Weekend at Lake Atitlan

After 4 days of volunteering at Nuevo Amanacer, we are going to the Atitlan Lake for the weekend.

The journey there is once again adventurous, but thanks to Vicky's good directions, we at least know the individual stops.

By chicken bus from Itzapa via Chimaltenango via Los Encuentros via Solala to Panajachel

First we drive to Chimaltenango. There we ask for the next bus to "Los Encuentros". From a street vendor, we learn that there is even a direct bus to Panajachel that departs in about 1 hour. When we come back after our coffee break, which also gives us more energy for the trip, another bus arrives that apparently also goes directly to Panajachel. Despite asking three times if it is really direct, in the end we still have to change buses, specifically in "Los Encuentros", just like Vicky's directions say. One last time, we have to change buses in Solala, where there is a lively market with extremely loud music. After the last ride on the chicken bus, we finally arrive at our destination, Panajachel, at Lake Atitlan. Bus travel in Guatemala is extremely exhausting and once again I am looking forward to returning to Europe soon, where there is order and peace and you can rely on what people say.

Finally peace and relaxation in Panajachel

Our Airbnb is located in a quiet area and we appreciate the warm shower, the working toilet flush, things we haven't had in the last 4 days.

Later we walk into the town. The view of the 2 volcanoes from the lake is phenomenal.

We haven't had much luck with the weather over the weekend. Nevertheless, on our full day, we manage to visit some of the surrounding villages by ferry. On the recommendation of our host, we drive to Santa Cruz, from where we hike to the next village. In San Marcos (a small hippie tourist village), we go to the Nature Reserve, where we can finally swim in the lake, which is quite cool but refreshing. Unfortunately, we also discover empty shampoo and detergent containers here, left by people who use the lake as a laundry room.

By now, we have also developed a good sense to find the good and affordable restaurants in a tourist place. We eat in a small restaurant with 2 tables in a side street, where we watch the older lady cook. The food is the best so far in Guatemala and also the cheapest, including the Liquado de Papaya y Banano (banana-papaya milkshake). That's why we return 2 more times for breakfast and dinner. :)