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rtwpaul

27-10-12 16:54

thats Semuc Champey, just outside Lanquin, the picture that follows it is the river coming down the mountain at great speed from the rain forest, but the amazing thing is all this water in these pools is not from that river...the river has bored a hole underneath and the pools are feed by natural mountain streams coming in from the mountain i am standing on, according to a our guide the two never touch, it was very unique, it had a sandy bottom in the pools and they were a really translucent azure blue

BTW very steep climb to get to the point to take that photo

rtwpaul

27-10-12 18:18

so i'm here in Antigua for Language school, i was supposed to go on a hike this coming week but it was cancelled so i will stay here and celebrate Halloween and Day of the Dead this coming week and go to a kite festival locally as well, but that whats going to happen...

this is photos from this week here tuesday to friday only, i thought it might be better to group some shots so the first Antigua installment is from the candle factory at the Santa Domingo Hotel

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...IMG2205-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...IMG2180-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...IMG2179-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...IMG2181-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...IMG2190-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...IMG2192-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...IMG2194-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...IMG2199-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...IMG2198-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...IMG2200-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...IMG2203-XL.jpg

rtwpaul

27-10-12 18:22

...next... walking thru some of the smaller local market stalls

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...909-001-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...907-001-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...IMG1913-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...IMG1989-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...IMG1995-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...IMG1923-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...IMG1996-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...IMG2287-XL.jpg

rtwpaul

27-10-12 23:56

rtwpaul

27-10-12 23:57

rtwpaul

30-10-12 01:41

rtwpaul

30-10-12 01:42

rtwpaul

30-10-12 01:43

rtwpaul

30-10-12 01:45

rtwpaul

30-10-12 01:46

rtwpaul

30-10-12 01:46

Mort	30-10-12 08:54

Interesting pictures PAUL.:typing[1]:RIDE SAFE

rtwpaul

30-10-12 23:58

rtwpaul

31-10-12 21:13

on sunday i went to the market at Chichicastenango...to describe the place??? It is a visual overload for the eyes, the colors are intense, the crowd is pure chaos, and the vibe is bedlam, and add to this and the smell of incense burning from the steps of San Tomas church...if you come to Guatemala this is a MUST SEE location it is on twice a week, thursday and sunday but the sunday market is the best

this is part one...

i found parking in a house from a local and his son told me he was security and NOTHING would happen to the bikes...this is him

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2488-XL.jpg

then he told me if there is a problem his sisters would help him out!!!!

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...800-001-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...emapped-XL.jpg

it was just a good vibe so we left the bikes - nothing happened to them BTW

crossing the street and turned a corner into the market and this was the first view

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2512-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2514-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2517-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2519-XL.jpg

this is the main Church, San Tomas, this where the flower sellers are and standing on the top steps you get a good view of the market...there are 18 steps to relate to the 18 months of the Mayan calender

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2527-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2550-XL.jpg

more to come...

rtwpaul

31-10-12 21:17

the following photo is a story all in itself...

i am standing looking up at the church and i see this old Mayan lady looking off to the side, i have a perfect profile shot of her, i lift my camera and right as i press the shutter she turns and looks me dead in the eye down my lens!!! She is sitting on the bottom step of 18 that relate to the Mayan calendars 18 months

she starts screaming at me about stealing her spirit and then grabs a handfull of petals that she is selling for locals to go inside and pray with and throws them at me very aggressively, still shouting. I apologize but she won't have any of it so i walk away...i go to take another random photo and my SD card is full...i grab another card and put it in the camera, i check to see it is loaded and look how many shots i have on the card?

the number is 666 :devil[1]:

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2557-X3.jpg

rtwpaul

31-10-12 21:18

Chichicastenango market part 2

the San Tomas church is a sight to see, lots people praying everywhere inside and outside...the ladies are on their knees walking backwards and forwards towards the alter...or lighting candles in the main aisle way

if you do go in the church use the side door not the main front door as a sign of respect and DO NOT be seen taking photos...i had my camera hanging by my side for these...the is security in there will kick you out if they see you

