Picture yourself going down a mountain that is dodging potholes, stray dogs and other vehicles also dodging potholes and did I mention shaking side to side the ENTIRE TIME. Switch back after switch back after nearly plunging off the cliff a few times and you will have made it!

Now the lake itself is stunning (but just don’t go swimming in it unless you want gastro) with towering volcanic mountains surrounding it giving plenty of things to explore if you love the outdoors. Our hostel was (this time I remember) Casa Felipe at a bargain price of $11 AUD per night and I would definitely recommend it with plenty of local street food around to keep you satisfied!

Now I forgot to mention that at this point of the trip my bag had been lost since the flight and I was assured I would have my bag within a few days. All I had was the clothes on me and a spare pair of underwear and socks I packed in my carry on (BEST TRAVEL TIP EVER!). I’ll read to you an exert from my travel diary from that day “Today would be great if - Aeromexico wrote back to me – Find some cool places in Xela – I find some wearable clothing”. Well all I can say is Aeromexico didn’t write back and I had found a man selling underwear out of a cart for $1 for 5 at 11pm after stumbling home drunk with a Tortuga sandwich in my hands (I wonder if he had other customers around that time?). Gringo score out of 10?

Feeling fresh with some new undies and food in my belly it was time to party. We headed to a recommended bar called Sublime. This place was off the hook! We were expecting the usual reggaeton smooth dancing but instead were greeted to the blasting bass of industrial techno and everyone letting their hair down, it was fantastic! Only strange this was they pull the plug at 2am and music stops and every goes home.

I forgot to mention Ross and I had to be up in a couple hours to hike the Indian Nose to get a look at the sunrise

With sudden shake of my body I violently jolted as the girl under my bunk (she was the one who suggested we go on this walk) woke me up. It took several shakes to wake up Ross. Him and I groggy beyond belief managed to stumble into the car which drove us to the start of the trail. Fortunately the walk was only around 45 minutes and we got to witness this ripper sunrise while enjoying this view of the lake and the surrounding mountains

Here is Ross nailing it!

In the distance you can see Volcan de Fuego erupting

A boat ride across the Lake later that day and we arrived in the hippie central of San Marcos. Here you find a plethora of Holistic yoga and meditation retreats, avocados the size of your head and colourful birds flying around. San Marcos was a lot quieter than San Pedro so it was really nice just to sit by the rocks, look out over the water and just chill after a hectic evening and morning.

Notice how I am wearing the exact same clothes as Antigua? Not a coincidence!

Heres a few shots of the beautiful contrast of the lake, mountains and boats.

Untill next time, Jules out!

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