GUATEMALA 2nd July 2004 - 9th July 2004

Having walked across the border from Belize we found ourselves in a combi van heading for Flores as our first stop. We bumped into a couple from NZ doing the same route as us and had a good chat with them.  The road was very dusty and our bags on the roof got covered in dirt!  Still the roads were better than the ones in Belize!  Two days were spent in Flores so that we could get to Tikal.  We moved on later to the East to Lago de Izabal, where the map shows a road crossing. That was where we arrived at Rio Dulce.  It was either stay here or move down the river so we caught a lancha to Livingstone where we stayed the night.  It was not the best place in the world and upon review we would have stayed in Rio Dulce, but the boat trip was worth it.  The next morning we went back up the river by boat to Rio Dulce to catch the bus to Antigua, a hot and long drive back up to the highlands where the weather was a lot cooler. Arriving late in Antigua we grabbed a quick meal, simular to KFC but not as good!  Then to Hotel Casa Santo Domingo which was lovely. . . the photos speak for themselves!  We spent the next day looking round Antigua, calling home and the usual emails!  We managed to catch a film in the evening in one of the film houses which was enjoyable.  The following day after having visited the Bagel Barn we caught a bus to Chichicastenango via San Luca.  The bus driver was manic and took no notice of the speed bumps!  A wild ride but we got there quickly!  Chichi was cold and damp, so dinner was warming.  We then tucked into a bottle of Vodka and some M&Ms while planning where to go after the market.  The market in the morning was amazing.  Lots of local people in their traditional dress and we spent all morning looking round.  We then moved on to Lake Atitlan and caught a lancha to Jaibalito where we were staying. It was a very nice place and we met a funny American couple!  The next day we caught the boat back to Panajachel to get the bus to Guatemala City.  Again we had to put our bags on the roof and this time it tipped with rain.  No chance we could get them in the bus as it was so full, so our bags got soaking wet!  Anyway we made it to the El Salvador border without too many other problems!

Check Out Our Photos:

Flores & Tikal

Rio Dulce & Livingston

Antigua

Chichicastenango

Lake Atitlan

Guatemala City To El Salvador

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