2011
CUBA - Dec 12 to 26
Day 1 - Dec 12: San Francisco to Cancun to Havana; Meet up with Andrei
Day 2 - Dec 13: Havana - Vedado
Day 3 - Dec 14: Havana - Habana Vieja
Day 4 - Dec 15: Havana - Carlos & Jazz Festival
Day 5 - Dec 16: Havana to Vinales
Day 6 - Dec 17: Vinales - Open-top Bus
Day 7 - Dec 18: Vinales - 2 Walks: 1) Farms & 2) St Thomas Cave
Day 8 - Dec 19: Vinales - Day-trip to Cayo Levisa (Snorkeling)
Day 9 - Dec 20: Vinales - Day-trip to Maria La Gorda (Diving)
Day 10 - Dec 21: Vinales - Day-trip to Pinar del Rio
Day 11 - Dec 22: Vinales to Havana
Day 12 - Dec 23: Havana - Sonia & Hotel Nacional
Day 13 - Dec 24: Havana - Saratoga & Ramon
Day 14 - Dec 25: Havana - Saratoga & 1830
Day 15 - Dec 26: Havana to Cancun; Andrei returns to Florida
CANCUN, MEXICO - Dec 27 to Jan 1
Day 16 - Dec 27: Cancun - Reading (Richard Gott's 'Cuba')
Day 17 - Dec 28: Cancun - Blogging (Structure)
Day 18 - Dec 29: Cancun - Blogging (2 Entries)
Day 19 - Dec 30: Cancun - Blogging (Photos)
Day 20 - Dec 31: Cancun - Laundry & New Year's Eve
2012
BELIZE - Jan 2 to 11
Day 21 - Jan 1: Cancun - Night Bus from Cancun to Belize City
Day 22 - Jan 2: Caye Caulker - Ferry from Belize City to Caye Caulker
Day 23 - Jan 3: Caye Caulker - Biking the Mangrove Forest
Day 24 - Jan 4: Caye Caulker - Snorkeling: Half Day on the Barrier Reef
Day 25 - Jan 5: Caye Caulker - Snorkeling: Full Day to Shark Ray Alley & Hol Chan
Day 26 - Jan 6: Caye Caulker - Diving: Full Day to the Blue Hole & Lighthouse Reef
Day 27 - Jan 7: Caye Caulker - Sunset Yoga
Day 28 - Jan 8: Caye Caulker -
Day 29 - Jan 9: Caye Caulker to San Ignacio -
Day 30 - Jan 10: San Ignacio - ATM Cave
Day 31 - Jan 11: San Ignacio to Flores
FLORES, GUATEMALA (TIKAL & EL MIRADOR) - Jan 11 to 21
Day 31 - Jan 11: Flores - Dinner with Katie & Rachel (English sisters from Blue Hole)
Day 32 - Jan 12: Flores - Maya Ruins: Tikal; met Marya & Cole & Sasa
Day 33 - Jan 13: Flores - Chill: met Rosa & Esther
Day 34 - Jan 14: Flores - Chill: swam across lake; Flores Festival with Torrito & Firework
Day 35 - Jan 15: Flores - Chill: met Christian
Day 36 - Jan 16: Flores - El Mirador Trek, Day 1: Minibus to Carmelita + Walk to Tintal
Day 37 - Jan 17: Flores - El Mirador Trek, Day 2: Walk Tintal to El Mirador
Day 38 - Jan 18: Flores - El Mirador Trek, Day 3: Visit Maya Ruins at El Mirador
Day 39 - Jan 19: Flores - El Mirador Trek, Day 4: Walk El Mirador to Tintal
Day 40 - Jan 20: Flores - El Mirador Trek, Day 5: Walk Tintal to Camelita + Minibus to Flores
Day 41 - Jan 21: Flores - Chill: El Mirador outlook with Israeli & Night bus to Antigua
ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA (ANDREI) - Jan 22 to Feb 01
Day 42 - Jan 22: Antigua - Meet up with Andrei
Day 43 - Jan 23: Antigua - Check out Spanish Schools & Short-term Rentals
Day 44 - Jan 24: Antigua - Move in with Chiqui&Lico; George, Ted & Kyle; Discover Porque No
Day 45 - Jan 25: Antigua - Start Spanish class at Sevilla with Gloria; City Walk w Milton; Barca v Madrid
Day 46 - Jan 26: Antigua - Sevilla: Happy Hour & Voces Inocentes
Day 47 - Jan 27: Antigua - Sevilla: Maximon in San Andres Iztapa; Circus & Cafe No Se; Kathy arrives
Day 48 - Jan 28: Antigua - Discover Mercado & Art Gallery
Day 49 - Jan 29: Antigua - Discover Cerro de la Cruz, Tonito Grill, Y Tu Pina Movies, Bistro 5
Day 50 - Jan 30: Antigua - Discover Los Patojos, Salsa Class with (different) Gloria
Day 51 - Jan 31: Antigua - Sevilla: Bike Tour w Milton, Salsa Class with Gloria
Day 52 - Feb 1: Antigua - Andrei leaves for Costa Rica; Discover Healing Hands Massage & Pedi
ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA (CUARESMA & LIBRO I) - Feb 02 to Mar 11
Day 53 - Feb 2: Antigua - Sevilla: Finca Azotea (Coffee); Discover La Sala
Day 54 - Feb 3: Antigua - Sevilla: No Class; Discover Yoga Panza Verde; Los Patojos
Day 55 - Feb 4: Antigua - Sat: Discover Sabor del Tiempo
Day 56 - Feb 5: Antigua - Sun: Discover Lutheran Center; Superbowl Sunday at Mono Loco
Day 57 - Feb 6: Antigua - Class + Los Patojos
Day 58 - Feb 7: Antigua - Sevilla: Finca Valhalla (Macadamia Nuts); Rainbow NGO: Los Patojos
Day 59 - Feb 8: Antigua - Sevilla: San Antonio Ropa Tipica & Tortillas
Day 60 - Feb 9: Antigua - Class + Los Patojos; Panza Verde - Ignacio & Dinner
