The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1911-06-17

II lends again some Zest to
~ The world is fast grasp
ing the fact that in the
comparatively small space between Mexico
and the Isthmus of Panama lies, as it were.
the Land of Promise-a promise of wealth in
calculable to the realm of commerce, through
the cultivation and development Of marvel
ously rich and fertile countries which are be-
ing opened up with wonderful rapidity by the
network Of railroads that spreading
throughout the five beautiful republics Of Cen
trail America. More than a land of promise
to the archaeologist, who has here vast
field for research wherein to unravel the mys-
terry which surrounds the history of the an
Gent American civilization and throw some
light upon the origin Of the people whose won
derful works are evidenced in the ruins of
prehistoric cities found hidden in dense trop-
teal forests. A land of beautiful realities to
even the ordinary tourist, who finds easily
accessible wealth of scenic beauty unsur-
passed and perfection of climate rarely
equaled.
This is particularly true Of Guatemala, the
most northern Of the Central American repub
lies and our nearest neighbor after Mexico
1t is reached by three days delightful sail
on the Gulf Of Mexico and along the coast of
British Honduras. The fine new ships OF the
United Fruit company give every luxury and
comfort OF ocean travel, and Guatemala, in
the very near future, will become the Mecca
OF those desiring to escape the cold and gloom
OF northern winter. Nowhere in the world
can be found more magnificent and varied
scenery than that which greets the traveller.
especially in the lake regions of this lovely
republic OF the four larger lakes-Peten.
lying far to the north; Yzaba1. near the A.
Aantlc coast; Amatitlan on the G11atema1a
Central railroad not far from G,atam.1.
City, and Atitlan, tucked away in the NOM.
ta1ns near the Pacific coast-there l. sn,a1,
choice Differing SO widely each in its wav is
perfect. characteristic of it's location and III
mate. io Gu
Upon our arrival at Puerto Barrios We oon
cluaeo TO visit Lake Yzabal before goino ~
~ .ne eiy Oh Guatemala. After one night of
es., therefore, We boarded the little moi,
p Ia Wn,oh carried us out from the land1ocked
Day, short distance across the G,,f - AA'
uque and along the shore line. where o.o 11aa
palms stirred lazily in the perfuned hsse W
70 Livingston. This town IL niat,raa go
situated on bluff at the mouth Of The d.
ooice' OF sweet river. A new hotel -
coHIortaDle rooms and excellent cnisina 49,
iateiy peen opened here, and dav or 49,
may De wen spent enjoying the manv nn,e,,a1
scenes IN this quaint little town
from the porch of the Hotel Rio nn1ca No
1ooA oo"h through maze of palm treee
across the matched roofs Of the town - ~
sparkling waters of the bay. where tbs C.r;hs
oart Dack and forth in graceful canoa. r.
d Aheenng posture and with only the usa ~
d paodie' they skim across the water with ~.
:. euiOie speed. me air is heavy with the
s 90 " Jesmihe ana gardenfas; the CLEAN
OF oranges and the tiny golden halls ~ az
cumquat meet the eye at eyery tnrn end +o-,
ering above all the great spreading branches
or tne wonderful breadfruit tree.
Lake Yzabal lies about so miles finland ond
regular line of steamers ply between Nv
lnsston ana Pansoz, in the interior ON the
1oiocnlc river. We did not however avail !
ourselves OF this usual means of transnorta
uoh' having had launch placed at our dis.
posal. ~ Ms
FOR the first ten miles we followed the
winding course Of the Rio Dulce, the beauty
OF which is only comparable to that Of the
farfamed Saguenay BY some terrible con.
Vuislon of nature, the mountains have heen
rent asunoer and through picturesque can
yons ana gorges this lovely river wends its
course 10 the sea- The shores gradu-
ally draw nearer together and we soon find
ourselves shut In between towering walls ~
green, rising to height of 400 to 500 feet.
with dense tropical vegetation and graceful
overhanging vines lazily swaying in the
breeze. Here the water seems to be motion
less, Its CLASSY surface rejecting in absolute
perfection Of detail each leaf and flower and
not sound breaks the silence The only
signs OF life are the hundreds of beautiful
white Cara, the birds which furnish Dame
Fashion with the much-desired and ever-expen-
sive aigrette. We passed occasionally a ma
tive drifting downstream in his dugout, or
pitpan, as these canoes are called-his cargo
q bunch OF bananas or string of fish
The shores again receded and we entered
the Cuff Of Golfete, pretty body Of water
some ten miles in length and dotted with nu-
merous islands Another narrow channel and
We finally entered the lake proper A beauti.
sM picture is before us--the lovely expanse
Of water with its wooded shores rising gradu-
lily to the rugged Sierras de las Minas to
he south, and the Santacruz mountains, to
he north. Here stand the picturesque ruins
If the old Spanish fort OF San Felipe, built In
1875 ~ fernando Cortez during his march
rom Mexico to Honduras and erected to pro-
,ect the approach to the town Of Yzaba1, which