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24 - 28 March - Semana Santa in Antigua
22 March - Finally here!
01 March - Up and coming plans
24 - 28 March - Semana Santa in Antigua
We went up to Antigua for 4 days over the easter week to see all of the processions and bits. We didn't think we were going to make it in the beginning as we couldn't check weather our hotel was still booked or not. Every time we tried to check the internet was down, we tried calling but they didn't understand what we were trying to say. In the end we managed to get one of the girls who works for the marina to call them and all was finally sorted.
The bus journey was 5/6 hours, but went pretty well, no major incidents, which was good, considering the stories you hear about Guatemalan bus drivers! We only had one chicken on the bus but at least we can declare it was a proper chicken bus now! We had to change in Guatemala city which I was a bit worried about, as the Fuente Del Norte bus stop is apparently in the worst part of town. It didn't seem half as bad as I had though once we got there. The bus from there to Antigua was one of the nice colourful school bus types with Nigel Mansell at the wheel. You had to hold on for dear life as you went round the corners and none of the locals seemed to find the journey quite as amusing as we did???
The hotel we had booked was nice, but made Stuart very unhappy with the price, we have managed to live pretty cheaply so far but this was back to UK prices, which wasn't funny!
Antigua was absolutely heaving with people for Semana Santa, and had a really good atmosphere. We spent most of our time wandering around, watching the parades and looking at the carpets (Alfombra's). Click here to view the pictures of the time we spent here.
There was lots of eating and drinking going on to, mmmm fried chicken! I am getting a bit worried about the fried chicken situation, it is too easily available and too yummy. I don't think we'll be coming home any thinner! That is unless Stuart continues to insist that we eat frijoles for every meal as he has been doing! There is only so many frijoles one person can eat!
We didn't do anything too strenuous whilst we were here, no volcano climbing or anything of the sort. Most of the things we have read have said that you shouldn't go up without a guide as people have been attacked when they have gone up there alone. I think Stuart would have dragged me up there if it wasn't for that.
The climate here is much nicer than it is at the river, it is hot during the day, then cools down in the evening, rather than being stupidly hot all the time.
The bus journey home was a little more eventful, we always seem to get the oldest and tattiest of all the busses we have seen, mind you at least our bus only had one wheel nut missing from each tire rather than one we saw the other day that had about 5 missing from each! We only ended up off the road once, when the failing breaks couldn't stop in time to miss the broken down car in front, so we did a bit of off roading to help slow us down. Thought we were all going to have to get out and push it back on track, but luckily the bus driver has a load of spare wood in the bus for just such an occasion, to put under the tires, so we set off again with no further set backs.
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22 March - We're finally here!
Well we finally got here via going through all we planned below. The only thing we did differently was staying in Livingston for the night as when we got there the customs people had popped out for the afternoon, so we had to wait for them to get back so we could get stamped into the country.
Click here to see pics of the journey.
The weather is boiling hot and really humid, it can make you very angry when you are trying to get things done! We are finding that it is best to get up at 6 in the morning when it is a little cooler and do some work then, and later at night as it is really difficult trying t o get things done during the heat of the day. There doesn't appear to be any breeze on this side of the river so even without moving you find yourself dripping with sweat! (mmm nice thought I know!)
We have found a load of really friendly and helpful people out here. When we were in Punta Gorda we got chatting to the owner of the pub we were in 'The Titanic', he was an American Guy named Jer, he took us round to the local village and to a couple of the local pubs, brought us a load of beer, which was really nice and something we wouldn't have seen otherwise.
Whilst we have been on The Rio Dulce we also met the manager of another bar 'Brunos' Steve who has been really helpful and drove us out to get a battery for the boat, so we are getting to know a few people now. There are a load of Americans over here all with boats so we are finding out the best places to find supplies. Its a little difficult staying out of the pubs though as that is where everyone is all of the time!
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Ok Ok so this months also begins down the pub!!
Leaving doo at Hanrahans in Maidstone on the 5th March. Click on the link to view the pics. Thanks to everyone for coming and for the pressies and cards, we had a fab night and definitely suffered the next day! Cheers to Si for having us all back to his after the pub, sorry about Rob breaking your table!!
Right then onto the serious business of traveling!
Our flights are booked for the 15th March to Cancun, we have decided to take the scenic route to the boat (rather than the expensive one, as the penny pinching begins here!)
Then off the next day for for a 5-6 hour bus trip crossing the Mexican Border down to Corozal in Belize.
We will stay there for the night, then back on the bus in the morning for a few hours ride into Belize City. From here, jump off the bus and get the next available flight (which run frequently throughout the day) down to Punta Gorda, where we will spend the night.
This should have us on track to get the Friday morning boat down to Livingston in Guatemala, then we just need to get a boat down the river to our boat, which is currently moored up at Tijax Marina on the Rio Dulce. You can see more about the Marina / Jungle lodge by visiting their website here.
All sounds quite straight forward, we'll just have to wait and see how it goes!