Semuc Chempey, Guatemala
Trip Start
Apr 07, 2006
1
17
31
Trip End
Aug 18, 2006
Semuc Chempey,
Guatemala
Thursday, June 22, 2006
I stayed at probably the best place I've stayed so far in Lanquin, a place called El Retiro. Its nestled on a fast flowing and clean river, and had a really nice restaurant. However I think what really makes me enjoy and remember a place are the people. There was a great bunch of people at El Retiro.
On the afternoon I arrived we hire tubes (tire inner tubes) and got a lift up river to the mouth of the Lanquin caves
01_The morning after night 1 in Lanquin
. From there we floated down the fast flowing river, stopping every now and again to relax. Its the same river that passed El Retiro, so when we got there we simply had to climb out the river into the restaurant for the first of many beers and rums that night. So we had a great first night, learning to salsa (me very badly) and having a good laugh.The next day a bunch of us hopped on a passing truck to the Limestone pools of Semuc Chempey. They are quite spectacular, with gushing water disappearing underground for about 150 meters, but leaving crystal clear, cool, clean waters in limestone pools above. After climbing up to the mirrador in what must have been close to 90% humidity, the rest of the afternoon was well spend relaxing in the water.
That night (perhaps because of the last nights revelries - and because the crazy Californian girls had left) it was very sedate, just sitting around playing cards and having a couple quite beers. Now what I am about to say might come as a shock to some, especially those that have travelled in South America: I met some really cool Israelis, who taught me and Ollie the English guy I travelled for a couple of days with some Israeli card games. Another myth or preconceived idea destroyed!