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2564-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2568-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2574-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2583-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2587-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2588-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2595-XL.jpg

rtwpaul

31-10-12 21:18

rtwpaul

01-11-12 21:49

some views from around town in Antigua....

this has to be one of the hardest towns to push an ice cream cart around but the bell rings by itself because of the cobbles :lol3

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2332-XL.jpg

day of the dead and halloween bring out unique window decorations

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2339-XL.jpg

perfect balance?

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2343-XL.jpg

hanging on the wall in a restaurant? translates to "the mutt"!

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2354-XL.jpg

at the weekends a lot of streets are blocked of to cars...nice

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2357-XL.jpg

a lot of business talk happens on the sidewalk

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2360-XL.jpg

at a monastery virtually destroyed by the earthquake in 1976 stands as monument to it

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2420-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2379-XL.jpg

it shows the only remnants of the civil war that i have seen, i showed it to my new language teacher and she told me that people that were considered 'a problem' were taken here in the evening and lined up against the wall and shot

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2414-XL.jpg

the monastery is right next to the chicken bus terminal

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2431-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2434-XL.jpg

almost all the buses are old school buses from the states

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2440-XL.jpg

next to that is the fruit market

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2443-XL.jpg

running everyday it is a hive of activity

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2451-XL.jpg

how about some breakfast with a little attitude?

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/o...MG_2486-XL.jpg

Mort	03-11-12 18:24

I will have a muffin.:icon_cheers:

mash101

03-11-12 22:35

McF***inDonalds.... Love it!!!!
Also, the old dear half way up: her skin is nearly as battered as mine!
Keep the pictures coming - great thread!

rtwpaul

04-11-12 15:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by mash101 (Post 180651)

McF***inDonalds.... Love it!!!!
Also, the old dear half way up: her skin is nearly as battered as mine!
Keep the pictures coming - great thread!

guatemaltecas don't age too well at all!!!

rtwpaul

04-11-12 15:58

Volcan de Fuego burped a couple of times and threatened then went back to sleep

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...1050212-XL.jpg

photo courtesy of Dan and Lisa on there 1987 Transalp...i couldn't see it from my place - their blog is www.heyivegotanidea.wordpress.com

rtwpaul

04-11-12 23:08

have you ever smelt something before you heard it or saw it...i did yesterday, it was incense burning and very strong incense at that

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3099-XL.jpg

i came outside my Hostel to see this coming down the road

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3101-XL.jpg

and the procession that accompanied it

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3097-XL.jpg

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3102-XL.jpg

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3127-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3114-XL.jpg

i was an amazing sight with the deep bass drums pounding and the incense burning, and then the women came into view carrying this massive piece of religious art ( i have no idea of the name like a human carried float) . there were 50 women on each side and men at the front and rear directing/ steering it. it carried on down the street in a swaying motion, a very awe inspiring sight...it had to be 100 feet long

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3124-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3131-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3134-XL.jpg

notice the lady in middle carrying her baby as well

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3137-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3145-XL.jpg

the band following behind

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3156-XL.jpg

i got around the procession and got a shot as the sun went down with the volcano in the background

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3170-XL.jpg

as it got dark the people carrying swapped quite often from women to men...the procession went on for hours, it went past my place at 5.30 and it was still going around the town at 9.30pm

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3184-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3187-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3258-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3303-XL.jpg

Mort	05-11-12 11:01

Not getting pics Paul.:confused5:

Markymark

06-11-12 18:46

lovin this thread

lovin this thread - thanks for taking the time to post this - something to dream about on the M4 with all my layers on.

rtwpaul

06-11-12 19:35

so think about this, what you probably spend on fuel driving on the M4 each week would keep you here in Antigua for 3-5 days inclusive...i'm spending about $30 or 18 pounds a day and living very well, and this includes language school, hotel, food, and a few cervezas at night as well...food for thought?

