Weekend getaway at Lago Atitlan

We just came back from a wonderful weekend getaway at Lago Atitlan. The beautiful lake is surrounded by three volcanoes and many indigenous villages with distinct characteristics. Being here made us feel so relaxed... and lazy. we did practically nothing for two days, just sit back and enjoyed what the nature has to offer.

I do want to take a little time to talk about our hotel. Lonely Planet said it´s the most magical hotel in Guatemala, i haven´t stayed at enough hotel here to endorse that but it sure is a WONDERFUL place, one I´d recommend to all my friends in a heartbeat. The hotel is built on a hill right by the lake (in fact, it even has a private dock! main picture), there are beautifully maintained trails that lead to the rooms, hot tub, terraces for sun bath and napping on hammocks, (middle and right picture)and a wonderful cafe and restaurant. Every room in this hotel has amazing lake view, yes, EVERY room! In the evening, family style dinner is served at the dining room (upper left picture), where guests are seated closely for mingling and exchanging their traveling experiences. sometimes the owner even join us! He´s an American who married a Guatemalan lady, fell in love with the lake and built a house here. For those adventurous type, there are many activities around the lake that the hotel will gladly arrange for you.. OK, i should stop here before it sounds too much like a commercial!.... oh, and best of all is that all these for only $27 a night!

the road to get there is bumpy though. Two hours of bus ride from Antigua through winding mountain road, followed by 30 minutes of crazy lancha (small boat operated on Lago Atitlan) ride on the lake! The lancha was seriously over capacity, it couldn't´t even leave the dock until four British girls jumped out and then back in afterwards. the water was choppy and we all got soaked by the time we arrived at the hotel.. a bit like a jurassia park disneyland ride in reality. i think that explains why we were so lazy over the weekend.

now we are rejuvenated and back to Antigua, ready for another week of intense spanish studying! I´ll post some picture of the school later this week. wish you all have a good weekend too!