John’s Highlights and Final Thoughts on Central America

It’s difficult to choose the highlights on this trip but I have to include a simply stunning New Year in the jungle partying with the locals and visiting the awesome ruins at Palenque. The visit to Palenque was followed by a jungle walk which included some vicious looking plants (nasty Spikes). Our guide convinced me to try eating termites, surprisingly they taste OK. The walk ended via a hundred metre plus climb down a waterfall, which came as a surprise to us all.

Palenque

Tasty Termites

Many adventures later a reckless trip up a volcano was way more than I bargained for, with a higher altitude than I am used to, hurricane like winds, and spontaneous fires whipped up from the volcano’s heat and the fierce winds. At times we were blown off our feet and bitterly cold, then suddenly it would be warmer and the wind would be gone.  As the oldest by about 20 years I was determined not to be outdone by the younger members of our group who had joined the climb. The best food I had was the marshmallow cooked on the heat of the volcano when we reached the top, exhausted does not even start to describe it as I sat munching, the wind so strong that those sitting facing it had marshmallow sandblasted to their faces.

An evening on a sail boat watching the sun set and watching the stars was one of the few times in my life when I felt totally a peace with the world.

The most beautiful place was Lake Atitlan and the great day we had as we travelled by boat around the lake or chilling in a roof top bar.

Exploring unfamiliar places and activities, long bus journeys, and often early morning starts are all part of the experience.   However, for me some of the best moments are the long conversations and joy of being with like minded people, looking out for one another as we navigate unfamiliar landscapes, cultures and complex border crossings.  It’s games of chess on a bus to fill the long hours journey or a game of British Bulldog in a car park, the music and the banter, the sharing of a sense of humour and everyone throwing themselves into the joy of the moment that leaves me feeling alive.  We went to spectacular places but as always what sticks with me is the memories of the people who travel with me, and the local people we met on the way.  I met some amazing inspirational people on our recent trip.  Thanks everyone for such a great time.