Day 61 - Feb 10: Antigua - Class + Los Patojos; Axel Djembe; Discover La Pena
Day 62 - Feb 11: Antigua - Sat: Discover Cooperacion Espanola (LP Film Workshop); Film SV: Hereafter
Day 63 - Feb 12: Antigua - Sun: Discover Bagel Barn (Bagels); Film BB: Moneyball
Day 64 - Feb 13: Antigua - Class + Los Patojos (meet Sophie, Christian); Discovered Waxing Salon
Day 65 - Feb 14: Antigua - Dia del Amor; Film Sev: Misma Luna; Shopped for Jeans; Discovered Cazador Italiano
Day 66 - Feb 15: Antigua - Class + Los Patojos (Marya & kids); Film CE: Las Cruces
Day 67 - Feb 16: Antigua - Sevilla: Beach Day San Jose; Cafe No Se w Sophie & Klaus
Day 68 - Feb 17: Antigua - Class + Los Patojos; Axel Djembe; met Marya's Husband; Disc Merced Wine Bar & Cafe Mediterrane
Day 69 - Feb 18: Antigua - Sat: NGO Expo; Discovered Panza de Leon Tapas & Angie Angie
Day 70 - Feb 19: Antigua - Sun: Discovered Pensativa Stadium (for local soccer match) & Cemetery & Fonde de la Calle Real
Day 71 - Feb 20: Antigua - Injury: Gouged Foot; Film Vid: Iron Lady
Day 72 - Feb 21: Antigua - Sevilla: Carnaval Eggs w Confetti; Gloria 1yr Anniversary Mass; Film Vid: TinkerTailor; Kathy Last Night
Day 73 - Feb 22: Antigua - Ash Wed; Velacion San Felipe; Discovered Da Vinci's
Day 74 - Feb 23: Antigua - Class + Los Patojos (Charles); Discovered Loom Tree; Foto Album
Day 75 - Feb 24: Antigua - Charles leaves; Discover San Domingo Tenedor (Cole's B'day); Velacion Catedral Antigua
Day 76 - Feb 25: Antigua - Sat: Email Day; Film BB: The Artist & Film PC: NorthFace Shorts
Day 77 - Feb 26: Antigua - Sun: LP Film Workshop Shorts (met Gary & Donna, LP sponsors); Procesion Santa Katarina (Axel); Discovered Deet Ladies Dinner
Day 78 - Feb 27: Antigua - Chill (Sophie back from travels)
Day 79 - Feb 28: Antigua - Rainbow NGO: 13 Threads; Discover Rumi Punch Game
Day 80 - Feb 29: Antigua - Los Patojos Full Day (English Class G&D in morn), Film BB: When Mountains Tremble
Day 81 - Mar 1: Antigua - Class Full Day (inc San Domingo Tenedor)
Day 82 - Mar 2: Antigua - Sevilla: Velacion Santa Ines; Cemetery w C&L; Jazz Concert CE: Sara Lieb; Porque No
Day 83 - Mar 3: Antigua - Sat: Discovered Dog Wash; Cerro de la Cruz
Day 84 - Mar 4: Antigua - Sun: Discovered Finca Columbia Brunch (C&L) + Calvario; Procesion Santa Ines; Discovered El Mirador Hostal-Bar; Deet Dinner; Proc by Arco (Axel & Ma)
Day 85 - Mar 5: Antigua - Healing Hands #2 (Krista)
Day 86 - Mar 6: Antigua - Discover lectures at CE (Deseo de Nuestros Cuerpos): Rainbow NGO: Project Somos (Heather-Alicia & Gregory): Porque No (X1)
Day 87 - Mar 7: Antigua - Chocolate-making Class at ChocoMuseo (Sophie), Mercado Artisanal shopping (Sophie & friend), Film CE: Call Girl (Violence Against Women - film cycle)
Day 88 - Mar 8: Antigua - Film CE: Anjos de Sol, Sophie Dept, (X2)
Day 89 - Mar 9: Antigua - Last Class with Gloria (Dona Luisa); Tilman & Caro arrive; Velacion Jocotenango; Museo Colonial: Restoration Unveiling; Axel to dinner; Porque No
Day 90 - Mar 10: Antigua - Last full day. Film Uni: Paloma Herida; Procesion: Ninos de Santa Ana; Alex Graham (!); Discover Santa Familia School; Gift shopping; Concert CE: Italian Jazz Group
Day 91 - Mar 11: Antigua - Guatemala - Atlanta - Providence
And so ended my first 6 week stint in Antigua (and the usefulness of this "itinerary", at least temporarily)
What followed in 2012:
USA I (PROVIDENCE, RI & WASHINGTON, DC) - March 12 to 30
ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA (SEMANA SANTA) - March 30 to April 8
ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA (LIBRO II) - April 9 to June 19
BORDER CROSSING I (SAN CRISTOBAL, PALENQUE, TONINA, XELA) - June 20 to July 4
ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA (LIBRO III - Part 1) - July 5 to 28
VOLUNTEERING (GVH & AVP) - July 29 to August 15
ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA (LIBRO III - Part 2) - August 16 to September 23
BORDER CROSSING II (TAPACHULA, PUERTO ARISTA) - September 24 to 30
ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA (LIBRO III - Part 3) - October 1 to November 5
USA II (WASHINGTON, DC & ANN ARBOR, MI) - November 6 to December 5
ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA (XMAS & NEW YEARS) - December 6 to January 25
Yes, I effectively spent 2012 in Antigua, Guatemala.
