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Antigua:

Before we travelled home to Bermuda John and I spent a couple of days in Antigua.

We travelled from the Rio on the same and only bus, this time only taking 6 hours, phew! Then taking another bus to Antigua, arriving we got a taxi to take us to our hotel.

Believe it or not when we got there the hotel was shut! Yes, as in closed and so we had nowhere to stay. Not speaking the best of Spanish, this was a problem. The taxi took us back to the main square, Parque Central, where we decided to walk to the hotel we had previously stayed in. Walking there dragging our bags was not fun, plus the wheels on one bag gave out due to the cobblestones.

Casa Cristina

Once there we were told they were fully booked, but recommended Casa Cristina, around the corner. Casa Christina turned out to be a wonderful hotel. We had a room at the top looking out towards the volcano: Volcan Agua, there was a small lounge just down the corridor where we could get tea, for free. Plus just above was a beautiful rooftop patio that looked out over Antigua. So things turned out better in the end.

For the rest of the day we wandered around Antigua and had an excellent  chicken curry for dinner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next day we had breakfast at Cafe Condessa in the main plaza, – Parque Central – and set off exploring.

Our first stop was the craft shops to buy some crafts to take home as gifts. Second stop was:

 The cathedral, – Catedral de Santiago

– off the main square. Antigua’s cathedral was first built in 1545, but wrecked by the earthquake of 1773. John and I explored the intact still functional, interior and then ventured into the original’s ruins.

The ruins are impressive, there are massive chunks of pillars beneath the brick arches, partial walls stand all lending an atmosphere of what had been at one time an impressive structure. The original stonework, tiles and murals can still be seen in places. There are restorations underway, but much of the building is in ruins and will stay that way.

 The Market

Around the square and off to the market we went. Both of us had enjoyed the market on our previous visit and my feet were killing me as all I had on were flip-flops and walking on cobblestones in them was crippling me. At the market I picked up some colorful plastic clogs – crocks in orange and blue, which would enable me to walk.

The market is an amazing place; absolutely everything is for sale, from meat, vegetables, fruits, flowers, clothes, accessories, animals, etc, plus all kinds of services too. We had a totally fascinating wander around the market.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a great lunch at Cafe Condessa, – breakfast was so good we went back!

 Cerro De Cruz

We left to hike to the Cerro De Cruz on the slope above Antigua. From Cerro De Cruz there is a great view looking out towards the Volcan Agua, the actual volcano that caused the destruction of much of Antigua hundreds of years ago, – it is still active.

Iglesia y Convento de Santa Domingo

Back down the steps we headed towards Iglesia y Convento de Santa Domingo. This was a monastery founded by Dominican friars in 1542. It became the biggest and richest monastery in Antigua. After 3 earthquakes in the 18th century the building was pillaged for the building materials.

In 1970 an American archaeologist acquired the site as his private residence and site for digging. After extensive excavations the site was taken over by Casa Domingo Hotel. It is part of the cultural route now as major restorations have taken place.

 

While being an excellent hotel it also includes the wonderfully restored monastery, plus underground crypts with original works from 1683, there are 6 different museum displays, artwork from Guatemala, examples of local clothing, and craft, a workshop for Guatemalan tile making and a candle making workshop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Needless to say John and I were in Iglesia y Convento de Santa Domingo for the rest of the afternoon. It was a fascinating place to visit and there were English explanations to most of the displays.

John and I both find Antigua a beautiful, fascinating place to visit.

“There are times when we stop. We sit still…We listen and breezes from a whole other world begin to whisper.” —  James Carroll