Elsalvador, Guatamala in a rush

Having spent a lot of time in Costa Rica and Nicaragua we were going to be pushed for time heading up to Mexico to meet up with our flights to London. This was a real pity as the next few stops were some of the nicer ones in our trip so far, and this is possibly some places we would like to come back to.

San Salvador - El Salvador
After another early morning bus ride and two border crossings we arrived in San Salvador. Our bible (Lonely planet) told us that there was still a lot of violence in some areas of San Salvador due to a large gang problem, this was only in isolated areas and unless we specifically went there should be no problem.
We arrived at the bus station hungry and headed into Pizza hut for some lunch not exactly central american food but after a week of beans and rice its what was needed.
We had decided to stay at the Crown Plaza for a few days of luxury before going back to our variable cheaper accommodation, it was well worth if for a quality bed, air con and hot showers.

Some times the accommodation was...... different

We traveled around some of the city by taxi, visited a nice shopping mall and had valentines dinner at a nice restaurant near our hotel.

Valentines in Espanol

Of all our stops this city was the cleanest, most organised and friendly we had seen yet. The people we met were great and friendly, the food was not as cheap as Nicaragua but still cheaper then the US or Costa Rica, if we had more money we would have replaced our wardrobes and bought a lot more new clothes. We at least managed to fit our selves out with some clothes for interviews and work for arrival in London.
All up our stop here was very relaxing and enjoyable, some people we met later had traveled to the beaches and other areas and found the whole place to be much the same. This is definitely on a revisit list for us.

Antigua - Guatamala

The guide book explained Antigua as a bit of an anomaly of Guatamala, not really representative but nice. The city was reminiscent of Spain or Peru, low rise terracotta buildings built wall to wall, cobblestone streets and earthen colours and themes. The city was almost like a mountain town set up for trekking and hiking, with 3 volcanoes active in the area surrounding there was plenty of this on offer.

You could have been in Spain or Italy

Our 1 full day here we spent in the local markets, a nice change of pace we were bothered or pestered just able to walk around and look at what we like and move on. The markets were huge as big anything I have seen in Australia, like double Paddy's markets except open air and selling every thing from bulk detergent to confetti by the kilo or a pigs head, often at the same stall.

Party Supplies - Confetti by the kilo - every where

In the afternoon we had a tour arranged for a climb up one of the active volcanoes, we had been told though that since an eruption 8 months ago there was no visible lava anymore but plenty of hot spots and things to see.

Hard to see but smoke coming from the top

The 4km walk was tough, it was steep and dusty loose rocks and sand, the group started out all on foot with a dozen guys on horses offering a "taxi" if you needed it. Slowly as we climbed the steep slopes older or slower people succumbed to the offer, bartered a price with the cowboys and climbed aboard the taxi to take the easy way up.
The volcano was a rocky barren moonscape, rough and broken up from heating and cooling, we were guided to some hot spots and shown how twigs would combust and roasted some marshmellows over an open hole with heat pouring out of it. A small cavern at our stop was like a sauna inside. from here we could see steam and smoke coming from the peak.

Marshmellows toasted by natural thermal energy

Heading back down in the dark, one of the volcanoes on the horizon made a boom and the guide pointed it out to those around, you could just see a red tip in the distance as heat and flame spewed out.
Not the most impressive volcanoes one could see but as it was included in our bus fares, value for money.

Lanquin - Guatemala
We were now headed from the west coast side of Central America to the east side to hit the Caribbean. Lanquin was a stop on our route, we didn't know why but a very pleasant. We ended up in a little town in the mountains on a fast flowing chilly river. Swimming in the sweet fresh water was so nice after months of the ocean. We decided on a day of relaxation instead of the included tour, and booked ourselves in for a 1hr river tubing ride.

Just cruising

So easy to be here

The hostel on the river had quaint little huts, a friendly cheap relaxed restaurant and full of travelers from around the world again. Reading relaxing and drinking a cheap beer was about all we got up to. We had a short play on a ...... river toboggan.....would be the best way to explain it. After a few failed attempts by many including my self Corrine proceeded to go out and stand up on it instantly and put us all to shame.

Smart arse!

Next up..........Guatemala continued and Belize