Guatemala - Day 3

Today was the big horseback riding experience. We left at 8:15 am to catch a boat to the other side of the lake. The boat ride was wonderful since the lake is very calm in the morning. Plus we headed to a side which brought us closer to the volcanoes and into a cove where we saw men fishing in their small, hand carved boats and women and children washing their clothes in the lake.

Jim and Nancy were our hosts. Nancy drove five of us to their house while the other three rode in a tuk tuk. A tuk tuk is a three wheeled vehicle that are used as taxis in Guatemala. They are very small (check out the photo). Nancy had coffee, hot chocolate and a cinnamon cake waiting for us while Jim went over the safety instructions and started soap boxing about his philosophy on life (when we get back home, ask any of the girls about Jim - the most unusal man most of us have ever met).

We had three local guides along for the trip. It was simply amazing. We rode for three hours and went 1,500 verticle feet up the volcano. We went through corn fields and coffee groves (and saw the locals working in the fields) and up some very steep and rocky terrain. The horses were well trained. The half way point of the trip was a great view of the lake and the Pacific Ocean.

The only issue we had was with Stephanie's horse "Surprise" and Laurel's horse "Esperanza". They did not play well together and the trip started with Esperanza kicking Surprise. Surprise and Stephanie were both "surprised" and Stephanie held on tight. Laurel and Esperanza were quickly sent to the back of the line. Amanda's horse "Ammoretta" won the most spirited award for its ability to leap off rocks and multiple attempts to pass other horses.

As we neared the end of the ride, the guide ask me if we wanted to gallup. My horse "Poncho Via" was the most experienced and we got to lead the group. Not thinking about our extremely sore butts, I said sure. Unknown to the rest of the group, we started galluping for about 300 yards. After numerous squeals and foul language from the girls, I quickly told the guide to stop (using my excellent Spanish :)

We finished the trip with a great lunch - carrot ginger soup, filet mignon and sorbet with peach schnaps. While the horses did all the work, we were completely exhaused and came back. Our cook Angela make us a wonderful dinner of fresh sea bass cooked in a salt crust. Dessert was fried plantains in a mole sauce.

Here are a few observations after our first two days:

1) The girls are a joy to be with - they have us in stitches all the time.

2) Eating too much refried beans and cheese and drinking way too much pineapple juice wreaks havoc on one's digestive system. We have been having way too much bathroom talk!!

3) Scorpions are really scary. Ask Laurel, Stephanie and Margie about their experience with the visitor in their bedroom.

Today were are hanging by the pool and relaxing. More later...