YAHOOOOOO!!! It's been an amazing trip...

That's me, jumping off the pier into the river at Semuc Champey.
Views of Guatemala's volcano from the sky...what a nice send-off, huh?

BIG THANKS and a huge hoorah for all those that made my trip the most amazing time ever!!
Lots of love to all you guys!!!
Alex of England and Jana of Germany.

Will from England and Laura from North Carolina maybe? (missing from picture is Juliette of Australia...I'll find one of you too Juliette!!)

Here's Juliette!!! :-)Laura again.

Daniel, Lizandro, (both teachers in Xela) Jodi from Colorado and Maribel from Guatemala.Katie from Australia.The whole gang at Miguel de Cervantes Language school! www.learntospeakspanish.comAnother one of the gang during a Friday potluck.Katie from Australia and Sary from Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.Jodi from Colorado, Andrea and Amber from the States.Maribel from Paxtoca, Guatemala.My Spanish instructor, Lizandro from Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.Above was my most surprising friend...we met as I walked into a bathroom stall in Flores, Guatemala. There he was a little scared, but warmed up and was purring in no time! You never know where you'll encounter a friend!Jimmie from Australia. Jimmie again. (who I later found out is a "lifesaver" in Australia. This picture was taken as he was walking back up the beach after running out into the ocean in Cancun and saving a woman's life...very David Hausellof! Dave from North Carolina.
The best couple EVER! Johanna and Paul, from BC, Canada.Imir from Ireland, Maria from Quebec and Pablo from San Pedro, Guatemala.Naill from Ireland.Imir, Maria and Pablo again. Kate from Canada, is the last friend I met on my trip...we met in the hostel the night before our flight. We watched movies, ordered for pizza and lounged on sofas. We were ready for home.

Well...That's all folks...FOR NOW. I'm home for the holidays and then back out on the "Gringo Trail" starting January 20, 2008. I've already purchased my flight to San Jose, Costa Rica. Then it's south through Panama into SOUTH AMERICA!!! Stay tuned!

Happy Trips, Travels and Holidays to you,
Jaime

From Belize back into Guatemala! After flying from Caye Caulker to Dangriga (and doing some karaoke with the locals) then busing to georgeous Placencia, BZ, it was time to make my way back into Guatemala for the famous Tikal Mayan-jungle ruins and further south, the turquoise pools of Semuc Champey.
The small border town of San Ignacio in Belize treated me to a rainbow before heading back into Guatemala. Then...the ever impressive Tikal in Guatemala. Sleeping in a tent in the middle of a jungle was pretty awesome. You hear howler monkeys far off somewhere and tons of toucans and parrots. Simply a must if spending any time in Guatemala.
My awesome guide for sunset and sunrise...Jose Luis.

Insane stairs at Temple V. As you can see I made it. I was not prepared to be way above the jungle canopy. Such an impressive vista!After Tikal, I headed south to Flores to chill out lake-side before making the long (and bumpy - with squeeling tires thanks to our insane mini-bus driver) journey to Semuc Champey.
Before arriving in Semuc Champey, our vehicle had to cross a lake on a barge...We endured more terrifying driving by Luis our driver...Then it was a 9km trip through the winding forest dirt roads of Lanquin by back-of-pick-up-truck...
To the beautiful, tranquil pools of Semuc Champey.

We earned this view...it was a nice 18 minute hike...just straight UP!

But it was well worth the effort. After a day at Semuc Champey and one night in Lanquin...it was time to head to the capital for one last night in Guatemala before my flight.

CAYE CAULKER, BZView from my hostel right on the beach in Caye Caulker.
Chillin' at the Lazy Lizard at the split. The split is a channel and swimming hole that was created by a hurricane that literally 'split' the island into it's north and south parts.
More views from the lazy lizard. These Aussies were just looking too much like a cheesy calendar photo, so I had to snap a couple.

Met Johanna and Paul actually in San Pedro, but ran into them again in Caye Caulker. They're from Vancouver and we all had a GREAT time hanging out that day and into the night!

We ate some incredible lobster at Rose's cafe...
These guys go out past the reef everyday to bring in the best catch.
Looking out from the Lazy Lizard.

Here's the hostel I stayed 3 nights in at Caye Caulker.
And another view from my hostel. (Tina's hostel if you're ever in Caulker - $20BZ/night, which is $10USD.)
Thanking the weather gods for all the great sun these past 2 weeks!