Mort	07-11-12 09:04

Sure an all inspiring sight.:wav:

rtwpaul

07-11-12 14:17

found a video of it...somehow i can never get videos to embed on here...it should with this code

<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_W06JoaWZNA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

or

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=_W06JoaWZNA

any tech/ IT guys reading this tell me the secret? or Fran fix this one for me!!!

rtwpaul

10-11-12 23:08

My teacher, after looking at some of my photos took me a school that was having a photography exhibit for one day as he thought i would appriciate it for the art and also it would show me a side of Gautemala in his words "i hope you will never see"

photos are VERY GRAPHIC so if you are easily offended wait for my next post which will be a lot lighter...

these are NOT my photos, i took them secretly so other can see...i expect to see things as i travel that blow me away, but from someone else's photos is not an emotion i expected today

he explained to me that his father worked in the sugar cane fields for 30 years and it was a very hard way to make a living, you just exisited...the pay right now today is 20 Quetzales per ton, in dollars at todays exchage rate thats $2.55!!

he showed me a couple of photos and told me that this is how he remembered his father looking at the end of the day

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2722-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2721-XL.jpg

next was some photos of the garbage dump area outside of Guatemala City where a river flows thru and because of this the heavier objects (metallic objects, steel, tin, aluminum cans etc) end up at the bottom, this is collected and if they are lucky on a very, very good day then maybe a tiny amount of gold may be there too

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2719-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2723-XL.jpg

Drugs have been a large part of central american culture and certain areas of certain cities are controlled by gangs, this is the only photo that i think needs to be posted...others were way to graphic, ganglands ritual murders etc...i'm sure you can use your immagination for that

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2718-XL.jpg

this is the bad photo and purposefully i have put it on here small and at the end so as not to see all the details, but what is being shown here is a that a family cannot afford to pay the 80 Q's a year or just 0.02 cents a day to keep their family member buried in the cemetery

so the body has been exhumed and is propped against a wall, standing up, until it is taken away with others that are about to exhumed for "cremation"and to disappear for ever...and if you read the earlier post about Nov 1st Day of the dead you will understand how horrific this is for a family and culture who have the utmost respect for the deceased

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...SAM_2720-S.jpg

rtwpaul

10-11-12 23:10

on a lighter note......

time to leave Antigua in the morning for the ocean and another school, so its time to say goodbye to the spray on jeans of Antigua

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3072-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...%20copy-XL.jpg

the crazy kid who jumps up and down on a saturday whilst he plays his maracas

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3347-XL.jpg

amazing views of the volcano that has shown its pressense a little since i was here

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2735-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3325-XL.jpg

the albino Mayan lady who only comes out on a Saturday during the day

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3358-XL.jpg

the unique artwork

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3361-XL.jpg

and stone work

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3344-XL.jpg

this is definite location to return to in the future :023:

Mort	12-11-12 08:56

Those jeans are straining at the seams.LOL:smilies0134:

Ohlins

12-11-12 10:15

Fashion comes and goes.....

Jeans...hard to beat a good pair of tight jeans....and a white t shirt to match...

:)

.

Dual	12-11-12 10:48

Tops for jeans :-)

rtwpaul

13-11-12 23:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mort (Post 180866)

Those jeans are straining at the seams.LOL:smilies0134:

thats what i was waiting for but it never happened!!!

rtwpaul

15-11-12 01:20

had a last night in cafe/ bar No Se and some booze was put away...luckily it is just staggering distance across the street tot the hostal...by the end of the night the bartender was kind of a ghost

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2738-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2744-XL.jpg

the following morning i met Dylan aka "cleanwatt" and we got a wave off from el hostal

