Swimming, jumping and gliding at Semuc Champey, traveling to Lake Atitlan and spending the first days at San Marcos.

Januari 7, 18:00

It’s sunset time! An hour ago we arrived back at the hostel via tube! We spend the day at Semuc Champey, a famous nature reserve in the centre of Guatemala. It’s a short hour walk from the hostel and a 40 minute tube ride on the river on the way back. We spend over 4 hours in the ‘park’ and all we did was swim in the pretty blue waters, find places to jump in the water and try out natural water slides. It was so much fun! I do have a few scratches on both legs and my stomach because I tried to climb on some rock to avoid having to go ALL the way around it to go to a higher level. Plot twist: I had to go ALL the 20 meters around it. I couldn’t climb the rock. At the end of the afternoon we had to be at the yellow bridge to meet our guide for the tubing. It was a very slow ride but the little rapids made the whole thing so much fun! We’re definitely doing this again tomorrow.

Januari 8, 14:35

Back at Semuc Champey! Today we only spend 2,5 hours swimming, jumping and gliding, cause we also wanted to see the viewpoint. And that’s where we are now. With a coconut in our hand overlooking the beautiful scenery. You can even see the people walking around and swimming. So fun! Oh and earlier today we saw some monkeys. Climbing in the trees and baby monkeys trying to learn how to swing on their tails. Super cute! In an hour we have to be at the yellow bridge again for another tube ride back to the hostel.

Januari 9, 16:37

Oh my god. Karo forgot her phone. At the waterfalls, on a rock. About 1,5 hours away. The owner of the hostel is calling someone she knows that works close by to see if he can go look for the phone. She had to promise him a reward which hopefully helps with getting it back.

Today we didn’t go to Semuc Champey but instead went to a cave close by where we did a ’candle light cave tour’. It was a cave filled with water, sometimes up to your knees sometimes up to your neck, and for Karo and I above the head cause we had to swim. They gave us a candle so we could see something. Not much cause it was wayyy too dark inside and a little candle wasn’t always enough help, but nevertheless really cute. On one spot we had to slide into a very small hole with a waterfall. It really didn’t look like a possible way, but it was. The only direction we got was: ‘swim to the left.’ And then our guide pushed us down that tiny hole. Completely disoriented because of the waterfall I came back to the surface and remembered the swimming left direction. There the others were waiting with a grin on their face. Apparently we all enjoyed that kinda scary fall. Afterwards we went to a big waterfall, the one where Karo left her phone, and spend some time enjoying the sun before going back, by tube, to the hostel.

Januari 10, 15:22

I think it’s only two more hours until we reach our destination: Panajachel. We’re gonna spend a week at Lake Atitlan at different towns and I’m super excited and curious about this lake. Cause this is the place where other people are most excited about in Guatemala.

Oh and good news: Karo has her phone back! Whoop Whoop!

Januari 11, 17:27

We just arrived at our Airbnb in San Marcos. A cute little cabin with a view. Well only if you stand outside and look left of the new cabins being build. The view from inside of the cabin is the back of one of the new cabins. Great planning haha.

Earlier today we spend the morning walking around Panajachel where I bought a bag perfect for my camera! Until now I always had to take my daypack if I wanted to bring my camera. And every time I wanted to use it, I had to take my backpack off my back. Such a hassle. But never again. Now I have a cute colourful camera bag!

Januari 12, 12:28

We’re at Eagle’s Nest, a sort of resort above San Marcos, with a GREAT view. We’re seated on a day bed overlooking the lake with a chai latte in front of us. To our right is a big platform with an even better view where there is a yoga class going on. It’s funny to watch cause it’s not the typical yoga class since they mix it with things like twerking. I didn’t know this was a combination that could be made but I guess it is. And honestly, it looks like a lot of fun!

Karo still feels a little sick. Ever since the last night in Semuc she hasn’t felt great. Apparently people get sick from the water there, but we only found that out after we left and after we spend a couple of days swimming in the waters. It could also be the travellers sickness that many people get. We don’t really know. Luckily it’s not so bad that she has to spend her days in bed, but days with low energy can be draining as well. Hopefully she will feel better soon.

Januari 13, 14:06

This is the cutest embroidery shop I have ever seen! Not that I’ve seen many but I’m pretty sure it’s one of the best places that exist. It’s a coffee shop and craft shop in one. And they sell the cutest products with pretty embroidery. All hand made here in Santa Cruz la Laguna in Guatemala with a specific stab back stitch method. I got a sheet of a hedgehog with a cup of coffee and I’m gonna hang it somewhere in my bus or RV or whatever I’m gonna buy. It’s so cute! I also got a little bag to put I don’t know what in, but I just wanted to buy more of this pretty stuff. I couldn’t help myself. SO CUTE.