Wednesday, 2 March 2016

Settling Down??

 I have a fun, exciting, demanding, and unreliable lifestyle. Im never really sure where I will be or what I will be doing, which works fine for me, and my daughter, and our relationship. But, in terms of relations with others, I have noticed a trend.
 People tell me they cannot rely on me, friends make plans without us; because they are never sure where we will be, or if we will let them down. I also have a really bad habit of thinking everyone is informed, when I havent actually told a soul what my intentions are. People just never know whyere thay stand with me.
 While friends and family are always excited to see us, and catch up; especially after a trip, sometimes it feels like more of a pasing novelty. People are so busy with their day to day lives, so scheduled, that they just cannot fit us in. Especially as we do almost everything completely last minute!
 We recently returned after a trip, and one of the most beautiful and noticeable things was that no matter how long had past, some relationships were completely unscathed; I was able to laugh and chat with friends as if we had not left their sides. But at the same time, I just felt we didnt fit in ... we are, I guess outside the norm, and have moved away from our circles, in a real sense. Of course, emotionally and spiritually we are right there with our nearest and dearest, but we arent there.
 Also in terms of a romantic relationship... no one wants to start a relationship with a chick who is about to catch a train, bus or flight; how would that even work anyway? I have met some amazing people, but I am almost always about to leave a place; so of course, nothing ever sticks. 
 I am thirty this year, and I think I am longing for a bit of stability. For me, and for my daughter. I would love her to get back into her martial arts training, she wants to persue professional singing. I would love to find a good dance instructor.  
 So, after a few strong signs in my life and a lot of prayer, I have made a decision. I think I am going set up a base. Like actually strive to buy a house. This way we can travel, and at least come back to the same point in the UK, instead of flitting between Wales, Yorkshire, the Midlands and London all the time. 
so, watch this space ...... as when we have our house we will be hosting via couchsurfing, and of course would need house sitters any time we go away.  

Saturday, 2 January 2016

Sumpango Kite Festival, Guatemala




Sumpango Kite Festival

Sacatepéquez, Guatemala


Every year, in Sumpango, Sacatepéquez, a giant kite festival is held on the 31st October and 1st November (all Saints day). The festival is held in the villages cemetery, where Guatemalans flock to pay respect to the dead at this time of year.

Sumpango cemetery

 

At this time of year, Cemeteries across Guatemala are more colourful than ever, as relatives lovingly clean resting places of those that have left this earth, laying brightly coloured flowers and decorations, playing music, sharing stories and generally gathering.

 
Musicians

In Sumpango, kites were being flown across the cemetery, from smaller ones held by family members, to the gigantic 10 meter high beasts!

Kites at Sumpango

I expected to 'pop in' and check the kites out, and then be on my way. I arrived around lunch time, and the whole area just got busier and busier as the day went on....I just couldn't tear myself away!

The place filled up as the day went on...

There were food stalls, places selling beer, plenty of places renting out bathrooms, and plenty of opportunity to buy some great traditional souvenirs  at very reasonable prices.

Food and drink stalls

To get in, we hailed a few different chicken buses from Trebol, in Guatemala city, until we discovered one that was heading for Sumpango, paid a few quetzal and were on our way.

The crowd, craning to get a good look


Once there, you don’t have to worry about finding the cemetery as there are so many people heading that way (locals and tourists alike)


Preparing the kites to be flown

I had a really good, fun filled day. The atmosphere was a jovial, fun filled one, and although in the mountains, the sun was strong and so it wasn’t cold as I had expected.


Ready to go

If you are in Guatemala at this time of year, it is seriously worth a trip!An amazing free event that gives you a glimpse into the wonderful Guatemalan culture.

From Valle Dorado to Monterrico.... Guatemalan Vacation



From Valle Dorado to Monterrico

Normally, DTT, (Jahzara and I) lead a very basic lifestyle. No electric, rice and beans to eat, washing in rain or river water, and so on…

 Our normal shower facilities

This is all great for the body, mind and soul, and we love it! But, for my Diva girls birthday this year, I managed to scrape together enough money for a complete change…. For a week at least. 

We opted for total VIP and booked a night at Valle Dorado water park ‘ Q500 (just under £50/$70) all inclusive 3pm until 1pm the following day. It was certainly a break from the norm; open bar with amazing, and unlimited cocktails (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), a snack bar, waffle-pancake shack, and breakfast lunch and dinner buffet style in the dining room (food was basic but plentiful). 



Then there was the Jacuzzi (I was dismayed to discover that they let children in freely…. and with food!). Valle Dorados childrens pool, childrens activities, and modern, clean rooms; made me completely forget that I was in Guatemala! I commented to my friend, that while all these city types were enjoying the sun, water, and beer, something we are more than used to, We were making the most of our clean. Fresh, air conditioned room complete with running water, electricity, and TV! Something we certainly are not accustomed to. 

 Valle Dorado Waterpark


The water park itself is modern, clean, safe, and fun; I would certainly recommend it. The all-inclusive package that Valle Dorado offers is also something worth taking up; Just don’t get too excited by the free cocktails! We had an amazing barman called Brian who whipped up the most fantastic, delicious and varied cocktails… I drank many, many, many of these sweet devilish drinks…. And (both physically and mentally) Paid for it the next day! 



To get to Valle Dorado from the city, just take a Litegua coach headed for Puerto Barrios. Valle Dorado is where the coach stops off for its mid point refreshment break. The coach itself should cost less than Q50. 



