Finally we get to Guatemala!

4.19 am 27th Saturday Antigua, Guatemala.
The plane trip from Buenos Aires to Guatemala City via Panama went well. The plane was smaller and we were right up the back next to the toilets which was a bit annoying. A queue formed most of the way up the aisle for quite a long time until I noticed and pointed out to the head of the queue that for some reason they were only using the first of the two cubicles. People are idiots. (Damian is sleep-deprived and cranky.) Queue moved a lot quicker after that.
Had a couple of hours sleep until the sun came up. There was a guy next to us on the window seat but he kept the blind closed. Not much to see but clouds the few times I did look out. We didn’t think they had TV screens on the flight but they magically appeared folding down from the console above our heads to play “What goes on in Vegas”. Saw it a few weeks ago but watched it again to kill time. Has some funny moments. Window guy opened the blind as we were landing in Panama and we watched as we flew in over the ocean and some swampland before landing.
We were transiting straight to the next flight to Guatemala City and thought we would have very little time but the plane wasn’t yet at the departure gate so we had a short walk around the airport. Not much to see. I can’t believe we have just visited three new countries, New Zealand, Argentina and Panama and didn’t even leave the airport!
Plane to Guatemala arrived and we boarded. Smaller plane yet again, only two seats each side of the aisle. Wasn’t very full either so although Sarah hogged the window yet again I was able to take some photos of the Panama canal from another window. Rest of the fight was open ocean and then clouds until we got to Guatemala City after a couple of hours.Panama Canal


We had decided to try and limit our time in Guatemala City as there can be a bit of crime targeting tourists. We are due in Quetzalteango which is 4 hours from Guate (as the locals calls it) on Sunday afternoon so we have a couple of days to get there.
From outside the airport we negotiated a taxi to take us to Antigua for $25USD which is a 45 minute drive. It is the previous Capital of Guatemala built by the Spanish in founded in 1543 and has some amazing old ruined buildings and churches. The streets are cobblestone.

We arrived around noon yesterday and were dropped off in the centre of town at the town square. We had identified a hotel from Lonely Planet we thought we would have a look at as when travelling it’s always good to have a destination to give the driver or you may get driven to a place where they get kickbacks. As we were approaching the city though the driver asked where we wanted to go. He didn’t speak any English but I gave him the street address in Spanish, pointed to the exact spot on a street map and he seemed to know where I was indicating but then started saying (I think, Spanish comprehension still limited.) that for $20 it was just to the town square, it’s $28 to be dropped off at the hotel door. So I said fine and we got out at the square. It was only a couple of blocks and I have had enough arguments with taxi drivers in developing countries to know to get out when the goings good. At least he was still accepting the original price we had agreed on! We walked the couple of blocks to the hotel we had found in Lonely Planet but it didn’t seem to be there anymore. A few doors along the street we enquired at another hotel. 150 Quetzal for a night. (22USD) and although the outside area looked quite nice the room was small and dingy.

We crossed the street and took a room at the Hotel Refugio which Lonely Planet describes as “the cheapie du jour among savvy travellers”, outside appearance wasn’t much but the room was larger and nicer than the first place and cost was only 80 Quetzal for a double with hot water. “Dos notches por favor” we asked (two nights please) and with much relief put down our bags and hit the shower.

After a hot shower and change of clothes we went to explore the local area. Found a market close by which was very similar to the local markets we had seen in Cambodia and Thailand. A few food stalls including Dominos Pizza! But we thought it might be better to eat elsewhere.




Walked through town to the square past a huge ruined cathedral missing a roof. Looked like there was a museum beside it so maybe something to look at tomorrow. Found a café off the square which was part of a house built in the 15th century. It had a lovely green courtyard which was quickly abandoned as an afternoon thunderstorm came over. After lunch we went back to the hotel and went to bed at 4pm. We both slept until midnight and then on and off until 3.30am I figure if we try stay awake until this evening we should have the jetlag beat (hopefully).
Sarah has been circling museums in the Lonely Planet to plan our day.
Currently 5.30am , 9.30pm tonight back in Australia. Just waiting for it to get light so we can go get some breakfast. Might try find some internet access so we can let people know we arrived safely and update the blog.