I wonderful Sunday afternoon spent climbing Santa Maria, a local volcano! Our small group woke up early and hiked to the top just in time to eat our lunch and eat among the clouds! A great hike and a great way to get my hiking boots dirty!
Friday, April 26, 2013
Scuba, Snorkels, Sun in Roatan, Honduras
After crossing boarders and a thirteen hour bus ride
We arrived in La Ceiba, Honduras
We went to a local restaurant and happily ate fresh sea food for dinner. We returned to our hostel weary and sleepy, making for an early night.
After staying the night in our hostel we woke up the next more, had a quick omelet with toast and caught our ferry to Roatan!
The ferry ride was to be about an hour and a half long. With a sunny day and clear skies we were excited to make our way to Roatan where we would be spending our week.
Since I have lived on a lake my whole life the thought of riding on a ferry never bothered me nor was I concerned. I realized, however, right a way that local Hondurans aren't as accustomed to travel via means of water.... Jessie, Bridgette, Jen and I couldn't help but be amused by the amount of people vomiting due to sea sickness.
Once we arrived at Roatan we tried a few local ATM's for cash, went to the grocery store and took to the other end of the island were our house would be.
We were welcomed warmly to our new home for the week and set up camp. The view was amazing, we had all the possible luxuries 4 college aged young ladies would need. That being sun, sand and a comfortable place to sleep.
West end was a more touristy part or Roatan, we spent our first afternoon renting snorkel gear for the week and relaxing on the local beach. We broke in our snorkel equipment right away. And we all realized right away why Roatan is so famous for its coral reefs! (Second to coral reefs in Australia)
We swam over the reefs and watched as fish, crabs and the underwater life swam beneath us while we silently floated and watched. I have never fallen in love so quickly...
What was a treat for all of us was to cook again! I know I missed it! We made family style meals together and spent our first night relaxing, watching the sun set and Jess and I did yoga before bed.
Our week included scuba diving certification lessons, sunning on the dock outside our beach house, visiting beaches in West Bay, reading, yoga, a surprise visit for me to the local clinic (I happened to rupture one of my eardrums during a scuba excursion) and taking walks to see the local town and scenery!
We were sad to leave our wonderful abode for the week but returned to Xela rested and sunned!
We arrived in La Ceiba, Honduras
We went to a local restaurant and happily ate fresh sea food for dinner. We returned to our hostel weary and sleepy, making for an early night.
After staying the night in our hostel we woke up the next more, had a quick omelet with toast and caught our ferry to Roatan!
The ferry ride was to be about an hour and a half long. With a sunny day and clear skies we were excited to make our way to Roatan where we would be spending our week.
Since I have lived on a lake my whole life the thought of riding on a ferry never bothered me nor was I concerned. I realized, however, right a way that local Hondurans aren't as accustomed to travel via means of water.... Jessie, Bridgette, Jen and I couldn't help but be amused by the amount of people vomiting due to sea sickness.
Once we arrived at Roatan we tried a few local ATM's for cash, went to the grocery store and took to the other end of the island were our house would be.
We were welcomed warmly to our new home for the week and set up camp. The view was amazing, we had all the possible luxuries 4 college aged young ladies would need. That being sun, sand and a comfortable place to sleep.
West end was a more touristy part or Roatan, we spent our first afternoon renting snorkel gear for the week and relaxing on the local beach. We broke in our snorkel equipment right away. And we all realized right away why Roatan is so famous for its coral reefs! (Second to coral reefs in Australia)
We swam over the reefs and watched as fish, crabs and the underwater life swam beneath us while we silently floated and watched. I have never fallen in love so quickly...
What was a treat for all of us was to cook again! I know I missed it! We made family style meals together and spent our first night relaxing, watching the sun set and Jess and I did yoga before bed.
Our week included scuba diving certification lessons, sunning on the dock outside our beach house, visiting beaches in West Bay, reading, yoga, a surprise visit for me to the local clinic (I happened to rupture one of my eardrums during a scuba excursion) and taking walks to see the local town and scenery!
We were sad to leave our wonderful abode for the week but returned to Xela rested and sunned!
San Cristobol de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico
WE\e are now more than halfway through our program!
In order to renew our passports Guatemala requires one to leave the country for at least 72 hours after 2 months of traveling within Guatemala without a visa.
Thus, a 9 hour bus ride to San Cristobol, Mexico!
San Cristobol is often referred to as the Antigua of Mexico. For this reason because San Cristobol is a very popular location for European and States tourists. The cafes, bars and restaurants are beautiful, relaxing and the food is amazing. The atmosphere is free spirited and fun loving.
The market was unlike many markets I have seen during my time here in Central America. I loved seeing the variety of artwork and jewelry. I left buying a beautiful traditionally embroidered white blouse and a handmade necklace with polished stone.
Thomas and I spent one of our free afternoons walking to one of the local churches to watch then sunset afterwards we made our way through the main stretch and found an all organic, vegetarian restaurant!
Yum! The food was spectacular! We met up with the rest of the group and enjoyed wandering around central park and had a few beers before returning to our hotel for the night.
The trip ended with a wonderful bus ride back to Xela!
