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| At night we could see Volcano Fuego erupting and spewing Lava |
A N T I G U A - G U A T E M A L A
After a 8 hour transfer in a narrow fully packed Minibus we arrived in Antigua whilst thunderstorms were flooding the streets of the old colonial, once Guatemalas capital. Due to the proximity to the nearby volcanoes, the city was rebuilt where today Guatemala City stands. While visiting Antigua, it is very recommendable to go to a lot of restaurants - food is amazing - and to try out some delicious coffee. Because of my injury, I couldn't hike Volcan Acatenango, but its still on my list as I'm sure that I missed out. From Antigua, Lago Atitlan is 3 hours away, what was finally my second stop in Guatemala.
L A G O A T I T L A N
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| Santa Catalina Arch and a touristic streets full of gringos |
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| A street artist receives admiration from everyone |
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| An old lady selling mangoes and other fruits and a couple of locals selling craftwork |
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| Heading to Lake Atitlan |
L A G O A T I T L A N
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| My personal balcony with a incredible view on the lake and its surrounding volcanoes |
The most beautiful lake in Central America is definitely this one. It is perfect to relax, recover from surfing and have vacation surrounded by nature. I spent 2 nights at in the Maya Moon Lodge, having the whole dorm to my own, which smelled after freshly cut wood and honeybees. During the day, warm temperatures up to 30 degrees, at night as cool that you needed to sleep with a blanket. Incredible! On site, I got to know two very sympathic Chileans, Carmen and Monserrat and we decided to travel together to the north of Guatemala.
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| On my way to Lake Atitlan |
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| The morning view from my bed - I was super stoked! |
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| Mystical morning at Lago Atitlan! |
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| To be honest, these pictures made me wake up very early but I'm already used to it from surfing! |
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| GoPro shot from my balcony |
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| Maya Moon Lodge |
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| Each village and some resorts have their own pier, when a boat taxi drives past, just wave your hand and you get picked up! |
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| So we did and these locals learned how to do the 'Shaka' move |
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| Climbing up the steep streets of San Marcos together with Monserrat |
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| Feels like home in our lakes around Munich, just the view is a bit different! |
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| At night, a big thunderstorm happened on the other side of the lake... |
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| ... and simultaneously we could see Volcan Fuego erupting in the background! Incredible experience. |
S E M U C C H A M P E Y
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| Getting the car properly organized together with Carmen! |
In Antigua, we rented a car and made our way up to Semuc Champey, which made us see natural pools, caves and a lot of friendly indigenous people - see yourself!
T I K A L
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| Leaving Antigua - can you spot the sleeping man? |
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| GoPro filming technique on the way to Semuc |
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| Driving down the hills until we finally reached Lanquin, where we stayed two nights |
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| Exploring the caves |
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| Lookout to the natural pools |
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| Ready to get a cool refreshment |
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| Event under water the colour remains green-blue! |
T I K A L
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| Ruins in the middle of the jungle |
From Semuc Champey it took us another 8 hours to drive up to Flores, the closest city to the Tikal National Park. We crossed rivers with a super old ferry, cowboys and their cows were blocking our way for some minutes until we finally reached Flores, a little town built on an island. The next day, we woke up super early and drove with our rental car to the the ruins of Tikal. The long drive was worth it, the ruins were spectacular. Situated in the middle of the jungle, monkey noises everywhere and finally a impressive view from the biggest Maya temple overlooking all of the surrounding jungle until the horizon!
P A L E N Q U E - M E X I C O
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| Getting there took a while ... |
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| ... and that not only because of bad streets |
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| Lookout from our hostel terrace in Flores |
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| Lots of monkeys everywhere around! |
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| Having fun exploring the ruins with Monserrat |
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| Epic viewpoint from the top |
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| Mama Carmen and her two kids! |
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| Getting the shot |
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| A couple of monkey shots... |
P A L E N Q U E - M E X I C O
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| Beautiful ruins of Palenque |
On the next day, I crossed the border and arrived at Palenque, Mexico. Same hot and humid temperatures as in Flores, but less beautiful, the city and the ruins as well. Due to that fact, I booked my bus down to San Christobal de las Casas and was ready to leave the next day. But finally destiny wanted it differently.
A couple of weeks ago, the Mexican government decided to privatize education and modify a lot of laws, which finally would have a big impact on teachers and especially on the future of this land, his children. Many people started to demonstrate in form of blocking strategic roads for everyone, especially for trucks and buses in order to destabilize the economy.
