Laguna Brava, Yolnabaj in Huehuetenango

Not all beautiful places are close at hand. This is something that we have seen in each of our trips and to get this gap will have to earn the trip.

If at this time for any reason the current routine makes you think you might be in a better place and need to get away ... Huehuetenango offers hundreds of options and this is one of them.

Laguna Brava, near the border with Mexico, which represents a destination to travel far worthwhile.

Is large and winding as shown on the maps under the name of Yolnabaj, but the funny thing is that being in place, not well known and ask for this name will result in expressions of confusion on the premises.

He called the Laguna Brava and call him because at certain times depending on the weather, but often in the evenings, the wind that enters the valley makes the waves of the lagoon are heard from afar.

To get there

That's where the sky is burning ... or so it seems ...

You'll see an obvious take a right (always ask for verification) and traveled this road worthy of a 4x4 (think twice in a sedan ... well, better not think about it).

In making this junction, about 3 miles on the road, you will begin to enter into a foggy area and leave the clear sky behind. I turn to see which provides an excellent spectacular sunset.

Then, within a path with frequent rain, will reach a junction on the community site. Always ask the locals on the way as there are two accesses in this way. In the first, near the city, you can rent horses.

In the second begin a walking tour.

Muddy but worth it

The GPS we marked a couple of miles to the lagoon, but the kind people in the community warned us of 2 hours away ...

We arrived at night and wanted to get into the camping trip on the road. We had the coordinates and not be a problem coming, but the fatigue of a multi-scalar trip with just 2 hours of sleep made us reconsider.

We did well because although the GPS indicated the distance, the journey is long and difficult to be a road tilted up and down muddy trails and thick woods on the hill.

We have the company of several "Patojos" who offered to take us, rather to join for free.

We took the road and we were already a little bit desperate because we could not move at the speed used. North on the GPS changed again and again due to the continuous position we had to take turns.

The landscape was cleared but gradually began to blur.

The route between milpa plantings, limes, sugar cane, coffee and other was rich and refreshing by the type of paths to which we were accustomed to in this long journey.

We reached a high point from which we could see the figure but after winding into the woods of "Noche Triste" found that to get there will go a very strange way.

The pleasant surprise

After walking for some time we have this beauty across the road.

We stopped immediately and with camera in hand, an approach and a couple of photos. We can say that the approach in macro mode, the snake stopped to stand still, he assumed the position of attack-defense feature.

Should not be treated as if it were no snakes harmless ... in this case, we are told it is a false coral. It is not poisonous, but its like, which functions as a defense system, keeps predators away giving the impression of a coral.

Snakes by nature beyond the human being, do not attack unless they feel threatened or are disturbed. According to our limited knowledge (but growing) is poisonous.

We continued and found several sections of the river that feeds the lake and its clear waters and turquoise were a delight. Its depth reaches 2 meters in some places and you can see the fish crossing at impressive speeds.

We found this makeshift bridge from which you can see the fish better.

A few minutes away we finally found the lake and stopped to rest.

We can say that the scenery and abundance of life is welcome. Crabs, fish, spiders and others, can be noticed in the course. The journey is long but worth it. The muddy and "patina" on the road is something that adds grace to walk. Recommended to bring people sensitive and "full of stories ... there is removed.

We shared our lunch and water with the "Patojos and children" who joined as team members return smoothly and decided to compensate kindly providing us with fruit and cane for the road.

It was interesting to try a stalk that is on the way, is green and clean eat to end hunger. Its price is only sleeping tongue.

Do not attempt to drink any herb or stalk without being familiar. Hint: if you cut the stem to the liquid is milky ... or thought. It should be clear and completely liquid.

Brava lagoon is an amazing place not only for its natural beauty. The quality of the bystanders is something very disturbing. Its simplicity and kindness ... quality of export or import to the city ... but we must say that sharing best !!!!.

Would be glad to find these good morning and greetings to our daily walk in the city. Many of them will never know the city ... and how well they do not need it, do not pollute or off their happiness away from worries, many of them common among us, and most ... absurd.

Well, if you have a group of friends or friends of "start" schedule a trip to the place. Here's everything you need to go.