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Other entries in Panajachel

Antigua ruins, trip to Lago de Atitlán

We wake up early to a sunrise and a lovely view from our bedroom window. After a couple of Skype chats we hang out in the cute courtyard waiting for breakfast. Yellow House (Casa Amarilla) is known for its good breakfasts and didn't disappoint (except for having the worst coffee in Central America - which tasted like dish water). You can pile your plate high with delicious fresh fruits, beans, bread, eggs, pancakes..wonderful! We are not sure whether to stay another night or go to Lago de Atitlán. The kiwi receptionist at the hostel recommended a great place for coffee called 'Fernandos'. He roasts and grinds his own beans and makes his own chocolate (if you're lucky he lets you taste them too). We have a hot chocolate and a lattè that tastes smooth and delicious.

We go off in search of an adaptor for our UK plugs...stupidly we forgot to make that! Several shops later we find one.. phew we can charge gadgets again.. woohoo. We stumble across some ruins have a quick look. The buildings had been destroyed by an earthquake and the bricks left where they fell giving a wierd spooky feeling. 

We pack up, grab snacks and grab the next transport to Lago de Atitlán. It is a 3 hour shuttle ride (setup for gringos really). The roads are very windy and up and down. We arrive at the main pier of Panajachel. This place doesn't really get rave reviews and is known to be very crowded and just full of tourists, so aren't planning on staying long. We are headed for Santa Cruz de laguna which is a small village across the lake by boat taxi. We haul our bags on the next boat and speed across the water. It doesn't take long and before we know it we arrive at the dock. The hostel of our choosing is La Iguana Perdida (The Lost Iguana). Santa Cruz is a quiet village and the hostel is right on the front, so not far to walk. The lake is beautiful with blue water and volcanos dominating the skyline.

The Iguana is a good place to stay. We opt for a cute free standing hut with balcony, shared bathroom and no electricity (Q150, but romantic :-)) Dinner is a set menu for Q50 served 'family style' altogether on one big table. So we swing on hammocks snack on beans, tortilla and chilli with beer and relax staring out onto the water.

A bit tricky getting ready for dinner in the dark!! Stupidly we hadn't got the flash lights ready before it got dark so spent a good 20 minutes triping over each other :-)  Dinner on the tonight is a big bowl of Spinach soup to start (Joe loves it, I find it a bit bitter), vegetable tempura (light and crisp batter) with amazing garlicy guacamole (creamy, smooth and tasty) with ginger rice and salad. You can help yourself to as much as you want, and believe me there is a mountain of food for everyone. The finale is squash cake which one can have with coffee, but we have a with beer.  The cake is nice but I can't really eat it as I am too full!

We arrange the next day to go the Chichicastengo market as it is Saturday and supposed to be a great market.  This will involve getting the boat taxi at 7am.... So we grab a few candles to light our path and head back to the hut for a snooze.

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