So many beautiful places to show you so I put this in two posts.
Arch of Santa Catalina. This was built when the convent on the left of the street needed to expand and another facility was built across the street. So the nuns were not visible to the people they built the bridge for them to cross the street. It too survived the earthquakes. It is about 6 feet thick.
Floats from the procession now stored in the ruins of the old convent
La Merced Church and Monastery. Again beautiful decorations within for the celebration of Lent
Capuchinas Ruins – the most beautifully decorated baroque facade in La Antigua
Many beautiful handcrafts to be found in El Carmen Crafts Market
Although the homes are built right on the street they hide lovely cool spaces and an interior courtyard. This home had its front door open and I was able to snap quickly through the bars across the door. Guatemala is not considered ‘safe’
We finished our tour at the Hotel Casa Santo Domingo. A former convent and monastery, this is now the best hotel in the town. We were able to secure a table and enjoyed a lunch with the group.
In the grounds there were many lovely colourful macaws. Our guide took us through the vast ruins and pointed out the different parts of the former monastery including the burial ground, which includes two tombs with glass fronts which still house the skeletons.
The tour ended back where we were due to board the bus to take us back to Puerto Quetzal. This was at a jade museum where there were some beautiful examples of carved jade masks.
After being dropped off back at the ship, we meandered through the markets and bought a couple of trinkets.
Our next stop – Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Arch of Santa Catalina. This was built when the convent on the left of the street needed to expand and another facility was built across the street. So the nuns were not visible to the people they built the bridge for them to cross the street. It too survived the earthquakes. It is about 6 feet thick.
Floats from the procession now stored in the ruins of the old convent
La Merced Church and Monastery. Again beautiful decorations within for the celebration of Lent
Capuchinas Ruins – the most beautifully decorated baroque facade in La Antigua
Many beautiful handcrafts to be found in El Carmen Crafts Market
Although the homes are built right on the street they hide lovely cool spaces and an interior courtyard. This home had its front door open and I was able to snap quickly through the bars across the door. Guatemala is not considered ‘safe’
We finished our tour at the Hotel Casa Santo Domingo. A former convent and monastery, this is now the best hotel in the town. We were able to secure a table and enjoyed a lunch with the group.
In the grounds there were many lovely colourful macaws. Our guide took us through the vast ruins and pointed out the different parts of the former monastery including the burial ground, which includes two tombs with glass fronts which still house the skeletons.
The tour ended back where we were due to board the bus to take us back to Puerto Quetzal. This was at a jade museum where there were some beautiful examples of carved jade masks.
After being dropped off back at the ship, we meandered through the markets and bought a couple of trinkets.
Our next stop – Puntarenas, Costa Rica
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