GUATEMALA LIFESTYLES Newsletter
E-mail: lifestyles@centramerica.com

Another ...
 Short Pants Ted's
Most Excellent Adventures
 ...if Ted can do it, you can too !

Neeew Yoook City ? Yep, that's where Ted recently spent a few weeks...back on his "home turf", the island of bagels and cream cheese, traffic and the penultimate high maintenance lifestyle. Upon his return to Chapinlandia, it's no wonder Ted chose to take off a few days to recuperale from, in his own words, "this karma shattering experience. "

Our intrepid adventurer and good friend (even if he is a Yankee), really found a spot that's probably one of Guatemala 's best kept secrets...For the moment.
Isleta de GAIA...this just opened south coast hideaway caught his attention and he was off on the chicken bus in a "New York minute."

Here's what he has to say:
"You guys know me, always up for a new experience. When I got back, I heard through the coconut wireless that a neat beach get-a-way hotel just opened near Las Lisas on the south coast, beyond Monterrico. Since I've never been down that way, all I could think was, why not?

Getting there is a "pedazo de pastel". An early moming bus ride from Antigua to Escuintla and then a transfer to the Las Lisas bus...the tum-off is only 19 kliks before the El Salvador border...and, the CA-2 highway is scenic, smooth as can be and un-çrowded with traffic. (Oh yeah, I recommend stopping for breakfast at Saritas off the traffic circle in the heart of Escuintla. I was the only gringo and the prices fit a "codo" traveler like me.)

From the village of Las Lisas it's a short "boat taxi ride" across the Chiquimulilla Canal to the Hotel.

I thought (only for a moment) I was in Club Med as the owners are French, the cabanas sport thatched roofs and the menu is "gourmet." Trust me, no "too cool tourists" decked out in sarongs throwing their 'tokens" around and using the line "vhat' s your sign?" in French, German or Australian English.

I chose a "bungalow" close to the restaurant, of course, and it only cost me Q225 with breakfast included. Although the "zancudo's" aren't too fond of my bod for some reason, my bed came equiped with an attractive mosquito net. Nice touch. In fact, the first setup like this I've seen in a long time. For those who are prime fodder for mosquitos and no-see-ems, they sure can come in handy.

Frederic and his wife, Laetitia, are the moving force behind this little piece of paradise on the Pacific Coast. If I understood correctly (I speak and understand New Yorkeño and am only fair with any language South of the Mason-Dixon Line), the project was designed in collaboration with an eco-oriented architectural firm now based out of San Antonio, Texas! What a combination, the French touch for all things French, a serious, dedicated environmental awareness (ask about GAIA), comfortable beds and food that will knock your socks off.

Contact them:
gaia@intelnet.net.gt
www.isleta-de-gaia.com
Tel: (502) 788.500.44