In a shuttle, on the way to Semuc Champey.
I wasn't sure if it was worth stopping here, but it was on the way to my next destination, and people say it's one of the most beautiful places in the country.
Our shuttle took us as far as the town of Lanquín where I got into the back of a truck with others going to a hostel closer to Semuc Champey. The stand-up journey was long and bumpy.
A 14-year old boy got on and said "Hi, what's your name?" He asked so smoothly and with confidence. He later told me that there would be a party at the hotel that night and he insisted that we should dance together! It's not everyday a 14-year old hits on you.
Our hostel lodge with cabins:
The facilities are somewhat limited here, and electricity is only available during certain hours. I pictured my Belgian roommate crying tears of happiness upon his return to the world of wi-fi and convenience stores.
The rare and resplendent quetzal. Both Guatemala's national bird and the name of the currency.
We begin a one-hour hike to reach the Semuc Champey viewpoint.
Semuc Champey
Now, time to get up close & personal!
We swam in all of the larger pools, jumping or diving into each successively.
We had to slide down this one.
Another group climbed up this waterfall, but our guide took us to a less steep waterfall to climb up.
There's a small cave beneath here. You can hold your breath and go inside if you feel comfortable enough.
After lunch back at the hostel, we got ready to go to a larger cave system - the Grutas de Kanba. Previously I'd read reviews about these caves being dangerous, with people getting injured and dying, and how a tour like this would never happen in Canada or the US. I was hesitant after the online reviews, but I ended up feeling completely fine inside the cave.
It's dark in nearly all parts of the cave, so we were each given a candle at the entrance. It felt like we were taking part in some type of satanic ritual as we walked into the watery cave with candlelight in hand.
Water level within the cave ranged from ankle- to waist-deep, and at times swimming and wall-clinging was necessary. Sometimes there was rope along the side for you to grasp.
There were slippery, broken ladders, a diving spot, lots of rocks, rushing water, and a hole where you can slip your body through, ultimately landing below into the rushing water below.
There were several tour groups inside the cave, but there were also people who chose to stay out of the cave, not dive inside it, or not pass through the hole-slide - you can't really see where you're going with that one. Before passing through it, you had to blow out your candle and put it in your mouth before proceeding.
I think most people got at least a cut or bruise from the endeavour.
On the walk toward the river for our next activity, kids did their best to sell gringos beer and chocolate.
A very unsettling bridge, either by car or foot.
Time to tube down the river.
It was great fun, until I hit a rock :/
Then, someone got the idea to jump off the bridge into the river below.
I said, 'no thanks,' as I don't have much experience diving and knew I'd probably do it in the least efficient, most painful way.
Walking back to our hostel, a kid with a cooler full of beer followed.
You could easily get lost in the nature out here for some time, forgetting the rest of the world outside.
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