Laguna Chikbal, Guatemala

Our third excellent daytrip from Xela was to this volcanic lake. It is a collapsed volcanic caldera and sacred to the Mayans.
To get there we took a crowded colectivo (shared taxi-van) then walked for 2 hours on the steepest track we have ever had to struggle up. The kids were fantastic and walked their legs off (helped by freshly squeezed orange juice a la Jane Lawless at the halfway point). The last approach to the lake was down a flight of 600 steps, each a goodly height.
Finally made it though, to enjoy watching the mist and clouds drifting through the very NZ-like bush. A picnic lunch and we were ready to scale the 600 steps again, although not without frequent rest stops.

The lookout, once again, would have failed to meet DOC standards, although this one did warn of a recommended maximum loading of 8 people. Not filled with confidence given that it swayed alarmingly under the weight of one nervous adult and 2 children


Daily Easter parades are a part of our time in Xela, getting more elaborate every evening. Unfortunately mostly held in darkness so difficult to send you an image, but we'll see what we can do in Antigua.