Heading south from Tikal i took a bus into the Verapaces, these mountains are the wettest and greenest mountains in Guatemala and the mist soaked hills and limestone landscapes are stunning. I was aimed at Lanquin, a small sleepy village sheltered beneath towering green hills. The road in was newly paved for the most part, but the last 11km, all down hill and steep was grueling and unpaved. arriving in Lanquin just before sunset we hopped in the pack of a pick-up truck which took us to the regions main attraction. The natural pools and waterfalls of Semuc Champey. yet another 9km of unpaved jungle roads led us to an Eco-hotel located at the edge of the river just beyond the falls. We stayed the night and in the morning took off hiking into the pools and falls. A steep trail takes an hour of steep hiking (almost vertical) to reach a amazing vista overlooking the pools from above. I also swam in the pools but after seeing some of the falls in Croatia last year these did not compare. later in the day we took the truck back to Lanquin to see the caves of Lanquin. By far the
best cave I've ever been in. We walked for nearly a half hour straight into the caves before the lighting ended. the ceiling was over 60 feet high at some points, unfortunately my camera died while I was in there! The next day I took off heading east to the Caribbean, leaving my friends who were heading west to Antigua. I figured the bus ride to Rio dulce would be a decent road but big surprise.. It was 60km of narrow, winding, unpaved, mountain roads. I felt like I was riding the mad mouse at playland as the girl in the seat behind vomited. Oh yes I do not suggest that road to people subject to motion sickness... One more minibus later, packed with 29 people including myself.. Well not really in the bus I was hanging on to the roof rack hanging out the side door with my backpack on... I arrived in Mariscos on Lake Izabal to meet my dads friend of friend who's parter owns a hotel named Denny's Beach. I stayed there for 2 nights and had a great time with Denny and his friends who had all met sailing around the caribbean in the 80's, needless to say there we some great stories. From Lake Izabal the winding and beautiful Rio Dulce connects the lake with the Caribbean. now on the ocean again I took a skiff to nearby Puerto Barrios for the night. Tomorrow I'm
Heading out if Guatemala and to the Bay Islands in Honduras.