Our first stop was in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Ron and I spent most of our time working on projects so we do not have pictures from there.
Our second stop was in Huatulco, Mexico. We hired a taxi driver to take us to town to buy socks for me. I did not bring any to wear with my tennis shoes. We also bought some Mexican coffee grown high above sea level. We understand the best grows at the higher elevations. We saw poverty, but opulence in the hotels and condos that vacationers occupy. The views of the ocean were spectacular.
We stopped in Guatemala. Our lady guide gave us quite a bit of information about the country. One of the neat things we did was ride across where a volcano erupted 8 months ago. I was amazed at how fast the country is repairing the devastation. This is the dry season, but toward the end of May the rainy season begins and many of the roads are impassable.
In 1773 there were a series of earthquakes that devasted the area. Some of the buildings are still standing in the same condition. Others have changed their identity completely. One change is amazing. Once a monastery that housed 1200 monks and I think nuns also, now, is a beautiful 5 star hotel. Some of the ruins are still there, and some areas are really first rate 21st century. Very, very interesting stop. Then we stopped for lunch. See the picture where 5 men are playing the marimbas and this was a Tuesday afternoon. We had traditional meals at a nice upscale restaurant.
We also stopped at a tourist trap for the rest room, to buy handicrafts, coffee, and a tortilla. I saw this flower container (2 liter bottle) hanging from a tree. It is amazing what you can do if you do not have much. This is a very poor country.
Our stop today (Wednesday) was in Nicaragua. Again another very poor country in Central America. I am sure the whole country is not as poor as this port city of Corinto. It has a population of 18,000. How did we get around? Young men were pedaling bicycles that held 4 people. See pictures below.
Our drivers took us (7 of us ) on about a 90 minute ride. Our driver lived in the area and his wife and child were on one of the corners as we passed by. The other driver saw his wife and 2 children and they rode along with us for a while. The wife was peddling and one child sat side saddle on the men’s bars and the other one sat on the back seat above the fender. We had a top and sides to our vehicles. It is a good thing because the real feel temp was 102. Hot and humid. The stop at the Pacific Ocean was very welcomed. We each gave them $10.00 U.S. for the ride. That was very good wage for the mornings work in Nicaragua.
One of us stayed near the ships swimming pool and two went on a tour about 30 minutes away. They were told not to give money to the pitiful children because the parents would squander what they got on drugs and alcohol. They saw a church, a group of people dancing in full local costume. The locals also described the meaning of their costumes. The tour went to a horse farm, and they saw tortillas being made at another stop. All in all it was a good day. Oh!Oh! My dress was too tight for dinner. I am sure I have already gained 5 pounds, maybe more. Good food and 3 times a day.
We only have 2 more ports of call and Holland America’s private island in the Caribbean. We will be stopping in Costa Rica and Colombia. Plus we need a day to pass through the Panama Canal.
I hope the weather at home is getting spring like. The sun is beautiful here and so far we have had smooth sailing. I am so happy for that.
From afar,
Sue Biggs