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| Log entries 11 - 16 of 16 | Page:
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Oct 09, 2005 06:00 PM Rio Dulce/Finca Tatin
Got lancha, which was late of course because we were waiting for more passangers. The lancha goes all the way to Livingston but I told the capitano that I want to get off at Finca Tatin. Lancha will cost you $10US whether you go all the way to Livingston or not. Close to noon I get to Finca Tatin, what an amazing place. Pretty jungle camp on Rio Dulce tributary (Rio Tatin). The first day I got there I met Chris, Englishman from London originally, who with his Polish girlfriend built house on another tributary (Rio Lampara) and are planning to build a small jungle lodge. Had chance to visit them for a coffee, the place is very nice and they chose to call their lodge El Escondite del Pirata (Pirats Hideaway). When I went for a walk in the jungle I discovered local school. One of the students showed me around, including their dorm and cafeteria. Was supprised to find a school with no village in the jungle. Miguel told me that the pupils are from the area villages. And the teachers come from Livingston. There is also bunch of international volunteers working on project here teaching the kids hygiene and many other skills.
The place was so nice that I decided to stay one more day at Finca and visit hot springs and little falls. Went there by cayak. Falls were very nice and springs were really hot. Next morning I am heading to Livingston. Carlos, the lodge owner is very helpfull with information and the food he prepares is delicious. I recommend this place for anyone who wants to relax for couple of days.
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Oct 08, 2005 06:00 PM Way back to Guatemala.
Got early bus back to Benque again for 8BZ but this one is express, cool.At Benque got cab to the border for 3BZ. Exit formalities leave me 30BZ lighter. Entry to Guatemala costs Q10. Since I don´t see any busses or minibusses to Flores I get a taxi ride to the spot where they wait for passengers (Q5). One is waiting already, cost Q20. Then I notice I should have just waited where I was (by the bridge on Melchor side) because the minibus comes this way anyways and picks up more passengers. So finally we are on the way to Flores which takes quite a bit of time (around 2 hrs I think). There I board bus to Guatemala which will take me to Rio Dulce (4hrs ride). I get there at night and head right away for Brunos for the night. Pretty nice spot with restaurand by the river and the dorm is Q35, not bad. There is only 4 beds in the dorm. Time to lay my head down for the night as I plan to take 9:00 lancha to Finca Tatin.
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Oct 07, 2005 06:00 PM Belize City - Belize
Got a 6:00 AM bus to Melchor de Mencos on the border of Guatemala and Belize. Guatemalan exit stamp Q10, some forms to fill out at Belize immigration and entrance stamp and I am in Belize. Got a taxi ride to Benque for 3BZ (1US =2BZ) and was lucky enough to catch a bus for Belize City for 8BZ. Took 3hrs to get to Belize City. Somehow I don´t like it much. There is not much to see and it looks really dirty. I enjoyed the walk along Caribbean Sea by the Princess Casino and Hotel. While in Belize City I stayed at Barrack Street Guesthouse. For US20 I got room with private bathroom and shower. Since there is not much to do I plan on going back to Guatemala next day. Considered going to one of the Cays which are supposed to be very nice but since I am not big fan of suntanning I decided to go Guatemala to see more sights.
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Oct 06, 2005 06:00 PM Flores/Tikal
Today early morning (5 o'clock am) took shuttle bus to Tikal from San Juan Travel in Santa Elena for 50 Quetzales there and back, then had to pay the entrance fee to Tikal National Park, another Q50. Kind of a rip off because locals have to pay only Q15 but still worth the price just because the beauty of this place. What a great place. Spend over 5 hours walking around and up the great Temples. I have seen bats, monkeys and a lot of them, and some other birds which names I unfortunately do not know. The jungle is lush and wet and the views are magnificent. After walking for so many hours I could barely get back to the entrance, but what a supprise. Whole group of monkeys, 30 or even more munching on something right by the path where I was walking. Great sight.
Was able to get back on the 12.30 shuttle bus back to Flores. Was happy to get back early because I do want to upload all the pictures and do my laundry before I head out to Belize tomorrow morning. The bus is leaving at 5'oclock again which means another early wake up, but I am starting to get used to them by now. I actually left the laundry at the hotel reception and will have it back in couple of hours, all for Q25.
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Oct 05, 2005 06:00 PM Flores/Tikal
Finally today was able to get out of Antigua and get to Flores. On Wednesday there was landslide and nothing could drive between Antigua and Guatemala City untill the evening so I decided to postpone my trip till Thursday. Arrived in Santa Elena at night, took a taxi to Flores for Q10 and stayed at El Mirador del Lago hotel. A good deal, for Q50 per night I got room with bathroom and shower. Los Amigos is charging Q30 for bed in dorm room. Since I am going to stay here for couple of days and the price was ok I decided to splurge. I did not want to stay in Santa Elena because Flores is much nicer. Even thought it is very tourist geared town it has a lot of charm. Located on a small island and separated from Santa Elena only by short causeway it has some special charm and is very safe, even at night. The only draw back is that to get out of here you also have to go back to Santa Elena but the cab should not run you more than Q10. Tuk-tuks are about Q5 anywhere in Santa Elena/Flores.
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Oct 03, 2005 06:00 PM Day in Antigua, Guatemala.
Well here I am. Arrived in Antiqua yesterday night straight from the Guatemala City Airport by bus for $10US. Found room at Hotel de Viajero for $8.00US per day (private room with shared bath, kitchen facilities available). Though it is very rainy did manage to see the city though got very wet. Of places of interest is Cathedral Santiago, St. Francisco church, local market and many ruins, the work of the earthquakes. Many are not rebuild. The city has colonial flavours and I have been told that the streets are original colonial times build (almost 400 years old).
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