Monday, June 4, 2018

The Most Beautiful Lake in the World


Lake Atitlan is the deepest lake in Central America, with over 1,000 feet of water submerging an ancient caldera.


Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, was a bucket list destination for years. Finally, we arrived on New Year's Eve 2018, and soaked up the heavenly view until bedtime. Then, all hell broke loose. At midnight, a powerful celebration began, and fireworks exploded from every twinkling hearth lining the lake. It looked like the perimeter of the lake was on fire. It really was awe inspiring. I wondered what it would be like to live on the furry feet of a volcano.

 Yesterday, all hell broke loose again, when fire and fury blasted out of nearby Volcan del Fuego. Sadly, the death toll is rising. Now, I know what it would be like to live on the flanks of a volcano. A mix of awe and anger, heaven and hell. Volcanoes don't want to be ignored. 

When we were there it was heaven...















Boats bob in the waves near the town of Panajachel.


Inspiration.




Heaven's portal.


Sunset.








Sunrise.

When I gaze at this photo, I think of peace and tranquility. But what lies beneath is another place entirely.




Please pop over to Beautiful Boquete. I have a new illustrated map published on They Draw and Travel! 


21 comments:

Linda Hensley said...

You're so lucky to get to see these special places. Wonderful photos! Sending my best wishes to the people suffering from the volcanic activity.

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

It is one gorgeous lake. Love your sky shots too!

Lowcarb team member said...

Wonderful photographs ...

All the best Jan

Sue (this n that) said...

Stunning photos Sharon. What an amazing place and I'm glad you were able to enjoy the tranquility while there.
Love your header photo too :D)

carol l mckenna said...

Wow! What a marvelous lake and fantastic photography!

Happy Times to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Liz Needle said...

What a stunningly beautiful spot to visit and chill out. Your photos are quite magical.

Photo Cache said...

So beautiful. Prayers for Guatemala.

Worth a Thousand Words

DUTA said...

Amazing header and photos!
We are used to say "nothing new under the sun" , but there is new, relatively new - climate anomaly and increase in natural disasters. It has become very dangerous to live near a body of water and a volcano.

Fun60 said...

You saw it in all its majesty. Your photos are stunning.

Kay L. Davies said...

Lake Atitlan has long been on my bucket list, and I suspect it will stay there. Your photos, however, make up for not being there. I cannot begin to choose between them.
Then, yes, that horrible eruption, so many deaths! Words fail me.
Kay
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Jill Foley said...

Wow. Wow. WOW!

DJan said...

Fabulous pictures! I hope I never grow tired of your talent at taking awesome photos. :-)

elizabeth said...

I'm heartsick for the loss of life in Guatemala due to the volcano. I would love to travel there someday!

Su-sieee! Mac said...

Awesome photos! Volcanoes are part of the cycle of life.

NCSue said...

Wow - absolutely breath-taking! Marvelous images.
Thanks for linking up at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-retreat-house.html

Jim said...

Beautiful shots.

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Wow, Sharon, gorgeous shots! I was skeptical of the "most beautiful lake in the world" claim, but I'm a believer now after seeing your photos! Love the shot of "heaven's portal" too!

Joyful said...

So beautiful, yet so deceptively peaceful. It is sad what has happened but that is what volcanoes do. Glad you are safe. Praying for those left behind.

Peabea Scribbles said...

Love traveling along with you through your photos. Beautiful blues, and love the cloud with the hole. Great photos, and yes, really sad with the eruptions in Hawaii and Guatemala.

Peabea from Peabea Scribbles

Lady Fi said...

Wow - love those amazing swirly clouds and what a peaceful lake.

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