2013
On January 25th I'm catching a ride to El Salvador, at which point this itinearary will pick up again
EL SALVADOR
Day 1 - Jan 26 (Sat): Direct shuttle from Antigua to Playa El Tunco, El Salvador (5 1/2hr), w Alex Timm [Hostal Casa McKoi]
Day 2 - Jan 27 (Sun): EL TUNCO - Day trip to La Libertad & fish market [Hotel Pupa]
Day 3 - Jan 28 (Mon): EL TUNCO - Attempt cave walk (but high tide), sopa de mariscos
Day 4 - Jan 29 (Tues): EL TUNCO - Cave walk & 3pm chicken bus via La Libertad and Moneygram to San Salvador (1 1/2hr trip) [Hostal Cumbre del Volcan]
Day 5 - Jan 30 (Wed): SAN SALVADOR - MARTE (Museo de Arte de El Salvador) & Monumento de la Revolucion & Teatro Presidente, Mercado de Artesanias, Cementerio General, Mercado Central & Iglesia Calvario, Plaza Barrios w Catedral Metropoitana & Palacio Nacional & Biblioteca Nacional, Teatro Nacional, Parque Libertad w Iglesia El Rosario, Neveria, Street Markets to Parque Infantil & Bus52 home [o/n: Hostal Cumbre del Volcan]
Day 6 - Jan 31 (Thur): SAN SALVADOR - Alex caught 5am Tica Bus to Managua; Centro Monsenor Romero at UCA; Museo Nacional de Antropologia "Dr David J. Guzman"; Ciclistos Urbanos night bike ride (w Phoebe & Julie)
Day 7 - Feb 1 (Fri): SUCHITOTO - Chicken bus to Suchitoto (1/2hr city bus + 1 1/2hr trip), arrived 12.30pm; Church plaza; Walk down to lake w Scott & Willeke; Pupusas for dinner [Hostal Vista del Lago]
Day 8 - Feb 2 (Sat): SUCHITOTO - Birding w Rincon del Gringo crew (Robert, Frank, Marvin, Scott, Willeke); Visited with Val Liveoak; Cascades del Cubo (w Marvin, Willeke); Guitar concert at Teatro Alejandro Cotto
Day 9 - Feb 3 (Sun): SUCHITOTO - Lake tour & birding (Marvin, Willeke; French couple Michel & Marie-Elise); Chicken bus via Aguilares to La Palma, arrived 16.30 (approx 3hr trip, inc 1/2hr wait in Aguilares) [Casa Hotel, opposite Hotel Las Palmas]
Day 10 - Feb 4 (Mon): LA PALMA - Day hike up El Pital (2730m), the highest point in El Salvador; Buses via San Ignacio to Rio Chiquito intersection (40min) & hike to El Pital & Cloven Rock (3hr 40min walking)
Day 11 - Feb 5 (Tue): LA PALMA to Santa Ana - All-day trip via the northwesterly route: La Palma to Citala (1/2hr), lunch, Citala to Metapan (3 1/2hr), Metapan to Santa Ana (50min)... about 7 1/2hr all-in from hostal to hostal; grocery shopping; dinner at Cultural Expressions [Hostal Casa Verde]
Day 12 - Feb 6 (Wed): SANTA ANA - Chill Day: Metrocentro w Cecilia, visited main square & mercado, grocery shopping & cooked dinner
Day 13 - Feb 7 (Thu): SANTA ANA - Hike up Volcan Ilamatepec (=Vocan Santa Ana): caught 7.30am bus from Terminal Vecindario & 4pm bus back; DVD: Skyfall
Day 14 - Feb 8 (Fri): SANTA ANA - Mayan ruins in Chalchuapa: Tazumal & Casa Blanca (inc. Indigo Workshop); film festival at Teatro; DVD: Life of Pi
Day 15 - Feb 9 (Sat): JUAYUA - Bus 238 from Central Terminal in Santa Ana (1hr 15min); Lunch at "gastronomic festival" (w Alan); Los Chorros de la Calera; Cadejo Cafe (w Alan) [Hostal Anahuac]
Day 16 - Feb 10 (Sun): ATACO - Bus 249 from Juayua to Ataco (25min?); Finca El Carmen; Mirador Cielito Lindo; Mercado de Artesania (met Leticia); Terrace Sunset; Time Square Restaurant; Circus [Hostal Segen]
Day 17 - Feb 11 (Mon): ATACO - Leticia's indigo "taller"; Cascadas de Don Juan w whole family (Leticia, Steve, Emito, Kimberly); minibus to Ahuachapan (20min?) & chicken bus to Tacuba [Hostal Mama y Papa de Manolo]
Day 18 - Feb 12 (Tue): TACUBA / Parque El Imposible - Cascada Tour: 6 waterfalls & 2 slides (8am to 4pm inc. hour drive each way to Park and lunch at bottom of falls); moved hostal w Laura (Eng) & Julia (Ger) [Hostal Miraflores]
Day 19 - Feb 13 (Wed): TACUBA - Chill Day: computer failure & headache & dispute w Manolo; Ash Wednesday service in church next-door
Day 20 - Feb 14 (Thu): TACUBA / Parque El Imposible - Mountain bike ride down from highest ridge to coast (w Manolo); dip in Pacific Ocean at Barra de Santiago; fish lunch; chicken bus to Sonsonate (30min) + pullman Bus 205 to San Salvador (1 1/2hr) [Hostal Cumbre del Volcan]
Day 21 - Feb 15 (Fri): SAN SALVADOR - Visited Centro again w Willeke, Museo de la Palabra y la Imagen and met Santiago (Sandanista Radio Venceremos operator in the 1980s), MetroCentro & Chinese food, Walk home in the dark
Day 22 - Feb 16 (Sat): ALEGRIA - Bus via El Triunfo and Santiago de Maria, Walked out to the Laguna, Ate at street market in Central Square (caused stomach upset on the morrow), No water in town [Casa La Palma]
