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Lake Atitlán, Guatemala (March 2007)

Lake Atitlán was formed in an immense volcanic explosion 85,000 years ago. Huge amounts of volcanic pressure was released with devastating results. The explosions at Pompeii and Mt. St. Helens discharged 6 and 2 cubic kilometers of rock and ash, respectively. The explosion that formed Lake Atitlán was much more destructive discharging over 180 cubic kilometers of rock and ash. As a result of the explosion, an immense hole was left in the earth's crust, causing Atitlán to be one of the world's deepest lakes. Large deep, fissures were formed, out of which Lake Atitlán’s water flows. Lake Atitlán is unique in that it is a fresh water lake with no river outlet. Tens of thousands of years later, three volcanoes grew on Lake Atitlán’s southern shore: Volcán Atitlán, Volcán San Pedro and Volcán Toliman. The explosion 85,000 years ago must have been horrific, similar to the explosion of a huge hydrogen bomb. Everything must have died for thousands of kilometers around. From that terrible calamity, though, came the beautiful splendor of the Lake Atitlán that exists today. Appropriately, the name "Atitlán" is a Mayan word meaning "the place where the rainbow gets its colors." Lake Atitlán, today, is like a rainbow after an immense storm.
Lake Atitlán, Guatemala cover page.
Lake Atitlán, Guatemala cover page.		 Map of Guatemala with the star indicating Lake Atitlán.
Map of Guatemala with the star indicating Lake Atitlán.		 A road in Panajachel leading to the shoreline of Lake Atitlán.
A road in Panajachel leading to the shoreline of Lake Atitlán.		 A beautiful purple buganvilia was growing on the wall alongside the road.
A beautiful purple buganvilia was growing on the wall alongside the road.
This cobblestone pedestrian pathway went along the shoreline in Panajachel.
This cobblestone pedestrian pathway went along the shoreline in Panajachel.		 View of Lake Atitlán with some small boats moored along the shoreline.
View of Lake Atitlán with some small boats moored along the shoreline.		 A view across Lake Atitlán from Panajachel of Volcán Atitlán.
A view across Lake Atitlán from Panajachel of Volcán Atitlán.		 The lake is shaped by deep escarpments (long steep slopes or cliffs), surrounding it and by 3 volcanoes on the south.
The lake is shaped by deep escarpments (long steep slopes or cliffs), surrounding it and by 3 volcanoes on the south.
These workmen were making a cobblestone path along the shoreline in Panajachel.
These workmen were making a cobblestone path along the shoreline in Panajachel.		 More boats in Panajachel on the beach with Volcán Atitlán in the background.
More boats in Panajachel on the beach with Volcán Atitlán in the background.		 Close-up of the boats.
Close-up of the boats.		 I was boarding another boat (not in this photo) to take a tour of 3 other towns on Lake Atitlán.
I was boarding another boat (not in this photo) to take a tour of 3 other towns on Lake Atitlán.
These were my fellow passengers who were in the stern the boat.
These were my fellow passengers who were in the stern the boat.		 The white wake of the boat with mountains in the background.
The white wake of the boat with mountains in the background.		 Our boat driver who was wrapped up to stay warm.
Our boat driver who was wrapped up to stay warm.		 The boat passed by this rocky volcanic shoreline.
The boat passed by this rocky volcanic shoreline.
The girls in the front of the boat were catching some rays.
The girls in the front of the boat were catching some rays.		 More rocky volcanic shoreline.
More rocky volcanic shoreline.		 In the distance was our first destination, the town of San Pedro de la Laguna.
In the distance was our first destination, the town of San Pedro de la Laguna.		 Another tourist boat was cruising by on our right.
Another tourist boat was cruising by on our right.
View of some of the hotels on the shore of San Pedro.
View of some of the hotels on the shore of San Pedro.		 More of San Pedro including houses on the hill to the right.
More of San Pedro including houses on the hill to the right.		 This is where the boat docked, in front of Nick's Place.
This is where the boat docked, in front of Nick's Place.		 From the dock, was this view of the scenic mountainous coastline of Lake Atitlán.
From the dock, was this view of the scenic mountainous coastline of Lake Atitlán.
The first thing I found out about San Pedro was how hilly it is and how many steps there are!
The first thing I found out about San Pedro was how hilly it is and how many steps there are!		 This is one of the hills that I climbed in San Pedro.
This is one of the hills that I climbed in San Pedro.		 Had I been smart, I would have hired one of these 3-wheeled taxis to take me up the hill.
Had I been smart, I would have hired one of these 3-wheeled taxis to take me up the hill.		 On the hill, I passed by these three attractive Guatemalan girls.
