Semuc Champay

After a day of rest in Flores following El Mirador, I headed south to Lanquin and Semuc Champay. I spent my birthday doing the Semuc Champay tour, which was a blast. You start out by wading and swimming through a cave carved out by the river that runs through it. You climb up waterfalls and jump off ledges all inside the cave. Next you exit the cave and jump off a giant rope swing into a river. Then you walk upstream, climb a cliff next to a big waterfall and jump off. You get in an innertube and go down the river, then climb to a lookout out over the pools of Semuc Champay, before finally going down and basking in the beauty of the turquoise, crystaline pools. Just as we got to the pools the sun came out and it was absolutely beautiful. The view from the shower at my hostel in Lanquin

The pools of Semuc Champay

Swimming in the pools

The pools are tiered, and you lounge about on the edges of the mini falls, and swim from pool to pool.

Looking upstream from the pools

On November 5, I left Lanquin and went south to Antigua.

Guy on the side of the street in Antigua

Yesterday I climbed the Pacaya volcano. It was a boring climb, but the river at the top makes the climb well worth it

The river of lava. At the base of the volcano, little kids sell you marshmellows to roast over the lava at the top. I brought a chocolate bar and, with the marshmellows, had a nice treat at the top

Today I am heading to San Pedro at Lake Atitlan. I have been very anxious to get to Lake Atitlan, and will probably spend at least four nights there. Unfortunately, the last couple days have been grey and rainy, and it looks like rain for the next several days as well. Ah well, there is still a lot of things to do and beautiful sights to see. Also, it is kind of nice having cool weather and wearing pants and a fleece for a change. Hope all is well with everyone.