Panama > Costa Rica > El Salvador > Guatemala > Belize >

From one volcano-centric country to another, Guatemala, and here the volcanoes were erupting.

Our base was the historic capital of Antigua, which was worryingly close to one of them, Pacaya. Couple this with the torrential storms which had lashed Guatemala the previous month, and you can imagine we were just relieved to make it.

While in Guatemala I tried my hand at a spot of geocaching high in the hills above Antigua. The Cerro de la Cruz (aka the Hill of the Cross) seemed a perfect spot to place a geocache.

After the geocache it was time to scale another volcano, this one, however, was very different. The Ipala volcano’s crater is filled with water and so I intended to swim from one side to another. Little did I know how big it was and I can tell you I was knackered for days afterwards.

Those who know me will be aware I love tuk tuks, so imagine my joy when I found out one would be our transport to a coffee plantation.

After all the trekking and canoeing I had done it was a blessing to have someone else take the strain - I’m not sure how the mule felt but it was a wonderful way to explore this splendid coffee growing region.

My next stop is Belize, before I head back to Guatemala to explore the world famous Mayan ruins of Tikal.