Guatemala part 3

 Indigenous folks we passed en route to Atitlan - amidst the maize fields.

 No.  The volcano is not erupting.  Turns out that there is often a cloud there from the micro climate formed above the caldera.

 One of several volcanoes around Lake Atitlan.  It was worth a second photo for the blog.  Panajachel is below.

 The scenery around the hotel was breathtaking and included a waterfall in the mountains above the hotel.  This is a look across the lake (2nd largest in Guatemala, and a very deep lake at that).  The lake's elevation is about 5,500 ft. and the climate is known as eternal spring.

 The artwork and gardens at the hotel were to die for.  Just ask Gayle.  Our room (we swapped with the boys so they could have two beds) was on the end of the 3rd (top) floor (and was #315, visible  in this shot)and looked out on the garden and the lake.  Unbelievable views.

 More of the hotel outdoor walkway on our floor.

Looking back toward Panajachel.  I should mention that I got in several good runs this week, including a couple back at Camino Real in Petén on the gravel road next to the lake.  Here at Atitlan several of the Marshes and the Cospers' daughter got in a run with me.  Some of us had to back off of the hill route due to a massive mud slide that had covered the road.  It was a very nice run though.

 Our bed in #315 at Hotel Atitlan.

 Yes.  Believe it or not, this is what we looked out at from our room.

 The gardens were amazing.

 Many exotic plants we'd never seen before.

 An infinity jacuzzi next to the pool.  We tested it out later.

 Jared in the evening.

 Looking back at the restaurant and the mountains behind the hotel.

Here's the pool, just beyond the restaurant's outdoor seating.

The catamaran was loading to head across the lake to visit Santiago de Atitlan.  Here we are on the dock with a couple of the guys helping with the voyage.  You can't see in this photo, but just behind us there is a gazebo and lamp, etc. underwater.  Turns out that the lake level has risen about 15 feet over the last several years.  It goes through cycles.
Jared, catching some rays on the trip across the lake.

Some of the group (Rich, Trevor, and Charlene chatting) on the trip over.
Jared and Dallin en route.

Jared's smart phone (Android) wide angle shot on the way to Santiago de Atitlan.

These are in no particular order, but here are some shots from the Hotel Atitlan.  This is part of the breakfast spread.  There were beautiful decorations everywhere.

One of the displays in near the restaurant.

Bringing back more orange juice at breakfast.  I could've had watermelon, pineapple, or papaya juice too, probably.

Gayle, about to eat chicken & vegetable soup at lunch.  I went for the black bean soup.  The lemonade was fantastic too.  I had mine with mineral water.
 Note Gayle's right eye.  She woke up one morning at El Camino Real Hotel at Petén Itza and it had swollen shut.  As best as we can tell it was a mosquito bite in her eye socket next to her nose.  I slip this shot in here because the next shot was a couple of days later at Atitlan and the swelling was still noticeable.

A photo at an evening event (birthday party for Ted Fairchild, one of our group).  Gayle's eye is getting better.

A wall in an art store in Santiago de Atitlan.  Out of place with the other photos, but colorful so I'll leave it here.

Fruit anyone?

Outdoor seating at the restaurant.

And this would be indoor seating for breakfast.

Another shot out of place.  This is a lady selling cloth in Santiago de Atitlan.

Two of the locals in their traditional dress.

The garden right below our balcony.

More of the garden at the hotel.

Kicking back at Hotel Atitlan.

One of the hotel staff with the guys.

Garden, looking out at the dock.

Life, imitating art.

It must be a popular hotel, there's a helicopter landing pad.

One last look down at the hotel, just to the right of the ugly green tower hotel.  Next, on to Antigua Guatemala.

The guys in their "Man Cave" section at the back of bus #2 en route to Antigua.  Antigua was the ancient capital of this central part of Latin America.  It is a very scenic, artsy, colonial city.  Our hotel was a very old convent, restored and turned into a ritzy hotel, complete with several museums inside.  The following Antigua and final Guatemala City photos are not in a particular order.

A local band with 6 guys playing the marimba.  They were performing not far from the downtown plaza in the evenings.

By far the fanciest McDonald's I had been to.  Here's a look into the McCafé where Rich, Pam, and Terry are talking.

Another part of the McDonald's.  There also was a spacious garden area with seating, a kids area at the back, an Internet area, and the usual dining area.

On a hill above Antigua, with our Guatemalan t-shirts on.

Jared and Erin above Antigua.

Dallin, the local, above Antigua as well.

The young singles club - Jared, Rebecca, Dallin, and Erin.

The youngsters eating out.  Steve Marsh, Erin, John Marsh, Jared, Dallin, and Rebecca Marsh.

Somewhere in Antigua.

Inside the Casa Santo Domingo Hotel, in Antigua.

More local color.

Inside our room at Casa Santo Domingo, a colonial convent converted into a hotel.

These doors open into a private, small garden area.

Trekking up the parking lot driveway toward the buses to leave for the capital city.

The guys ready to board load their stuff on the bus so they can visit the city before leaving.

A couple of adventurers.

A mural in one of the hotel museums, with Pam May to the right.

Near our hotel room.


Our room from the outside.

Looking in with the door open.  You can see the fireplace at the back left, and the doors to the garen to the right.

Beauty everywhere around at the hotel.

More convent decorations.

Artwork all around.

Rebecca and Jared relaxing at a jade museum and factory we visited.

Checking out a jade marimba at the factory.

Wearing a jade encrusted costume at the museum/factory.  Guatemalan jade is significantly harder than the more common Chinese jade.

We, of course, hit the market.

We also visited a couple of the many Catholic churches in Antigua. 

More decor back at the hotel.

Dallin blended right in.

Gayle wanted an artsy shot of hot chocolate.

Colorful street selling.

Old colonial vs. modern street market.

A shot of a pathway inside the convent/hotel.

In the hotel somewhere.

More convent/hotel artwork.  A marriage ceremony was held here the night we stayed.

Jared and parrots.  I believe somewhere in the Casa de Santo Domingo Hotel.

So scenic I have to show another shot of Antigua from the hill above it.

Jared, the Mayan king.  Although for those interested, many LDS scholars think the Olmecs and Jaredites are correlated, whereas the Mayans correlate time-wise and probably location-wise with the Nephite/Lamanite civilizations.

Back at our Guatemala City hotel, the Barceló.  We held a great testimony meeting the night before leaving.  Here are Steven Marsh, Erin Elton, Jared, Colleen and John Walker, Rebecca Marsh, Dallin Large, and John Marsh.

A farewell kiss from the guys to send Rebecca on her way.