February 7th we headed north to Lanquin. Mode of transport micro-bus, filled to capacity with 15 travelers packed in like sardines, with our gear on top adding an extra few feet to the height of the bus. Our minds were taken off the danger of the narrow, twisting road by the scenery as we made our way deeper into the mountains.
After about 5 hours, the van pulled into El Retiro Jungle Lodge and we all tumbled out to claim our cabanas, the lucky ones getting room with bathroom and their own bed. After settling in, hurried down to the river for a quick dip while the sun was still around to dry us off.
There are only a few things to do in Lanquin, with the two most popular being the bat cave tour and seeing the river and falls at Semuc Champey National park. Laura and I opted to stay away from the next days tour that covered both of these and would have included the same group of people that had just gotten out of the micro bus. Aside from that, spending the morning walking through bat shit didn't appeal to me. After all, I had been using enough latrines for the past month.
So the next day we walked to Lanquins only intersection, one road going left the other to the right, and waited for a ride. Before too long a large truck came by loaded with bags of corn and workers and picked us up and after 45 minutes of standing, holding on for life or being thrown from front to back we landed at the gates of the national park.
What makes Semuc Champey an attraction is the river. Starting somewhere back in the mountains, it makes it's way into a valley and the area we paid a visit. At one point the main part of the river ducks underground for about 1/2 mile before exiting to a wider river. The rest of the water makes it's way across the top of the limestone roof. The limestone has formed into a series of steps that form pools of aqua blue clear water that makes for ideal swimming. We spent the afternoon hanging out here, enjoying the sun and warm water, shaking off the dust of Guatemala.
I have some cool videos, but internet connection is too slow to post them right now. Here are a few photos for those that want to see me with my shirt off. haha! Photos
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