Day 5 - Santa Catarina de Palopo

We had a free morning so took a look around this hillside village on the shores of Lake Atitlan.  We first walked along the lakeside to where there were hot springs but these have been diverted due to a landslide so the thermal pool is now dried up.  We did see quite a few birds along this stretch of the lake, some need identification

 
Azure Crowned Hummingbird

 
House Wren

 
House Wren

 
Santa Catarina de Palopo from Hot Springs

 
Lakeside View

 
Great White Egret

 
Black and White Warbler


We walked to the village centre which is really colourful and attractive.  Outside of this area it is quite run down and all paths or streets soon come to an abrupt end.  We did manage to get down to the lakeside on the other side of the village and there were many local women doing their washing in the lake.

 

 
 
 
Village Centre

 
Village Church

 
Village square and church

 
Inside the Church

 
Lakeside View

 
Local ladies doing their laundry in the lake

 
Little truck used for Ice Cream sales

 
 

We left the hotel at 1.00 and were taken on a 4 hour drive to the airport.  We just stopped for about 20 minutes for toilets and something to eat.

We arrived at the airport at exactly 17:00 for a 19:00 flight.  The flight was showing as 1 hour and due to land at 20:00.  We checked in very quickly and went through security without problems.  They boarded the flight at 18:15 and by 18:35 we had taken off.  The flight attendant said it would be a 40 minute flight but we landed within 25 minutes of taking off.  Luggage came off as quickly as we did and we were outside waiting for our tour guide.  He was very surprised that the flight was so early.

We were taken to our hotel which is a lodge in the middle of a privately owned nature reserve.  As it was dark we couldnt see anything but were told that we may hear sounds resembling pumas during the night but not to worry as these would be the Howler Monkeys.  We were also told that there are 2 lakes nearby but they have crocodiles which we may see in the morning at breakfast time.  Our room is fabulous and we cant wait to see the surroundings in daylight.

We met up with some of the others on our tour for a light evening meal and a couple of drinks.  The creatures of the night were quite vocal and we saw something flying around - possibly a bat.  On our way back to our room we did hear the Howler Monkeys.

 
Bathroom area in our room at the lodge

 
Our room at the Lodge




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