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2749-XL.jpg

a quick ride to the coast about 100 miles or less and we checked in to Hotel/ Hostal Del fin, i thought it was on this sign but it wasn't so as you come into town near the beach take a right, its down the side street 50 feet, $9 a night for room with a private bathroom

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2763-XL.jpg

black sand beaches, with crazy waves

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2750-XL.jpg

the owner says he has three friendly dogs and a crazy one eyed parrot, who says "hola" from a bout 6.30am onwards for a few hours in the mornings

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2754-XL.jpg

one dog was security for my bike

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2757-XL.jpg

...and another "luna" was an escort if we left the hotel

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3376-XL.jpg

cool sunsets here

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...MG_3364-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2764-XL.jpg

but remember to shake your boots well as there are scorpions here too :huh

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2760-XL.jpg

rtwpaul

15-11-12 01:48

in a word - easy...there were no offers of helpers and none were required

check out of Guate, literally three minutes and 10Q, park the bike in the parking lot on the right as you come to the border. Then on your left is a long building and another to its left, go to the building farthest left, window outside and cancel your paperwork to check the bike out and then to the salida window in the next building to cancel your entry in your passport and pay 10 Quetzales in cash...goodbye Guatemala

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...gration-XL.jpg

jump on the bike and ride it 50 yards up to the brown building on your right, park right outside

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...1050416-XL.jpg

go thru the double doors to the far left for immigration and pay 60 Liperas entry/ visa fee, and fill out the form which is in English and Spanish

next into the doors in the middle to do your import, you need three copies of license, title and passport info page, i only had two copies and he accepted that, if you need copies there is a copy place right across the street by the barrier

they fill out all of the paperwork for you and do not inspect the VIN, they accept the cancelled Guatemala paperwork and copy your info from that - the import permit is 661 Limperas or about $33

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...gration-XL.jpg

total time at both borders was 50 minutes which included talking with the money changers for maybe 15 minutes and getting a good rate if you bargin a little, bank rate today was 19.6 he offered 18, i got him up to 18.75 which for a few dollars to pay the fees for me was OK

Mort	15-11-12 10:46

Not far to go to the important things in life.:family:Ride Safe.

EnduroAlexis

16-11-12 05:31

Excellent pictures, thank you.

rtwpaul

16-11-12 14:33

leaving viavia cafe in Copan and the maneuvering to get out and down the step...a very cool place to stay and the owner Gerardo is a great guy and has good info of the country being a bike rider himself

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2792-XL.jpg

the rest of the day was in and out of the rain forest in the, ahem, RAIN, oh and cold!!!!

some crazy roads that test your slalom techniques for sure and then some good pavement in the middle of nowhere...final destination was D&D brewery

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2800-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2811-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2814-XL.jpg
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2815-XL.jpg

rtwpaul

17-11-12 04:17

got to the D&D Brewery late in the day and in the rain, on a good day it would have been a great ride by Lake Yojoa, cause of the rain no photos...

the brewery is North of the lake reasonably easy to find, once past the gates

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2821-XL.jpg

and down past the small pool

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2822-XL.jpg

it was kind of just like hanging out in someones backyard, i kind of expected a little more, nothing bad to say, the beers were OK, just OK nothing special, food was average and the room was too. we parked the bikes right outside

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2818-XL.jpg

there is a friendly kitten living there...

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2823-XL.jpg

two other riders were staying, a dutch/ english guy on a V Strom and Ben an American on one of the most overloaded GSA's i have seen in while with Jesse's largest bags (150 liters i think), top box, tank side bags, (tank bag and holdall - not shown) and he is planning to ride every country in south america :eek1 i foresee Ruta 40 will take its toll with all that weight :muutt

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/n...AM_2820-XL.jpg

if you are into bird watching and a small hike then this place might be for you, Dylan and i agreed that it couldn't keep us occupied for two days, which we had planned.

so this morning we had the 'world famous blueberry pancakes' and headed out in the rain

All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:39.

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