Our Pasaj-Cap Studio

As you may have guessed from previous posts, Ken and I enjoy traveling in Central America. In fact, we have visited Costa Rica six times, mostly staying in the Osa Penninsula area. We have a favorite lodge there, El Remanso, that is magical - in a very rustic way. We are used to having limited power and almost no internet or hot water access.

This year, we decided to try something new and explore Guatemala. Pasaj-Cap may have spoiled us for good. We have the benefit of being located in beautifully natural surroundings, but the living quarters themselves are almost as beautiful. The "apartment" is elegant and simple in exactly the way we like it. It is located in a gated compound of about eight units, but designed in a way that we have to go out of our way to run into anyone else.

Our kitchen is small but well equipped, in fact we have eaten out just once since we arrived a week ago.

There is a nice selection of pots and pans, dishes, even a garlic press! There is also a supply of bottled water as the local water isn't clean enough to drink. We do use it for bathing and washing though, and have had no problems.

One of the most striking features of the studio is that the wall facing the lake is made up almost entirely of glass doors that slide to the side until there is just one panel of glass on each side and the studio feels like we are outside.

As you can see in the picture, there is also a chunky ledge that can be used for additional seating should you know enough people in Guatemala to throw a party.

There is also a dining room table which has been more of a workspace for Ken and me, along with a wonderful fireplace that we hope to get the chance to use at some point. It is not really cold enough, but it would be neat.

I am a bathroom person but have gotten used to the idea that it is a luxury to have a bath in Central America. At Pasaj-Cap, again I am spoiled. The bathroom has a fantastic tub and I love the cement countertops throughout the bathroom and kitchen. So clean and modern.

However, as wonderful as the rest of the apartment is, my favorite part by far is the hammock that hangs just inside the front door on a raised wooden platform. 

I've never seen anything like it. I spend a good part of each day here, watching the bananas and limes grow just outside the glass doors, or opening them up so I can feel the breeze coming off the lake. One night I laid there watching an amazing thunder and lightning storm, it was pretty special.