General Chat

Back from 3 weeks filled with mind expanding experiences in Guatemala (and the USA but more of that later).

I did ride a chicken bus and although it was crowded and driven at breakneck speed the driver was considerate when I was boarding and getting off as I had both crutches. A very kind young chap just standing in the street also assisted me.

Guatemalans are incredibly polite and respectful and I was treated with a degree of human decency not found in the UK as a disabled person.

We spent the first two nights in Guatemala City staying firstly at the Tikal Futura then the second night at the Holiday Inn when son and daughter arrived. It was absolutely fantastic to see them again.

Next stop was Lake Atitlan for 5 nights where the views of the volcanoes was jaw dropping. When we flew in to Guate City at night one of the volcanoes was active and the circle of red seen from the aircraft was something I'll never forget.

Many places to visit around the lake and son hired a private lancha for the day so we could make the trips he had planned without the locals falling down laughing at my efforts at getting in and out. The lake surrounded by volcanoes and seemingly inaccessible villages.

We then drove to Antigua, the house was beautiful BUT the mosquitoes were savage. Nothing stopped them attacking hubby and myself. Son and daughter were pretty much unaffected.

5 nights there and then it was onto son's business in Alta Verapaz. The view from the infinity pool was absolutely fabulous and cannot be put into words. He employs 56 locals plus volunteering travellers and is quite a celebrity....white beardy man.... Guatemalans give accurately descriptive names to non locals, although he was also given the honorary title Don. It was jolly hot but the pool helped.

Thereafter we drove back to the City and flew up to Flores very early in the morning for our planned visit to see the Mayan ruins at Tikal.

That trip is something I'll never forget. Few visitors that day so even more enjoyable. The ruins, jungle sounds, peaceful and thoroughly recommended.

We were very fortunate to see and photograph a monkey, coatie and amazing birds. I did think I was going to die during the last hour, it was hot but so humid I felt dizzy and sick...lolol plenty of water and rests got me through it.

The land train from the entrance to the start of the walk was a flat bed truck with metal benches welded to the floor and accessed by a set of wooden steps that the driver placed against the side when required. That was an experience!

We had a private driver that day and he waited at Tikal until we were ready to leave, next stop an ice cream then a stop overlooking the lake at Flores Island at another restaurant owned by son's friends. (Many places we visited were). Driven back to the small airport. Fly back to the city (only 45 minutes on a prop plane).

We visited the Valhalla Project which produces macadamia nuts and products. We had lunch there. We were met by the Californian co-founder, a very eccentric chap in his late 60s who greeted us with "you must have had a lobotomy to visit me"...lolol very enjoyable tour and explanation of the business.

The jade museum in Antigua was fab and again we were given a complete history of how and who discovered Guatemalan jade.

Lots more visits and non tourist events.

The whole holiday was really, really enjoyable and I learnt a lot about the culture. After 40 years I can still read Spanish easily. Speaking I got by, with the caveat that I was taught European Spanish not Central American. Nobody batted an eyelid when I forgot the difference in the pronunciation of the letter c.....lololol.

When we left I managed not to burst into tears after saying goodbye to the children until after we were in the departure hall.

Now the awful part.....Atlanta immigration. What despicably rude officers we encountered both on entry and exit. I was in a wheelchair as I travelled assisted. They were the most obnoxious officials I have ever had the misfortune to be questioned by. We were in transit FGS. Had no intention of staying there for one minute longer than necessary. I was so happy when we finally arrived at Heathrow (after an additional flight due to delays) to be greeted with "Good afternoon" and a smile.

So that's it, a trip of a lifetime, even better than Australia, (sorry Aussies).

Sue x

Sounds wonderful. :-) You'll need another holiday now to recover!! :-)

WOW !! Sue sounds amazing :-D :-D glad you all had a great time together...special times...special memories,all shared with the ones you love, you deserve it!!

Sorry you had such a horrid time coming home.....



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Glad you had a great time Sis. Always nice to see family and their surroundings and lifestyle. Not sure whether you would be able to live at that pace but great to sample it.

Now to sit back and relive the holiday by looking all the pictures and videos and I'm sure you will see something and say "don't remember that"

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Sue it sounded great, must have been lovely with the family,
such lovely memories to think back on x

Sounds amazing.

An amazing holiday Sue, thank you for sharing it. I knew very little about the area before. I bet you took loads of photos, you should make a scrap book now (or two).

Some American immigration officers can be truly obnoxious. They seem to want to make you feel uncomfortable almost as if they want you to be guilty of something.

What a wonderful holiday with so much packed in!

I have had the 'pleasure' of dealing with USA immigration too, at San Francisco. Although the ones at Washington were OK a few years ago...

What an interesting place.

Is it hot and humid all the time?

Sue ...........

what tremendous experiences you have had. Your children must have been very happy to see you.

As for America customs ............ I'm sorry to hear about your experience, but I'm afraid is par for the course.

We've been over here for almost 50 years now, and refuse to go into the States unless it absolutely necessary ........... we haven't been there since returning from Australia in 2006 ;-)

I think I would score my experiences over the years at about 10-15% good, rest bad to horrendous!


I've been planning a trip for later this year to celebrate our 50th, was thinking of a cruise but every one that intrigued us began and / or ended in the US.

We're staying in Canada, and taking a train trip to Quebec City and back.

That holiday sounds incredible!! :-D

Thanks gang, FB friends followed me around during the trip..lolol

There is a huge difference in temp and humidity between the city and the central and North of the country which surprised me.

Drizzle not uncommon in the South but as you move North it becomes both more humid and hotter. Definitely not a dry heat at all. Of course they do have a rainy season.

At the Lake the car was parked at the property and we took tuk-tuks everywhere, generally £1.00 for the 4 of us to go from the house into the town. Guatemalans are not bothered by the rain because it's still warm and they either did not bother with a coat or just had a thin plastic sheet covering over their heads.

Re the States I am glad others support my experience which was truly dire. No need for it at all. My son doesn't travel there unless on business and he will avoid transiting via the States at all costs, now I know why.

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Pleased to hear you had such a fantastic holiday.

What a fantastic holiday you have had Sue :-)
Thank You for sharing your wonderful experience with us all.

It must have been so hard to say Goodbye to your son and daughter though!

Sounds amazing! Glad you had a wonderful time.

What an amazing experience and how wonderful to meet up with your children and see for yourself their adopted country.

Super memories.

What a great time you have had & meeting up with your family .sounds amazing ,.Thank you for sharing with us .Barbra x

sounds fantastic, glad you had an amazing time x

Good to hear you had a great time Sue :-)

I enjoyed your Holiday as much as you I think
It was lovely to experience through your eyes the whole Adventure

cheers to your next visit x :-D :-D