Atitlan

Large lake with emerald green waters up in Guatemalan Highlands? Check.
Surrounded by 3 massive volcanos? Check.
Indigenous villages dotted in between? Check.
Virgin forest intersperses with banana trees and coffee plantations? Check.
Famous person raving about its beauty? Check. (Aldous Huxley called Lake Atitlan "the most beautiful lake in the world")

Yes, it is hard not to fall in love with Atilan. Even in the rainy season (which seemed to break out overnight on the way from Utila to Copan) Atitlan is stunning. The volcanoes playing strip tease with clouds as clothes, only fully exposing their peaks for about 2 minutes a day.

Villages are named after the saints - San Pedro, San Pablo, San Marcus, San Juan - each having their own vibe. San Marcus is as chilled out as a polar bear's toenails. With more Yoga studios than you could shake an upward facing dog at. San Pedro being one of the larger towns has a nice mix of hammocks and bars, so of course was the place I chose to sling my rucksack, climb some hills, swim around and generally relax (not that I need any more relaxing, but you know).

The place is filled with Mayans all wearing their traditional dress and it is more common to hear the vaguely arabic, gutteral sounds of Tz'utujil Mayan than Spanish. The language is so tribal that a Mayan from San Pedro can only understand a tiny amount of Sipakapense Mayan spoken in San Marcus (8km away). They lead a very traditional life and you will still see the women of the village carrying bowls of corn on their head to the miller every morning. Queuing up waiting for their corn to be turned into paste, which will be used to make their tortillas.

Really a fantastic place and somewhere I´m sure I´ll return - probably to buy this place :)

Pictures of ridiculously photogenic Atitlan