Our plan for day two of our Alta Verapaz adventure was to visit the natural wonder of Semuc Champey, about two and a half hours outside Cobán. My enthusiasm waned quickly when I got up, as we were in the middle of the most intense rainstorm I'd seen in Guatemala. I was assured that this was pretty natural for Cobán though. Still, the prospect of leaping into cold water, and then being further soaked by cold water falling from the sky was not attractive.
I need to backtrack a bit here and explain Semuc. A river running along the bottom of a valley suddenly drops away into an underground cavern, through which it runs for around 500m. Some of the water then bubbles back up through the rocks to make spectacular blue green bathing pools. It's a bit like the Sovereign Centre in Eastbourne but without the wave machine. Perhaps a photo would go some way to explaining this phenomenon?
Okay, so hopefully now you have some idea of how it all works at Semuc. If not, there are more photos to follow. For now, lets whizz back to Cobán where the rain, as usual, was absolutely bucketing down. Check out the shot below from the Parque Central. Quite why the people of Cobán decided to build something looking like a spare prop from Independence Day in the centre of their town I have no idea, but this is Guatemala, and things don't always make sense here.
Without our own transportation a shuttle becomes our sole means of getting to Lanquin, the nearest village to Semuc Champey. This time I'm sat in the back and the preponderance of people prevents me from checking out the driving. I think this is for the best, my nerves are still frayed from yesterday's trip to the Biotopo. On arriving at Lanquin we jump straight on to a pickup bound for Semuc. Pick-ups are just about my favourite way to travel in Guatemala. Basically, you jump in the back and hang on to a metal frame, you have to stand up as it's so packed but you get to meet many interesting people and their cargoes, which range from wood to enormous bags of fish. Like I've said before, travel here is rarely boring and never comfortable.
When we arrive we head straight up to the Mirador (look out point) from where I took the first photo. We figure that it's better to get the sweating out of the way before we jump in the water. It's a good idea too as it ascends very rapidly and very steeply but it's a great fun climb. When we get back down, we take a few photos of where the river disappears (see below) and wonder if anyone has ever made it in and out of the underground cavern (answer, unlikely). Then it's on with the swimming costume (Jasmine almost flashes some unsuspecting tourists and I'm forced to act as a makeshift beach hut using a towel) and into the water. It really is beautiful: clear and populated with small fish which pick your feet if you stay still. This is a feeling no-one can work out whether they like or hate. You have to watch your toes at times as there's also a smattering of good size freshwater crabs wandering about on the bottom. There's excellent opportunity for diving, jumping, swimming or just lounging under a waterfall. Awesome.
Climbing up to the Mirador Jasmine and Greg looked off the pace.
I'm trying very hard not to fall in here.
Tan check: Negative.
I'm not trying very hard not to fall in here though.
Having done all this we get Churrasco (BBQ pork) for lunch, and I just have time to hurl myself off a bridge before the pick-up returns. I will endeavour to add the youtube footage of this happening, though perhaps with the sound turned off to mask my girly scream. Then it's back to Cobán for tacos and sleepytime.
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