New Years Day

We had a lovely lazy start to our New Years day. We went for breakfast at one of the lovely waterfront restaurants and were given one of there best tables overlooking Lake Atitlan. As we had arrived under the cover of darkness the night before, we were stunned at the magnificant view - I could quite happily spend the next 30mins raving about it.

Panajachel is one of about 4 towns that surround Lake Atitlan. Surrounding the lake and these towns are 3 dormant volcanos, which are equally awesome and magnificant to look at.

After breakfast we had a wander around the town stopping to look at some of the stalls, although we had already decided to do most of our shopping in Chichicastenango (aka the chicken market). We found a painting we both quite liked and the guy bargained himself down whilst we were deciding whether to put in an offer. We bought the painting after the same guy chased us up the road once he had thought about our offer.

Our main plan for the day was ziplining across a gorge. There was 6 of us that rode in the back of the pick-up truck out to the ziplining centre. Once we got there we had to sign to say we didn't mind if we got injured and then it was off to get kitted up in harnesses and stuff. I have to say we looked very attractive in our helmets and harnesses.

We then had a 75 metre uphill climb to the first wire, which was the highest. Alan wanted me to go before him but I lost my nerve right at the last minute and decided that ziplining really wasn't for me. Alan went and loved it, I on the other hand was forced to go tandem with our second guide. I was trying to tell the guide I really didn't mind walking back down, when he shouted for me to SIT and then we were off on the wire. I don't think a breathed at all on the first wire but by the time we had completed all 8 wires I was loving it.



I think that has to be our best New Years day ever!