Hola Mario&family, it was so great having you guys over for the weekend !!!!!! Looking forward to our upcoming ride together up to Nebaj and the surrounding mountains Julio
Julio and Luisa took us for a ride on Sunday to the La Reunion Golf Course for breakfast with a view of the three volcanoes. You can see the old lava stream on Volcan Fuego.
Daniel and Julio went for a guys ride up into the mountains to see another view of beautiful Guatemala. We rode up to San Miguel Duenas to the Macadamia farm again to have their famous pancakes. We were luck to be here for a visit from Mario97 from El Salvador. We were walking in town and ran into our friends Frank and Linda from Partner for Surgery.
Heading out early we went to ride up the Pacaya Volcano, around to Laguna Caldera and Lago Amatitlan, and then to the Park of the Cross above Antigua. This is our favorite place to buy fresh made hot tortillas and it is conveniently located next to the hot dog stand and the roasted chicken place. Dan goofing off at the car wash again. Sara tried out the 1200 may trade in her 650????
We met a true adventurous spirt. Megan is riding from Edmonton to Panama on a bike 7 years older than she is! Megan Neuvo Retro by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr RR Southbound rambling
That looks like a beautiful lake. And the weather ... how warm is it getting on you down there? Doesn't look like it's too hot or humid? Appreciating being able to do this adventure vicariously through you two. I'm planning on being down there in a couple years. ~Doug
Its about 25-26 degrees Celsius in the day and maybe 16 at night. Not humid at all. The beach at Monterrico is 35 plus and humid. Next post will be our adventure into the Guatemalan highlands. Cheers Sara
Sara & Dan, it was a pleasure meeting you both and having you guys at our place for the last 2 weeks . I really enjoyed your company and our conversations and having the chance to show you some of my favorite places in Guatemala . Seeing you leave this morning, made me realize how much I miss being on the road :huh Safe travels my friends and keep on smiling !!! Julio Ready for take off On your way out
Dear Julio and Luisa We really appreciate how welcome you made us feel in your home! We are very glad we did not leave in January when we planned. Your advice to stay and see more of your beautiful Guatemala was golden. We enjoyed so much your company and fun sense of humor!!!! And the food of course. I will get a post done soon with pictures of the trip to Nebaj and beyond. We have been without internet for a few days traveling along your suggested route in El Salvador. Miss you guys!! Sara & Daniel
GuateRider organized a road trip from Antigua up to the Quiche area of Guatemala. We had an international team from Guatemala, El Salvador, Germany, Canada, and Australia. We met up with Megan in Antigua riding her Kawasaki from Edmonton. Frank came from Guatemala City joined us in Tecpan for breakfast representing team Yamaha. Driving east on the CA-1 we stopped at the Mirador above Lago Atitlan for a photo op.
We continued riding west towards the Quiche. FILE0880 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr FILE1037 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We stopped for a break in the city of Chichicastanango to visit the church and the market. Nebaj and unicorio 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We joined up with Mario and Victor from El Salvador in Sacapulus. Next we headed up into the mountains towards Nebaj. FILE1056 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 20 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There was some pretty thick fog on the way. FILE1073 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We had a lunch stop in Nebaj before we ride up the dirt road to Acul. Nebaj and unicorio 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 30 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
Our home for the weekend was at a finca where they make the famous Queso de Chancol . FILE1074 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 31 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 33 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 34 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The food here is served family style and there is lots of it! This is the group on Friday night. Nebaj and unicorio 36 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We awoke in the morning to some light rain and mist. Nebaj and unicorio 37 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 38 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 45 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 47 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
Things did improve early in the day and so the guys went out riding. Nebaj and unicorio 39 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 42 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Their first stop was in Chagjul for a boot shine before riding in the wet and mud. Nebaj and unicorio 48 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 61 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Here are some shots from the road. FILE1094 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr FILE1112 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr FILE1121 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr FILE1131 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr FILE1194 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr FILE1196 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr FILE1229 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr FILE1355 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr FILE1408 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
The afternoon was sunny so we got out for a walk on the farm. Nebaj and unicorio 58 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 52 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 54 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 55 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 56 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 63 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We walked to the village of Acul and met a lot of friendly people. We visited a corn mill to see how flour and tortillas are made. Nebaj and unicorio 65 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 68 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 74 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 76 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 78 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There was a party going on for the festival of the virgin of Candelaria . We had been joined by Trevor from Auatralia. Nebaj and unicorio 73 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 67 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 83 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 88 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Here is the gang on Saturday night. Nebaj and unicorio 93 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
It had rained all night and continued to drizzle and Mario, Frank, and Victor headed out into the mud. Nebaj and unicorio 94 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 95 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 96 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We all soon followed. FILE1448 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr FILE1481 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 97 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
We all headed back to sacapulus where Daniel and I continued west to the highlands of Chiantla and up to the Unicornio Azul. Screen Shot 2013-02-08 at 10.34.59 AM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr FILE1548 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr FILE1560 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 106 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 103 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 104 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 105 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 107 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 108 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We went for a hike in the hills, Nebaj and unicorio 109 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 110 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 111 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 112 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 114 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 115 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 118 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 121 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Yes that says 8 degrees, which is the temperature inside too. Nebaj and unicorio 120 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There is a small fire in the lounge where we spent our time. Nebaj and unicorio 122 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nebaj and unicorio 123 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We headed back to Antigua for a farewell dinner with Julio and Luisa. We also met back up with our friend Orvar from Sweden. DSC04489 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
Setting out from Antigua at 11 am Daniel, Orvar, and I rode thru the capital towards Cuilapa and south to the border town of Pedro de Alvarado. Screen Shot 2013-02-08 at 3.45.46 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr On the way we were stopped waiting almost an hour at a construction zone. We met a nice couple Shimon and Veronica from San Salvador there and we stopped down the road with them for lunch. DSC04492 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr DSC04494 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr DSC04493 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr DSC04490 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr DSC04491 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Sara made friends with the local police. He really liked her bike and her RCMP mascot wearing the same hat as him. DSC04495 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There is not much to choose from for hotels here, but our choice was 5 star compared to the one next door. Fr Gränsentill Santa Ana, Salvador 005 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Fr Gränsentill Santa Ana, Salvador 004 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We had hot water and aircon, which was essential in this heat. There was a very nice courtyard to park the bikes too. DSC04497 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This is the line up of trucks at the border day and night. Luckily bikes just ride to the front. Fr Gränsentill Santa Ana, Salvador 002 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr