Date: 22/01/2013 à 23/01/2013

Path: We follow the Panamerican west of Guatemala City, e tomamos o desvio na altura da cidade de Patzicia para uma estrada local que leva direto à Panajachel.

Lake Atitlan – Guatemala

Imagine an intense day. Less than 24 hours, wake up from our accommodation in fire station, take a boat and visited four pueblos around the gigantic and beautiful Lake Atitlan. Besides the scenery of the lake and the surrounding volcanoes, a cultura local também chama atenção e completa a experiência nesta jóia da Guatemala.

O Lago de Atitlán

We went to Guatemala City in the middle of the afternoon, after lunch and after a few hours on the road we were already in the town of Panajachel, main gateway for visitors of Lake Atitlán. After a tour of the city to look for somewhere to spend the night, just dropping in a somewhat unusual place: the Fire Department. Dormíssemos parking allowed in without much problem, and still could use their bathroom, ótimo negócio.

Hard road to get to Panajachel

But beautiful views accompany the road

Next day, would do an island tour. Tour companies offer a ride by speedboat, stopping at some people located in the vicinity of the island. There are several small towns that are scattered around the 126 km ² of Atitlán and offer a bit of Mayan culture still remaining to tourists. A day, recommended to visit between 3 or 4 two people, para que se possa curtir um pouco do visual e também conhecer o que as cidades tem a oferecer.

The volcano Atitlán lies next to the pond

The first view of the lake is stunning. First, by size, second by its beauty. No wonder it is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Three volcanoes give a special charm to the landscape: o Atitlán, Tolimán and the San Pedro. Latter, say they have ceased their volcanic activity thousands of years ago, while the other two remain active, ainda que a última erupção do Atitlán tenha acontecido em 1853.

The first view of the volcano

View of the city of Santa Cruz la Laguna

The first stop was the village of Santa Cruz la Laguna. Small town, crescendo that seems to be fast in recent years. We had the impression that tourism is taking over the region and the village grows around it. We take a tuc tuc- (those same kind of India!) to climb to the center. After watching the local children playing in the playground, and pass the little church in the central square, climbed to the mirador for a panoramic view over the lake. Belo visual.

Ride-on tuc tuc

Children enjoying the playground in the square

Model photo embarrassed to

Many children still wear clothes typical day-to-day

Stop at the viewpoint of the city

The next was the village of San Marcos La Laguna, supposedly the best place for a swim in the lake. Not everyone who faced the icy water, since the temperature outside the water was not the most attractive. Who does not swam, went for a walk in the city. The place is WELL quiet and tourists aproveitam to relax in lodge à glass do Lago. We climbed the hill and on the way found a mixture of customs. Some ladies went with traditional clothes, while the younger has lavished brand clothes (of doubtful authenticity) e smartphones.

Rumo à San Marcos

Tradition and modernity

We followed the tour with our boatman, this time left us in San Juan, our stop longest and perhaps the most interesting. Again, a battalion of tuc-tucs esperam os viajantes que descem no píer. We decided to talk to one of them, we offered a tour throughout the city. E este foi muito interessante.

The TUC-tucs

We passed the coffee cooperative, where we learn a little about how this activity works in the region, famous for exporting this product to the rest of the world. We were able to show them a coffee and we conclude that, although good, are well over our Brazilian coffee!

Gabriel proving Guatemalan coffee

Another activity is strong in the city crafts. By streets, spread several murals of Juan Francisco Guzman, famous artist in the region. His paintings are true pieces of art, depicting the landscapes and local realities. In his gallery, vimos alguns gringos comprando vários para levar para casa.

Art in the streets is common in San Juan…

…and also galleries

We also had the opportunity to meet a cooperative crafts, where we chatted with a nice lady, that goes for years their experience to younger. The colors of the fabrics are drawn naturally, from leaves and fruit essences. O trabalho é bastante interessante.

Many colors in handicrafts

All colors from nature

How to color fabrics in a few steps

The last stop on the island was in San Pedro. Our time was very short, and we could not know more than the restaurant across the lake where we had lunch. The city seemed more tourist and Bell, being filled with restaurants and bars on Main Street. We had lunch and ran back to the boat, before the boatman decidisse in leaving for the same (and he really was about to do!).

Streets of San Pedro

San Pedro's big city on the lake

We left the Lake Atitlán delighted with its beauty and all that absorb the people around. It was our last day in Guatemala. Seguimos viagem rumo à desconhecida El Salvador.

