The second day in Guatemala we took the kids on a hike that was 2 hours long. We ran walked the hike. We didn't realize it would be that long. We went all the way around the lake in front of our hotel. The walk was a good prelude for what was to come.

We looked for this gorilla on our walk but didn't find her. We did find ants busy working. Huge ants carrying leaves. Also termite homes in trees and small deer.

A beautiful picture of the lake that we are only half way around. By the end of the walk Antonio was wondering why he came to Guatemala and he wanted to stay home. But once in the swimming pool he was happy to be here.

There is crocodiles in the lagoon. After meals we would toss bread to them. Those pretty birds again. Now that I'm not in Guatemala I can't remember their name.

The kids in the big chair. Hotel Maya was great swimming. In part, we loved the hotel because it was Crystel's middle name.

The weather was warm and humid. Just like Minnesota but even nicer when you are at a pool.

The kids in the chair.

Looking out from our patio. I had to have coffee with my quiet time. I found the open air restaraunt and some very pretty birds.

I also found crocodiles.

There is a bird in that tree.

And there is coffee to take back to the patio. If I tiptoe I won't wake anybody up. But I really, really want to wake them up because of the crocodile and the birds I saw.

Antonio and Crystel playing. Of course, everything is in Spanish. Their Spanish summer camp begins. Our last plane trip of the day. It was raining and we were given umbrellas to use for our walk to the plane. This ride would be fifty minutes.

Landing in Flores. This made me think of my Peace Corps experience in Tonga - a hole in the wall for the luggage to come through. The boy in the black shirt is Guatemalan. He is helping another person who gave him a few dollars. He also helped us. Soon we will meet our driver Carlos who will be with us for ten days. Antonio and Crystel always wanted to handle our baggage. Jody and I would let them struggle with the bags without helping them. Other Guatemalan's would jump in and assist.

When we arrived at our hotel it was dark. This is what I opened our patio door to. I wish you could hear all the different birds singing like I did. Jody, Antonio and Crystel were still asleep. I let them sleep while I sat on our patio and enjoyed it all.

Antonio meets the pilot. We traveled from Mpls to Houston from Houston to Guatemala City from Guatemala City to Flores in one day. Three planes. 4am - 7:30 pm travel day. The children did very, very well traveling. We were surprised and delighted. Crystel running in Guatemala's airport. A lot has changed in seven years. We felt very safe in the airport. The airport was new and unless you had an airline ticket you weren't allowed inside. Whether it was changing money or finding out where we needed to go - we felt safe.

Crystel loves this picture. You can almost imagine that she is the woman in the picture looking out at the Volcano. In the airport at Guatemala City we made our first and last mistakes in ordering food. Ice came with a drink that Antonio pointed out and we didn't drink. A fountain soda came with a meal that we didn't drink. The kids were excellent at following all the rules to stay healthy. We each carried a 2 oz bottle of hand cleaner in our pocket and used it constantly. We didn't get sick on our trip. This was pretty amazing in itself. Seven years ago we all came home with a gut wrenching bug that we needed antibiotics to get rid of. The purple ball Crystel is playing with was lost at the airport when Antonio flung it to high and it went into a restricted area.

Ah.... The airport even has a xbox to play games. Whatever an xbox is.

Crystel with her ipod. Antonio was not keen on going to Guatemala. However, when he learned that he would get an ipod he was very game. We gave them their ipod in the airport waiting area. Loaded with their favorite songs. Crystel with Ralphie. Ralphie's middle name is Charlie. Bye, Bye I'm going to Guatemala.

Cereal on the plane.

We are higher then the clouds.

Crystel's finger pointing at a cloud that looks like a bunny. She doesn't want you to miss it.

Guatemala Here we Come!

Our bags are packed. Waiting for the taxi driver. The dogs have been fed one last time.

4 in the morning and we are all ready to go. The start of our adventure.

Antonio holding his electronic game to go through security.

Through security. We didn't pack the sunscreen so that stayed with the airport.