We are really relaxing now and are enjoying the company of our friends. Sadly, Carl and Barbara have to leave for San Ignacio but we promised to meet there.
You might have noticed that we have been pushing the budget a little. We decided to eat grocery meals for breakfast and lunch whenever possible, then have a big dinner. Our big dinner this night was at the Serenade. Our group was befriended earlier by a local man named Flyod who joined us. Flyod was the quietest soul we have ever met. At dinner we were served chicken and fish by Carrie, the CEO of the restaurant (she had a card to prove it). We all agreed she captured the spirit and best of Placencia.
Special mention to Black Dog who was a good friend to Matt and Katie. {s
Hotel $15, Food $23, Transportation $0,. Tours $0, Random $0 Total $38
Laura and Katie travelled with us by bus to San Ignacio. It was a great drive through countryside and plantations. At one stop, a local farmer got on with a rooster and chicken. After a few clucks, they were actually good companions.
We all really liked San Ignacio. It is in the hills close to the Guatemalan border. After a fun search, we settled into Wallys Tropicool Hotel. Wally is clearly insane. He has posted rules all over the hotel and put more signs everywhere else just in case you somehow missed the rules. The positive side is that the Tropicool is insanely clean and safe.
Katie did some quick investigating and rented us a canoe for the afternoon. We paddled down the Macal RIver enjoying nature and quiet. Later in the the day we were joined at the river by many people bathing and washing.
Luckily we found Carl and Barbara again and ate at a delicious Sri Lankan restaurant. Unfortunately, it was also goodbye to Carl and Barbara which was much more difficult than we expected.
Hotel $15, Food $18, Transportation $10, Tours $0, Random (canoe) $7 Total $50
We went on a tour to Tunichil Muknal. Expect this will be a highlight of the trip. Tunichil is a recently discovered Mayan cave. After an hour drive and a 45-minute jungle hike, you have to swim into the cave and wade through chest-high water for about an hour. Then the fun begins. They have fully intact and undisturbed pots and bones. (Apparently, a poplular place for sacrifices). It is an amazing feeling to be so close to history - and as close to being Indiana Jones as we will probably ever get. The cave itself was spectacular with cavern upon cavern of cathedral -like stalagtites, glittering rocks, and the occasional bat. Special mention goes to our guide, Ted, who was the best.
Hotel $15, Food $7, Transportation $0, Tours $130, Random $0 Total $152
Together with Katie and Laura, we went exploring on mountain bikes. After an exhausting ride, we visited Xunantunich which is a cool Mayan ruin. We sunned on El Castillo and enjoyed the feeling of being on top of the Mayan world. Amazingly, we had the place to ourselves.
On the way home, imagine our surpise when we found the road was also uphill going back to San Ignacio. We cooled off with a swim at Clarissa Falls.
We had BBQ chicken at the MayaWalk followed by a competive game of spades won by the team of Black Dog (a.k.a. Matt and Katie). We finished a late night watching some really bad dancing at a Reggae bar.
Hotel $15, Food $33, Transportation $0, Tours $5, Random (bike, laundry) $18 Total $70
It has been a miserable day. We had to say goodbye to Laura and Katie who were heading home. Later, we hiked to a local Mayan ruin, Cahal Pech, and enjoyed a quiet lunch there.
The rest of the day has been pretty mundane - washing clothes, reading about Guatemala, catching our breath, dealing with Wally, and now Internet.
Hope all is well - off to Guatemala in the morning.