Richard And Jo Demeester's photos

Ombi and Alex recommended this place to stay in San Marcos. Built in harmony with the rocks, this was our bathroom. Cute, hey.

The pizza was cooked directly on the embers inside this cute oven, made in the shape of an eagle with outstretched wings. There are seats in the wings. There were other seats, in the shapes of people or animals, with arms or wings embracing those seated. The restaurant was called Los Abrazos – The Hugs!

This was the view from our hotel. I set the alarm to get some photos with the early morning sun. Unfortunately, clouds on the horizon meant we never got the morning glow on the mountains. But, still beautiful, I'm sure you'll agree.

Every hour, the lake and volcanoes felt different. Partly because of the changing light, but more so because of the changing weather and clouds. This is Volcán San Pedro at sunset.

A simple boat, which appears to be some planks nailed together with some water sealant squeezed into the gaps.

Part god, part saint, part Catholic, part Mayan. This photo is Maximón of Santiago Atitlán, on the shore of Lago de Atitlán. There are quite a few in this corner of Guatemala. He looks different in different villages, and even goes by different names. But there are some constants. He's a bit of a chain smoker, with devotees replacing butts with a freshly lit cigarette as needed. Sometimes he even gets to have a cigar. Maximón also has a bit of an alcohol problem, whether it be expensive rum or a bottle of local firewater. It's no surprise that offerings seem to be mainly alcoholic or tobacco products. He has no permanent home. Each Easter, after festivities, another house in or around the town is chosen for Maximón to reside in for the following 12 months. Statues of more mainstream saints, and even of Christ, are kept with Maximón, and are ostensibly guards. Devotees also seem to enjoy a drink or two, and don't mind puffing on tobacco products, while chanting and making petitions to this strange character of enigmatic origin.

After waiting hours, and patiently lining this shot up... Nah, just kidding. This was actually snapped through the window of a chicken bus careering violently down the winding road from Sololá to Panajachel on the shore of Lago de Atitlán. On the left are two volcanoes, one behind the other, Volcán Atitlán behind Volcán Tolimán. On the right is Volcán San Pedro.

The indigenous outfits are not at all based on concepts of choosing patterns which match, at least not in the Western sense. Certain patterns and designs are frequently used in trousers, while different ones are used in shirts, or wraps, or skirts. The textiles used are usually colourful, and particularly in women's shirts, often intricately hand embroidered. Although it looks a little haphazard, particularly on the men, it is rarely dishevelled or messy. Locals can tell what village a person comes from by the what they are wearing and the way it is worn or tied. This was taken on market day, when people from many villages descend on Sololá, and the differences and similarities could be spotted in the throngs.

A beautiful outfit worn with pride and dignity. Sololá market, Guatemala.

Women in traditional costume in the marketplace in Sololá, close to Lago de Atitlán, Guatemala.

Volcán Tolimán, almost totally obscuring Volcán Atitlán. The only reason you can tell there are two volcanoes is because of the wisps of cloud floating in between. Lago de Atitlán provides the blue between us and them.

A wonderful streetscape from Antigua, with Volcán Agua looking down at it.

A "market" on the streets, in front of one of Antigua's many picturesque ruins.

One of the many church, monastery, and convent facades in the streets of Antigua.

A different angle on the arches in the ruins of the Catedral de Santiago, Antigua.

Some of the arches in the ruins of the Catedral de Santiago, Antigua.

Two women in traditional dress walk down the streets of Antigua.

Touching a stick to the lava, it bursts instantly to flame.