Lake Atitlan

A map of Lake Atitlan, showing its three volcanoes, Atitlan, Toliman, and San Pedro, and the towns on the lake. We took a boat cruise on the lake. There are many towns on the lake with mostly Mayan residents.

Lake Atitlan

The area around Lake Atitlan was made a national park in 1955. The lake itself is 50.2 square miles. The lake fills a volcanic caldera.

Lake Atitlan

A long stretch of beach along the lake.

Lake Atitlan

What was surprising here were the large number of large well–built and mainly modern houses on the lake. It didn’t look like the Guatemala that we had gotten to know.

San Pedro Volcano

The San Pedro volcano, which is believed to be inactive as it hasn’t erupted during historical times.

Lake Atitlan Town

One of the towns along the lake.

Three Volcanoes

You can see all three of Lake Atitlan’s volcanoes in this photo. On the left in front of the Atitlan volcano is the Toliman volcano. Behind it, emitting smoke, is the active Atitlan volcano. To the right, is the San Pedro volcano.

I have put my photos of our cruise on Lake Atitlan on a slideshow. Go to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/lake–atitlan/

(Slide Shows, Central America, Guatemala, “Lake Atitlan”)>

Leaving Lake Atitlan

After our boat cruise, we left Lake Atitlan to drive back to Guatemala City. On the mountain road, we still have views of Lake Atitlan.

Lake Atitlan Town

Also from the mountain road, we could look down on towns on the hills above Lake Atitlan.

Guatemalan Cemetery

We passed this colorful cemetery which I think is the one in Chichicastenango.

Guatemalan Farmland

On our way back to Guatemala City, we passed many farms, these with dry corn stalks.

Guatemalan Countryside

We also passed much countryside.

Guatemala City

You can tell that we reached the big city by the Domino’s pizza signs.

I have put my photos of our drive from Lake Atitlan to Guatemala City on a slideshow. Go to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/lake–atitlan–to–guatemala–city/

(Slideshows, Central America, Guatemala, “Lake Atitlan to Guatemala City”).

Torre del Reformador

After we arrived at our hotel in Guatemala City, I took a taxi to the Iglesia Yurrita. We had passed by it on our first tour day in Guatemala and I wanted to take better photos of it than I got on the pass by. My taxi drove under the Torre del Reformador, Guatemala City’s Eiffel Tower.

Iglesia Yurrita

This unusual Catholic church was built by the Yurrita family in 1929 and is called the Iglesia Yurrita by everyone. It is also known as La Capilla de Nuestra Senora de las Angustias (the Chapel of Our Lady of Anguish). View from the side.

Iglesia Yurrita

View from the side.

Iglesia Yurrita

View from the front.

Iglesia Yurrita

You can attend mass at the church on Sundays and also see the inside of the church, which is also unusual. You can find photos of its inside and some very good photos of the church, most without the fencing around it, by googling “Iglesia Yurrita photos.”

Iglesia Yurrita

Entrance to the church.

Iglesia Yurrita

Above the entrance.

Iglesia Yurrita

Near the top.

Iglesia Yurrita

The top.

Iglesia Yurrita

Its balconies.

Casa Yurrita

Next door to the Iglesia Yurrita is the Casa Yurrita where events can be held.

We had our farewell dinner tonight at our hotel. Time to say goodbye to the new friends we made on our tour. However, a number of us were on the same 5 a.m. shuttle to the airport the next day. I flew from Guatemala City to Panama City on Copa Airlines, a 2.5–hour flight. I was met at the Panama City airport and my hotel room was ready for me. I spent most of the day taking a very long nap before starting a new tour.