Time to return to Tanajura

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Date: 06/01/2013 à 08/01/2013

Path: Take the Carretera Mexico 180, passando por Valladolid.

The Northern Yucatan - Merida and Chichen Itza

Found in northern Yucatán, a people who proudly preserve their traditions. Guardam a rich heritage of the Mayan civilization and also customs brought by the Spaniards. Conhecer a região é como experimentar um pouco do passado e dessa mistura cultural.

In another of our wanderings on "vacation" on the Yucatan Peninsula, we start from our HQ in Cancun toward the capital and largest city of the state of Yucatán: Merida. Founded em 1542 on the ruins of the Mayan city of T'ho, Today the city has about 800 mil habitantes e é uma das mais culturais de todo México.

The bank Valentine, Merida

The journey of about 310 km was entitled to some interesting stops along the way. The first was in the city of Valladolid, where we made a lunch. The city is very inviting for a stroll, with an air of cozy streets in front colonial architecture. We resist the temptation and continued our journey, since we wanted to get to the next stop on time. This was Chichen Itza, uma das mais famosas e bem preservadas ruínas da civilização maia em toda península.

Pracinha quiet, common in the colonial cities of the Yucatán

As was to be expected, arrived late in the ruins, so we enter in your last hour of operation (from 16 hours) Entries without paying. We ended up having to appeal to a lightning visit, buscando os principais pontos de interesse dentro do sitio arqueológico.

A Pirâmide de Kulkucan, em Chichén Itzá

Chichén Itzá functioned as political and economic center of the Mayan civilization, offering several buildings in a city of architectural design that impresses with its complexity. Estrturas like pyramid Kukulkán, the Temple of Chac Mool, the Hall of the Thousand Pillars, and the Playing Field of the Prisoners are in great condition after all this time. It is estimated that Chichén Itzá was founded around the year 435 and 455 a.C.

Sumptuous and impressive

We lost some very important points that we would like to know how the Juego de Pelota and Cenote, mas o que pudemos ver ainda que rápido foi impressionante.

Well preserved ruins

We follow with Tanajura to our final destination, Merida. Again, got a lot of hotel to spend our nights in tents. Este esquema tem funcionado muito bem nesses últimos dias de México.

The style of colonial Merida

Do not need much time in the city to identify the triple jewel of his crown: architecture, food and music. All this in historical and cultural context extremely rich. Mérida was for a time the center of Spanish power in colonial times, que se sobrepôs à resistência maia depois de anos de conflito.

Monument in honor of the Mayan

A visit to the Palacio Municipal, na Plaza Grande, is an invitation to dive into the city's history and Mexico, through huge murals painted throughout the building. In the same square is located the Casa Montejo, antiga moradia da família ligada à fundação da cidade.

All very colorful in the city center

One of several churches colonial Merida

The historic center is full of beautiful buildings around its cobbled streets. A arquitetura colonial muito bem preservada é um convite a uma caminhada sem compromisso pela cidade.

Beside the Colonial Palace, Modern art is inspired by the indigenous traditions

Churches spread throughout the city

Within the Colonial Palace, murals represent landmarks of Mexican and hisória yucateca

Legends also part of the murals

On the way, several restaurants highlight the unique culinary culture yucateca. How could it be, the kitchen features a mix of European and Mayan flavors, Corn being a crucial ingredient. We tried a variety of dishes (chicken pibil, POC Chuco and other) La Chaya Maya restaurant not, a delight!

Experience the flavors of the cuisine Ločan

Variety of igredientes and Seasonings

To complete the cultural experience, music! Mérida is proud to present their customs and traditions to visitors. Throughout the year, typical dance performances are done free on Plaza Grande. We had the opportunity to enjoy one. Spanish Dances, indigenous people and their garments. Nada melhor para representar o espírito da cidade.

Presentation of typical dance in the square

Outdoor culture and grace

The return of Mérida was the end of our "vacation" of Expedition. Nossa Last visit was left at the airport in Cancun, and then 20 dias no Yucatán, Expedition made its way. Although we made a quick stop (again) the beautiful Laguna Bacalar south of the peninsula, before continuing on the road. The end of "holiday" was also the end of our passage through Mexico and amazing dear. The two months we spent in the country were not even close enough to do everything we wanted. A simpatia, a cultura, a nature, Mexican food ford stop longing. But the expedition has to continue. Hit the road! Destination: Central America!

For more pictures of the northern Yucatan, click here!

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