Lanquin & Semuc Champey

View from Zephyr Lodge, Lanquin.

Semuc Champey is a park located near the very tiny village Lanquin about an eight hour mini bus ride south from Flores. It is deep in the hills and mountains with a winding (mostly single lane) dirt road for the last hour of the journey. I stayed at the Zephyr Lodge, a hostel sitting on the outcrop of a hill giving it gorgeous views in almost every direction. As I made my way into the dorm room a fellow traveller glanced at me and did a double-take. "Indonesia?", he said with a pause. I had met Alex nearly two years ago in the Lombok Island province on the smaller Gilli Islands where we had joined up with a couple friends and had a really fun night out. Small world meeting up in yet another remote location.

First thing in the morning a group of us left the hostel for the day packed in the back of a pick-up truck, standing room only, holding onto a cage-like structure over the truck bed, winding through the dirt roads to have some fun in a cave. This cave experience differed quite a bit from others I've experienced. Firstly, no torches or flash-lights - only candles. Secondly, you'll need swimwear because nearly the entire time you'll be in the water - everywhere from ankle deep to some short swims holding your candle above the surface.

 A few cool chambers, a couple climbs and waterfalls... and yes, at some point your candle will get splashed and go out!

Semuc Champey is best known for its series of stepped, turquoise pools of crystalline mountain spring water raging from 3-14 feet deep, a popular swimming attraction. Before taking a refreshing dip we had a nice uphill trek on a trail to the scenic view from the lookout above. Dense vegetation, steep trails, waterfalls, dangerous white-water rapids, swimming pools, and caves. Pretty cool.

For an interesting evening adventure, make your way down to the 'bat cave' in Lanquin. Thousands of bats zipping by your head as they exit the cave at dusk. The cave itself is easily explorable, they've installed some lighting at dust with a nearby generator. Hot and humid and full of bat guano, so try not to slip... you will need to wash your shoes... and have a shower after.

The speck on the 3rd pool is somebody diving in!