The Most Beautiful Lake in Guatemala and the World

  Panajachel, Guatemala
Saturday, November 10, 2007

2.First View of Lago Atitlan

2.More Breathtaking Views - Volcano in view

UNRIVALED BEAUTY IN GUATEMALA
We woke up at 4am the next day, so we could get an early start on our 3-hour drive with Benigno. On our way to visit the magnificently beautiful Lago Atitlan we drove through the following towns: Jocotenango (named after the Jocote fruit), San Miguel del Tejar, Chimaltenango, San Juan de Comalapa, Saragoza, Tecpan (where Guatemalan wagons are made), Canton Chupol, and Solola as we ended our journey in the lake town of Panajachel.

3.Mami Posing by the View

Our first stop was a delicious Chapin breakfast with a beautiful view of the lake. We delighted in savory eggs, Guatemalan sausage, cheese, guacamole, refried beans, sweet plantains and rice. YUM.

Once our stomachs were full, we headed towards the dock for an up-close view of the lake. We boarded a small boat driven by Diego and sailed away. Every picture was more beautiful than the next! We docked the boat in the lakeside town of San Antonio, where Benigno gave us a tour, which included the fabric weaving houses and a fitting with the local gowns and head pieces!

4.Our Boat to tour the Lake

5.Beautiful Lake Atitlan Again

We purchased a few items and were then approached by a little girl. "Mam, you took a picture with me and didn't buy anything!" she claimed. We took a picture with all the kids, at the suggestion of the fabric factory owner. Surely we weren't expected to buy products from all of them! We succumbed to the guilt and bought a few more pieces and headed on our way, as we were continuously approached by the most aggressive local vendor women. Unlike Antigua, where they walk away when you say "no thanks", the women here followed us to the boat and never seemed to give up! We showed them all the products we already bought, boarded our boat and sailed away.

6.Both Volcanoes in View at Lake Atitlan

8.My mom and I both dressed in local fabrics

POLLO CAMPERO
When we returned from the boat ride, Benigno started the ride to the airport. We dozed a few times until we arrived in Guatemala City, where we made a pit stop for lunch at the Guatemalan famous Pollo Campero. Absolutely finger-licking good!