El Viaje Ultimo - Part 2

Continued...

-- Day 4 --

Because Lanquin was a good thing, it did have to come to an end. After a quick breakfast and a few last goodbyes to some new friends, we joined a group of 5 Israelis in a chartered truck to Rio Dulce. For the next 5 hours we curved around steep slopes, through sleepy little Maya villages, and up and down some of the most picturesque scenery I had seen in Central America. Mike and I had spent our last Quetzals (Q’s) on breakfast, so by the time we arrived at the gas station on the other side of the mountains, a feast of trail mix, yogurt, and soda thanks to my VISA was a God send. We eventually arrived in Rio Dulce, a busy transit center on the shores of Lago de Izabel, where we loaded up on cheap coffee, wine, and dehydrated soy meat that we could smuggle back into Belize. We ditched the Israeli’s, who had proven to be less than enjoyable travel companions (who brings two HUGE backpacks and a large roller suitcase, per person, when they are backpacking through Central America?) and made our way by boat to the Tortugal Hostel and Marina. A unique mix of budget travelers and long-term sailors, I absolutely loved this place and would encourage anyone to stop in if they are traveling through Guatemala. You can stay in a large thatch “dorm” for $10 US a night, or get a private bungalow for about $30 US. They have free internet, satellite TV, Kayaks, and a great kitchen and bar. We talked with people who had been sailing for months, and were even offered a ride back to Belize on one boat, if only we could wait for a couple of days. I was bummed about turning that offer down, but it was fun to imagine what life would be like living on a 40 foot sail boat.

-- Day 5 --

Vacations must end, so this one did. We left Rio Dulce and Tortugal and headed for Puerto Barrios via some crowded mini-buses, a bus and some walking. In Barrios I dragged Mike to the very small, but clean and A/C’ed mall to get a McFlurry, Chicken Panini sandwich and some new shoes. I love Guatemala! Then it was back on the boat, and back to PG and Blue Creek where life continues on for these last 80 days.