Finding Freedom...World Wide Ride

Discussion in 'Ride Reports - Epic Rides' started by BcDano, Jul 19, 2012.

Page 4 of 222
  1. BcDano, Dec 29, 2012
    #61
    BcDano

    BcDano One Lucky Dude

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    #61
  2. BcDano, Dec 31, 2012
    #62
    BcDano

    BcDano One Lucky Dude

    Joined:
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    Happy New Year to all the ADV riders out there. We hope you have a safe and adventurous 2013!
    #62
  3. BcDano, Jan 1, 2013
    #63
    BcDano

    BcDano One Lucky Dude

    Joined:
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    After 6 months on the road we needed a little down time and we decided upon Panajachel on Lake Atitlan. It's only 180 km from the border, but the drive took us about 5 hours. The first section of the "highway" near the border is very rough and full of big trucks going 20 km per hour. The next part is a windy mountain road. Again with trucks going very slowly. The middle part is a smooth 4 lane amazing road until the turn off to Solala. The road down to the lake is 17 km , but it is 85% down hill and was under construction with 50% grated pavement.

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    Screen Shot 2012-12-30 at 6.25.46 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Screen Shot 2012-12-30 at 6.26.09 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Screen Shot 2012-12-27 at 3.09.21 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 121 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

    The town is very walkable, but there also many tuk tuks everywhere. It sits on the lake with the view of several volcanoes.

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    Panajachel Guatemala 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 97 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 32 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 109 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 140 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 142 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    DSC04050 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


    This is a lovely lakeside town where 85% of the population are Mayan. The women and a few of the men dress in traditional clothes that are very bright and the color varies from village to village around the lake.

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    DSC04073 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    DSC04081 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 37 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 103 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 39 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 40 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 43 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 51 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 54 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

    The market here is daily, but is the largest on Sundays. The produce is amazing.

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    Panajachel Guatemala 143 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 148 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 144 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 149 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


    Almost every time I passed Maria i enden up buying some strange fruit she had for sale. These are Sapote and they have the flavour and texture of pumpkin pie. My other favorite haunt was to see Mirna at Super Pan for fresh hot banana muffins for 1Q each. On my way out of the bakery one night I saw Norbert on his V strom and also from Vancouver!

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    Panajachel Guatemala 122 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 135 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


    We ventured across the lake by water taxi to the village of San Juan and then walked to the next village of San Pedro. Each of the villages around the lake has different local arts and crafts for sale.

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    Panajachel Guatemala 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 117 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 119 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 73 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 82 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 96 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


    Daniel made friends with this 91 year old gentleman in the park in San Pedro.

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    Panajachel Guatemala 93 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


    We were here over the holidays so there was all kinds of activities, street dances, and of course hundreds of fireworks. At midnight on Dec 25 and 31 it sounded like a Chinese fireworks factory was on fire.

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    Panajachel Guatemala 80 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 151 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 155 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Panajachel Guatemala 156 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

    This brings new meaning to riding two up.

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    DSC04048 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
    #63
  4. eakins, Jan 1, 2013
    #64
    eakins

    eakins Butler Maps

    Joined:
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    #64
  5. decodent, Jan 2, 2013
    #65
    decodent

    decodent CyberGypsy

    Joined:
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    Marin County, CA & Ketchum, ID
    Just found your report and am looking forward to following your journey. Cool that you're taking lots of pics.

    I hope to do the "top to bottom" ride in a couple years, so your report is inspiring.

    ~Doug
    #65
  6. BcDano, Jan 2, 2013
    #66
    BcDano

    BcDano One Lucky Dude

    Joined:
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    Thanks for the info. Ill drop them an email! Sara
    #66
  7. BcDano, Jan 2, 2013
    #67
    BcDano

    BcDano One Lucky Dude

    Joined:
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    We really appreciate the comments!!! Thanks so much. Sara
    #67
  8. Dr LC8, Jan 2, 2013
    #68
    Dr LC8

    Dr LC8 ...soon or later

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    Manchester...but from Rome!
    Guys you are definetively enjoying your trip and having good fun!:norton

    Good for you:clap:clap:clap:clap

    Nic
    #68
  9. GB, Jan 2, 2013
    #69
    GB

    GB . Administrator Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2002
    Oddometer:
    72,225
    Thanks for taking us along and sharing all those gorgeous pics!! Bon voyage! :thumb
    #69
  10. Bob, Jan 2, 2013
    #70
    Bob

    Bob Formerly H20Pumper Supporter

    Joined:
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    Corral de Tierra CA, Ketchum ID
    Awesome ride, thanks for all the beautiful pics!
    #70
  11. BcDano, Jan 3, 2013
    #71
    BcDano

    BcDano One Lucky Dude

    Joined:
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    Bob, GB, & Nic

    Thanks so much. We get so excited when someone comments that they like our post. Sara
    #71
  12. BTL, Jan 3, 2013
    #72
    BTL

    BTL No more snow!!

    Joined:
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    St Albert. Alberta Canada. IBA Member 50093
    Fantastic ride report..nice to see warm weather pics as I sitting freezing in Edmonton. Stay safe eh.
    #72
  13. BcDano, Jan 4, 2013
    #73
    BcDano

    BcDano One Lucky Dude

    Joined:
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    Hi to a fellow Canadian!!!! Its a little chilly at night here in Antigua so its a bit like home. Thanks for the props!

