Antigua for one of us….

On return to the Rio Dulce we got some bad news that a fellow cruiser from Australia, that we had met, had cancer and wanted his boat back In Australia. Bill from S/V Out Of the Bag; his good friend and Richard & Jen from S/V Our Rose all set about to get the boat ready to leave. Brett, Richard & Johno decided to help Bill get the boat thru to the Panama Canal and set off southward bound.
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I decided this was a great opportunity to visit Antigua, while Brett was away. Antigua is a colonial town founded in the 16th century, largely destroyed in an earthquake in the 17th century and restored. At that time it he been the capital of Guatemala but after the earthquake the Spanish crown ordered the capital be moved to a safer location, ie. where Guatemala City now is.
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Antigua in 1979 was designated a UNESCO world heritage site and is a colorful place surrounded by volcanoes with a lot of old churches, fountains and amazing cobblestone streets set in a grid pattern. As you can imagine very pretty.
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Santa Catalina Arch (Yellow Building with Arch) was built to allow the nuns to cross and not be seen by men.

Mermaid Fountain in Central Square built in the 17th Century is amazing

Mermaid Fountain in Central Square built in the 17th Century is amazing

Lots of tiendas & markets selling handcrafts. One of the local women was siting on the side of the road making something to sell.

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This little girl had such fun feeding the pigeons

This little girl had such fun feeding the pigeons

I booked into the San Jose Viejo Spanish School, in Antigua for a week of Spanish lessons and stayed right on the grounds in their accommodation, which were lovely. Excellent way of helping to improve my spanish (me hopes!).

My accommodation at San Viejo school, very spoilt

My accommodation at San Viejo school, very spoilt

Aura mi maestra( teacher) in our outdoor classroom

Aura mi maestra( teacher) in our outdoor classroom

Brian & Sue (also Canadian/Kiwi) from S/V Sea Rose came to the school so I had people to go out with at night and play. Yeah!

Out with Brian & Sue at one of the many vibrant restaurants in town

Out with Brian & Sue at one of the many vibrant restaurants in town

Even found some good music (what an interesting background)

Even found some good music (what an interesting background)

Jen from Our Rose had recommended a dentist Dr Lucia who was awesome and fit me in for a check up and clean while I was there. Antigua is definitely the place to see anyone medically related in Guatemala.
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I had a fab time in Antigua and have now returned to the Rio Dulce to get a few boat jobs worked on while Brett is gone. Brett will be continuing thru to Australia with Bill, so I’ll be here a tad longer than initially planned. What mischief can I get up to?