Boat trip around Lago de Atítlan, Guatemala - 16 April 2007

After visiting Chichicastenango for it's Maya market on Sunday, the previous day, I continued my trip to Panajachel at the shores of Lago de Atítlan. Lago de Atítlan is a large lake in a volcanic crater, surrounded by three volcano's. Especially in the morning the view is beautiful. Tranquil blue water, blue skies and the volcano's as a gentle shadow at the horizons. On Monday I rented a boat for a trip around Lago de Atítlan. I went from Panajachel to Santiago Atítlan, where I met Maya god Maximón. Then on to San Antonio Palopo for looking at how the coulourful cloths the Maya's are wearing traditionally are made. And on to Santa Catarina Palopo for just a bit of looking around. It's a different world out there!

To see where this photo was taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

Map of the boat trip around Lago de Atítlan

Legend:
Red = travel by bus
Green = travel by boat
Pink = travel by plane
Yellow = Daytrip / excursion (by bus or car)
Yellow with green dotting = Daytrip / excursion by boat

Sailing towards Santiago Atítlan 1

Here I am sitting in the boat.

Sailing towards Santiago Atítlan 2

You can see one volcano in the background.

At a loom for weaving Maya fabrics in San Antonio Palopo

In San Antonio Palopo I went with a lady to her house. Of course she wore the traditional selfmade colourful clothes. She showed me around in her little house, showing the loom she uses for weaving and all the fabrics she made. It was great to see all of that! I love those colours. Each little town around Lago de Atítlan has its own pattern of fabrics.

Kissed by a beautiful model at a wedding - Antigua, Guatemala - 14 April 2007

Sometimes I just get lucky.

Kissed by a beautiful model - Youssouf at a wedding - Antigua, Guatemala - 14 April 2007.

I was invited to attend a wedding in Antigua. At the end of the party, after some severe dancing, I ran into this girl. This pretty girl turned out to be a Guatemalan model. And she kissed me! I'm still blushing my horns off when I think of it...

To see where this photo was taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

Video of Youssouf with lava at the Volcano Pacaya, Guatemala - 13 April 2007

I also shot a short video of myself with the glowing lava at the volcano.
Have a look and enjoy it!

Lava at the Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala - 13 April 2007

The trip continued.. A lot of lava to see and feel. Imagine the heat when you're really close. Or when you just missed one sip of breath when your lungs are filled with volcanic gasses.

To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

Vulcanic rocks 1

This was where the lava flow stopped. The grass still present. The rocks are solid and cold now.

Vulcanic rocks 2

This was where the lava flow stopped. The grass still present. The rocks are solid and cold now.

Lava up close

We were walking up the volcano to the lava flows. You think the volcanic rock you are walking on is safe and cold.. But suddenly at 5 meters, some dust and rock slid down and you could see the hot melted rock glowing under it. This photo has been taken at 3 meters (10 feet) from the glowing lava.

Lava up ahead- Youssouf at the Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala - 13 April 2007.

You can see the lava coming down up ahead. But right next to me, on the right, there is a ditch with flowing lava as well.. Awesome!

A ditch of lava - Youssouf at the Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala - 13 April 2007.

This is as close as you can get. I felt like being toasted on a barbeque. The distance was 4 or 5 meters (14 feet) and it was hot.. Luckily my fleece did not get scorched, I did smell some burning rubber from the hot rocks below our feet. It wasn't me. You can't see it, but this lava is still moving and very much alive.

In Antigua and at the Volcano Pacaya, Guatemala - 13 April 2007

April 12th I took the long bus trip from Copán in Honduras to Antigua in Guatemala. Quite a different climate and culture. Antigua is a colonial city and looks more like the colonial buildings in Madrid than to the rest of Guatemala. Lovely town and not as hot as Copán (moderate temperature).

After a nice and well deserved breakfast, I went for a daytrip up the Volcano Pacaya. It's still active and there's still lava coming out. This is one of the most thrilling experiences you can have. You can almost feel the fibers in your fleece starting to melt. The landscape is filled with fractal shaped black rock. Almost a moon landscape. The sight (and feel) of the glowing lava is something to never forget.

To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

Breakfast at Fernando's Kaffee

The previous day I had a long bus journey from Copán in Honduras to Antigua in Guatemala. So I thought I deserved a nice breakfast. Fernando's Kaffee in Antigua is a great place for breakfast. Good atmosphere and excellent liquados (fruit shakes). Don't forget to take the panqueques con Nutella, chocolate & banana pancakes!

