After a few days in Antigua, we shuttled up the mountains to Lake Atitlan. Like Antigua, Atitlan is surrounded by volcanoes and is picturesque.
Kevin and Amy on the rim of Lake Atitlan
The communities that line the shores of the lake have distinct personalities and are incredibly popular with American and European backpackers. After arriving in Panajachel, we hopped on a public boat and headed to Santa Cruz, a quiet and laid-back village on the north shore.
Street scene in "Pana"
(Check out that electric distribution system!)
(Check out that electric distribution system!)
Maya crafts vendor
View of the lake from our room
After a night at Atitlan, we decided to begin making our way back to Honduras. We spent another night in Antigua and then shuttled back down to Copan.
On the shuttle, we met Justin, an English traveler who was nursing a butchered leg. He had been on a hiking tour of Pacaya, one of the volcanoes near Antigua, when the volcano began erupting. As the lava spewed, his guide yelled “Run!” His group suffered numerous injuries, ranging from burns to cuts and dislocated shoulders (from tumbling down the scree-covered slope), but they also made Page 4 of the national newspaper. We spent the entire 5-and-a-half hour ride chatting, and Justin joined us in our adventures for the next few days.
The next day was Sunday – and my birthday. We headed to the Maya ruins for a repeat visit to the most ornate site in the Maya world. We also visited the museum, which had been closed for renovations on our previous visit several years before. That night, we played pool and air hockey and bar-hopped through Copan.
On the shuttle, we met Justin, an English traveler who was nursing a butchered leg. He had been on a hiking tour of Pacaya, one of the volcanoes near Antigua, when the volcano began erupting. As the lava spewed, his guide yelled “Run!” His group suffered numerous injuries, ranging from burns to cuts and dislocated shoulders (from tumbling down the scree-covered slope), but they also made Page 4 of the national newspaper. We spent the entire 5-and-a-half hour ride chatting, and Justin joined us in our adventures for the next few days.
The next day was Sunday – and my birthday. We headed to the Maya ruins for a repeat visit to the most ornate site in the Maya world. We also visited the museum, which had been closed for renovations on our previous visit several years before. That night, we played pool and air hockey and bar-hopped through Copan.
Copan's main plaza (one side only)
Justin cheezing it up with our guide's
feather staff and a Honduran lempira note,
which features the scene in the background
feather staff and a Honduran lempira note,
which features the scene in the background
Close-up of the "Old Man of Copan"
Kevin copying his favorite Copan carving
Playing pool on the deck
On Monday, we headed back to the eastern shore and overnighted in Copan. The next day, we ferried back to Roatan. (This trip, the ferry earned its “Vomit Comet” moniker. As passengers got progressively more seasick, the crew made the rounds handing out plastic puke bags.) Justin joined us in Port Royal a few days later, and we resumed pondering what to do with ourselves.
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