Transport - taking a mixture of shuttles and chicken buses enables you to get the best of both worlds. I thoroughly enjoyed catching chicken buses with locals people watching and practising my Spanish. They were also super cheap. However, sometimes it was nice to get shuttles for longer distances so you did not have to... Continue Reading →

It was a breath of fresh air to have a breakfast which was not eggs, tortillas and black beans. I tucked into some street food barbecued chicken, seasoned noodles and refried beans. It was a hearty breakfast which set me up for the day ahead. I began my hike to the 7 alters through the... Continue Reading →

As you can imagine, the yachting industry is very serious, wealthy and intense. Dining with those that yacht was an interesting affair. Most of the conversation of course revolved around, yes you guessed it - boats. If I so desired, I am sure I could have joined one of these boating crews and done some... Continue Reading →

There are times when couch surfing can bring you to a five star Guatemalan resort, free of charge. I am currently sat on a comfortable sofa under a palm tree hut in front of a blue, spacious, stunning swimming pool which overlooks the gorgeous marina. I am staying in Rio Dulce meaning sweet river and... Continue Reading →

The four hour chicken bus ride from Xela to Guatemala city went smoothly. I got a seat and enjoyed watching the driver and helper squeeze as many passengers on as possible. I now know the reason for this. The driver is paid something like £200 a month for filling the bus up to its capacity,... Continue Reading →

'You are alone? That's very dangerous (peligroso)', the old Guatemalan lady said to me in Spanish. I hesitantly jumped off the chicken bus in San Martin, half believing the lady and worrying about my safety. I followed the signs to the volcano laguna and met a local at the bridge. I asked him if I... Continue Reading →

I took the boat from Panajachel to San Pedro and then to San Juan. Again I was the only white person on the boat - I'm getting used to this now. I later found out that my picture had been taken on the boat and posted on the San Juan launcher (boat) Facebook page with... Continue Reading →

I sat down on a grey, cold, stone wall watching the bright sun set over the tranquil lake Atitlan. The beautiful oranges and yellows gave me a sense of hope. It was new years eve and I had just rocked up on my own to Panahachel after taking three mobbed, hectic, jam-packed chicken buses. The... Continue Reading →

Waking up in a bed in Antigua - regardless of the fact that my mattress was in the middle a three bed bunk story, was so pleasant compared to my prior night in the tent. I had a quick last mooch around the lovely, jolly, lively town before checking out of the hostel. I hauled... Continue Reading →

Volcano Acatenango (3976m) is the third largest volcano in central America, so when the opportunity arose for me to hike up it and camp with a view of the neighbouring active volcano Fuego (3,763) and the dormant volcano Agua, I could barely refuse. The hike began through farmland, which presented us with a vertical climb... Continue Reading →