Map of the daytrip from Antigua to the volcano Pacaya

Legend:
Red = travel by bus
Green = travel by boat
Pink = travel by plane
Yellow = Daytrip / excursion (by bus or car)
Yellow with green dotting = Daytrip / excursion by boat

Sitting at some volcanic rock

After climbing the Volcano Pacaya for an hour or 2, we encountered the first parts of the where the volcanic rock had flown. Almost fractally sharp, black rock. Strange stuff. Look at the structure of the rock.

Lava coming down the volcano

This was the first peak we had at the top of the vulcano. You could see the smoke coming out and the hot lava coming down. An out of this world sight!

Visiting the town of Rio Dulce - Guatemala - 9 April 2007

9 April I went - in between the relaxing - from the hotel by boat to the small town of Rio Dulce. Not very much to see out there. Nevertheless, they have a big and high bridge which gives you an excellent overview of the Rio Dulce river itself and the landscape!

I must admit, it's a bit scary standing on the edge of the bridge for a photo.
To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

Local transport: travel by pocket

Sometimes it's comfortable and cheap to travel by pocket, as you can see. It's fun and comfortable.

River view from the bridge

From the top of the bridge you can oversee the town Rio Dulce and the river Rio Dulce very good. Excellent view there!

View from the bridge at Backpackers Hotel

Relaxing at the Catamaran Island Hotel - Rio Dulce, Guatemala - 9 April 2007

Holidays is not just about seeing all the sights. It's also about relaxing. And that was what I was doing for a day. Near the pool, at the bar. Came to rest at the Catamaran Island hotel!

To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

At the pool

Relaxing at the pool of Catamaran Island Hotel in Rio Dulce.

Sitting at the bar 1

Relaxing at the Catamaran Island Hotel in Rio Dulce. Sitting at the bar and having a drink.

Sitting at the bar 2

Sitting at the bar 3

Sitting at the bar 4

Nightly encounter with a local cane toad

At night I was walking at the grass near the pool of the Catamaran Island Hotel and encountered a local cane toad. Nice fellow, a bit scared though. And he was not as puffy as most of his relatives.

Youssouf's boattrip from Livingston to Rio Dulce - Guatemala - 8 April 2007

On April 8th I went from Livingston at the Guatemalan Caribean coast inlands on the river Rio Dulce. Going by bus instead of boat to the town of Rio Dulce is just as easy as going by boat instead of bus through the Sahara desert. So I chose a touristy boat trip, to see more of the Guatemalan jungle.
The Guatemalan jungle has more hills and mountains than in Belize, so that was interesting to see as well.

I just love the jungle.

Legend:
Red = travel by bus
Green = travel by boat
Pink = travel by plane
Yellow = Daytrip / excursion (by bus or car)
Yellow with green dotting = Daytrip / excursion by boat

Youssouf's boattrip from Livingston to Rio Dulce - Guatemala - 8 April 2007.

In the jungle near a small creek. Lovely epifyts and flowers!
To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

Trip to Belize, Honduras and Guatemala - 31 March till 19 April 2007

Currently I'm in Ohio, USA. But, no photo's from that trip yet.

I'm back for a month from my last trip. A trip through Belize, Honduras and Guatemala. Starting March 31st, ending April 19th. Central America is really great and beautiful.

The trip went from the island Caye Caulker to peninsula Placencia, both Belize. From there on via Punta Gorda to Guatemala; by boat to Puerto Barrios and on to Livingston. After a night in Livingston I went to Rio Dulce for some relaxing. And then on to Copán in Honduras, for the Maya ruines. And from Copán on to Antigua in Guatemala. Proceeding the trip to Lago de Atítlan. And everywhere in between I made some nice daytrips. You'll hear about them soon ;-)

Below you'll find the map of my route. Click on the map or the photo's below for a bigger version.

The legend of the map is in Dutch, so here's the translation:
Red = travel by bus
Green = travel by boat
Pink = travel by plane
Yellow = daytrip



Youssouf in coconut palm with bonsai mangrove at Caye Caulker - Belize - 2 April 2007


Youssouf at the beach of Caye Caulker - Belize - 2 April 2007


To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

Belize, Honduras and Guatemala pics coming up!

From 31 March to 19 April I made a trip to Belize, Honduras and Guatemala. Soon you'll be seeing the pictures on my blog! It was awesome.