Day 23 - Feb 17 (Sun): ALEGRIA to Playa El Esteron - Beautiful sunrise vistas from Alegria, long bus trip to the coast via Santiago-El Triunfo-San Miguel-El Cuco and finally by taxi to La Tortuga Verde [La Tortuga Verde]
Day 24 - Feb 18 (Mon): PLAYA EL ESTERON (Tortuga Verde) - Chilled and tagged along with Tom to his other property, watched the fish catch come in, released a turtle hatchling, enjoyed the sunset
Day 25 - Feb 19 (Tue): PLAYA EL ESTERON (Tortuga Verde) - Walked along the beach to El Cuco, lots of dead fish and vultures and stray dogs
Day 26 - Feb 20 (Wed): GOLFO DE FONSECA - Willeke caught a boat from La Union (El Salvador) to Potosi (Nicaragua), I got off at Isla Meanguera, dropped my big backpack at Hotel La Joya, and walked across the hill (once the attack bees had calmed down) to Playa Majagual where I found Ismael who strung up a hammock for me, Went out fishing (casting nets) with Ismael for the 4pm catch, Met Parker and walked to tienda and had fish soup dinner with him [Ismael's Hammock]
Day 27 - Feb 21 (Thu): PLAYA MAJAGUAL - Fishing with Francisco and his uncle (they're a team), Went into town to sell the catch, met the couples on the yacht anchored in the bay
Day 28 - Feb 22 (Fri): PLAYA MAJAGUAL - More fishing, To town (set up gmail and FB for Francisco), picked up Ismael family to return to beach to spend the weekend at the Ramada
Day 29 - Feb 23 (Sat): To PERQUIN- 5am lancha to town and thence to La Union, bus to San Miguel to Gotera, pick-up to Perquin, Visit to Revolutionary Museum and El Mozote (with some university boys borrowing an uncle's car), Sebastian arrived in the afternoon, met ex-Guerrilla tour-guide
Day 30 - Feb 24 (Sun): PERQUIN- Email, 12 bus to San Fernanado & hike to El Chorrero waterfall where football team was chilling, watched game and caught a ride in their cattle-truck back to Perquin, got stopped at border (yes, I'd crossed into Honduras without realizing it) but made it home by dusk
Day 31 - Feb 25 (Mon): BORDER CROSSING- Perquin to Gotera to KM 18 to Santa Rosa to Frontera El Amatillo (ES to H) to minivan across Honduras to Frontera Guasaule (H to N, bike rikshaws and $12 entry fee) to Chinandega to Leon; pub quiz Via Via [Chilli Inn]
NICARAGUA
Day 1 - Feb 26 (Tue): LEON - Chill, walked about town with Sebastian (got flip flops and Flor de Cana t-shirts), met pharmacy couple who reminisced about their trip to Europe, pub quiz Chilli Inn
Day 2 - Feb 27 (Wed): LEON / GRANADA - La Merced, Personal tour of Museo de la Revolucion and Sandanista history, UCA "Interlocal" minivan Leon-Managua-Granada, La Calzada (the restaurant strip) & Casa de los Suenios restaurant (great salad, met Anna waitressing) [La Libertad hostel]
Day 3 - Feb 28 (Thu): GRANADA- Switched to hostel across the street first thing, met Frank and walked up to Immigration Office (by old railroad station & Poets' Park) & located supermarkets & visited condo (met Corey & Donna), 1630 met Willeke & Rene at Nectar on Calzada, walked down to Laguna, dinner at Casa de los Suenios [Hostal Casita]
Day 4 - Mar 1 (Fri): GRANADA (Managua) - Simon (young owner of Suenios resto) gave me a lift to MetroCentro where they process tourist visa extensions on the spot (got an extra 60 days), foodcourt, UCA minivan back to Granada, climbed La Merced tower with great views (met Peter & Janet), sought but missed La Hacienda expat drinks (went with Frank), visited Bookstore instead, bumped into Marion on Calzada
Day 5 - Mar 2 (Sat): GRANADA - Chill. Uploaded El Salvador photos to Facebook and labelled them (still only got to Ruta de las Flores); went out at night for salad & chocolate fondant at Suenios (met Geertje & Joost of Hotel con Corazon)
Day 6 - Mar 3 (Sun): GRANADA - Volcan Mombacho with Willeke & Rene (steep 2hr hike up on the road, coffee stop half way up, 1.5km circular crater walk through lush vegetation at the top) , breakfast and dinner at Garden Cafe
Day 7 - Mar 4 (Mon): GRANADA - Masaya & two of the so-called "Pueblos Blancos" (Catalina & San Juan del Oriente) in my lonesome; stumbled across hammock-workshops in Masaya after visiting the massive fruit & veg market and the much-touted tourist artesania market; great views over Laguna Apoyo from the mirador above Catalina; love the pottery the locals make in their home workshops in San Juan del Oriente
Day 8 - Mar 5 (Tue): GRANADA - Chill? In the evening, had vigoron (mashed yucca with either chicharon or pork) in the square with Line & Alvaro, and