    Sara
    #73
  14. BcDano, Jan 6, 2013
    #74
    BcDano

    BcDano One Lucky Dude

    Joined:
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    #74
  15. BcDano, Jan 8, 2013
    #75
    BcDano

    BcDano One Lucky Dude

    Joined:
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    We ran into a bunch of guys from the Quetzaltenango BMW club at a lunch spot between Antigua and Panajachel Guatemala.

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    Antigua 175 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
    #75
  16. BcDano, Jan 9, 2013
    #76
    BcDano

    BcDano One Lucky Dude

    Joined:
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    Dan was so happy to buy our first Guatemalan gas for our weekend trip up to Antigua at Texaco.


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    Antigua 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


    The views as we drove along the old highway of the lake and the volcanoes was amazing. The route was very twisty and mountainous and involved several river crossings where the road was washed away.


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    Antigua 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


    Antigua is very picturesque, but a lot busier than when we was last here several years ago.


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    Antigua 161 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 20 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 92 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 39 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


    There are two volcanoes here which loom over the city.


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    Antigua 101 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 107 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 105 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 112 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


    Like everywhere in Guatemala there are markets with tipico set up all over.


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    Antigua 117 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 118 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



    The windows here are attractive even with bars on them.


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    Antigua 80 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 75 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 77 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


    We stopped to ask this traffic officer where a thai restaurant was. She called on her radio to ask, but then her colleagues drove up next to her and started laughing because it was in the building right behind us.


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    Antigua 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



    This is a colonial city where they are not allowed to put up signage, so part of the fun of walking around the city is that you have to poke your head in all the doorways to see what is inside. This is also a city of secret courtyards. The beautiful doors we love to take photos of often have amazing garden oasis behind them.


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    Antigua 59 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 54 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 51 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 68 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 56 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 67 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


    For my birthday we skipped lunch and had pie instead!

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    Antigua 98 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


    You have to love a place where wine gets cheaper the more you buy.


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    Antigua 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


    Because of the numerous earthquakes in the region there are a number of runs of great churches including the Cathedral. One Santa Domingo has been incorporated into a 5 star hotel.


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    Antigua 87 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 122 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 125 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 139 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 140 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 148 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 132 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 142 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

    After 2 months of looking we finally found chain lube for "O" rings.

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    Antigua 49 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


    We met up with some other bikes at the motocafe for a few beers.


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    Antigua 162 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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    Antigua 164 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


    Both Ollie and I were celebrating our birthdays this weekend with an amazing dinner at Hectors.

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    Antigua 167 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
    #76
  17. GuateRider, Jan 18, 2013
    #77
    GuateRider

    GuateRider Long timer

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2008
    Oddometer:
    1,621
    Location:
    Antigua , Guatemala
    It was great meeting you guys and seeing how you are enjoying my new hometown !!!
    I see it coming , you will be around for some time :D:D:D
    #77
  18. BcDano, Jan 18, 2013
    #78
    BcDano

    BcDano One Lucky Dude

    Joined:
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    Oddometer:
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    On the advice of our friend Julio in Antigua we set off from the lake into the mountains northward. We road from Panajachel up into the Quiche (kee-chay). The road from Sacapulas to San Cristobal Verapaz is unpaved and sort of like driving up a river bed at times. We were luck with good weather or it could have been a bit of a nightmare.

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    Screen Shot 2013-01-18 at 6.14.34 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



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    Sumac Champey 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



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    Sumac Champey 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
    #78
  19. BcDano, Jan 18, 2013
    #79
    BcDano

    BcDano One Lucky Dude

    Joined:
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    Oddometer:
    385
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    After a long day we arrived in Coban and realized we knew the cross street of our hotel, but not the zone. The same cross streets are in ALL the zones. After a bit of effort we did manage to locate it. The town has little in the way of sights as it is really just a cross road to the north of the country. We did visit the small cathedral and the famous Pollo Compero.



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    Sumac Champey 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




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    Sumac Champey 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




    The next morning we were up and on the road at 6 am to drive the 67 km to Lanquin town. We left in the dawn light and drove up into the mountains draped in mist. The road is paved and curvy except the last 11 km which is unpaved steep and curvy.



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    Sumac Champey 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
    #79
  20. BcDano, Jan 18, 2013
    #80
    BcDano

    BcDano One Lucky Dude

    Joined:
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    Oddometer:
    385
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    Home in the Loops (for awhile)
    We arrived at the Zephyr lodge/ hostel at 8 am! This did allow us to get a ride out to the Semuc Champey park in the back of a pickup truck.



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    Sumac Champey 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




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    Sumac Champey 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




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    Sumac Champey 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




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    Sumac Champey 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




    The Semuc Champey is a limestone bridge that the water has eroded and formed caves, waterfalls, and swimming pools. We hiked and swam in the caves, jumped into the river on a rope swing and from the bridge, hiked to the Mirador, and swam in the pools. The ride back to the lodge was a bit rougher in the rain.



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    how-was-it-form by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




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    Sumac Champey 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




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    Sumac Champey 95 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




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    Sumac Champey 98 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




    There was a party atmosphere especially during happy hour. It poured rain all night and into the next day on our steep ride up the road from Lanquin to the pavement. There was also dense fog in the mountains. The rain let up near Salama and we decided to take the off road route over the mountains from Rabinal to San Pedro. After a 10 hour day we were so happy to arrive at Julio's house in Antigua.





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    Sumac Champey 102 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




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    Sumac Champey 103 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




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    Sumac Champey 105 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
    #80
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