Optimistism is the key

Take a breath and appreciate the immense beauty of this place.

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The gorgeous cascades

Young girls selling snacks

Pick up truck ride to the cascades

Beautiful street art

Locals chatting in the streets

Protests outside of the church

Gorgeous old cars, I would love to own one of these

Never think a shuttle will be boring

There is something about road trips that I have always loved; give me some music, a window to look out with an every-changing view and an uncomfortable seat and I’m pretty much content. This has proven to be a beneficial characteristic as a traveler. Today’s 12-hour trip from my beloved Antigua to San Cristobal de las casas, Mexico was undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable rides of my life. I…

When the travel bug bites

What do you do when the travel bug bites? Do you ignore it and hope the itch dies away – which we all know it never will – or do you strap on backpack and set off to relieve the itch? I choose to do the latter. I came to Guatemala as a traveller and a dreamer, I arrived with a backpack full of comfortable pants and a head full of ideas of the places I would go. Since arriving things have taken a…

As I step out my front door in the morning ready to rush off to work my street is strategically lined and evenly placed military, huge machine guns slung over their shoulders. I wish them all a good morning to which I receive either a slight head nod or cat call and worry more about whether I still have enough time for a coffee before work.  It’s amazing how quickly we adjust to a new idea of…

Child kidnapping in Guatemala

Reality can be a bitch. Sometimes it hits you so hard when you least expect it. I have heard countless terrible stories of children going missing throughout Guatemala and young girls being sold into the sex trade, stories of rapes on the way to school and widespread sexual and physical assault in homes.

These stories have risen up too frequently. Since starting my volunteering at Proyecto…

Becoming alive in Guatemala

‘Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.’- Howard Thurman

Finding myself nearing 9 months in Guatemala I stop to think for a moment to think that as an individual plagued by wanderlust and raging passion nomadically roam and discover the world if I am content with change in…

Christmas in Guatemala – Navidad en Guatemala

Back home in Australia Christmas generally entails unavoidable Christmas carols, long beach days, Dad’s favourite rock German CD on repeat and an intimate family lunch. However, being in Guatemala for Christmas, rather than trying to recreate any of these quirks that make Christmas I decided to opt for a traditional Guatemalan festive season.

Guatemala has a unique way of celebrating this festive…

Highlights of 6 months travelling in Central America

10th November marked six, adventure filled months abroad. Without a doubt the most influential half a year of my life that has left me with countless incredible memories to cherish. To celebrate this milestone I want to share some memorable highlights of the past 6 months.

Semuc Champey

One of the first adventures I had in Guatemala was the incredibly thrill of swimming through an obstacle course…

The small town of Iztapa proved to be the ideal destination. Diving into the cool water that shimmered with the reflection of a vivid sunset and feeling the crash of waves was simply bliss. For a coastal dweller like myself, no therapy can compare with the feeling of tranquility and calmness that washes over me when I am at the mercy of the ocean. Diving under the liquid gold waves as surfer caught their last rides of the day and stars began to appear in the sky, the stress of the past challenging weeks of teaching at Proyecto Genesis washed away as bonfires were lit the sandy shoreline.

A weekend spent stargazing, watching the sunrise, dancing until the early hours of the morning in a local discoteca, surfing beautiful waves at sunset, making new friends and enjoying the company of old made for a perfect and rejuvenating first experience on the volcanic, black sand Pacific coast of Guatemala.

Please click on the photos below to view in large format.

Bliss

Sunrise

Sunrise yoga on the beach

Volcanic, black sand beach

I love the beach lifestyle

The gang

Sunset on our first night

After a night swim hanging out with a cute puppy

The small town of Iztapa proved to be the ideal destination. Diving into the cool water that shimmered with the reflection of a vivid sunset and feeling the crash of waves was simply bliss. For a coastal dweller like myself, no therapy can compare with the feeling of tranquility and calmness that washes over me when I am at the mercy of the ocean. Diving under the liquid gold waves as surfer caught their last rides of the day and stars began to appear in the sky, the stress of the past challenging weeks of teaching at Proyecto Genesis washed away as bonfires were lit the sandy shoreline.

A weekend spent stargazing, watching the sunrise, dancing until the early hours of the morning in a local discoteca, surfing beautiful waves at sunset, making new friends and enjoying the company of old made for a perfect and rejuvenating first experience on the volcanic, black sand Pacific coast of Guatemala.

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I love the beach lifestyle

Sunset on our first night

After a night swim hanging out with a cute puppy

Bliss

Sunrise

Sunrise yoga on the beach

The gang

Volcanic, black sand beach