Semuc Champey is a series of limestone pools formed by the Cahabon river in central Guatemala. The river feeds into the green and blue pools which lie at the bottom of a steep valley. Also found inside the pools are small fish that eat the dead skin off of your toes, terrorizing or amusing, and all the while cleansing swimmers. Despite its remote location Semuc Champey is a popular attraction. When I visited it was Semana Santa and thus inundated with Guatemalan tourists. Although the pools lacked the peace and quiet that I desired it was still well worth the visit.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Tikal
The legendary Mayan city of Tikal is located deep in the lush green jungle of northern Guatemala. Originally settled in 700BC, Tikal became one of the most powerful Mayan citys through warfare. At one point Tikal was over 30 square kilometers and the home to over 100,000 Mayan residents. The city collapsed around 900 and was rediscovered in 1848.
Two temples rising high above the canopy |
Looking out over Tikal from the highest point |
A partially uncovered building in the 'lost city' |
Temple 1 in the Grand Plaza |
The Grand Plaza |
A Spider Monkey |
Fox |
Coati in the Grand Plaza |
Ben and his breakfast |
Temple 5 |
The ladder of death on Temple 5 |
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Antigua & Lake Atitlan
South of Guatemala City are two of Guatemala's most popular tourist attractions, the restored colonial city of Antigua, and the Volcano laden Lake Atitlan.
Antigua’s cobble stone streets and restored colonial buildings are the prime attraction for visitors of Guatemala’s famed town. Here the streets are kept trash free and even the McDonalds has to conform to building codes- no protruding signage and definitely no neon arches. There are many high end hotels and upscale restaurants catering to foreign tourists and the Guatemalan elite. Although they were shrouded in haze when I was there, normally looming over Antigua is an impressive volcano. I was in Antigua during the weeks preceding the holy week of Semana Santa, when locals take to the streets in celebration and the highways for vacation.
Antigua’s cobble stone streets and restored colonial buildings are the prime attraction for visitors of Guatemala’s famed town. Here the streets are kept trash free and even the McDonalds has to conform to building codes- no protruding signage and definitely no neon arches. There are many high end hotels and upscale restaurants catering to foreign tourists and the Guatemalan elite. Although they were shrouded in haze when I was there, normally looming over Antigua is an impressive volcano. I was in Antigua during the weeks preceding the holy week of Semana Santa, when locals take to the streets in celebration and the highways for vacation.
Residents make elaborate street art in homage to Semana Santa only to have to swept away hours later |
Boris and an elaborately decorated chicken bus |
San Pedro volcano |
Claire takes the plunge |
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Utila and Little Cay
Utila is a carribean island off the Honduran coast surrounded by clear blue waters and a beautiful coral reef. Once a hang out for pirates, now Utila is inundated with backpackers learning to dive. Utila offers some of the cheapest diving in the world and has numerous dive schools to choose from.
Utila is entered around Utila Town, where most of the population on the island lives. Utila Town has one main road lining the beach and a few more that cut inland. Unfortunately scooters and golf carts are allowed to drive on the street, making walking around town noisy and hazardous.
On the Southwest side of Utila there are a number of Cays that are privately owned. We (Claire, Pupi, Ben, and I) were able to rent Little Cay, an entire island for a mere $115usd per night. Little Cay has one home and one separate cabin and sleeps somewhere around 15-20 people. The house is huge with multiple decks, a huge living room, and three large private bedrooms. The Cay also has two docks and a small islet attached by a thin sandbar. The Cay itself is surrounded by good snorkeling and is a 10 minute swim away from Water Cay, a popular white sand beach.
Utila is entered around Utila Town, where most of the population on the island lives. Utila Town has one main road lining the beach and a few more that cut inland. Unfortunately scooters and golf carts are allowed to drive on the street, making walking around town noisy and hazardous.
Jumping off the dock at Rubi's Inn in Utila Harbor |
Utila Harbor |
On the Southwest side of Utila there are a number of Cays that are privately owned. We (Claire, Pupi, Ben, and I) were able to rent Little Cay, an entire island for a mere $115usd per night. Little Cay has one home and one separate cabin and sleeps somewhere around 15-20 people. The house is huge with multiple decks, a huge living room, and three large private bedrooms. The Cay also has two docks and a small islet attached by a thin sandbar. The Cay itself is surrounded by good snorkeling and is a 10 minute swim away from Water Cay, a popular white sand beach.
The Little Cay main house |
Looking out to Water Cay from Little Cay |
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