Casa Vieja Lodge – warm, welcoming, comfortable. And a place where you are awakened each morning…
Guatemala Offshore
…by the calls of several of these fellows that like to hang around the resort and holler, “Hola!”
Guatemala Offshore
We headed to Antigua early in our trip. This particular building, a cathedral, was constructed in 1675.
Guatemala Offshore
Sights like these are what a trip to Antigua is all about. These guys even let me join in on one of their songs. I didn’t play very well.
Guatemala Offshore
Guatemala is one of the foremost producers of jade worldwide. In fact, it is the only place on Planet Earth where several rare varieties and colors of the stone are found…
Guatemala Offshore
…this is partly due to Guatemala’s unique geography. Here lies Pacaya, one of 38 volcanoes found in Guatemala.
Guatemala Offshore
My favorite shot of the trip. This boy was selling hiking sticks to traverse Pacaya. For tourists, getting a good stick is not a bad idea…
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…as Pacaya’s slopes of sharp pumice demand endurance and a certain degree of nerve.
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…Gary (left) and I take a break midway up the climb. But we kept at it through misty clouds and high altitudes, and finally reached…
Guatemala Offshore
…a hot magma outflow. It was an incredible sight, a surreal experience, like being on the moon or something!
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We enjoyed the view and even toasted a few marshmallows!
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The next day, it was time for fishing. Jake Jordan (right) works with the steady hands of these mates, some of the most skilled in the world…
Guatemala Offshore
…while Chris Sheeder, captain of Rum Line, searches for billfish from the bridge.
Guatemala Offshore
With 14-weights rigged and ready with billfish poppers…
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…it didn’t take long to raise a fish! I’m hooked up to a sail!
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These fish spend most of their time above the water’s surface! But they also like to…
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…dig down deep at times, as Gary is finding out here!
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Eventually, though, they come back up, thrashing and trying to throw the fly. Keep a tight line, but get your hand off that spool when he turns to run!
Guatemala Offshore
If you do everything right, here is your reward – a beautiful 100-pound sailfish!
Guatemala Offshore
The crew of Rum Line tag another fish just prior to a careful release.