Nov 23, 2009 - Guatemala

The first Spanish speaking country of our trip was Guatemala and we were prepared to understand nothing and get lost. We travelled from north to south, which took us through very different and stunning landscapes. Our first destination was the Maya ruins in the northern jungle called ‘Tikal’. The landscape is rolling and wild- you may recognize it as the Ewok’s home in Star Wars. The ruins that we were able to climb and see were impressive (so steep) with an amazing 85% still covered in earth and jungle. Walking around the complex there...

Sep 1, 2009 - To Antigua, Guatemala

9/01/2009 Travel Day crossing into Guatemala then onto Antigua. We left just before 9:00pm, went into town to get our laundry (14 lbs for only about $6.00), and then went to the mechanic that worked on Paco last time we were here in 2008. Isidro has a small shop just in back of the VW dealership. We found him and he was efficient and fair priced. He changed my broken rear shock, and CV joint, and adjusted the injection system. All this for under $300.00 and done in a day an hour before he said he'd be finished. That was such great service...

Jul 30, 2009 - Antigua, Guatemala

It was on Santa Marta’ s day, July the 29th 1773 that a violent earthquake spelled the end of Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala, now better known as Antigua (Guatemala), as the capital of the Royal Audiencia de Goathemala (governing the five Central American states + Belize + Chiapas). Antigua had been destroyed in 1717 and rebuilt bigger and better, but this time the King of Spain ordained the capital to be moved to a safer location and Antigua was abandoned. Quite something because then Antigua was considered the finest city in...

Jun 21, 2009 - Guatemala

Flores (John) After a long and hairy drive we arrived in Flores. The lake island of Flores is a world heritage site. Absolutely beautiful. Amazing views onto the lake, cobbled streets, tiny population, town covered in restaurants! Great times. Although slightly jaded we found a great restaurant and settled into the Guatemala beers and a great supper before hitting the sack. Up at the crack of dawn, 5 am, to get to Tikal at sunrise. Tikal is the 5th largest nature reserve in the world and home of the highest Mayan ruins. I was in my element...

Jun 17, 2009 - Guatemala

We had not originally planned to spend much or in fact any time in the country of Guatemala – a country which we really and truly knew nothing about until we got to Belize. After hearing so many stories from other travellers who had been there recently we quickly leant that Guatemala was a country very much on the “Central American backpackers” route and our plans were quickly and easily changed. As mentioned in our previous blog entry, the ways and means of finding out about cool and interesting places to visit have been a favourite theme...

Jun 12, 2009 - Our trip to God's Child Project

BE SURE TO DOUBLE-CLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO MAKE THEM BIGGER. Yesterday afternoon we visited the God's Child Project facility on the outskirts of Antigua to take the four suitcases full of materials so generously donated by the families at Martin's school, Chandler Prep. We had more than 100 nice polos donated by the Parent Organization. Families donated children's vitamins (more than 5,000 doses!) almost 100 toothbrushes and toothpaste, floss, beautiful shirts for the little one's, balls, frisbees, jacks, jump ropes, pencils, sharpeners,...

Jun 12, 2009 - We are really in Guatemala

Some of you may have doubted if we really came to Guatemala or if we actually just went to Casa Grande and checked into the Holiday Inn. It has been a busy week. Next year we will come a few days before school starts so that we can get organized first because once the classes start it is a whirlwind. We love our little hotel. It was orginally the home of a wealthy family that was bought by a guy from Tennessee, who else, but Darryll. He looks to be about 40 and I am dying to know a) How much did he pay for the place? and b) Where did he get...

Jun 1, 2009 - Antigua and More:)

My time here is really winding down! i cant believe its been 5 months here! My spanish has improved so much and i feel like i'm gonna be going home accomplishing what i wanted. Dermar came to visit from June 1st to 5th. We went straight to Antigua (The Old Capital), then to San Pedro and then to Xela where i live. Right now i'm pretty much preparing to go home on the 14th July (officially 6 mths after my arrival). If i leave on this date i'll stop in florida 2 weeks before heading home :) My birthday (July 9) will be spent on the Caribbean...

May 5, 2009 - Guatemala: Antigua

We finished up our two weeks of Spanish lessons last Friday when we headed with our teacher to the local markets at another town on the lake called Santiago Atitlan. Santiago is quite different to San Pedro, with no restaurants, hotels etc with tourists usually only staying for the day. According to our Spanish teacher, this is because of the significant violence that took place during the Guatemalan civil war in Santiago when many local people, including a number of the church, were killed. Besides a few tourists, the markets were packed...

Apr 23, 2009 - Antigua

To get to our final stop Antigua, we took a boat back over to Panajachel (this time I did not ask the price, just handed over the correct money for what knew it should be and they didn't question it!). Then we had booked a place on the public shuttles to Antigua. The drive back over the hills was windy, but not quite so fast and in daylight this time, which all helped. When we got there, by chance Anita spotted our hotel so shouted to stop, so we were dropped off right outside, which was great. Our hotel (Aurora) was a beautiful colonial...

Apr 17, 2009 - Guatemala: Antigua and Monterrico

From San Pedro we headed to Antigua, an attractive European style town that looks nothing lilke the rest of Guatemala. The second day in Antigua we booked on a tour to climb a nearby active volcano, Pacaya. After two hours of climbing with our guide and the security police (needed because of tourist robbings on the track) we reached the volcano, although couldn’t see much ahead of us due to the dense fog. Our guide was keen to find some lava, so ignored the other guide´s warnings and sought it out! Yet another high level safety activity in...

Apr 15, 2009 - First entry from Antigua, Guatemala

Monday, April 13, We awoke to another beautiful day, and ready to head on to Antigua. We crossed the lake in the water taxi, and had a quick bite to eat, before jumping on the 8 am bus to Guatemala City. There was no air conditioning on the bus, but with all the windows open, it did provide a bit of a breeze. The bus driver took great delight in honking his horn on the 5-hour journey to the city. It seemed every time he passed someone, we heard beep. At times the scenery looked very much like Ashcroft to Cache Creek, other than the palm...