Monterrico 

From the water park, we were supposed to head for Chichicastenango, but decided we couldn’t take the mountain chill, so we opted for Monterrico beach, on the Pacific coast of Guatemala. We were faced with allsorts of long winded routes, and ways to reach Monterico, but in the end we discovered that we could get a single chicken bus from a place called Cenma, in Guatemala city which reaches Monterrico in just four hours (to get to Cenma take the Transmetro Sur from Plaza Barrios. It is the last stop). Alternatively, for double the cost but half the journey time, you can travel  from La Antigua Guatemala, to Monterrico in a tourist filled mini bus, which in my opinion is not as fun or as interesting as a chicken bus. To experience both, we took a chicken bus there, and the mini bus back. 

  Hotel Delfin from the Beach

In Monterrico, we found a reasonable deal at hotel el Delfin on the beach, with a decent pool, free drinking water and free coffee or tea in the mornings. The hotel usually offers you a free fourth night and has great food and all the necessary connections with local tour guides. Rooms are basic, but you have little reason to spend long in them, as they have wonderful communal areas, seating on the beach, and a few hammocks too. 

                                                            The pool at El Delfin


There is little to do in Monterrico, with the main attraction being turtle season (July to October). Canoe tours through the mangroves are available for around Q100; it is advisable to take the 5am tour to see any wildlife. 

                                                          Canoe trip of the mangroves


You can take a horse ride along the beach for around Q100, but it is lead, so if you are a rider, it may not be for you. Quads are also available to tour the beautiful stretch of beach, the small town and perhaps even some of the aldeas (small villages) in the area too. 



At Q300 an hour the quads were out of our budget, but a friend we had made borrowed one and gave us a wonderful tour – even finding an area of the sea that was gentle enough for us to paddle in. The sea is simply not for swimming here‘ with  strong undercurrents and powerful waves at the shore-line, neither is it for paddling! If you are with children, keep your eyes and hands on them if they are anywhere near the water! For this reason, we chose a hotel with a pool.

                                                                  Monterrico Beach


Shrimp dishes are good value in this part of Guatemala, so make the most of it. While the hotel Delfin served delicious food, it was a little pricey and included a service charge, which pushed the bill up even more. Our favourite eatery outside of the hotel was somewhere along the main street, and is called Calle Real. We loved their shrimp burritos. Alcohol can be as expensive as Antigua (surely the most expensive place in the country), so be careful of racking up a tab with your hotel! We paid for everything as we went along, to avoid any surprises at check out!

                                                     Seafood Soup in Monterrico... around Q50


From Monterrico we took the tourist shuttle to Antigua – and instantly regretted it! It was hotter and stuffer than a chicken bus and I simply did not enjoy being surrounded by tourists – for me, one of the best things about travel, is meeting local people; and one thing I adore about local transport is seeing peoples lives  in terms of where they are travelling, where they live, what they have bought, or made, or are selling… their stories. 

 The Terrace at Frank&Fre
  
Antigua is a tourist hot spot, therefore, it has a range of accommodation… some much pricier than others, within nothing absolutely dirt cheap. We found that in particular, Tropicana and el Hostal are good value, but chose to stay above a gastropub called Frank&Fre. It has a lovely terrace, friendly atmosphere and great staff. Another grteat place to stay is the Three Monkeys Hoste.  I rarely spend much time in Antigua, but there is a host of tourist information out there!! Enjoy your stay!! 

Thursday, 20 November 2014

Merida; the cultural capital of Mexico?



 We visited Merida all too briefly, but during our one night stop over, we managed to catch a re-enactment of the ancient Mayan ball game; whereby the players had to hit the ball through a basketball style hoop, with their hips or thighs. The games was steeped in ritual, apparently with the captain of the winning team being sacrificed at the end of the game. The re-enactment was beautiful; with an ancient Mayan tongue being spoken, copal incense being burned, and of course, a conch shell being blown. Locals and tourists alike turned up to watch the game. It was a beautiful setting and a lovely atmosphere. Merida truly seems to have a lot going on, and a lot of places to buy hammocks, blankets, Mayan clothing, and generally everything Mayan/ Mexican.





We had taken an ADO night bus from Palenque to Merida, coming in at just under 100 pesos and a good shout as it was comfortable enough to get some sleep; thus saving travel time and hotel expenditure. From Merida, we took a 3 hour bus to the town of Piste to visit chichen Itza; again coming in at just under 100 pesos, this time with Oriente bus company.


Palenque Ruins

Palenque ruins; steeped in jungle 

The ruins in Palenque are just a few kilometres from the town of Palenque. There are some lovely hotels both inside and on the outskirts of the National park in which Palenque is situated, as well as El Panchan (see blogpost). Two people can get a basic room for around $250 pesos. I can recommend hotel Canek, near the park in the town (the owners are a lovely friendly couple, the hotel has a nice terrace, comes with internet and is fresh and clean) and hotel Jaguar at el Panchan.

Palenque town

Entrance to the National park is 28 pesos, with an additional 59 pesos to enter the ruins and/or museum. I recommend 2-3 hours to explore the ruins.... we wore casual clothes and flip flops but I would recommend sneakers or walking boots, as there are a fair few steps to climb, and as the ruins and still swathed in jungle, it can get slippery after a little rain.

Palenque Ruins 

Souvenirs are cheaper in Palenque (at the ruins and in the town) than the other places we visited (Merida, Piste/Chichen Itza and Tulum), so stock up now; as its the same things across Yucatan.

In the town itself, there's not so much to do, but in the Palenque area you can partake in a host of traditional Mexican rituals, such as Peyote and Temezcal.... I have contact details for a local guy who hosts such ceremonies; and carries out the same ritual whether its for local, tourists or friends.