Day 9 - Mar 6 (Wed): GRANADA
Day 10 - Mar 7 (Thu): GRANADA
Day 11 - Mar 8 (Fri): GRANADA
Day 12 - Mar 9 (Sat): GRANADA
Day 13 - Mar 10 (Sun): GRANADA
Day 14 - Mar 11 (Mon): GRANADA
Day 15 - Mar 12 (Tue): ESTELI
Day 16 - Mar 13 (Wed): ESTELI
Day 17 - Mar 14 (Thu): ESTELI
Day 18 - Mar 15 (Fri): ESTELI
Day 19 - Mar 16 (Sat): ESTELI
Day 20 - Mar 17 (Sun): ESTELI
Day 21 - Mar 18 (Mon): ESTELI
CUBA - Dec 12 to 26
Day 1 - Dec 12: San Francisco to Cancun to Havana; Meet up with Andrei
Day 2 - Dec 13: Havana - Vedado
Day 3 - Dec 14: Havana - Habana Vieja
Day 4 - Dec 15: Havana - Carlos & Jazz Festival
Day 5 - Dec 16: Havana to Vinales
Day 6 - Dec 17: Vinales - Open-top Bus
Day 7 - Dec 18: Vinales - 2 Walks: 1) Farms & 2) St Thomas Cave
Day 8 - Dec 19: Vinales - Day-trip to Cayo Levisa (Snorkeling)
Day 9 - Dec 20: Vinales - Day-trip to Maria La Gorda (Diving)
Day 10 - Dec 21: Vinales - Day-trip to Pinar del Rio
Day 11 - Dec 22: Vinales to Havana
Day 12 - Dec 23: Havana - Sonia & Hotel Nacional
Day 13 - Dec 24: Havana - Saratoga & Ramon
Day 14 - Dec 25: Havana - Saratoga & 1830
Day 15 - Dec 26: Havana to Cancun; Andrei returns to Florida
CANCUN, MEXICO - Dec 27 to Jan 1
Day 16 - Dec 27: Cancun - Reading (Richard Gott's 'Cuba')
Day 17 - Dec 28: Cancun - Blogging (Structure)
Day 18 - Dec 29: Cancun - Blogging (2 Entries)
Day 19 - Dec 30: Cancun - Blogging (Photos)
Day 20 - Dec 31: Cancun - Laundry & New Year's Eve
2012
BELIZE - Jan 2 to 11
Day 21 - Jan 1: Cancun - Night Bus from Cancun to Belize City
Day 22 - Jan 2: Caye Caulker - Ferry from Belize City to Caye Caulker
Day 23 - Jan 3: Caye Caulker - Biking the Mangrove Forest
Day 24 - Jan 4: Caye Caulker - Snorkeling: Half Day on the Barrier Reef
Day 25 - Jan 5: Caye Caulker - Snorkeling: Full Day to Shark Ray Alley & Hol Chan
Day 26 - Jan 6: Caye Caulker - Diving: Full Day to the Blue Hole & Lighthouse Reef
Day 27 - Jan 7: Caye Caulker - Sunset Yoga
Day 28 - Jan 8: Caye Caulker -
Day 29 - Jan 9: Caye Caulker to San Ignacio -
Day 30 - Jan 10: San Ignacio - ATM Cave
Day 31 - Jan 11: San Ignacio to Flores
FLORES, GUATEMALA (TIKAL & EL MIRADOR) - Jan 11 to 21
Day 31 - Jan 11: Flores - Dinner with Katie & Rachel (English sisters from Blue Hole)
Day 32 - Jan 12: Flores - Maya Ruins: Tikal; met Marya & Cole & Sasa
Day 33 - Jan 13: Flores - Chill: met Rosa & Esther
Day 34 - Jan 14: Flores - Chill: swam across lake; Flores Festival with Torrito & Firework
Day 35 - Jan 15: Flores - Chill: met Christian
Day 36 - Jan 16: Flores - El Mirador Trek, Day 1: Minibus to Carmelita + Walk to Tintal
Day 37 - Jan 17: Flores - El Mirador Trek, Day 2: Walk Tintal to El Mirador
Day 38 - Jan 18: Flores - El Mirador Trek, Day 3: Visit Maya Ruins at El Mirador
Day 39 - Jan 19: Flores - El Mirador Trek, Day 4: Walk El Mirador to Tintal
Day 40 - Jan 20: Flores - El Mirador Trek, Day 5: Walk Tintal to Camelita + Minibus to Flores
Day 41 - Jan 21: Flores - Chill: El Mirador outlook with Israeli & Night bus to Antigua
ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA (ANDREI) - Jan 22 to Feb 01
Day 42 - Jan 22: Antigua - Meet up with Andrei
Day 43 - Jan 23: Antigua - Check out Spanish Schools & Short-term Rentals
Day 44 - Jan 24: Antigua - Move in with Chiqui&Lico; George, Ted & Kyle; Discover Porque No
Day 45 - Jan 25: Antigua - Start Spanish class at Sevilla with Gloria; City Walk w Milton; Barca v Madrid
Day 46 - Jan 26: Antigua - Sevilla: Happy Hour & Voces Inocentes
Day 47 - Jan 27: Antigua - Sevilla: Maximon in San Andres Iztapa; Circus & Cafe No Se; Kathy arrives
Day 48 - Jan 28: Antigua - Discover Mercado & Art Gallery
Day 49 - Jan 29: Antigua - Discover Cerro de la Cruz, Tonito Grill, Y Tu Pina Movies, Bistro 5
Day 50 - Jan 30: Antigua - Discover Los Patojos, Salsa Class with (different) Gloria
Day 51 - Jan 31: Antigua - Sevilla: Bike Tour w Milton, Salsa Class with Gloria
Day 52 - Feb 1: Antigua - Andrei leaves for Costa Rica; Discover Healing Hands Massage & Pedi
ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA (CUARESMA & LIBRO I) - Feb 02 to Mar 11
Day 53 - Feb 2: Antigua - Sevilla: Finca Azotea (Coffee); Discover La Sala
Day 54 - Feb 3: Antigua - Sevilla: No Class; Discover Yoga Panza Verde; Los Patojos
Day 55 - Feb 4: Antigua - Sat: Discover Sabor del Tiempo
Day 56 - Feb 5: Antigua - Sun: Discover Lutheran Center; Superbowl Sunday at Mono Loco
Day 57 - Feb 6: Antigua - Class + Los Patojos
Day 58 - Feb 7: Antigua - Sevilla: Finca Valhalla (Macadamia Nuts); Rainbow NGO: Los Patojos