On the hill, I passed by these three attractive Guatemalan girls.
Walking down the hill towards me was this Indian woman balancing a load on her head.
Walking down the hill towards me was this Indian woman balancing a load on her head.		 Being a Catholic country, signs like this are not uncommon in Guatemala.
Being a Catholic country, signs like this are not uncommon in Guatemala.		 This sign translates that Jesus is the man of San Pedro.
This sign translates that "Jesus is the man of San Pedro."		 A Coca Cola truck in San Pedro.
A Coca Cola truck in San Pedro.
Climbing back down the hill, I captured this man painting a billboard.
Climbing back down the hill, I captured this man painting a billboard.		 What he painted really captured the essence of Guatemala.
What he painted really captured the essence of Guatemala.		 I drank some of this excellent coffee when I was there.
I drank some of this excellent coffee when I was there.		 After an hour in San Pedro, I headed back to my boat which was on the right.
After an hour in San Pedro, I headed back to my boat which was on the right.
View of San Pedro as my boat pulled away on Lake Atitlán.
View of San Pedro as my boat pulled away on Lake Atitlán.		 My boat passed this man in a small cayuco (canoe).
My boat passed this man in a small cayuco (canoe).		 Another man in a cayuco.
Another man in a cayuco.		 A rocky Lake Atitlán coastal view with a small house.
A rocky Lake Atitlán coastal view with a small house.
Another small, but attractive house on the lake's coast.
Another small, but attractive house on the lake's coast.		 These 2 boys passed by in a kayak. As pale as they were, I hope they used sun block!
These 2 boys passed by in a kayak. As pale as they were, I hope they used sun block!		 More houses on the rocky coastline of Lake Atitlán.
More houses on the rocky coastline of Lake Atitlán.		 View of the town of Santiago with a man in a canoe in the foreground.
View of the town of Santiago with a man in a canoe in the foreground.
In the background was Volcán San Pedro.
In the background was Volcán San Pedro.		 Another view of Volcán San Pedro with the wake of the boat on the right.
Another view of Volcán San Pedro with the wake of the boat on the right.		 Upon arriving at the town of Santiago, I met this banana lady. I had to pay her to get this photo.
Upon arriving at the town of Santiago, I met this banana lady. I had to pay her to get this photo.		 Shortly thereafter, I saw this chicken man carrying chickens on his back and in his arms.
Shortly thereafter, I saw this chicken man carrying chickens on his back and in his arms.
While not as much as Panajachel, Santiago had lots of tourists shops like this one with Guatemalan paintings.
While not as much as Panajachel, Santiago had lots of tourists shops like this one with Guatemalan paintings.		 A 3-wheeled taxi in Santiago. It was not as hilly as San Pedro was.
A 3-wheeled taxi in Santiago. It was not as hilly as San Pedro was.		 I was impressed by this colonial looking house with many balconies that I saw in Santiago.
I was impressed by this colonial looking house with many balconies that I saw in Santiago.		 There was a real Indian market in Santiago, where Indians shopped, not the tourists.
There was a real Indian market in Santiago, where Indians shopped, not the tourists.
This lady was picking out fruit at this stand in the Indian market.
This lady was picking out fruit at this stand in the Indian market.		 These Indian textiles created a cacophony of patterns and colors!
These Indian textiles created a cacophony of patterns and colors!		 A woman and young girl selling what appeared to be corn meal.
A woman and young girl selling what appeared to be corn meal.		 Man cutting coconuts with a big machete knife.
Man cutting coconuts with a big machete knife.
This boy was waiting for a coconut.
This boy was waiting for a coconut.		 Sandals and many other sundries for sale under the tarpaulin in the Indian Market.
Sandals and many other sundries for sale under the tarpaulin in the Indian Market.		 Una dama y cuatro amigos viejos (a lady and four old friends).
Una dama y cuatro amigos viejos (a lady and four old friends).		 Another scene from Santiago's Indian market.
Another scene from Santiago's Indian market.
I had to sneak this picture of these Indian women. People became hostile if you took their picture!
I had to sneak this picture of these Indian women. People became hostile if you took their picture!		 Food vendors in the Indian market.
Food vendors in the Indian market.		 It was crowded in front of this fruit stand.
It was crowded in front of this fruit stand.		 This fully loaded pickup truck passed by me in Santiago.
This fully loaded pickup truck passed by me in Santiago.
I started walking back down this slope past many of Santiago's tourist shops.
I started walking back down this slope past many of Santiago's tourist shops.		 There were many bright textiles and tourist items on display in this shop.
