At last - Antigua, Guatemala

It’s been a long haul. From getting up yesterday till we reached our hotel 40 hours had passed. The Newcastle flight was late in leaving which meant quite a few people missed their onward flights. We were relieved that our luggage had gone right through to Guatemala as there would have been no time to retrieve it and check it in again.

The night flight to Mexico City was ok. We were late taking off as they had to spray the aircraft with anti-icing. As usual for Mexican airways the food was poor and drinks sparingly poured. I look forward to watching a film but there was not a lot to choose from. Some vintage ones (Blow-Up - we thought it so cool in the 60s and now it seemed pretentious rubbish) and the only new one was Elvis which I’d seen. The TV choice was American comedies with canned laughter. There was nothing for it but to try to sleep. We did dose on and off during the 12 hour flight.

At Mexico City we had to queue for 3/4 hour at immigration then go through security before we could look for our gate for the final 1.5 hour flight to Guatemala City, whereas in Amsterdam we were classed as in transit and didn’t need that procedure. We couldn’t take our water through for the 4 hour wait for the next flight, and we’d not brought any Mexican money (we had enough at home for water at least so poor planning there).

When we arrived in Guatemala City we had various procedures to comply with. The cabin crew had given us a form to complete for customs - one per family. But no, when we finally got to the immigration man he made us go back to get another form. It was one per person. He kept the yellow top part and gave us back the copy. That was taken back further through the process. By the time we got to the baggage reclaim our bags were there. We were very impressed - as those of you who have followed our travels will know, this has often not been the case. It was a case of no case.

We were met and the driver took us to Antigua which was another 2 hour drive. The hotel is pretty, set round a garden, with a pool overlooking a volcano. The little cobbled streets remind us of a small town where we stayed in the Atacama desert. Unfortunately out rooms won’t be ready for 2 hours so that gives us the chance to sample the local beer. It is cloudy and warm - the weather, not the beer. I wonder if the snow has arrived at home?

We are 6 hours behind which is awkward for sleeping. We must try to stay awake till the new bedtime but I know it takes me a couple of days to adapt.