We are headed for Lake Atitlan in the Guatemalan  highlands. This large lake is surrounded by dormant volcanoes and a dozen or so small villages, all with a unique character. Arrived in Panajachel by shuttle  bus (a direct tourist minibus service) Panajachel is the main town on the lake and the departure port by boat to all the other villages. There's a lively buzz to the place with lots of stalls along the lake  selling souvenirs, fruit veg and street food...

On one of our days in Antigua we visit a macadamia nut farm, getting there  by local chicken  bus. The bus station is a sprawl  about the size of a football pitch.. multicoloured and highly chromed buses leaving in all directions.  These are former American or Canadian school buses which are sold to central America to start a new  life as public buses. They get fancy paint and chrome  custom jobs and extra seats.3 to a seat and as a result a very narrow ais...

Awoke to a bright sunny and warm day in Antigua. The city is dominated by two volcanoes, one of which , Fuego, had a small eruption last year but now only spews out smoke and at night produces a spectacular red glowing cone which we can clearly see from the rooftop terrace of our hotel. Antigua was the former capital of  Guatemala but in 1773, a major earthquake  damaged most of the city and the Spanish Crown ordered the Capital to be moved to a new location, n...

Left Granada airport in bright sunshine ....arrived after 2 smooth flights including a quick transfer in El Salvador, to Guatemala to find our luggage hadn't gone on first flight but was still in Managua!  We were assured our luggage would be taxied to our hotel in Antigua  in the evening. We took a  private shuttle arranged by our hotel for the one hour trip to Antigua and immediately noted the lower temperature the city being 1500m above sea level. Heading...