Messing around by the lake

From an active volcano, to a brood of dormant ones (is that the correct collective noun for volcanoes?).

Our journey took us West, via a network of various, colourful (in all senses of the word) chicken buses, to the incredibly beautiful Lake Atitlan.

As we navigated the winding road down towards the lake, we were offered an insight into the treasure awaiting us, through snatched glimpses behind trees or fences. Then we made it to our destination of a shaky old jetty on the shore of the lake at Panajachel just in time for sunset. We sat, drank, ate, mused and just watched as the sun and the clouds painted the most incredible, fiery shapes on this wonderful volcanic canvas.

The views I thought could get no better took a different perspective the following morning. Riding a wave jumping water taxi, we rounded a cove to a precariously positioned hotel staggered on the cliff face. There I ate the most delicious breakfast burrito the size of my head (I scoffed at the offer of ordering a half portion; all or nothing!). After a period of digestion and soaking up the sun, we dove into the 'refreshing' waters of Lake Atitlan.

A venture into the nearby village on the promise of local delicacy, frozen chocolate bananas almost proved fruitless (excuse the pun), but we paid a local gent to source them out for us. Wandering up and down dusty backstreets, I started to lose hope. Then we found the most humble looking shop that provided us with the most delicious treat. A simple half of banana, frozen and drizzled in chocolate. All for half a quetzal (4p!). So all the local kids who had followed us shared in the treat time. Wall's should investigate the gap in the UK market.

Back on the boat, we skimmed like a stone across the increasing waves to the village of Santiago. There we went searching for Maximon. He is the local deity. Slightly different to other Gods I have encountered; he is a petite, multi tie-wearing, heavy drinking, chain smoking effigy surrounded by taxidermy and shamans. Maybe it was all the incense, but I definitely came out from my visit to him a little light-headed. And it was certainly not a religious experience I'll forget in a while.

I only hoped he'd grant us safe passage as we headed back onto the choppy waters of the lake once again.