eKaqchikel 2007 - Stalking Butterflies

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Today we went in search of butterflies. The nearby Hotel Atitlan maintains its own mariposario or butterfly habitat, along with a garden and nature preserve. After a short hike through town to grab lunch and feed the dogs of Panajachel (an activity deserving a blog entry all its own), we grabbed a tuk-tuk and rode over to the preserve.

Turns out, the mariposario wasn't even the most interesting thing on the grounds. The nature preserve featured a wire rig that allows guests to travel from point to point suspended in a harness over the canopy. Marie and Lee immediately signed up for the ride. I, wisely, elected to stay below and photograph the proceedings.

Marie and Lee had quite the thrill. Lee rated it somewhere between bungee jumping and skydiving on the scale of adrenaline rushes.

The preserve itself was also interesting with its suspension bridges, waterfalls, and assorted wildlife. We did end up at the mariposario, but didn't see very many butterflies. Lee, animal lover that he is, felt the need to release at least one winged prisoner from captivity.

Spotted another beautiful vista on the way back, and the driver obligingly pulled over to let us take a shot or two (or dozen).

It's been a relaxing Sunday, here on the shores of Lake Atitlan. Just in time for tomorrow, our final day of production.