Lanquin - Semuc Champey & Kam'Ba Caves

Despite needing a bit of a rest, we decided to take the day trip with the others to Semuc Champey the day after we arrived. So nursing fairly severe hangovers, we were herded onto a flat bed truck, akin to a bunch of cattle. For an hour (to go just 12km) we clung to the metal railings as we careered through the jungle, eventually arriving at the national park that would provide a myriad of adventures for our day. First we hiked up the side of the mountain to the mirador (viewpoint), where we could overlook the beautiful Semuc Champey pools. But staring down at the bright turquoise pools was more torturous than beautiful; as sweat dripped from our noses we wanted to be in the pools, not looking at them! But it was a fantastic view all the same, and fifteen minutes later we were jumping into those crystal clear and beautifully cold pools - an experience made all the more rewarding by the hike and the best hangover cure I have discovered so far.

We hopped from pool to pool, jumping off waterfalls and sliding down mossy banks, until it was time for lunch. A buffet of fresh vegetables, rice and fried chicken was dished up for us, and we all ate far more than we needed too. With barely time to digest it was off to do some caving! In swimwear and trainers (a very fetching look) we were handed a long white candle and sent off into the depths of the cave.

Bus of Gringo Cattle

Semuc Champey Pools

Tubing down the River

We waded through water the entire way, from ankle deep to points where we couldn't touch, clinging to the rocks with one hand and frantically trying to keep our candle above water with the other. We scaled ropes and dodgy ladders as we scrambled through the darkness. On the way back out our guides had disappeared and the group had spread out, to the point where there was two or three of us with dwindling candles trying to find our own way back to the mouth of the cave. I think part of what made this and the rest of the day quite so fun was the real risk of danger - something you don't really get with westernised tourism, that really gets the adrenaline pumping! Emerging from the cave knackered, chilly, a little bit battered, but on a high from the thrills of the day it was now time for some tubing down the river! So we hopped into our tyres and let our tired bodies float down, until we reached some rapids which left a lot of people with bruised bottoms. Local boys hopped in with us, carrying small coolers of beer for us to enjoy as our day and to an end. A very clever way of making a quick buck from the tourists! As we got back on the truck to head back to the hostel, I realised I had never experienced a tourist activity that had exceeded my expectations quite so much. In south-east Asia, I felt like a lot of the activities I did left a lot to be desired, whereas all of the sites and things we've done in Central America so far have been better than expected and excellent value for money. A day of hiking, swimming, caving and tubing had cost us just $25, a ridiculous price to pay for one of the best days of our trip so far. Our whole group was in bed by 9 that night, completely exhausted and extremely satisfied with such a fantastic day.