After much google image searching and talking to well-travelled friends about the various pros and cons of respective Latin American countries, my girlfriend Jo and I jetted across the Atlantic to the incredible country of Guatemala in April 2014. We spent a wonderful fortnight there scaling volcanoes, drinking coffee fresh from the plantations, and relaxing by lakes.
Based on a wish to travel light – and slightly influenced by some frightening tales of theft – I left my big ol’ Nikons at home and took a more stealthy old film camera with me along with a few rolls of ye olde celluloid. I really revelled in how shooting on film for the first time in donkeys years made me more strict with myself – every single shot really did have to count. It was also magic to mail off my exposed rolls and receive back the developed images a couple of weeks after returning from holiday.
Volcan de Aqua, towering over Antigua, Guatemala
Antigua’s ruined cathedral
Antigua’s famous arch with Volcan de Agua in the background
Jo with our host
Bus ride to Quetzaltenango
Fuentes Georginas
Our guesthouse in Quetzaltenango
Xelaju-Heredia, 4-0 to the local team!
Amusement arcade
San Andres Xecul
Chocolate cafe and museum in Quetzaltenango
Breakfast stack – tortilla, refried beans, fried eggs, tomato salsa, crumbled cheese
Graveyard
At the Vulcano Lodge on Lake Atitlan – so picturesque
Volcano-ringed Lake Atitlan
San Pedro La Laguna
Chicken Buses
On a chicken boat
View from our veranda
One of many ‘drowned’ buildings. The lake is rising at an unanticipatedly rapid rate.
Paraglding over the lake – never again!
Jo in mid-air
Back in Antigua – view of the city
Trek up Pacaya Volcano
Our final roof terrace
