Left the hotel after breakfast listening to the sound of the howler monkeys and a last look for the crocs and terrapins.
My Maya symbol
I never did school trips like this!
Short plane ride to Guatamala City airport.
Some shots from the plane
The airport was very busy with lots of people with balloons.
Then drove to Antigua, a colonial city set amidst volcanic peaks. From 1543 to 1773 it was the former capital city with colonial buildings and cobblestone streets. Throughout the 18th century a series of earthquakes struck finally resulting in the decision to relocate the capital to Guatamala City. It is surrounded by three volcanic peaks.
Before checking into the hotel we visited San Lazaro Cemetery located in the grounds of a former leprosy center. The cemetery is all white as is its church.
Checked into the hotel, an old colonial style with a courtyard garden and a rooftop terrace with view of Volcan de Agua’s cone.
During a walking tour of the town we visited a number of churches all decorated beautifully for the start of holy week with a fusion of Catholic and Maya traditions. With coloured sawdust carpets and fruit and vegetable pictures.
The first visit was to La Merced. A fully restored church painted yellow with white detail.
The Arco de Santa Catalina, a famous landmark was built in 1693 to connect the convent to orchards and gardens on the other side so the nuns could cross the street without fear of contamination
We stayed by the arch to watch one of the processions with purple clad devotees carrying very heavy floats, incense carriers and brass bands.
In case you get peckish try an ice cream from this ice cream van
Lots of people around selling a variety of goods
A visit to the jade factory where we were shown the different colours of jade, some of which are specific to Guatamala
Just round the corner was the cathedral, again decorated for the holy week.
Local transport
Another form of transport, the chicken bus. Old school buses converted by the town to carry passengers and so called because they usually carry a woman with a chicken!
Our final church was Inglesia Santo Hermano Pedro which is attached to a hospital for the poor
Onto dinner in a local restaurant followed by cocktails in a bar where we were by far the oldest customers