Day 59 - Feb 8: Antigua - Sevilla: San Antonio Ropa Tipica & Tortillas
Day 60 - Feb 9: Antigua - Class + Los Patojos; Panza Verde - Ignacio & Dinner
Day 61 - Feb 10: Antigua - Class + Los Patojos; Axel Djembe; Discover La Pena
Day 62 - Feb 11: Antigua - Sat: Discover Cooperacion Espanola (LP Film Workshop); Film SV: Hereafter
Day 63 - Feb 12: Antigua - Sun: Discover Bagel Barn (Bagels); Film BB: Moneyball
Day 64 - Feb 13: Antigua - Class + Los Patojos (meet Sophie, Christian); Discovered Waxing Salon
Day 65 - Feb 14: Antigua - Dia del Amor; Film Sev: Misma Luna; Shopped for Jeans; Discovered Cazador Italiano
Day 66 - Feb 15: Antigua - Class + Los Patojos (Marya & kids); Film CE: Las Cruces
Day 67 - Feb 16: Antigua - Sevilla: Beach Day San Jose; Cafe No Se w Sophie & Klaus
Day 68 - Feb 17: Antigua - Class + Los Patojos; Axel Djembe; met Marya's Husband; Disc Merced Wine Bar & Cafe Mediterrane
Day 69 - Feb 18: Antigua - Sat: NGO Expo; Discovered Panza de Leon Tapas & Angie Angie
Day 70 - Feb 19: Antigua - Sun: Discovered Pensativa Stadium (for local soccer match) & Cemetery & Fonde de la Calle Real
Day 71 - Feb 20: Antigua - Injury: Gouged Foot; Film Vid: Iron Lady
Day 72 - Feb 21: Antigua - Sevilla: Carnaval Eggs w Confetti; Gloria 1yr Anniversary Mass; Film Vid: TinkerTailor; Kathy Last Night
Day 73 - Feb 22: Antigua - Ash Wed; Velacion San Felipe; Discovered Da Vinci's
Day 74 - Feb 23: Antigua - Class + Los Patojos (Charles); Discovered Loom Tree; Foto Album
Day 75 - Feb 24: Antigua - Charles leaves; Discover San Domingo Tenedor (Cole's B'day); Velacion Catedral Antigua
Day 76 - Feb 25: Antigua - Sat: Email Day; Film BB: The Artist & Film PC: NorthFace Shorts
Day 77 - Feb 26: Antigua - Sun: LP Film Workshop Shorts (met Gary & Donna, LP sponsors); Procesion Santa Katarina (Axel); Discovered Deet Ladies Dinner
Day 78 - Feb 27: Antigua - Chill (Sophie back from travels)
Day 79 - Feb 28: Antigua - Rainbow NGO: 13 Threads; Discover Rumi Punch Game
Day 80 - Feb 29: Antigua - Los Patojos Full Day (English Class G&D in morn), Film BB: When Mountains Tremble
Day 81 - Mar 1: Antigua - Class Full Day (inc San Domingo Tenedor)
Day 82 - Mar 2: Antigua - Sevilla: Velacion Santa Ines; Cemetery w C&L; Jazz Concert CE: Sara Lieb; Porque No
Day 83 - Mar 3: Antigua - Sat: Discovered Dog Wash; Cerro de la Cruz
Day 84 - Mar 4: Antigua - Sun: Discovered Finca Columbia Brunch (C&L) + Calvario; Procesion Santa Ines; Discovered El Mirador Hostal-Bar; Deet Dinner; Proc by Arco (Axel & Ma)
Day 85 - Mar 5: Antigua - Healing Hands #2 (Krista)
Day 86 - Mar 6: Antigua - Discover lectures at CE (Deseo de Nuestros Cuerpos): Rainbow NGO: Project Somos (Heather-Alicia & Gregory): Porque No (X1)
Day 87 - Mar 7: Antigua - Chocolate-making Class at ChocoMuseo (Sophie), Mercado Artisanal shopping (Sophie & friend), Film CE: Call Girl (Violence Against Women - film cycle)
Day 88 - Mar 8: Antigua - Film CE: Anjos de Sol, Sophie Dept, (X2)
Day 89 - Mar 9: Antigua - Last Class with Gloria (Dona Luisa); Tilman & Caro arrive; Velacion Jocotenango; Museo Colonial: Restoration Unveiling; Axel to dinner; Porque No
Day 90 - Mar 10: Antigua - Last full day. Film Uni: Paloma Herida; Procesion: Ninos de Santa Ana; Alex Graham (!); Discover Santa Familia School; Gift shopping; Concert CE: Italian Jazz Group
Day 91 - Mar 11: Antigua - Guatemala - Atlanta - Providence
And so ended my first 6 week stint in Antigua (and the usefulness of this "itinerary", at least temporarily)
What followed in 2012:
USA I (PROVIDENCE, RI & WASHINGTON, DC) - March 12 to 30
ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA (SEMANA SANTA) - March 30 to April 8
ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA (LIBRO II) - April 9 to June 19
BORDER CROSSING I (SAN CRISTOBAL, PALENQUE, TONINA, XELA) - June 20 to July 4
ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA (LIBRO III - Part 1) - July 5 to 28
VOLUNTEERING (GVH & AVP) - July 29 to August 15
ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA (LIBRO III - Part 2) - August 16 to September 23
BORDER CROSSING II (TAPACHULA, PUERTO ARISTA) - September 24 to 30
ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA (LIBRO III - Part 3) - October 1 to November 5
USA II (WASHINGTON, DC & ANN ARBOR, MI) - November 6 to December 5
ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA (XMAS & NEW YEARS) - December 6 to January 25
Yes, I effectively spent 2012 in Antigua, Guatemala.
