Photo Friday: Lago de Atitlan, Guatemala

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It’s been 17 months since we went to Guatemala, and I only saw the visual evidence for the first time this week. (We have nine computers between the two of us—ridiculous, I know, I know—and the folder was deeply buried on a dormant one.) And, as the whole experience left a bad taste in my mouth for a myriad of reasons, the pictures reminded me that there were quite a few good times to be had, as well.

Because the lake views did not disappoint. People who marvel at Tahoe have yet to see Atitlan. It’s a whole different kind of splendid.

Something else that did not disappoint was our hotel and its balcony views. I found Casa Palopo via Andrew Harper’s Hideaway, and at the time they were offering some sort of special where we paid around $100 a night for pure luxury (well, luxury in Central America which is a different kind of luxury altogether).

Our plan once we got to Atitlan was to have no plan. We (non-)planned to bask in the sun, read a few books and let the stress of our previous few months melt away into a nightly sunset that looked a little something like this:

Only all those clouds? They were foreboding. It was extremely cloudy and brisk most days—when it wasn’t raining, that is. And if there’s anything I’ve learned in my years of travel, it’s that nothing ever goes as planned in the first place (even if your whole plan was to not plan a thing).

So we improvised: drove our car around the outerlying towns on one day, took the water taxi to neighboring towns and explored Panajachel on foot on the others.

While I won’t write it off as the best vacation to date, it was yet another experience we had together: the good the bad and the ugly.

*All photos taken with a Canon XSi, 17-85mm lens, housed in a LowePro SlingShot.

**For more Photo Friday fun, visit Delicious Baby.

COMMENTS
  • March 12, 2010

    Hey! Love your blog. i am a travel-holic too!!!!

  • March 12, 2010
    HAIDANG

    beautiful and breathtaking pictures! : ) Thanks for sharing

  • March 12, 2010

    Your photos are gorgeous, glad you could pull some good out of that trip.

  • March 12, 2010

    especially like that first shot — sense of adventure and sense of peace, both.

  • March 12, 2010

    What is luxury in South America? My husband is determined we go there, very soon.

  • March 12, 2010

    I heard there’s another luxury hotel in the banks of Lake Atitlan. Not sure what town, but it’s called Eco Laguna Resort. Check it out. It looks great as well. We were planning a last minute getaway before this baby is born; the “babymoon” (but our plans fell through, as you can see). We were also considering Casa Palopo…looks like a great, peaceful place to stay. But then, we saw this Eco Laguna…lovely!! Sigh…did you guys also go to Antigua?

  • March 12, 2010

    SORRY…correction above. The hotel is called Laguna Lodge and Eco Resort.

  • March 12, 2010
    Katie Hammel

    Sounds a lot like my trip to Costa Rica last September. It rained everyday, and because of the clouds we never got to the see the volcano that’s supposedly there (I still don’t believe it), even on the day we paid $50 to see it. The hot springs we went to were more like heated swimming pools and then very best thing we ate all weekend was a $1 skewer of grilled pork bought from a street vendor. But we still made the best of it and managed to have a good time in a sucky situation.

    Glad you were able to find a few bright spots on a bad trip!

  • March 12, 2010

    Stunning pictures! I can’t imagine visiting a place so beautiful wouldn’t stand out as a great trip. But even with the bad and ugly on vacation, it’s nice that the photos are a reminder of the good. Thanks for sharing. Particularly like the shot of the water taxi in the foreground of those lush green hills.

  • March 12, 2010

    It’s such a shame that your time in Guatemala was ruined by the rain. I seriously had one of my favorite trips in that country. 🙁

    Lago de Atitlan was definitely a highlight. As you said, it’s “a whole different kind of splendid.” La dulce vida!

    I LOVE the boutique hotels in Latin America. Such indulgence!!! Your dress is gorgeous btw–such a great color for you darling.

  • March 12, 2010

    Happy Photo Friday!

  • March 12, 2010

    Great pictures. Atitlan is fantastic isn’t it? Though the suggestion it stops one from marveling at Tahoe is questionable. Just as we can marvel at Everest and K2.
    Don’t let rain stop you next time.

  • March 12, 2010

    😉 Have to give you that one on the volcano – crazy scenery. Especially with the sun behind it…

  • March 12, 2010
    KT

    These are lovely. I’m happy you were able to pull some good memories from the craziness that was your trip!

  • March 13, 2010

    Lake Atitlan is so beautiful. Although we had a great time while we were there, if anyone wants to know where NOT to stay, send me a message!

  • March 14, 2010

    I was there in December, stunningly beautiful lake!

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