Gorgeous light in the Verapaces, the mountains above Semuc Champey.

 

The river just below Semuc Champey.

 

The wonder of Semuc Champey is tough to get your mind around; while a roaring river undercuts a kilometer-long limestone natural bridge, a turqoise stream falls from the mountains and onto the “bridge” itself, where it descends in a series of clear turqouise pools (deep enough to dive into) before tumbling into the river where it re-emerges. These are just two of the dozen or so pools that terrace the bridge.

 

The top (upstream) end of the bridge, where the river goes under.

 

 

Ferns at the edge of a pool.

 

The falls at the bottom (downstream) end, where the turquoise streamwater finally joins the re-emerging river.

 

The hills around Semuc Champey are full of caves, too; this one had unusual formations and lots of bats.

 

A tarantula, not far from our tent!

 

We ended our trip back at Lake Atitlan for a final hurrah.

 

 

 

At the lake we stayed for the second time at the Casa del Mundo, a hotel worthy of a fairy tale.

 

This was the view from our balcony.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adios, Guate!