Greetings from Guatemala! Crossing the border, I realized that twelve years after I first touched down in Belize, I have now visited every country in Central America. I can’t wait to discover this sixth piece of the puzzle — and then to start over and visit them all again for the second and third times, because this is a region I just can’t seem to get enough of.
I spent my first week in the country crashing with my friend Luke in Antigua. This charming but chilly colonial city was a great base for getting a ton of writing done, and a perfect launch pad for break time adventures to Hobbitenango (yes, this is a real place) and Volcán Pacaya. But I have to admit… I miss the beach. Here’s hoping that Lake Atitlán, my next stop, provides a fresh water salve to my aquatic addiction.
In the meantime, here’s Photo of the Week!
Photo A
Colonial charms
Photo B
Smoky peaks
Photo C
Back to nature
Photo D
Hobbit holes
Which photo is your favorite?
Photo A – love the angle of the first image – as if it’s sneakily capturing the background. Looks like a magic place.
Thanks Gemma! Guatemala does seem to have an air of magic about it…
My favourite has to be D and the view from the hobbit hole. I am interested to learn more about Hobbitenango!
I’ll have more info coming up soon for sure!
Obviously it’s the hobbit hole.
I can’t believe you’ve been to every Central American country! I’ve been to zero Central American countries. #loser
It’s close by when you decide to take the plunge 🙂
I’m going to have to go with B…I have such fond memories of Antigua and glimpsing those same peaks from my hostel’s balcony. And you’re so right about needing to return to Central America again and again. I feel like there’s so much to explore in the region and I’m dying to go back. Enjoy Guatemala 🙂
I’ve definitely just begun to brush the surface. So much more to see!
Hobbit Holes in Central America? I never knew! That’s a beautiful photo!
And more coming! It will be a fully functional hobbit hotel soon.
I choose Photo D – because a circular view of the world is not an everyday occurrence.
So true. And it was a lovely world to be peeking out at 🙂
I love them all! But my favorite has to be the hobbit hole. Such great colors, and an amazing view – makes me want to be there!
I’m sure they’d welcome you with open arms!
D for it’s weirdness. What is that??
Check out the link in my intro 🙂
I’m choosing B this week. Spectacular looking peaks.
Guatemala is famous for its volcanoes… and I can see why!
Photo D, the lighting is great and the framed view makes for a great photo!
Thanks Owen! It’s one of about a billion similar shots I took 🙂
Photo A 🙂 Yay to more diving adventures!
Happy this trip is starting to take a more diving focused turn! Missing me some underwater breathing.
I love Guatemala! Such a pretty country. And I definitely agree with traveling to CA over and over again! 🙂 You definitely NEED to go to Flores and Tikal National Park. You’ll love it! Stay at Los Amigos Hostel on Flores. It’s definitely your style and then I would recommend staying a night in Tikal. My friend and I stayed at the Tikal Inn and it was great! Can’t wait to read more about your Guatemalan adventures. Oh, and B and C are my favorites! 🙂
I was researching staying the night at Tikal this morning but I don’t know if it is going to happen for me. The onsite hotels are pretty pricey and I don’t have the camping gear to make that option happen :/ But definitely looking forward to Flores and Tikal otherwise!
Photo D! Love it!
“I miss the Shire. I spent all my childhood pretending I was off somewhere else … off with you on one of your adventures! My own adventure turned out to be quite different.” 🙂
… and here’s where I admit I’m totally hobbit illiterate. Ha. But I did like spending the day in one of their holes!
I am obsessed with the cover photo you used for this post! It looks like a National Geographic shot.
And, of course, the hobbit hole is stunning – the colors and the mountains in the background. It’s quite a poetic shot.
Beautiful as always! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Charlotte! I was lucky to catch some photogenically moody weather along the way.
Photo B is impressive! Makes me feel small, in a good way 🙂
It definitely felt that way to stand in the shadow of it! Thanks Evelina!
I’m going with D this week – great composition. Love the flowers in C as well!
Thanks Emily! Color continues to follow me through Central America.
I love Photo B! This is the country I’m most intrigued by in Central America, so I’m looking forward to your Guatemala posts!
Turns out I’ll be spending more time here than any other country — so should have lots to report!
Guatamela looks wonderful. We plan to visit on our second loop of the Caribbean. Great photography!
Thanks Robb! I’m hoping to hit the Caribbean coast towards the end of this trip.
I have to go with photo D. All I can think of is “I’m going on an adventure!”
B is a close second though. That’s a pretty young looking volcano. Like Cerro Negro.
I don’t know much about volcanoes but… it was definitely an active one! We roasted marshmallows in its vents 🙂
I like A the best. Antigua was the very first colonial city in Latin America that I’ve ever visited and it will always hold a special place in my heart.
I love a good nostalgic travel destination 🙂
Hey Alex,
Photo D! Love the Hobbit holes, whatever they actually are 😉
More will be revealed in future posts 🙂
I think this might have been the hardest choice yet, but B wins it. The volcano is entirely mesmerizing and that picture is phenomenal.
Thank you so much Marni! I was bummed at first that the sky was overcast but it led to a great moody image.
I was born in Guatemala and it has been SO many years since I’ve been back. I can’t wait to see it all again through your lens!
What a beautiful place to be born, Neysha! I’m sure returning here must be a really unique experience for you.
I love Photo D. Can’t wait to read more about your time in Guatemala…as I’m sure I’ve mentioned once or twice it’s my favorite country. Can’t wait to return!
So many people love this place! I know there will be a lot of invested eyes on those posts, better make them good 🙂
Photo is A cool. I am actually posting from Lake Atitlan, Guatemala also, it’s a magical place especially for photography!
It really is! What an ethereal place — posting my first photos from there today!
I’m a sucker for the mountains….love all of these, but B gets my vote. That round door, though…..
I was just back again last night. So gorgeous!
Photo D – it makes me want to live in a giant hill with a circular door!
I’m sure you could commission a similar one 🙂
Hi Alex!
Are you still in Guatemala? I would love to have a chat with you if you are still in town. I live in Antigua Guatemala and I am starting a travel website in less than a month.
Hey Alvaro! Unfortunately I’m headed to Belize — if you’re looking for help starting a travel site though I highly recommend checking out my Obsessions page. It has tons of resources!
Photo A, the view is amazing! I cannot wait to be in Guatemala myself in a couple of weeks.
Happy travels, Stef! Where are you planning to head?