Our base in Atitlan

View from bus entering town
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The next morning we got up and got on the small bus that we had booked for $20 each to take us to Atitlan.  We were originally planning on flying to Tikal but with the holidays all the flights were booked.  We booked our travel arrangements through a local travel agent - Cecil.  She was very good at booking the fights, etc that we asked for but I'm not sure she checked around for other options for us. 

The mini bus picked us up at the hotel at around 8:30 (things seem to be a little more relaxed as far as strict arrival and departure times go in Guatemala)  At any rate Daph and I got a seat together and we were off before 9.  The bus was comfortable enough and all the roads we took were well maintained paved roads.  As we zoomed along we got small glimpse of life in rural Guatemala.  Children constantly waved at us from bus stops and the side of the road.  Women used road sign posts to hold their weaving mechanisms (not sure what to call them) and large bulls sat at the edge of rhe road.  Lots to look at and time went by quickly.

Volcanos, lake, hotel, tours and diner

Daph at lake
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With the exception of a quick rest stop we did not stop till we got to Atitlan.  We wound our way down a small mountain road into Atitlan valley or perhaps more accurately crater.  Atitlan is an old Volcanic crater that has filled with water.  It is now surrounded by three other volcanos.   The view from the top was fantastic and we could quickly see why people call it a spiritual or mystical lake.  It really is beautiful.

We didn't really know where we were going to stay but had highlighted a few places in the guide books as we drove there.  We asked the driver to take us to the first place we had marked figuring that that it was a small enough town that we could walk to other ones if need be.  Once again the Christmas holidays made it a little more difficult to find a place.  Our first choice was booked but the woman at receptiion was very helpful allowing us to call around to check availability of other places before we walked around.  We found a couple nearby that had availability left our bags at reception and went off to check out the rooms at the places that had availability.  We ended up at Posada de los Volcanes (see review)

Me and tuk tuk bull
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We then headed out to check the town out.  Panajachel used to be a hippie hangout because of its location on the edge of the lake so we headed down to the lake.  The lake is the main point of interest.  The town is basically a long lane with uninteresting buildings, restaurants, hotels and stalls selling souvieniers.  The lake is beautiful with Volcanoes all around.  We had a good fresh fish lunch and walked around the lake.  After lunch we found a nice path that winds around the lake ending at a great little patio bar overlooking the lake.

Panajachel town
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Later we made arrangements for a guided hike of San Pedro Volcano the next day and Chichicastenango market the following day.