This weekend Steph, six other volunteers, and I vacationed at Lake Atitlán for the weekend. The experience was truly beyond words, so I will just say.....GO!Lago de Atitlán is about two and a half hours northwest of Antigua, through windy mountainous roads. As soon as the lake came into view we got out of the van and mountain biked
downhill to the lake´s edge. We started the 4 hour bike ride on steep, dirt-road downhills with lots of potholls. It was unnerving at first and Steph spent the first 10 minutes of the ride hearing me call out her name in fear. But then the hills turned to better pavement, and consequently we began riding faster, and eventually we all were pretty daring. The view of the lake from the bike was stunning and the water was sparkling blue.
downhill to the lake´s edge. We started the 4 hour bike ride on steep, dirt-road downhills with lots of potholls. It was unnerving at first and Steph spent the first 10 minutes of the ride hearing me call out her name in fear. But then the hills turned to better pavement, and consequently we began riding faster, and eventually we all were pretty daring. The view of the lake from the bike was stunning and the water was sparkling blue. The lake is surrounded by 4 volcanos, which were slightly difficult to see this weekend since it was foggy most of the time. Lago de Atitlán is the deepest lake in Central America, and was formed by a crater eons ago (yes, I know I´m specific). But as such, the lake does not flow to any other body of water and the water level is raised and lowered only by the amount of rainfall the area receives. Since it´s now the dry season, the lake was at it´s yearly low point.
We stayed in Volcano Lodge - a resort created 15 years ago by a Norwegian man who is now fluent in Norwegian, English, Spanish, and some Quetchel. (Although if anyon
e gets inspired enough to go to the lake you really should stay at Casa del Mundo - a truly amazing hotel that we snuck into to jump off their balconies into the lake.)
e gets inspired enough to go to the lake you really should stay at Casa del Mundo - a truly amazing hotel that we snuck into to jump off their balconies into the lake.)Sunday morning we woke early to kayak for 2 hours around the edge of the lake and admire the view of the 4 volcanos that surround the enormous body of water. The water was smooth as glass and despite not having exercised since May, I personally think Steph and I did a pretty damn good job steering our ship. At the end
of the paddle, our tour guide tied our kayaks to a tree and we all swam to the edge of a 5-6m cliff and scaled the steep rocks to the top. (Yes, I must admit I needed help.) From the top, there was only one way down. And that was jumping.
of the paddle, our tour guide tied our kayaks to a tree and we all swam to the edge of a 5-6m cliff and scaled the steep rocks to the top. (Yes, I must admit I needed help.) From the top, there was only one way down. And that was jumping.After the kayak we dropped our kayaks off at a dock and hiked 2 hours on single-file trails boardering the edge of the lake back to the hotel. Just when we thought we had seen the most beautiful part of the lake, we would round another corner and be once again speechless. (My pictures do no justice. And I also somehow manage to never take pictures at all of the must-take-photo locations. Sorry folks.)
Like I said, just go.
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