2013
On January 25th I'm catching a ride to El Salvador, at which point this itinearary will pick up again
EL SALVADOR
Day 1 - Jan 26 (Sat): Direct shuttle from Antigua to Playa El Tunco, El Salvador (5 1/2hr), w Alex Timm [Hostal Casa McKoi]
Day 2 - Jan 27 (Sun): EL TUNCO - Day trip to La Libertad & fish market [Hotel Pupa]
Day 3 - Jan 28 (Mon): EL TUNCO - Attempt cave walk (but high tide), sopa de mariscos
Day 4 - Jan 29 (Tues): EL TUNCO - Cave walk & 3pm chicken bus via La Libertad and Moneygram to San Salvador (1 1/2hr trip) [Hostal Cumbre del Volcan]
Day 5 - Jan 30 (Wed): SAN SALVADOR - MARTE (Museo de Arte de El Salvador) & Monumento de la Revolucion & Teatro Presidente, Mercado de Artesanias, Cementerio General, Mercado Central & Iglesia Calvario, Plaza Barrios w Catedral Metropoitana & Palacio Nacional & Biblioteca Nacional, Teatro Nacional, Parque Libertad w Iglesia El Rosario, Neveria, Street Markets to Parque Infantil & Bus52 home [o/n: Hostal Cumbre del Volcan]
Day 6 - Jan 31 (Thur): SAN SALVADOR - Alex caught 5am Tica Bus to Managua; Centro Monsenor Romero at UCA; Museo Nacional de Antropologia "Dr David J. Guzman"; Ciclistos Urbanos night bike ride (w Phoebe & Julie)
Day 7 - Feb 1 (Fri): SUCHITOTO - Chicken bus to Suchitoto (1/2hr city bus + 1 1/2hr trip), arrived 12.30pm; Church plaza; Walk down to lake w Scott & Willeke; Pupusas for dinner [Hostal Vista del Lago]
Day 8 - Feb 2 (Sat): SUCHITOTO - Birding w Rincon del Gringo crew (Robert, Frank, Marvin, Scott, Willeke); Visited with Val Liveoak; Cascades del Cubo (w Marvin, Willeke); Guitar concert at Teatro Alejandro Cotto
Day 9 - Feb 3 (Sun): SUCHITOTO - Lake tour & birding (Marvin, Willeke; French couple Michel & Marie-Elise); Chicken bus via Aguilares to La Palma, arrived 16.30 (approx 3hr trip, inc 1/2hr wait in Aguilares) [Casa Hotel, opposite Hotel Las Palmas]
Day 10 - Feb 4 (Mon): LA PALMA - Day hike up El Pital (2730m), the highest point in El Salvador; Buses via San Ignacio to Rio Chiquito intersection (40min) & hike to El Pital & Cloven Rock (3hr 40min walking)
Day 11 - Feb 5 (Tue): LA PALMA to Santa Ana - All-day trip via the northwesterly route: La Palma to Citala (1/2hr), lunch, Citala to Metapan (3 1/2hr), Metapan to Santa Ana (50min)... about 7 1/2hr all-in from hostal to hostal; grocery shopping; dinner at Cultural Expressions [Hostal Casa Verde]
Day 12 - Feb 6 (Wed): SANTA ANA - Chill Day: Metrocentro w Cecilia, visited main square & mercado, grocery shopping & cooked dinner
Day 13 - Feb 7 (Thu): SANTA ANA - Hike up Volcan Ilamatepec (=Vocan Santa Ana): caught 7.30am bus from Terminal Vecindario & 4pm bus back; DVD: Skyfall
Day 14 - Feb 8 (Fri): SANTA ANA - Mayan ruins in Chalchuapa: Tazumal & Casa Blanca (inc. Indigo Workshop); film festival at Teatro; DVD: Life of Pi
Day 15 - Feb 9 (Sat): JUAYUA - Bus 238 from Central Terminal in Santa Ana (1hr 15min); Lunch at "gastronomic festival" (w Alan); Los Chorros de la Calera; Cadejo Cafe (w Alan) [Hostal Anahuac]
Day 16 - Feb 10 (Sun): ATACO - Bus 249 from Juayua to Ataco (25min?); Finca El Carmen; Mirador Cielito Lindo; Mercado de Artesania (met Leticia); Terrace Sunset; Time Square Restaurant; Circus [Hostal Segen]
Day 17 - Feb 11 (Mon): ATACO - Leticia's indigo "taller"; Cascadas de Don Juan w whole family (Leticia, Steve, Emito, Kimberly); minibus to Ahuachapan (20min?) & chicken bus to Tacuba [Hostal Mama y Papa de Manolo]
Day 18 - Feb 12 (Tue): TACUBA / Parque El Imposible - Cascada Tour: 6 waterfalls & 2 slides (8am to 4pm inc. hour drive each way to Park and lunch at bottom of falls); moved hostal w Laura (Eng) & Julia (Ger) [Hostal Miraflores]
Day 19 - Feb 13 (Wed): TACUBA - Chill Day: computer failure & headache & dispute w Manolo; Ash Wednesday service in church next-door
Day 20 - Feb 14 (Thu): TACUBA / Parque El Imposible - Mountain bike ride down from highest ridge to coast (w Manolo); dip in Pacific Ocean at Barra de Santiago; fish lunch; chicken bus to Sonsonate (30min) + pullman Bus 205 to San Salvador (1 1/2hr) [Hostal Cumbre del Volcan]
Day 21 - Feb 15 (Fri): SAN SALVADOR - Visited Centro again w Willeke, Museo de la Palabra y la Imagen and met Santiago (Sandanista Radio Venceremos operator in the 1980s), MetroCentro & Chinese food, Walk home in the dark
Day 22 - Feb 16 (Sat): ALEGRIA - Bus via El Triunfo and Santiago de Maria, Walked out to the Laguna, Ate at street market in Central Square (caused stomach upset on the morrow), No water in town [Casa La Palma]
Day 23 - Feb 17 (Sun): ALEGRIA to Playa El Esteron - Beautiful sunrise vistas from Alegria, long bus trip to the coast via Santiago-El Triunfo-San Miguel-El Cuco and finally by taxi to La Tortuga Verde [La Tortuga Verde]
