I got up in the morning, ate a pastry and packed my stuff. When I went to start driving I talked to the Airbnb owner a little bit and she was giving me advice about Semuc Champay. That I may need to pay to ride a 4×4 up to see it. When she saw my fanny pack with my money in it she said I should hide it because, “they will come up next to you and shoot you in the head and take the fanny pack.” I doubt that hiding the fanny pack would really help with that but I really wish she hadn’t told me that. I felt a super cautious the whole day when people rode by me after she said that.
The first hour of riding was pretty rough as I tried to get out of the city. The organization of the roads is absolute trash. Just random roads going in random directions. And the signs to try to help you figure out which road goes to what are laughable. They literally look like someone slung spaghetti at the wall.
After about 3 hours I stopped at a place to get lunch and it seems as if I am eating the same meal over and over. Always a chicken leg, some beans, a bowl of something, rice, and tortillas. The tortillas here are really good though.
After about another 30 mins driving I arrived at Ranchitos de Quetzal. I wasn’t expecting much but was incredibly pleased with the place after checking in. The room is nice with hot water and they have a 1.5 mile hike that goes in a loop around the property with 2 really nice swimming spots with waterwalls. I really loved the hike.
Orchid
Awesome hike
Other Orchid
Then I went into the town here to get some cash from the ATM. As is ALWAYS the case in Central America here was a line of 40 people to go into the bank. I have no idea what the hell the deal with that is. But I had to wait 5 mins to use the ATM and I’ve never in my life felt like such an alien before. All the people standing in line were staring at me. They might as well have been poking me. It makes me feel pretty uncomfortable sometimes. Then I ate at a place called Monte bello which was again the same meal but this time some type of local turkey leg.
Tomorrow I hope to arrive in Semuc Champay. May the rain gods stay the eff away tomorrow. I know there will probably be some wet days ahead, but I hope it delays as long as possible.