iguana found!

“La Iguana Perdida” (translation:  the lost iguana) is the hotel where we stayed around Lake Atitlan.  it’s a fabulous place and very comfortable, right off the dock at Santa Cruz La Laguna.

photo by Gerri Barr

along the front of the iguana

the place is full of flowers, colors, and open air.  the rooms are nice and the showers (at least mine) even nicer.  the people are very friendly and English seems to be the main (almost only) language.  the main workers are from various English-speaking countries and seem to settle there for a while before eventually moving on to another adventure. 

dinners are served family style and are delicious.  that night’s dinner and dessert is posted on a chalkboard outside the main room each day, and they even changed the tables around a couple times to get people to mix and mingle with others outside their party.  it’s not unusual to find yourself talking to people from three different groups, comparing experiences and plans.  as a matter of fact, they purposefully do not have wi fi, and the internet computers close at 7pm, in order to encourage people to socialize and get to know one another.

the bar and main area, from John Barrie

the whole main “room” (reception/bar/restaurant/lounge/central place to hang out) is open-air.  there’s a roof

of course, but the walls have large arched openings to the outdoors.  in fact, I’m not even sure there’s a door to close the place.

there are a bunch of hammocks swinging in the breeze.  there’s a happy hour each evening before dinner.  and there is yoga available most mornings.  relaxation is key.

balcony in front of my room, photo by Craig Harvey

hammocks in the breeze

one of the coolest things is that all tips from the bar/rooms/anything go to the maya women who cook the meals each day and clean the rooms.

I think the iguana may actually have been one of the highlights of the trip.

view in front of the iguana