Group breakfast in our hotel before returning to Guatemala!
During our time in Mexico we had the opportunity to participate in a walking protest for women's rights. The walk lasted about three hours and included singing and signs! I was amazing to see a lot of these women protesting with such passion; many of the women were barefoot and carrying their children on their backs. The day ended with a catholic mass spoken in both Quiche and Spanish.
In order to renew our passports Guatemala requires one to leave the country for at least 72 hours after 2 months of traveling within Guatemala without a visa.
Thus, a 9 hour bus ride to San Cristobol, Mexico!
San Cristobol is often referred to as the Antigua of Mexico. For this reason because San Cristobol is a very popular location for European and States tourists. The cafes, bars and restaurants are beautiful, relaxing and the food is amazing. The atmosphere is free spirited and fun loving.
The market was unlike many markets I have seen during my time here in Central America. I loved seeing the variety of artwork and jewelry. I left buying a beautiful traditionally embroidered white blouse and a handmade necklace with polished stone.
Thomas and I spent one of our free afternoons walking to one of the local churches to watch then sunset afterwards we made our way through the main stretch and found an all organic, vegetarian restaurant!
Yum! The food was spectacular! We met up with the rest of the group and enjoyed wandering around central park and had a few beers before returning to our hotel for the night.
The trip ended with a wonderful bus ride back to Xela!
Group breakfast in our hotel before returning to Guatemala!
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Tajulmulco climb
We climbed the tallest peak in Central America!
What a great weekend! We had a wonderful group of about 20 of us!
The first day we climbed to the top just below the peak, we set up our tents after 5 hours of climbing, made dinner, sat around the campfire and told jokes just before a chilly slumber beneath the stars. We woke up at 4:30 am to climb the rest of the mountain in order to see the sunrise over the clouds. We drank hot cocoa and snuggled together to stay warm! We enjoyed the beautiful view and took many pictures of the sights below us. The walk down was wonderful as we said goodbye to the beautiful view and mountain top! A great experience for my first mountain climb!
The first day we climbed to the top just below the peak, we set up our tents after 5 hours of climbing, made dinner, sat around the campfire and told jokes just before a chilly slumber beneath the stars. We woke up at 4:30 am to climb the rest of the mountain in order to see the sunrise over the clouds. We drank hot cocoa and snuggled together to stay warm! We enjoyed the beautiful view and took many pictures of the sights below us. The walk down was wonderful as we said goodbye to the beautiful view and mountain top! A great experience for my first mountain climb!
a weekend in Montericco
A wonderfully spontaneous weekend in Montericco! We hopped a chicken bus at 2pm on Friday afternoon for a 5 hour trip to the southern coast of Guatemala.
Dinner was so delicious! Fresh shrimp and salad! Yum, and only for 6$ too! We listened to live music, walked along the beach and had a few drinks before bed.
The next morning we had a wonderful breakfast, packed up, payed, and had a wonderful return adventure via boat and several buses! A great weekend was had by all!
Finca tatin, Rio Dulce, Peten y TIKAL
Our adventure to Finca Tatin started with a boat ride! It was a beautiful sight riding down the river and being circled by walls of green, lush forest.
We had individual cabins that were quite cozy, mosquito nets and all! The warm weather, crisp water for swimming and the amazing food made for a great two night stay. We kayaked the river and had the opportunity to swim in hot spring located along the river. The hot water was created by the steam and heat of the surrounding volcano.
We spent our morning sitting in hammocks, reading, and watching boats filled with children on their way to school pass by us. After our long kayak of the river a few of us decided to have a much deserved sauna session. After saunaing and jumping in the river several times we have a relaxing group dinner and nights sleep.
After a restful night we went to Coban, making our way back home. That afternoon we had the chance to tour a coffee plantation, learn about the process of picking, drying and making coffee and then we got to enjoy a cup! We had a wonderful group dinner that night and woke up early the next day to head back to Xela.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
las escobas, livingston, siete altares y playa blanca
Las escobas
One of my favorite places!
We hiked, swam for hours, climbed through and one top of the falls, and sat under waterfalls.
Livingston
I am absolutely in love with Livingston. Calm, friendly and warm. The people here are so beautiful, friendly and happy.
We ate dinner at a local restaurant named Bugga Mama's, sat on the dock late that night and talked before bed.
I woke up early the next morning and wrote in my journal before breakfast. After a group breakfast, we went on a boat tour to the 7 altares and playa blanca, two very well know and beautiful locations in Livingston.
7 altares
Beautiful rock pools with crisp clean water and falls for jumping!
and Playa Blanca
One of my favorite places!
We hiked, swam for hours, climbed through and one top of the falls, and sat under waterfalls.
Livingston
I am absolutely in love with Livingston. Calm, friendly and warm. The people here are so beautiful, friendly and happy.
We ate dinner at a local restaurant named Bugga Mama's, sat on the dock late that night and talked before bed.
7 altares
Beautiful rock pools with crisp clean water and falls for jumping!
and Playa Blanca
A beautiful white sand beach! I drank out of my first coconut! We sat in the sun, swam in the ocean and relaxed all afternoon together on the beach.
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