Guatemala 2 - A Candle Leads the Way

Each person is provided a single white candle about 4 inches long. Next, you are led up steep steps into the large opening of the cave. We entered the cave at ankle deep water and paused to light our primitive flashlights, or candles. The water came from our ankles, to our knees, to our waist and eventually to our chest. We all held our candles high in a sad attempt to further brighten our way.
The cave was masked in darkness, and exuded a creepy feeling of the unknown. We continued to walk through the cave with varying water levels. Occasionally our guide warned us to be careful not to bang our legs on the submerged rocks that rose up from the cave floor, but inevitably we did.

Swimming in a Cave
Our guide explained, “You must swim now, make sure you don’t extinguish your candle.” “Huh,” we thought to ourselves. You could see everyone in the group make eye contact with each other in an attempt to justify our own personal shock. I’m not a good swimmer. Okay, I’m not a swimmer at all and I sure can’t swim with one hand in the air. Jason was close behind me and suggested I hold onto his neck while resting on his back. My job became to hold the two candles in one hand while circled around his neck with the other arm. Jason then swam with both hands, frog style across the dark pool. Many people had wet their candles during the swim, but we all helped each other ignite them before continuing.
Aracely Castellani
(to be continued)

Guatemala: KanBa River Caves of Semuc Champey

Like our visit to Semuc Champey, we had no idea what we were getting into prior to leaving for our tour. This point is echoed throughout most of our Guatemalan journeys. The KanBa Caves are only a short walk from the metal bridge that spans

Cahabón River.
Note: We didn’t have a waterproof camera to take pictures of the cave inside or outside. If you have pictures, or plan on visiting the caves, we would love to showcase your pictures on this post. Thank you!

Semuc Champey Caves
After paying the entrance fee to the owner of the caves and the Inn Posada Las Marias, you meet the guide for the adventure. The guides are provided by the cave’s administration and you don’t have a choice. Each guide has a good understanding of the caves structure and hidden surface. This is important when you find yourself swimming in a cave with the potential to kick hidden rocks lurking below.
Aracely Castellani
(to be continued)

Costa Rica 3 Manzanillo

Playa Chiquita and Punta Uva are completely untouched and provide you the picture perfect postcard you envisioned from the Caribbean Coast. They can be reached either by bike or car on a narrow road that cuts through the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. Consider taking a very long, but rewarding walk along the shoreline. Playa Chiquita extends 4-6KM and further south is Punta Uva where you will enjoy great swimming and a peaceful jungle setting.

Manzanillo
The last beach town you will encounter south of Punta Uva is not as impressive as the previous beaches, but it’s worth making the journey to see the Caribbean painted palm trees and enjoy a beer at the town’s popular restaurant/ bar.
When visiting the area be mindful of the season. Make sure you don’t visit during October-November, their rainy season, which is when Jason and I were there. Hopefully you will be able to enjoy more sunny days than we did.
Aracely Castellani

Costa Rica 2 Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
An hour bus ride south of Cahuita rests Puerto Viejo, considerably more action and development. Near the town’s main street there are two beaches, including a black sand beach. We preferred to avoid these dirty, narrow beaches and walked south to Rocking J’s Hostel, a backpackers favorite lodging spot offering tents and hammocks for lodging. The rooms are less than desirable. Here you will find the beginnings of pristine beaches and reefs. Ride a bike 10 minutes south from Rocking J’s to find Playa Cocles, a surfers hot spot and a wide flat beach to spend the day playing on. This is the closest clean beach around Puerto Viejo.

Playa Chiquita and Punta Uva
These two beaches are a must visit when traveling near Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. The feedback from many visitors in the Puerto Viejo area is that the beaches are dirty. This holds true if you never leave the active bar hopping atmosphere in the center of town.
Aracely Castellani
(to be continued)

Costa Rica Caribbean Beaches

Beach and Reef at Rocking J
A 3.5 hour bus ride from San Jose takes you to the southern Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica. This is a place where pristine beaches sneak out of the jungle creating the perfect setting for those who can entertain themselves with the ocean and walks into the forest.
During our stay we first visited Cahuita beach then made our way south to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca where we stayed in Rocking J’s Hostel, a good base location to visit beaches further south.
Cahuita
A small beach town with very little to see and do besides lay on the beach or snorkel. Walk through its beautifully desolate national park reserve and enjoy one of the best tasting coconut sauce dishes on the Caribbean Coast at Restaurant La Fe. The town becomes lively at night when interesting local characters harmlessly wander the streets. Take a seat outside Coco’s Bar and enjoy the show.
Aracely Castellani
(to be continued)

León Nicaragua – Volcano Boarding 5

I picked myself up and took a look around; I began to feel a sting on my leg. I looked down and saw I had a descent size bloody scrape with gravel still in it. I ignored it and began to watch the others fly down the mountain. Amy had not made it down yet. I could see her still on the slope trying to make her way to the bottom. Two by two, the groups began to descend. I watched everyone flip, tumble and crash. Everyone had either scratches or bruises when they made it to the bottom, except for the super flier, Andreas from Germany. He was 1km/h shy of making the fastest male list.

Our Volcano Boarding Crew

A second tour operator stood at the bottom of the volcano operating a speed gun. Everyone was eager to find out their speed. My speed was 36km/h, the fastest girl of the day by a long shot and the girl with the biggest scrape too. Still, I felt a little proud of that.

Volcano boarding is probably not for everyone, but it is definitely an adrenaline rush. If you decide to go boarding down Cerro Negro, remember that not everyone enjoys it and you will end up with some scrapes and burns to show for it. Regardless, you’ll have an exciting story to tell.

Aracely Castellani

León Nicaragua – Volcano Boarding 4

Amy, a traveler from New Zealand, and I were ready to go. My heart was racing. When I heard Danny say, “Go!” I gave myself a push by forcing my body forward and I began to tap my heels: left right, left right, left right. Tiny bits of rock were pelting my face.

The sound of the board sliding against the gravel increased as I gained speed and descended further down the desolate volcano. The board began to turn and gravel started to burry it. I tried to remember Danny’s instructions and lifted one leg up to straighten my board, but there was no fixing it; I flew off.

I can’t really describe what happened, I was completely disoriented. I told myself, “Look for the board, get back on and keep moving.” Once I found it I mounted the wooden plank and continued to slide down the volcano: left right, left right, left right. I felt myself picking up speed again. I picked up my feet and began to feel the tiny rocks hitting my face quicker this time; my heart was racing even faster. Again, gravel took over and pushed me sideways and off again I went! This time I hit the ground a bit harder. Completely disoriented I looked for my board and mounted it once again. I made it all the way down the volcano.

Aracely Castellani

(to be continued)