There were many bright textiles and tourist items on display in this shop.		 This Indian vendor was protecting herself from the sun with her umbrella.
This Indian vendor was protecting herself from the sun with her umbrella.		 As the boat left Santiago, we passed by Lake Atitlán's third volcano, Volcán Toliman.
As the boat left Santiago, we passed by Lake Atitlán's third volcano, Volcán Toliman.
Another Lake Atitlán view, this one of a man paddling his dingy to a dock.
Another Lake Atitlán view, this one of a man paddling his dingy to a dock.		 A lone man in a cayuco.
A lone man in a cayuco.		 Another cruise ship which looked similar to the one that I was on.
Another cruise ship which looked similar to the one that I was on.		 In the background was the 3rd town that we visited, San Antonio Palopo.
In the background was the 3rd town that we visited, San Antonio Palopo.
A closer view of San Antonio as we approached it.
A closer view of San Antonio as we approached it.		 View from the boat of the cathedral at San Antonio.
View from the boat of the cathedral at San Antonio.		 This sign welcomed us to San Antonio.
This sign welcomed us to San Antonio.		 Upon arrival at San Antonio, there was another hill to climb with lots of steps to get to the cathedral.
Upon arrival at San Antonio, there was another hill to climb with lots of steps to get to the cathedral.
The town of San Antonio is built on the slope of the hill (or small mountain) overlooking Lake Atitlán.
The town of San Antonio is built on the slope of the hill (or small mountain) overlooking Lake Atitlán.		 View looking up the hill at San Antonio from it's base.
View looking up the hill at San Antonio from it's base.		 Since San Antonio appears very wide from below, I took this panoramic photo of it.
Since San Antonio appears very wide from below, I took this panoramic photo of it.		 This steep, cobblestone path lead to the cathedral.
This steep, cobblestone path lead to the cathedral.
Side view of San Antonio from the same height as the cathedral.
Side view of San Antonio from the same height as the cathedral.		 View from the base of the cathedral with tourists standing around.
View from the base of the cathedral with tourists standing around.		 These Guatemalan workmen were laying out sand in front of the cathedral.
These Guatemalan workmen were laying out sand in front of the cathedral.		 I have no idea what they were doing! That is Lake Atitlán behind them.
I have no idea what they were doing! That is Lake Atitlán behind them.
Frontal view of the San Antonio cathedral.
Frontal view of the San Antonio cathedral.		 I walked down this San Antonio street, although there was not much to see there.
I walked down this San Antonio street, although there was not much to see there.		 Bell tower (with a cracked bell) at the San Antonio cathedral.
Bell tower (with a cracked bell) at the San Antonio cathedral.		 These two Guatemalan men were hanging out next to the bell tower.
These two Guatemalan men were hanging out next to the bell tower.
Interior of the San Antonio cathedral. It was simple, but beautiful inside.
Interior of the San Antonio cathedral. It was simple, but beautiful inside.		 Sign for a ceramic shop in San Antonio, which the town is famous for. I bought a ceramic coffee mug at the shop.
Sign for a ceramic shop in San Antonio, which the town is famous for. I bought a ceramic coffee mug at the shop.		 After leaving San Antonio, my tour boat went back to Panajachel, the town where I was staying.
After leaving San Antonio, my tour boat went back to Panajachel, the town where I was staying.		 These two boys were riding in a catamaran as my boat was coming ashore.
These two boys were riding in a catamaran as my boat was coming ashore.
A family was waiting at the dock when my boat arrived in Panajachel.
A family was waiting at the dock when my boat arrived in Panajachel.		 Panajachel is the largest of the many towns on the shores of Lake Atitlán. It has been overwhelmed by tourists.
Panajachel is the largest of the many towns on the shores of Lake Atitlán. It has been overwhelmed by tourists.		 Almost all of the shops in Panajachel are tourist shops.
Almost all of the shops in Panajachel are tourist shops.		 One of many souvenir shops in Panajachel.
One of many souvenir shops in Panajachel.
Panajachel's brightly painted buses are called chicken buses because there is a good chance you may ride with one!
Panajachel's brightly painted buses are called "chicken buses" because there is a good chance you may ride with one!		 These 3-wheeled taxis are everywhere in Panajachel as well as in other parts of Guatemala.
These 3-wheeled taxis are everywhere in Panajachel as well as in other parts of Guatemala.		 The taxi passed by me.
The taxi passed by me.		 I couldn't resist - that's me in the 3-wheeled taxi!
I couldn't resist - that's me in the 3-wheeled taxi!

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Guest 23-Sep-2007 05:07
Great history layout about the lake who would have guessed? Very informative
as 4 the pics spectacular.
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