Easter in Guatemala

We went to Guatemala for easter 2009 to visit some Guatemalan friends. It was lovely. The perfect time of year with nice weather and Guatemala being known to have nice events during Semana Santa.

We went with our own car, taking a roudtrip from Honduras. The traffic in Guatemala city is crazy and you can easily get lost. Using cabs or transport from your hotel might not be the cheapest, but the safest.Since we stayed with our friends in the city and didn't have a lot of time, we chose to do things close to the city.

We had crepes in at a lovely place called Cafe Saul. They have a really nice menu with sweet and savoury crepes and delicious hot beveregas. I just had to have one with chocolate and strawberries!!

We then went on to have a 1m long pizza!!! at Pizzaria Vesuvio. What kid would not love it?

We did a canopy tour at Jalapa. Very different to the jungle ones in Costa Rica and Roatan, but a lot of fun!! At the end there were even some rope swings over the pond where the kids can have endless fun.

www.cascadasdetatasirire.com/


Next we headed to a water park, Xocomil. It is the largest and most visited in Guatemala and designed around the recreation of a Mayan pyramid. Right next to it is also a theme park, Xetulul.
It is very well taken care of as it is privately run by a group of businesses.

There are 4 different pools, 2 wave pools (one for kids and one for adults) as well as seven different water rides. My favourite was El Caracol!! Whenever we needed a break we would float around the park in the river Tumala.

El Caracol

Make sure to wear proper swimming outfits, as the staff there is rather strict. No T-shirts or loose clothing. You have to wear swimming shoes as well. Everything and more is available right there as they have a few shops. Also places that sell food. I strongly advise you to rent a locker, so you have nothing to carry around while you have fun.
We had an absolute blast and was exhausted by the end of the day. The park is open Thursdays to Sundays from 9am to 4 pm.
On the way home we had to stop for a giant coconut!

Selvatura Park

If you have young kids and a whole weekend of walking and swinging through the jungle sounds like a bit too much, you can easily just enjoy the day at Selvatura Park, Monteverde. With the baby in a backpack carrier, we did a hike with hanging bridges, visited the butterfly garden and saw reptiles and frogs at the herpetarium. Also on the way to the hanging bridges is a hummingbird garden!!

http://www.selvatura.com/

Take note:  Avoid going to Monteverde in the rainy season. Going there you take a narrow, winding dirt road. There are busses going there, but I sure would not use them. Using a 4x4 would be the best option.

Poas Volcano

Who can not be fascinated by a volcano. Whether active or not, it is a sight to be seen, each amazing in its own way. The beauty and mystery surrounding these powerful forces of nature draws people from around the world.

My first volcano visited in Costa Rica was Poas Volcano. Chosen for its proximity to the city, 30 minutes by car. Entrance fee is $7 per person and very accesible for strollers or wheelchairs. It is a 5 minute walk from the parking area to the viewing platform by the crater, via a cement pathway. Be sure to be there no later than 8 am, when the gates open, since the smoke and clouds can roll in pretty fast and cover the lake inside the crater. Afterwards there is another pathway to a lake which takes 30 minutes. Most people don't see the sign! There are a few steps here and there, but I still used the stroller and it wasn't too much of a bother. Kids can keep an eye out for all kinds of birds and small woodland creatures. I saw the cutest rabbits.You can then go to the visitor centre near the entrance. I chose to do it last in order not to waste time to see the volcano.

                                       
                                          Poor man's umbrella.

What to remember: comfortable shoes, water, something warm for the kids, camera

Arriving in Costa Rica

We just recently moved to San Jose, Costa Rica. I was very excited and did a lot of reading as I usually do when I have to move to a new country, so I was ready to start exploring as soon as I got here. It is a very family orientated country and they choose to spend most of their money on education and healthcare!!

We chose to live in the escazu area, as it is a little out of town, because I am not all about hustle and bustle, but really close to everything I need. The hospital and Multiplaza mall is 3 min away. Right down the street we have a small plaza with everything we need: Freshmarket, dry cleaners, pharmacy, a lovely ice cream store, bookshop etc. There are also a lot of restaurants in both directions.

The fisrt thing I decided to do as soon as we moved into our new house was to start my garden. so aftera little reading I wanted to see all the viveros outside the city.

For $6 I bought 8 gorgeous plants. I asked specifically for ones that attracts butterlies and hummingbirds. Now my garden is filled with them!

Take a drive through Antenas on the way home and have some delicious pupusas!! They are typical from El Salvador. The best ones I have ever had. I personally like queso and chicharron. With some slightly spicy coleslaw.

Betty's Bay South Africa

If you drive along the coast, coming from Cape Town heading in the Hermanus direction, you will a find a few smaller towns along the way. Each with a few hidden treasures. The best time to go would be during the  South African summer holidays (December). Keep you eyes open for some intersting hikers along the way...

As you drive into Betty's Bay and see the gas station, keep an eye out for a sign with a penguin. Follow the signs to find yourself at the parking lot at Stony Point. Here you can easily walk around on a wooden plank pathway and watch the jackass penguins duck and dive through the crashing waves, relax in the sun or the little ones learn the way of life.

Entrance fee was less than 2 dollars per adult (R10) and it was easily accessible with a stroller. The penguins get really close to the walkway and some even nest underneath it. Children love it!

Afterwards go for a lovely lunch or picnic at Harold Porter botanical gardens. you can have a quick stroll through the gardens and lunch in the restaurant. Or pack your own little picnic basket and have the kids run around and learn about the indeginous flora, Fynbos. Walking around the gardens are pretty easy and you can even do it with a stroller. If you are up for a hike with a great view, have the younger ones sit in a backpack carrier and head up to Luiperd's kloof. You can see a small waterfall on the way and as you get higher you will have a stunning ocean view.\