January 2nd through January 8th

January 2^nd through January 8^th:  Since the temple is closed for maintenance until the 17^th, we decided to go to Rio Dulce and go down the river to Livingston.  The Winkfield’s and the Hurst’s went with us.  We stopped off at the ruins at Quirigua so that the Winkfield’s could see these impressive stelae left by the Mayans.  

This stone is about 3 feet in diameter and is in the museum in Quirigua.

We then drove on to Rio Dulce and stayed at the same hotel we have stayed at the last two times we have visited.  The Winkfield’s and the Hurst’s walked down to the San Felipe Castle.  Elder Winkfield hit his head on a short doorway and cut his scalp, scraped his arm up and sprained his thumb. That was not a great way to start a trip.  We then had dinner at the hotel.  

Dinner at our hotel in Rio Dulce.

After dinner, Elder Hurst and I went and hired a boat for the next morning to take us down the river to Livingston.  Wednesday morning we had breakfast at 7:00am and were on the boat at 8:00am.  It was a beautiful ride, passing the castle, Bird Island, mangrove forests and much more.  We stopped after about 2 hours and visited some caves and had fresh coconut juice.  I say juice and not milk because the coconuts were green and the juice is not white, but clear and there is hardly any meat. The meat develops as the coconut matures from the juice and what juice is left turns white.  One of the caves was a natural sauna and had steam from a lava vent. 

We are off on our adventure to Livingston. 

The park in front of the castle.

San Felipe Castle from the lake.

Click below to view the Castle

San Felipe Castle

Click above to view the Castle 

Bird Island

The flower that our guide showed us.

This is a very delicate flower.

Inside one of the caves.

The cave entrance.

Fresh coconut milk.

Click below to see how they cut a coconut.

coconut milk anyone?

Click above to see how they cut a coconut.

Between the caves and Livingston we stopped or slowed down a couple of times and kids would paddle their boats over to us and try and sell us souvenirs. They were Kekqui speaking.  The Polochic valley ends at the start of Lake Izabal.  In Livingston we walked around and our boat driver, who was from Livingston, explained the history of the town.  We had lunch and headed back.  We arrived back about 3:00pm, hot and tired.  

There were a lot of houses along the river.

Notice the satellite dish?

We bought a conch shell from this guy.

At times, we were in a canyon with cliffs on either side.

The river was beautiful.

Click below to see video of the river.

Rio Dulce

Click above to see video of the river.

Lots of mangroves.

Pelicans, Pelicans and more Pelicans.

Arriving in Livingston.

The Atlantic Ocean.

Mom's coconut soup had a few friends.

My lunch 

The bridge over the river.

We spent the rest of the afternoon in the pool.  Thursday morning the Hurst drove the Winkfields to Tikal. We had just been there the week before, but because it is only 3 ½ hours away I felt that they should go.  Chris and I spent the day painting and we went and checked out another hotel, Mansions del Lago.  It was nicer than our hotel and more than double the cost for a room, so we are happy with Vinas del Lago.  We had lunch there.  We spent the afternoon being lazy by and in the pool.  

The vegetation right outside our door in Rio Dulce.

The flowers were amazing.

View of the lake from the open air restaurant at our hotel.

Lunch at Mansion del Lago.

This guy tried to bite my arm off.

This is only to prove that we got in the pool.

Friday the Hurst’s and the Winkfield’s got back at 10:00am and we headed to a water fall that has hot water falling into a river of cold water.  We got a little lost, but finally found it, but decided it was too much work to change into bathing suits and get in the water.  So we just took pictures and headed back to Guatemala City.  

Trying to sell us fresh coconut milk.

These boys were carrying wood home so their moms would have wood for a fire to cook their meals.

Hot water falls.

Click below to see the falls.

Hot Water Falls

Click above to see the falls.

We left at noon and stopped in El Rancho for lunch/dinner at 3:00pm.  We hit a huge traffic jam and what usually takes 1 ½ to 2 hours took us 3 ½ hours to get the rest of the way home.  

Huge traffic jam.

Saturday I woke up with a headache and stomach problems.  I spent the day in bed.  Mom took care of me and did laundry.  Sunday we went to church and then to break the fast with the area missionaries.    We feel so blessed to be able to travel during the closure and see this beautiful country.