hike up the mountain, we witnessed a Mayan ritual, including a large fire and the sacrifice of a chicken (photo). VERY interesting!!

February 16, 2009
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Santiago de Atitlan

Santiago de Atitlan, Guatemala

While crossing the somewhat choppy lake in a small motorboat, we saw fishermen in traditional boats, along with windsurfers speeding across the surface of this gorgeous lake. Our hotel faced one of the volcano cones in a somewhat secluded bay of the lake, and the view from the pool deck was wonderful. Unfortunately for me, I indulged a bit too much the night before and spent much of the day lounging poolside. In the afternoon, though, I felt well enough to walk into town, and photographed a group of women doing laundry at the lake, under the imposing watch of the volcano just across the water.

February 17, 2009
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Solola and Panajachel

Solola

On the move again (returning to Antigua), we stopped in the village of Panajachel and the town square and market of Solola. This market was a bit smaller, with a lot more hustle and bustle on the part of the merchants. One of these days I'm going to try balancing my laundry basket on my head - the women here make it look so easy, even with very large bundles!! I just LOVE walking the streets of these towns, especially in the warmth of a sunny day.

February 18, 2009
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Pacaya Volcano

Pacaya

I nevered imagined that I would be able to climb an active volcano and come within just a few yards of freely flowing lava, but that's exactly what I did. After "skiing" down the pumice field, we were close enough to the lava to hear it crackling, feel its heat, and even throw rocks into it. We remained up there until sunset, and walked down in the dark. There are spectacular views of some small towns and even the sprawling Guatemala City in the clear, darkm star-filled sky. If you go on this optional excursion, be ready for a rather strenuous uphill hike, and bring a flashlight for the trip down! If you tire on the way up, though, there are plenty of enterprising young men with "horse taxis" who will take you up the hill for a small fee.

February 19, 2009
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Tikal Ruins

Tikal Ruins, Guatemala

The mother of all Mayan ruins? If not, whatever is better must be truly spectacular. This was a great time of year to go, as the weather was perfect and the crowds nonexistent. As we walked through the jungle, we saw and heard numerous birds and monkeys, including the infamous howler monkeys. The oddest moment came when we witnessed what has to be the strangest turkey I ever saw, sitting in a tree next to one of the temples (see photo in gallery). Make sure you climb the temples, too - the views are great from up top, and the climb itself up the rickety ladders is an adrenaline rush.

February 20, 2009
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Flores and the hanging bridges

Flores, Guatemala

The town of Flores is a pretty little island, with colorful shops and restaurants and a gorgeous lakeside area. The highlight of our walking tour, though, occurred when we reached the square in front of the church at the top of the hill. While having some really good ice cream and sitting in the shade under some small trees, we heard a man playing the guitar and singing for a few of his friends, who were enjoying the warm afternoon - as well as a few local beers. The scene was idyllic, and we stayed there for almost an hour. Oh, and the ice cream was great!

We also took a side trip to the canopy bridges nearby at Ixpanpajul, where we were able to cross some cable bridges VERY high above the jungle floor. It was an excellent experience, but it, too, involves a somewhat long uphill hike through the jungle, so if you go, wear hiking boots, and bring your camera. You can buy water at the 2/3 point high up in the mountain, and can even stretch out on some hammocks to take a break.

February 21, 2009
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The return home

Guatemala City, Guatemala

One night in Guatemala City to regroup is all that remained after a truly enjoyable week of sights and experiences. One last memory for the road: as we were sitting at the airport in Flores, I bought a small bag of cookies for the flight, which we of course started eating right away. I had two left, and was putting them in my bag, when I sensed the presence of watchful eyes. Two adorable kids were watching us, and I offered the cookies to their mother to give to the, The looks on their faces while they ate them brings a tear to my eye still. A wonderful moment.

This was my third trip with the company, and I can't think of a single thing that I could say went wrong. Another successful trip and another chance to experience the sights, sounds, and culture of a nearby country. Can't go wrong with that!

My Photo Album: Guatemala in February
Unpretentious beauty along the walk to our hotel room
Unpretentious beauty along the walk to ...
Parque Central in Antigua
Parque Central in Antigua
Lunchtime concert on the a-GOURD-ion. Ha ha.
Lunchtime concert on the a-GOURD-ion. ...
Produce market at Chichicastenango
Produce market at Chichicastenango
Fresh fruits at Chichicastenango
Fresh fruits at Chichicastenango
Chichicastenango flower market
Chichicastenango flower market
Tuk tuks are everywhere!!
Tuk tuks are everywhere!!
Part of the Mayan ritual in Chichicastenango
Part of the Mayan ritual in ...
Mayan ritual above Chichicastenango
Mayan ritual above Chichicastenango
Lunchtime view at Chichicastenango
Lunchtime view at Chichicastenango
Lake Atitlán
Lake Atitlán
Sunset at Lake Atitlan
Sunset at Lake Atitlan
Early morning at Lake Atitlan
Early morning at Lake Atitlan
Hard work is commonplace in the villages
Hard work is commonplace in the villages
Taxi, anyone? Santo Domingo near Lake Atitlan
Taxi, anyone? Santo Domingo near Lake ...
Early worm catches the fish on Lake Atitlan
Early worm catches the fish on Lake ...
Attempted escape in Solola market
Attempted escape in Solola market
Solola
Solola
Im going to try this with my laundry basket
Im going to try this with my laundry ...
Volcanoes are easy to spot in Guatemala
Volcanoes are easy to spot in Guatemala
The fountain in the town center: Antigua
The fountain in the town center: Antigua
A ride in a Tuk Tuk
A ride in a Tuk Tuk
Walking sticks for rent!
Walking sticks for rent!
View from above Antigua
View from above Antigua
New friends
New friends
As close as I need to get!!
As close as I need to get!!
Heading back down in the dark.
Heading back down in the dark.
Skiing the pumice fields
Skiing the pumice fields
Howler monkey
Howler monkey
Turkey in a tree. A real beauty!
Turkey in a tree. A real beauty!