Guatemala is the country we visited today. Specifically, Puerto Quetzal. The capital of tis Central American country is Guatemala City, and the population is 13,300,000 Spanish-speaking people. Mayans comprise 60% of the population, making this country the most indigenous in the nation.
Having endured generations of hardships, the country was plagued with political corruption, violence, and injustice. Modern Guatemala is quite open to visitors these days with world class markets, diverse landscapes, coffee estates, colonial towns, Mayan ruins, and volcanoes.
The best time to visit is November through May because it is the dry season. The highlights to see are lost temples at Tikal, and Antigua, the colonial city.
Treasures to buy are Mayan textiles, while the food is interesting. A favorite treat is eggs, corn tortillas, beans, fried plantains, and coffee. A special drink is made from velvety hot chocolate with rum.
Trademarks are Mayan gods, wild masks, bright fabrics, quetzal birds, volcanoes, and rain forests.
Ten tours offered here today. They ran from 4 ½ to 9 hours, costing from $60 to $650. The most expensive 9 hour tour included a flight to and from Tikal. Six excursions went to colonial Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One tour we took years ago included a day spent at a coffee plantation, with a stop at Antigua on the way back. It was informative and a fun way to spend the day.
The Amsterdam arrived around 7am, however, we could not dock where we always have. Something happened to the pier we were told, making it off limits since sometime last year. Alongside the commercial port area, shuttle buses were provided to take us on a 15 minute ride to Pez Vela Pier and the adjoining craft market.
We were in no big hurry to go there, so breakfast was at the regular time in the dining room for us. It was obvious that today was going to be a really warm one, when we went outside to watch the passengers join the tour buses. We heard from one of our waiters that 800 people booked tours today, which was probably correct, since there were fewer folks in the dining room this morning.
Leaving the ship after 10am, we lined up for the shuttle ride there. It did take 15 minutes to get there, leaving from one gate and entering through another. The shuttle driver brought us to a side entrance to the Pez Vela Marina and Marketplace. In the massive palapa, we checked out the tourist info desk, where we picked up maps, a fan, and a complimentary yarn bracelet. Considered lucky, these hand-made woven yarn bracelets came with a story of friendship. While putting in on your wrist, you silently make two wishes. The third wish comes from the locals, who wish you to come back in the future. Whatever the reason, it is a wonderful gesture of the local people.
Independent tours could be purchased here as well. And taxis were available at the back of this marketplace as well.
It seemed odd to see the place with so few people. Even many of the usual vendors had already packed up, and went home for the season. The locals that were there, were very willing to bargain for anything and everything. Prices on their treasures dropped as we walked by. One of us was searching for matching earrings for a jade necklace we bought several years ago. Every vendor had the same inventory, but when we reached the last stands, we did find a larger variety, and did find another set for a great price. A set of smaller wooden giraffes would also end up in or possession. They’ll end up with the “zoo” at home. We now have a herd of the whimsical African savannah animals.
A crowd of passengers had gathered at the local performance happening at this marketplace. The locals demonstrated how textiles were created, as well as Mayan music, dance, and art. Of course, you are surrounded with treasures of this art, so the buying was at your feet.
There are a few places to have coffee or beverages in this complex, however not all of them were opened. The largest outdoor restaurant, Pez Vela, was about empty of customers, but then, it was only 10:30am at this point. We always end up here for nachos and beers, but it was still too early for us. We did walk slowly around the marina, taking photos of the many iguanas that make these marina boulders their home. In fact, one of the activities slated for this place for the feeding of the iguanas at certain times. That comprises of some torn up bread pieces or lettuce leaves thrown on the walkway. Guess we just missed it.
Instead of hanging around in the heat of the morning, we decided to go back to the ship. It would be cooler, for sure, and ice tea sounded better to us than beer. Normally, there is no dining room lunch on port days, but today it was opened. This would work for us.
The afternoon flew by as one of us worked on photos, and the other catching up on reading a Patterson book. A note about the photos posted in our blog: it has been worked out that the entire amount are available now. Friends Konni, Denise, and Rosie and others who have asked should be back on track with us.
There was no designated “sailaway” at 5pm at the aft deck eight, mostly due to the fact that tours were late in returning. It was before 6pm, that the ship finally pulled out of the small harbor. We did kept a sharp eye out for possible dolphin, turtle, or sting ray sightings, as Captain Fred had seen in recent days, but we saw nothing more than a bunch of commercial vessels in the surrounding waters near the harbor.
Dinnertime found us back in the dining room with our favorite waiters. With only two of us, our meal went quickly. Probably a good thing, because the clocks went ahead one hour tonight. Mexico is on a different time than Central America. We won’t get the two hours back on the clock until we leave Cabo San Lucas.
The Mainstage featured the dancers and singers of the Amsterdam performing Nations. Regional costumes and dance routines from famous areas in Europe made their show a hit.
Should arrive to Huatulco around 2pm tomorrow.
Bill & Mary Ann
Coming into the harbor in Puerto Quetzal
Tourist info
The new lanai rooms and private lounges
Directions
This large bag was going for $50 USD
An area for drinking beverages in the shade