I counted us both in and I counted us both out... (January 21 - 22 2010)

......to paraphrase the words of the BBC newscaster during the Falkland's War as he watched our troops fly into a dangerous war zone - that is exactly what the guidebooks had led us to believe we were entering.
Guatemala City has a terrible reputation for murders – about 40 a week, and so Gill wasn’t keen on visiting, however, as we had an early flight on Friday morning, we were left with little option. The bus station is in Zone 1 – the real no go area…… another rule to be broken!
The Litegua bus from Rio Dulce took five and a half hours and was a comfortable coach. It cost us Q60 (about £4.50) each. We had grabbed seats 3 and 4 in the front and so had great views as we literally drove across the country. Gaining altitude it was getting less green as we drove along decent roads to the capital.

Most murders take place in and around the bus stations, so we were really looking forward to getting off the bus, retrieving our packs and into a cab! In fact it all looked fine, very run down, but no worse than we’d seen elsewhere. We had booked into the Stofella in Zona 10 (supposedly the safer zone) and it was all really civilised. Apart from everyone being patted down for arms before going into the bank and yet more guns everywhere…. Bars, restaurants and good shops – what is all the fuss about? So rather than be barricaded into the hotel rooms, we spent our last afternoon, enjoying lunch alfresco, perusing Zara, Hugo Boss, and Apple in a top end mall, and finished off with a return visit to Frida’s Mexican restaurant, a branch of the Antigua bar and cafe where we started all those weeks' ago.

It was with a heavy heart that we left Guatemala, we have had a ball and have travelled safely for seven weeks, and have met no-one who has had any trouble. Sure, maybe crime does occur, but this is not the wild west which is what the guide books imply. So if you are reading this and planning a trip – go at once and have a blast - we did.

A final farewell was bade by Fuego, who was erupting merrily as we entered the airport. So hasta luego Guatemala, thanks Maximon for looking after us and hi to all the friends we’ve made and hope to keep in touch with. An epic journey.