Guatemala

Saturday 12th September
San Cristobal to Panajachel (Guatemala)



Well we move now to Central America, the ride started off in the cool, with grey clouds, a welcome relief from the heat,. 100 miles saw us at the Mexican boarder just as the sun appeared, we had to get booked out, passports were first and fairly quick, just stamped with exit date. Then book out (export) the bikes, we have temporary import documents which the customs collected on-mass, then the guy walked around all the bikes checking the VIN numbers and pealing off the import sticker. He then went back to the office and we waited 2 + hours as he entered the details into his computer. We were then each issued a certificate of export and climbed onto the bike and rode the 2 miles to the Guatemalan boarder. He contrast could not have been more stark, semi-organised chaos reigned, fist each bike had to be fumigated (quick spray on the tyres) for which we were charged, then onto immigration to have the passports stamped. Once this is done we moved to customs where we get our vehicle import certificates, luckily there is no longer a requirement for a tourist card as they have computerised the office ! Once they have created the import document, they hold onto your documents while you go into anther office(bank) to pay the import charge, then back to the desk to retrieve the documents,. However these was a mistake on the VIN number on mine and it took a lot more processing to get this corrected. The boarder is surrounded by a market, and exiting the boarder is like driving though one of our pedestrian markets, people everywhere, out of the boarder the roads were surprisingly good and the road wound its way through an impressive valley flanked by steep, green covered mountains. After a short flat run and a stop for lunch this road moved higher and became a dual carriageway, as it climbed we moved into heavy rain and cloud barley able to see the road until turning off to our first stop, Panajachel.
!

Miles
Today : 246
Total : 9971
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Sunday 13th September
Panajachel to Chichicastenango



As it was a short hop to our next town we started off late, having wandered down to the lake, accords from us was the impressive sight of two extinct volcanoes ringed at the top by clouds. A relaxed wander though the town buying bottled water and a t-shirt then a short journey to the market town of Chichicastenango. After parking the bikes at the back of the hotel, unloading and getting a shower, I went to the market. Wow what a sight, people everywhere just a milling chaos, of small dark haired people, a whirlwind of movement. The Guatemalans are generally short, so I standout like a sore thumb, but don’t feel un-welcome, just the opposite. The whole experience of Guatemala is so much life, everything moving continually, the native brightly coloured, clothes worn by most, and a real pride in the country even though poor. The market was big, covering a good section f the town, most of the area comes to this market every Sunday to sell their produce, from food to tools and every kind of craft article. Even though it is supposed to finish at 3.00 pm it continued until 4.30, then it disappeared, and the empty streets appeared from under the dismantled stalls.


Miles
Today : 25
Total : 9996
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Monday 14th September
Chichicastenango to Antigua Guatemala



We were due to go to Biotopo through dirt mountain roads to this jungle village, however we had found out the mountain that the road runs on had completely collapsed last December taking the road with it. So it was decided to go to Antigua Guatemala a day early cutting some miles out of our journey. The run was very short around 75 miles giving us a nice easy run. We started late not because of this but because the celebrations for Guatemalan Independence day started early, the schools close and the kids go into parades. The parade here blocked the road out of town, however this allowed us to watch another colourful display of Guatemalan culture. Once over a leisurely drive go us to Antigua though we had to dodge busses of school kids all throwing water at each other. The busses here need mention as they are old American schools busses, but they paint them up in bright colours and drive around like mad men. Most busses are packed to the gills as most people here don’t have cars and are a real feature of Guatemala. In Antigua the festivities continued into the evening with parades of bands in the plaza, drums, trumpets, whistles and glockenspiels., creating a cacophony of sound, and this the day before Independence day

Miles
Today : 75
Total : 10071
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Tuesday 15th September
Antigua Guatemala
Day Off

Generally not much to report, sent this day updating this blog and wandering arround the town. We wathced the Independence day celabrations, this was less that the previous day, like New years Eve most of the celbrations take place at Midnght.


Miles
Today : 0
Total : 10071
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Wednesday 16th September
Antigua Guatemala
Day Off




We had arranged to go on a tour to a live Volcano, so it was up early ready to be picked up at 6.00am. After a 40 minute drive out to the Volcano, we had an 1 our and a half hike up the steep slopes till we got to the live lava beds at 7000 foot. The sumit was another 1500 feet above us but it's not possible to get there. However we did get to stand on the very hot rocks within 15-20 feet of the running lava. After taking pivture roating marshmellows, we moved away to allow our shoes to cool, mie took 20 minutes before the soles had cooled. I guess in England with health and safety we would not be allowed anywhere near it, but here we got as close as you can, an amazing sight.

Miles
Today : 0
Total : 10071