Travelling from San Cristobal to Panajachel on the banks of Lake Atitlan was quite an experience. 12 hours of travel included a first class bus, minibus, tuk-tuk, chicken bus and another minibus. The chicken bus was the best bit. A converted American schoolbus, people were packed in like sardines with luggage and chickens tied to the top of the bus. The bus driver drove like a maniac on the windy mountain roads, overtaking on corners and not slowing for hair-pin bends! We wondered if the bus actually had any brakes!!! The bus driver clearly didn´t like to stop for long and didn´t even wait for all our luggage to be unloaded before taking off...the last rucksack was flung off the top whilst the bus was moving, with us running along behind!!! Mayhem!

Guatemala is a beautiful, mountainous country, dotted with volcanos. Lake Atitlan itself is surrounded by 3 extinct volcanos and is voted to be one of the most lovely lakes in the world. We spent a fantastic day visting lake side villages and chatting with locals. One village was on the side of a mountain and the roads up to it were incredibly steep - we wondered how the villagers coped walking up and down all day (Kim certainly struggled!) We also visited the village of Santiago where locals make offerings of alcohol and cigarettes to a wooden carved head wearing scarves and a sombrero... this is supposed to bring luck but appears only to encourage locals to drink and collapse outside!