Day 24 - Feb 18 (Mon): PLAYA EL ESTERON (Tortuga Verde) - Chilled and tagged along with Tom to his other property, watched the fish catch come in, released a turtle hatchling, enjoyed the sunset
Day 25 - Feb 19 (Tue): PLAYA EL ESTERON (Tortuga Verde) - Walked along the beach to El Cuco, lots of dead fish and vultures and stray dogs
Day 26 - Feb 20 (Wed): GOLFO DE FONSECA - Willeke caught a boat from La Union (El Salvador) to Potosi (Nicaragua), I got off at Isla Meanguera, dropped my big backpack at Hotel La Joya, and walked across the hill (once the attack bees had calmed down) to Playa Majagual where I found Ismael who strung up a hammock for me, Went out fishing (casting nets) with Ismael for the 4pm catch, Met Parker and walked to tienda and had fish soup dinner with him [Ismael's Hammock]
Day 27 - Feb 21 (Thu): PLAYA MAJAGUAL - Fishing with Francisco and his uncle (they're a team), Went into town to sell the catch, met the couples on the yacht anchored in the bay
Day 28 - Feb 22 (Fri): PLAYA MAJAGUAL - More fishing, To town (set up gmail and FB for Francisco), picked up Ismael family to return to beach to spend the weekend at the Ramada
Day 29 - Feb 23 (Sat): To PERQUIN- 5am lancha to town and thence to La Union, bus to San Miguel to Gotera, pick-up to Perquin, Visit to Revolutionary Museum and El Mozote (with some university boys borrowing an uncle's car), Sebastian arrived in the afternoon, met ex-Guerrilla tour-guide
Day 30 - Feb 24 (Sun): PERQUIN- Email, 12 bus to San Fernanado & hike to El Chorrero waterfall where football team was chilling, watched game and caught a ride in their cattle-truck back to Perquin, got stopped at border (yes, I'd crossed into Honduras without realizing it) but made it home by dusk
Day 31 - Feb 25 (Mon): BORDER CROSSING- Perquin to Gotera to KM 18 to Santa Rosa to Frontera El Amatillo (ES to H) to minivan across Honduras to Frontera Guasaule (H to N, bike rikshaws and $12 entry fee) to Chinandega to Leon; pub quiz Via Via [Chilli Inn]
NICARAGUA
Day 1 - Feb 26 (Tue): LEON - Chill, walked about town with Sebastian (got flip flops and Flor de Cana t-shirts), met pharmacy couple who reminisced about their trip to Europe, pub quiz Chilli Inn
Day 2 - Feb 27 (Wed): LEON / GRANADA - La Merced, Personal tour of Museo de la Revolucion and Sandanista history, UCA "Interlocal" minivan Leon-Managua-Granada, La Calzada (the restaurant strip) & Casa de los Suenios restaurant (great salad, met Anna waitressing) [La Libertad hostel]
Day 3 - Feb 28 (Thu): GRANADA- Switched to hostel across the street first thing, met Frank and walked up to Immigration Office (by old railroad station & Poets' Park) & located supermarkets & visited condo (met Corey & Donna), 1630 met Willeke & Rene at Nectar on Calzada, walked down to Laguna, dinner at Casa de los Suenios [Hostal Casita]
Day 4 - Mar 1 (Fri): GRANADA (Managua) - Simon (young owner of Suenios resto) gave me a lift to MetroCentro where they process tourist visa extensions on the spot (got an extra 60 days), foodcourt, UCA minivan back to Granada, climbed La Merced tower with great views (met Peter & Janet), sought but missed La Hacienda expat drinks (went with Frank), visited Bookstore instead, bumped into Marion on Calzada
Day 5 - Mar 2 (Sat): GRANADA - Chill. Uploaded El Salvador photos to Facebook and labelled them (still only got to Ruta de las Flores); went out at night for salad & chocolate fondant at Suenios (met Geertje & Joost of Hotel con Corazon)
Day 6 - Mar 3 (Sun): GRANADA - Volcan Mombacho with Willeke & Rene (steep 2hr hike up on the road, coffee stop half way up, 1.5km circular crater walk through lush vegetation at the top) , breakfast and dinner at Garden Cafe
Day 7 - Mar 4 (Mon): GRANADA - Masaya & two of the so-called "Pueblos Blancos" (Catalina & San Juan del Oriente) in my lonesome; stumbled across hammock-workshops in Masaya after visiting the massive fruit & veg market and the much-touted tourist artesania market; great views over Laguna Apoyo from the mirador above Catalina; love the pottery the locals make in their home workshops in San Juan del Oriente
Day 8 - Mar 5 (Tue): GRANADA - Chill? In the evening, had vigoron (mashed yucca with either chicharon or pork) in the square with Line & Alvaro, and
Day 9 - Mar 6 (Wed): GRANADA
Day 10 - Mar 7 (Thu): GRANADA
Day 11 - Mar 8 (Fri): GRANADA
Day 12 - Mar 9 (Sat): GRANADA
Day 13 - Mar 10 (Sun): GRANADA
Day 14 - Mar 11 (Mon): GRANADA
Day 15 - Mar 12 (Tue): ESTELI
Day 16 - Mar 13 (Wed): ESTELI
Day 17 - Mar 14 (Thu): ESTELI
Day 18 - Mar 15 (Fri): ESTELI
Day 19 - Mar 16 (Sat): ESTELI
Day 20 - Mar 17 (Sun): ESTELI
Day 21 - Mar 18 (Mon): ESTELI
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