The day after we visited the Tikal ruins we headed south back to the highlands. Mike and Phil wanted to simply cross the border back into Mexico at the new El Ceibo crossing directly west from Tikal. I let them know that plan was unacceptable, and they would be missing most of Guatemala. They were in a big hurry to get home. They said that if they didn’t make it by Valentines Day, there would be hell to pay at home, for a very long time to come.
I convinced them to ride with me south into the scenic highlands for a few more days then cross into Mexico at La Mesilla. So we left Peten and headed south to Coban. The pavement out of Peten is straight and fast so you can really make some good time to Coban.
Except this one place where the road ends right into a river. Of course there is a small ferry to take across. Pretty cool actually.
Here is the motor. There is a motor on each corner of the boat, or platform.
We arrive in Coban and stay at a dorm room in the Casa Acuña.
Which by the way has an incredible restaurant, probably the best in town. If you dont stay, at least get a meal at the Casa Acuña, good groceries are to be had there.
There was some evening entertainment right outside the hotel. I think it was a Suzuki or a Geo something or other, yikes.
The Bomberos were there right away.
Then next day I led the boys out of Coban toward Lago Atitlan. It was very quick because since I had done this route a couple of times already, I was familiar with it, no wrong turns, in and out of towns quickly. It sure make things a lot easier in Guatemala when you know where you are going.
Of course we had to cross the big slide area again. This is a view looking downhill from the new road, and I assume where that small village was wiped out. As you can see, that slide went a long way. I dont know why I am so fascinated by this big slide and keep showing pictures and talking about it. Maybe just because its so darned big. I have seen some big slides before when traveling in Nepal and India, and for some reason all that earth just falling off a hill is amazing to me.
and down the road we go…….
3 up on a bicycle, tricky! But his rear tire could use some air.
We arrive at Lago Atitlan, continue down the hill to San Pedro de la Laguna and the suicide Chicken Bus corners. Meeting a Chicken Bus on this road is exciting. It happened to me a couple of times when I was riding with Arno, but this time there wasn’t much traffic.
I forget the name of this town on the hill, but you come right through it when you’re headed to the lake from the Pan American.
Volcan San Pedro, around 10,000 ft.
And into the town of San Pedro, dodging chickens instead of chicken buses.
Miguel is happy to be here.
Phil says, “Yo tambien!”
Raking up and drying the coffee beans.
Shoveling the beans.
Drying the beans on tarps. Here’s something funny. So you walk through town and see all these beans drying thinking wow, I bet that’s the good stuff that gets exported, and along comes a dog and he pees all over the drying beans.
Roasting the beans. This stuff is safe, because its the good stuff with the dog piss that gets exported. I can just picture the scene in a swanky Euro restaurant full of stuffy people drinking dog pee flavored coffee and commenting on how good it is.
Zoola. Good groceries, great place.
Killer food as well as an ideal place to lounge the days away. I’m not sure what happened here.
One of those dangerous local San Pedro kids. Be careful, that grin is an act, she will rob you blind in a millisecond.
The docks. These boats here go to the town of Santiago. The ones that go to Panajachel are a little further down the road.
Fishing boats.
You gringos better hand over everything you got on you, pronto, cause we got itchy trigger fingers amigos. 🙂
This gal sells bread and pastries and is quite persistent. She does sell some good stuff though.
The street food in San Pedro is excellent as well. These sausages were incredible.
But be careful, these street food stands attract some unsavory characters. 🙂
Another great visit to San Pedro, a very nice place to sit back, stare at the lake, and do nothing all day long. We went back out to the Pan American and parted ways, where I would head back to Xela and the boys would continue to the La Mesilla crossing and back into Mexico. According to their bosses, they have to be home by Valentine’s Day or there will be a heavy price to pay.
It was great riding with Miguel and Phil again. They are great guys, excellent riding buddies and more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Its good to see friends when your on the road for so long. Gracias amigos, buen viaje.
hasta luego, Vicente