This day was a complete right-off for me. During the night I started getting stomach cramps with the usual consequences of such feelings. With some foul tasting medications to punctuate the day I did my best to sleep for 24 hours.

So, maybe a few observations about Guatemala so far.

We are lucky at our current campsite to be at an altitude of 3700 ft or so, this means that the heat is somewhat moderated. Antigua is even higher and probably explains why the Spanish chose that site for their original capital. Down at sea level it is hot, humid and stuffy.

The country seems to be one long avenue of decrepit tin roofed shacks, with people of all ages standing in the middle of the road selling oranges and fruit juice.

Perhaps the most remarkable feature to an Australian is that armed guards are everywhere, and I mean everywhere, the supermarkets have high fences and a lockable gate around the car park and guards armed with shotguns. Even the water park we are staying at is fenced, has a gate man all night and shotgun carrying guards roaming the premises at night.

By afternoon the medicine seemed to be working and I think I will be able to drive tomorrow.

By contrast to the bleak physical environment we have found the people to be friendly.