My Guatemala guide

Not to mess with the gurus within travelguides, but this ain't no lonely planet (despite this photo from Belize showing nothing but tranquility) This planet is packed. There are people everywhere, in every "krik og krok" as you'd say in Norwegian, meaning in every corner and under every stone. There is an abundance of people all over this world, just waiting to meet you, so get out there, and greet them!

I have to say, the past three months have been the most jam-packed ever, something new has happenened every minute, and we were having a few drinks with some guys from the diving school in Utila and we're telling them about our experience. They were amazed by our bananapicking and pick-up-driving, showering in the backyard and way to much beans and tortillas. It nearly sounded surreal, but no, all so true.

If you ever go to Guatemala and region I have some tips for you:
- do a weeks Spanish course in Xela. I loved Xela. In the end I'm not sure because it just meant an end to the beans on the fincas, but it's a lovely big city you easy could spend a week in. There are some hot springs close by as well which are worth checking out.
- See Belize. Take a two-day-trip to Placencia a little way up the coast and you will experience the Beach. Purple Space Monkey Restaurant also have fantastic fish.
- Get your diving certificate in Utila. Utila Dive Centre was awesome, the instructors lovely, and if you happen to bump into Natasha (our instructor) you can't miss her, she says "bubbles, bubbles, bubbles" like the aquarium fish in Finding Nemo. Bubbles is in fact lifesaving in diving, you need to constantly blow bubbles while the regulator is out of your mouth (under water), as stopping to breathe is the most dangerous thing you could do.
- Stay at A Place to Stay hotel in Antigua. This cosy little backpackers is close to the bus terminal, but the reason why you should stay there is because Raul, the owner, would walk on fire for you, and that's before you've even agreed to stay at his hotel. I have never met such an helpful person, he's reliable and friendly and fixed us shuttles to Honduras and back to Guatemala City so we made our plane. Thanks, mate!
- Copan is slightly overrated. Nevertheless, it makes for a great stop on your way to Utila (you won't get there in one day anyway), so you might as well see it regardless!


That's it for now. If you decide to head to Central America, feel free to invite me along on the ride. Cheerio!