21 May - 28 May, 2014
Well well well. Here we are again for another chapter of the infamous blog! Plenty to go through, across two countries with 3 awesome locations. However, before I start, a big shout out to Marty and Bec from Provoke Performance for working relentlessly while papa bear is travelling (if you haven't heard of Provoke Performance, check em out at provokeperformance.com.au).
Anyway, enough of the shameless plugs. Welcome to the latest and greatest from the twisted mind of Damo (and Kath). I'll be short on the text so you can enjoy the photos (assuming you are like me and skip straight to the photos).
The highlights
- Granada (Nicaragua, not Spain) was awesome. Definitely a party place. Cheap drinks (we're talking $1 for mojotos), cobblestone, climbing clock towers for awesome views, hanging out with new found friends, playing cards, chilling out, thunderstorms in the evening (making for an easy excuse to play cards and drink a beer).
- Antigua (Guatamala) even cooler. More cobblestone streets, awesome food (bring on delicious, vegetarian lunches, a chicken dinner for $3 each, and a cafe made from old bus parts), cool hole in the wall bars such as porque no? and no se (think shady pines but 10% the size, double the coolness and zero pretentious-ness), cheap as markets with fresh food and screaming merchants, fireworks day and night, and happy locals.
- Pacaya (Gatamala) volcano. What's that? Did we climb a volcano? Yep. Did we roast marshmallows on lava? Yep. Did I do this with stitches in my leg? You better believe it.
- Then there was Atitlan (Guatamala), a 3 hour bumpy bus ride from Antigua, and worth it. Volcanos, more cobblestone, numerous small towns, more vegetarian food, chilled, cheap, happy.
The Summary
Weather: A little chilly actually. We even wore our jumpers. Crazy. But still quite nice.
Surf: No surf, all inland.
Food: Quite a bit of veto. Most lunches were falafel tortillas. Delicious! Dinners were local, as we're breakfasts. Beans, avocado, eggs, whatever we could find.
Beverages: Not that much. A glass or two of wine over cards, some local beers, that was about it.
People: Awesome! Great people on Granada (shout out to brits Neil and xx), Aussies in Antigua and an American couple in Atitlan.
Accommodation: Cheap and cheerful. Granada was nice, pool, relaxed. Antigua cheap, noisy. Atitlan cheap, relaxed and peaceful.
Budget: A good 35% under budget. Guatamala and Nicaragua are cheap places!
Overall: Had a really great time! These places are must visits. Scenery is mockingly breathtaking, volcanos, lakes, colourful streets, really what we pictured Central America to look like!
That's it for now, until next time friends,
Hasta luego,
Damo (and Kath)
Granada
 |
| Granada, what a view |
 |
| Every place was full of colour |
 |
| We've never stared at blank walls so much! Such vibrant colours |
 |
| In her element. A chocolate museum! |
 |
| Granada is bustling, street stalls and people everywhere |
 |
| Climbed the clock tower, enjoying the view |
 |
| Horses, clock tower, cobblestone streets. V cool |
 |
| Our" budget" accommodation |
 |
| Evening cocktails and break dancers, this guy hating the attention |
Antigua
 |
| Super excited to be in Antigua. Freaking bueno. |
 |
| On her way to school. |
 |
| We actually ate a lot of vegetarian food. This whole meal cost about $3 each |
 |
| Volcano view from the local roof top bar |
 |
| Somewhat of a niche market, but street vendors would try to sell you plants |
 |
| We found a cafe where all the furniture is made from recycled bus parts |
 |
| I asked this guard if I could take a photo. Smiling ,he said yes. Then put on the meanest face he could for the shot. Straight after he was back to all smiles. |
 |
| Photographer extraordinaire |
 |
| Unique houses, a photographer's dream |
 |
| The driveway to our hostel. What $12 a night will get you. Not bad |
 |
| Beautiful old churches |
 |
| It wouldn't be central america without an empanada |
 |
| We totally climbed a volcano. Stitches and all. |
 |
| Playing hide and seek in 2 month old lava |
 |
| Is that a perfectly roasted marshmallow, roasted from lava? Yep |
 |
| Within seconds the marshmallows were on fire |
 |
| At the base of the volcano, volunteers sold jewelry made from lava, with proceeds going to victims of the 2010 eruption. We both bought lovely bracelets. Mine looks pretty and really brings out my eyes. |
 |
| Selfies on top of the volcano |
 |
| View from the top |
 |
| Smoking allowed in Antigua |
 |
| Posing for the camera, these guys would take the lazier traveler to the top of the volcano |
 |
| Super hidden hole in the wall bar - porque no? Which means why not? |
 |
| While our friends work back home, we pass the time playing cards over a glass of vino. Yes, it's ok to hate us :) |
 |
| No wifi apparently. Wish they had a sign |
 |
| Traditional Mayan clothing |
 |
| The local buses are decorated awesomely! |
 |
| The markets, where you can buy 8 avocados for $1... |
 |
| ... or a live duck |
 |
| Getting a great dose of culture and ruins |
 |
| Cheap and cheerful eats, this one set us back $3 each |
 |
| Morning coffee, a view and hammocks. What more could you need? |
 |
| Plenty of corrugated iron |
 |
| Lake Atitlan, where the water is blue, the air fresh and there are volcanos to look at |
 |
| In true central american style, the boats will wait until it is impossible to fit more people on before they depart, however it's such a great way to check out the little villages in Atitlan |
 |
| Best vegetarian lunch I've ever had! You guessed right, that's home made bread. What?! |
 |
| This little bad boy nearly landed on my head. As punishment we will eat him. |
 |
| What's better than one volcano? 2 of course, and lake Atitlan delivered |
 |
| I finally got my stitches out. Instead of 3 weeks, it was 12 days. You may call me wolverine if you like. However,critical to the healing process was the nightly alcohol cleanse nurse kath gave me. This was my relaxing time to read. Naturally. |
 |
| Plenty of nuts |
 |
| Another selfie? Not quite, check out the guy in the background, mid fall from a motorcycle accident. He was ok though. |
 |
| The 2 volcanoes of Atitlan. Just awesome. |
 |
| After 2 months of travel, we still haven't killed each other...! |
 |
| Poor dude, it's been a stressful day |
