Guatemala: An Expected Visit

The last time anything even remothingly exciting happened to me that I wrote about was in early Feb when my dad and uncle, Mark, came to vist me in Guatemala. It was my dad’s 4^th time (I think) and my uncle’s first. It was exciting for me because I love to show off Antigua – really all of Guatemala and I knew my uncle would appreciate the country. The plan was for them to stay a week – we were traveling to the shore to do some fishing (of course) and Semuc Champey – a place I have been dying to go. My dad and uncle are huge fishing people, and although the thought of fishing is boring (mind you I have grown up fishing) – I wanted to tag along. I figured I could catch some rays and read a book or maybe even fish myself who knows?

To sum it all up … the trip was really good. I didn’t fish but I enjoyed every second on the boat. I can ride a boat all day long and never get board. The wind in your hair and the smell it is so nice. The best part of the day was when we saw dolphins – even my uncle and dad enjoyed that more than the fishing (I think … haha). The boat crew really didn’t want to play with them much so it was a short time spent with them but well worth it.

The next journey was to Semuc – a far-outside-community in which we drove to … the thing is, when mdad goes anywhere he rents a car. Usually I don’t mind, but this drive was crazy to say the least. First off, it takes about 10 hours to get there … I think it took us over that amount. And second, the roads suck … there are no signs and asking for directions is almost impossoible. I mean, I can ask in Spanish – but that doesn’t mean I fully understand the words. It was an interesting ride … but we made it and at the end of the day that is wroth something.

Semuc is amazing – there are no words. The pictures I will show wont’t do it justice. The water is crystal – turquiouse blue. When we went the weather was perfect, cold – but prefect. There weren’t many people there also… Another thing that you have to do while you are there is go diving in the cave. We took a guided tour of a water cave where are you have is a candle!!! It was awesome – the morning started off with a rope swige… the highest rope swing I have ever been on. You sit on the seat and you have to jump off when you get to the high point. It doesn’t sound bad at all… but it was scrary and I love water and not scared of heights. We did it a couple of times before we had to head into the cave. The worst part was after you jump off, into the flowing river, you had to swim to get to the shore. If you hesitated for even amoment in the water, you were down the river. So basically you were in the water and trying with all your might to get to the side. It was funny because you were in shock because of the jump, then the cold water hits you like a brick – then you have to swim against the current!!!

Next was the cavern … the same cold water but at least you are use to it now. At parts of this cave we could touch, but for the most part we were swimming from rock to rock or ledge to ledge. The difficult portions were trying not to let the candle go out in the water and swim at the same time. Ha

There were only a couple of places throughout the cave that the water flowed really hard and I had to let the candle go out just so I could hold on to something so I woldn’t losr my balance and drift down and away. Highly recommend!!!!! At one point we had to climb up and out of the water and pass through – literally through- a water fall. The water was coming down so hard and fast you lost your breathe for a second as you passed under it. Once you were there you had to climb a short ladder to cont on the jouney. It was so cool!!

The trip for them was short but sweet! I really enjoyed having them there.

We took tons of photos but I got my camera stolen so I will post pics not from my camera. :)