We left Antigua alive with anticipation but also with some concerns that our well planned trip would have some rough patches. Of course, the first rough patch came when our driver arrived 20 minutes late and then spent 40 minutes more stopping at various hotels and tiendas in Antigua picking up passengers and groceries. It was going to be a long journey — supposedly eight hours but by the time we actually arrived in Semuc Champey it was close to eleven hours.
In Coban, the last big town before Semuc Champey, we stopped at a McDonald’s for a break but we also were informed we were moving to a smaller shuttle. No big deal, I thought since our shuttle wasn’t full. However, they moved two shuttles into one little van. I spent the next two plus hours sitting on a tiny seat with a half back. Fortunately, there was beautiful scenery to quell the annoyance with this new situation.
Finally, arriving in Lanquin for the last leg of the journey to our hotel we were confronted with another rough patch. We had to take a shuttle to our hotel but the hotel shuttle driver said we had to wait for another shuttle to come in before we could go. So we waited for half an hour and I thought great, now we can get going. Of course not. He had to get gas, go to several stores and he also picked up a friend, a belligerent drunk. The drink sat next to a young woman and proceeded to harass her. She finally got out and went into the front cab. Our first stop was driving the drunk home. We did make it to the hotel but so far we didn’t have a great first impression.
Alas, arrival at Greengos Hotel which wasn’t a hotel at all. It was a hostel. Our first stay ever in a hostel. I was wondering why we didn’t see anyone over 25 doing this trip. Apparently there aren’t any hotels in Semuc Champey. At check in we were handed blankets, sheets, and towels. I asked about soap. No soap. My dismay was very apparent. The general manager, Wellington, said he would get me soap. He didn’t want to see this old lady cry. I ended up with a nice big bar of soap.
We ate dinner in the dining room. I had a chicken dish which was delicious and Bruce had a Mediterranean dish. We met up with Micka and Richard, a couple from Holland with whom we climbed Pacaya Volcano last week.
The bed was comfortable and we had really hot water plus the soap — so all was good.
The long ride yesterday took a toll on us so we slept in hoping to heal our weary bones for our adventure today. Besides the rain was coming down in buckets and I had no desire to meet that head on.
Once up, we had a delicious breakfast and spent time conversing with Golan, the owner of Greengos Hotel. He is an Israeli who immigrated to the US but now lives in Guatemala. Micka and Richard joined us for breakfast all was very homey in this hostel environment.
Finally, sky cleared a bit- at least it wasn’t raining anymore- time to go check out Semuc Champey, which means the entrance to the underworld. The gate was walking distance from the hostel so we headed out with lots of enthusiasm to see this place which is considered the most beautiful in Guatemala.
Micka and Richard walked us to the main gate because they were there the day before. Waving goodbye Bruce and I were off on another adventure. It was a lovely hike through lush jungle. A trail up the mountain called Mirador was at some points almost straight up and down. In some places there were stairs with railings in others just marginal steps. We stopped to take pictures and to look for howler monkeys but no monkeys were to be seen. It was raining on and off and the climb was very slippery in sections. At last I could see the trees thinning and knew we were coming to the top.
The view from the top was breathtaking. We could see all the pools below and the waterfalls. If we didn’t make this arduous trek up the mountain, we would not have had this perspective.
The climb down went much quicker then the climb up although we still went slow due to the sleekness of the rocks. We also spent some time noticing fossilized rocks and interesting stone carvings.
Once we reached the path, we were extremely hot and ready for a swim in the turquoise pools.
Tiny little fish nipped at our feet and legs but it didn’t hurt. Someone at the pool said they use that type of fish in spas to nibble off dead skin. Yuck! Spa fish aside, it was oh so refreshing after the climb.
On our return to Greengos, I had coffee and cookies for a late afternoon snack. Golan sat and chatted with us for awhile and then I wanted to get showered and ready for dinner.
We ate dinner with Micka and Richard. I had hummus and chicken which was delicious. The food at Greengos is very tasty. We had a delightful evening chatting with our new friends and it was nice getting to know them.
I had a restless nights sleep because I knew I had to get up at 5 to catch a 6:30 shuttle to Lanquin. I was a little nervous due to our arrival experience and I know that Golan had addressed the issue. It turned out I had good reason to be nervous. The driver that Golan had spoken to was not helpful at all when we arrived in Lanquin and apparently there was no shuttle to take us to Flores. Micka and Richard’s shuttle was waiting there and another shuttle was there but both said they were not ours. Finally, this young man brought us to this small, beat up 12 passenger van filled with 20 year olds and said this was ours. We had paid for a comfortable, air conditioned shuttle. Another rough patch. We climbed aboard reluctantly. Everyone on board was nice and one young woman gave up her seat for Bruce. He would at least have a seat with a back for 10 hours. Yes I said 10 hours. I really don’t know what I was thinking when I booked this trip.
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