That means I was waiting for seven hours at the bus terminal and didn't really know what was going on. At a travel agency I finally found a solution, a privat transfer to one of the road blocks, 15 mins walking with my luggage and another transfer on the other side. And on the way we stopped by two different waterfalls...
S A N C H R I S T O B A L D E L A S C A S A S
A couple of weeks ago, the Mexican government decided to privatize education and modify a lot of laws, which finally would have a big impact on teachers and especially on the future of this land, his children. Many people started to demonstrate in form of blocking strategic roads for everyone, especially for trucks and buses in order to destabilize the economy.
That means I was waiting for seven hours at the bus terminal and didn't really know what was going on. At a travel agency I finally found a solution, a privat transfer to one of the road blocks, 15 mins walking with my luggage and another transfer on the other side. And on the way we stopped by two different waterfalls...
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| The beautiful waterfall of Misol-Ha |
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| We could even walk behind it! |
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| Visiting Agua Azul - this time of the year called Agua de Chocolate because of its colour during raining season |
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| Even if not being blue, it was definitely beautiful to watch |
S A N C H R I S T O B A L D E L A S C A S A S
Together with Alon from Israel I explored the beautiful colonial town of San Christobal and got things ready like a haircut, washing clothes and other stuff. Already on our first evening we bumped into a couple of really friendly Mexicans and had a funny night dancing and drinking beers and tequilas.
A brief explanation of what is currently going on in Mexico
C A N O N S U M I D E R O
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| Morning coffee from our rooftop of the recommendable hostel 'Akumal' |
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| You gotta do what you gotta you! |
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| Pozol, a typical power drink in the rural areas of Mexico consisting of corn, cacao, cane sugar and water |
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| San Christobal has a huge density of beautiful churches, maybe the nicest I've seen on my trip so far |
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| Dancing Salsa in the streets of San Christobal de las Casas |
A brief explanation of what is currently going on in Mexico
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| Photo exhibition in the center of San Christobal |
As I told you before, teachers are demonstrating and doing roadblocks against upcoming reformations in the education sector. In the city of Oaxaca, 13 people were shot dead because police used arms against the people during one of these roadblocks. Very very sad to see how the Mexican government is treating its people and it made everything only become worse. EU and USA were advising not to visit the state of Oaxaca, because being too dangerous for people from abroad. Unfortunately I needed to go to this state, because its holds best surf in Mexico. In each city I could get a bit more of information of what is going on and how to get to the beaches of Oaxaca.
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| 'Esto es del pueblo' - es unterliegt dem Volk und nicht den Politikern! |
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| Critical artwork concerning the current political situation in the states of Chiapas and Oaxaca |
C A N O N S U M I D E R O
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| El Canon Sumidero |
Canon Sumidero is definitely one of the most impressive landscapes I've seen on this trip so far. Only one hour from San Christobal, you arrive to Chiapa de Corzo and take a speed boat to explore the canyon and its wildlife. Steep cliffs up to 1000 meters stoked out the whole tourist crowd and this short trip together with Alon will stay a good memory.
Finally I've made it and I'm surfing again after a two week break. Couldn't wait to be back in the water. Right now I'm in Mexicos' Surfing capital Puerto Escondido and the waves are pretty good, but its super hot and there are way too many sandflies and mosquitos who like sucking german blood. In about 10 days I will fly up to Puerto Vallarta in the state Nayarit to get to know some other surf spots in the north of Mexico!
Hasta luego y cuidense!
Andrés
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| Together with Alon on a boat full of tourists |
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| We didn't only see small Crocos... |
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| ... also some bigger ones |
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| And other wildlife |
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| Waterfalls |
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| Chiapa de Corzo |
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| Tuxtla Gutierrez - my last night before I tried to get into the state of Oaxaca with various street blockades |
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| On the way to the beaches of Oaxaca, don't focus too much on how the taxi driver mounted my surfboards, but rather on the street blockade in the background |
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| Oaxaca here I come! |
Finally I've made it and I'm surfing again after a two week break. Couldn't wait to be back in the water. Right now I'm in Mexicos' Surfing capital Puerto Escondido and the waves are pretty good, but its super hot and there are way too many sandflies and mosquitos who like sucking german blood. In about 10 days I will fly up to Puerto Vallarta in the state Nayarit to get to know some other surf spots in the north of Mexico!
Hasta luego y cuidense!
Andrés
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| Surfing Playa Zicatela in Puerto Escondido |
