And we are back! To Antigua that is. On our way back to Antigua from Lago de Atitlan we were met by what looked like a snow storm, but turns out it was ASH! We were met with a dust cloud covering the air, ground, and vehicles. Volcano Fuego was erupting! At times it was difficult to see oncoming traffic as it was so thick! People were putting on surgical masks and covering their faces with their shirts as we pulled into town. We could feel the ash landing on our eye lashes but used paper towels we had in the car to cover our mouths and noses to make breathing easier as we made our way to a local restaurant to wait for the ash to settle. Once it was clearing, all the shop owners slowly started coming out with buckets of water and throwing them on the sidewalk to wash the dust away. Seems they have done this before! Love experiencing local culture!
Ash covered cars in Antigua
Ash covering our carStreet in AntiguaThe next day we were able to see pictures of the eruption in the newspapers!
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Below is a video from YouTube that shows the eruption!
After leaving Antigua we headed Southwest to Lake Atitlan, we decided to only spend one night, but could have spent much more time there exploring all of the villages surrounding the lake.
Overlook as we drove down to the lake.Crops planted on the sides of Mountains on the drive to Lake Atitlan.
We chartered a private lancha this morning to site see and ultimately end up at breakfast on the other side of the lake. Lake Atitlan is a 50 square mile lake flanked by 3 Volcanoes and other mountains. The depth of the crystal blue waters is around 1200 feet. It was a bit brisk at 7:30 in the morning, but the views were so worth it!
Our lancha captain came to our campsite to pick us up.
Santiago as we approached by boat.Posado de Santiago for Breakfast across the lake in Santiago Love the Yogurt, fruit w/Granola! Who let a Raccoon into the restaurant!
The tuk tuk ride was the icing on the cake. Tuk tuk’s are 3 wheeled motorcycles made into taxi’s! We took this to get across the village to the restaurant from the lancha.
Our Tuk tukTraditional clothing worn daily by the women. Some men also choose the traditional vs modern.
We stayed outside of the town of Panajachel, where we were able to camp across the street from the hotel in a wide open field. There were 3 other families camping, but it was very peaceful and the kids had a play set right next to there car! Unfortunately there was extreme winds that came over the mountain & into the valley that night. I thought the tent was going to fly off the Rover with us in it!
Antigua is a mixture of what is Old & New. The cobblestone streets give the city an appeal all its own. The city has a rich history of devastation, but has learned to survive. It was the most important & booming city in Central America. Then in 1717 & again in 1773 earthquakes destroyed a large part of the city & the capital was then moved to what is now Guatemala City. Around every corner is a historical church or building that was damaged in the earthquakes and left as historical markers of the past. Many buildings have been restored into thriving stores as well as chain restaurants such as McDonald’s, Domino’s, & Burger King. The city is known to be one of the safest in Guatemala because it is so popular with tourist!
The Antigua Tourist Police Compound offers free camping to Overlanders with self sufficient camping.Our Camping spot at the Antigua Tourist Police Compound.The courtyard at McDonald’s with Volcano Fuego in the background.Cappuccino at McDonald’s cafe.
Courtyard behind the city walls.Cobblestone streets.
We camped in Northern Guatemala just outside of Poptun at the Farm Ixobel; to break up the drive from Flores to Rio Dulce’. It was a family owned property since the 70s. The food was excellent, and they had a bakery on site for fresh bread and sweets. We walked the property trails back to a spring feed pond and roasted marshmallows over a Coleman burner stove for S’mores! Before turning in for the night. It was a relaxing evening. Ironically this is one of the few nights that roosters did not wake us up at 5am and we were on a farm! Then we moved on toward Rio Dulce’. Weather has been great! 84 during the day, 65 at night!
Entrance to the Farm
Our home for the night.Solar shower.Trail leading back to one of the spring feed swimming holes on the farm.
Tours!
The kids (including Scott) really wanted s’mores, but the fire pit was back in the jungle and the bugs were really bad. So, we opted for the porch of the restaurant & used our Coleman burner! Perfect!
During our recent trip to Guatemala, we were treated to one of the most spectacular experiences you could ever imagine. Hidden along the shores of Lake Izabel, 16 miles outside of Rio Dulce, is the only Hot Water falls in the world. Fueled by underground volcanic activity, the water gets HOT! After a short walk through a jungle trail, you round the corner to see a magnificent waterfall cascading into the natural pool below. Steam lingers at the waterline, as the hot water from the falls meet the cool waters of the flowing river.
This phenom is a spectacle to behold, and even more glorious to experience! Wading through the river, making your way to the hot water showering down, sends shivers through your body, even chill bumps, as the two temperatures meet on your skin. The joy is in finding that perfect place where the waterfall does not scald you, and the river doesn’t freeze you. Once located, you just sit in one place taking it all in. The jungle surroundings, and sounds of the falls, add to the ambiance.
Scott getting a mouthful of steaming hot water!
Cayen & Adam
Once you are acclimated to the water, you can swim under the falls and enter caves that feature narrow paths, occasionally having to submerge your head to continue swimming forward. The steam can take your breath away at times, but the sites are magical. Swimming behind, underneath, and through the worlds only hot waterfalls! What more could one ask for?
After the swim, we made our way up a steep trail to the top of the falls, where there are hot pools of water, inviting you for a sauna bath, some so hot they were boiling!
He found the perfect Hot Shower!
Perfect Day!
Furthermore near the end of the trail, lies damp, dark mud. Due to the hot water, this mud is in a paste like form. Legend has it, if you cover your skin in this aromatic mud, your skin will be baby soft (either that or a cruel joke on the gringo’s). We found the spot, and each person started lightly putting some of the hot, slimy mud onto our leg or arm. I decided if its worth doing, it was worth going all the way. So, I grabbed two hand fulls of the sloppy muck, and smeared it on my face and the rest of my body.
All in!
Ashley trying to obtain silky smooth legs!
Adam, joined in, and before long, we looked like two swamp creatures! Ellie, was less than impressed, as evidenced by her scowl, of disapproval, on her face.
Jungle Men!
Taste like Chicken!Ellie is not impressed with the muddy men!
We let it dry, and then headed back to the hot water to clean off. And lo and behold, my skin was silky smooth! Almost oily feeling. You absolutely must make this one of your bucket list items. I have checked it off, but added another box, so I can return again later!
Just outside of Flores is a Natural park, complete with wild howler monkeys & boars. While horses & ponies roam freely. Probably the most peaceful place we have stayed. Until around 2am we woke to the deep screeching howler monkeys in the trees around us. Of course being awake I had to use the restroom really bad, but I was determined I would NOT leave my tent no matter how bad I had to go! The monkeys sounded so terrifying my mind started racing with what they would do to me if one pounced out of the tree at me!
Our campsite, where horse woke us in the morning outside our tent.
The next morning we drove into town & found a quite little restaurant for breakfast on the island of Flores. Once we were full & the men had drank all the coffee they could we walked the island & then took an hour boat ride around the island.
Narrow streets.
Breakfast is served!Ellie was our leader!
The church at the highest point in the town square.
Beautifully designed doors everywhere.Boys will be Boys! Monkey on the monkey bars!The kids found a talking parrot! Hola!Lake Taxi’s.The water was very high around the island and has closed some streets & businesses .
Street in Antigua
The next day we were able to see pictures of the eruption in the newspapers!
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