Panajachel, Guatemala

  Panajachel, Guatemala
Thursday, December 28, 2006

We arrived in Panajachel during the midday sun. Started on our usual trek to find a home for the night. Found a place for 10euro between us and headed out for food.

Panajachel is a pretty village nestled high in the mountains, set on a spectacular lake surrounded by volcanos. Street hawkers line the streets day and night selling their wares, from weaved blankets that glow with luminous colours, jewellery handmade from shells, to fine machetes (just in case you needed to cut the Turkey!)...more than you'd ever imagine.

01b Sunset over Volcano

We found a lovely spot on the lake with good grub. We decided that seeing it was still Christmas week that we could order a bottle of wine aswell (at least it was cheap). We sat there for about 3 hours, eating freshly made fajitas, sipping on our wine and we even caught an amazing sunset over the lake. (Yes, I know this traveling thing does take a lot out of you alright!)

There are motorbike taxis everywhere, each christened with a name. We discovered 'Mary' (Mike's sisters name) and ended up chasing it around for 2 days to get a picture of it! (That's love !)

07 Mikes' sister Mary's new taxi service

We decided to do a spot of Retail Therepy (you know 'cause this traveling lark is sooo stressful!). So, we put on our haggling hats and started the hunt.

The first stall we went to Mike had no fear and went in to try on a very 'hippy' comfy pants (non chaffing!). There was no dressing room but that didn't throw Mike. He, of course, had no shame in whipping off the combats and trying on the pants. Fancied himself a bit of a hippy in them, so that was the first haggling session of the evening. We settled on 6euro and off we went to the next stall. Sarah bought 2 wooley hats for those cold winter eves next Christmas in Ireland! Even though, we needed plenty warmth in Panajachel and Antigua 'cause the nights are freezing cold.

The lake is surrounded by many Mayan Villages and the locals still wear traditional dress. The place is a well-discovered travellers spot though, so is obviously a tourist 'money haven' for the locals. Some foreigners now live there and have set up business there aswell.

We left Panajachel the day before New Years Eve (not b4 ringing home to sing 'happy birthday' to Sarah's sister Ailish) and headed back to celebrate New Years in Antigua.