After almost two weeks in tranquil Antigua we had forgotten how chaotic Guatemala is. We were quickly reminded as we got off out bus to change to one heading for Panajachel. People yelling (still in that strange foreign language that I though after a week and half of study I would understand), whistling, buses going in every direction, people trying to help with your bags. After four different buses, we finally got to Pana. After the third bus we were dropped off in a town that we assumed to be Pana. After a bit of wondering around trying to match the streets to our Lonely Planet map, we had a sneaking suspicion that we weren’t in the right town. Then we spotted a bus to Pana, which confirmed our suspicions. Really nice view as the bus descends it’s way down the volcanoes to Pana, situated on the massive lake, Lago de Atitlan. The 350m deep lake is formed from a collapsed volcano and is encircled by huge hills and volcanoes. There are small towns all around it with Panajachel the largest.
Got a room, down to the lake for a look and then some dinner, look around town, not much happening. Next morning walked to the next town, along the calm turquoise lake. Went for a swim in the beautiful water, had some breaky, had 8 quetzals haggled out of me by some young school girls for a photo then headed back to Pana.
Got our stuff together with the Honduras border our aim. Bus to Guatemala City, which didn’t seem so dirty this time. Took a bit, but we found a bus to Chiquimula, a town near the border. Got there after dark and got a room.