CENTRAL AMERICA

The Bridge from where we were to where we are going.

We left Mexico and headed into rough waters because of the winds coming into the Pacific Ocean from the Caribbean side.

Prior to landing on Saturday, Nov. 7 in PUERTO QUETZAL, GUATEMALA we had planned to do independent touring. However, after hearing that the 3 central american countries we were headed to were working ports, we signed up for a tour to ANTIGUA, a World Heritage Site established by the Spaniards in 1570. The city of Antigua is wonderfully preserved with many excellent restaurants (Lynne satisfied her urge to taste Mole.)

Guatemala obtained independence from Mexico in 1823 and in 1906 the United Fruit Company established the first banana plantations. In 1952, the government distributed private land to landless peasants. In 1992, Guatemala President, Rigoberta Menchu was award the Nobel Peace Price for human rights works.

The country is obviously very poor but amazingly, houses in Antigua can sell for $1,000 /M2!

We went to a jade factory established by an American woman in the 1960´s when no one in the world thought there were jade deposits in the country...including the government! Didn´t she prove everyone wrong and does not hesitate to say so.

Our tour guide was born in Antigua spent some time in the USA but returned to her homeland at about 9 years of age. When she relearned English, she spoke with no accent! She was very knowlegable and we enjoyed her very much.

CORINTO, NICARAGUA was our next port of call. This part of central america was inhabited by the Niquirano people, influenced by the Aztecs, and were unified in small clan-based groups. Columbus made a brief visit to the Moskito Coast in 1502. The conquistadors subjegated the local people a few decades later. The Amerindians were enslaved and the Spanish built a grand colonial city at Leon.

We signed up for a tour which turned out to be NOT what we thought. While disappointed in the tour, the tour guide was passionate about his country which is the poorest of them all.

PUNTARENAS, COSTA RICA was our last central american stop. We were supposed to go to PUERTO CALDERA but were rerouted to Puntarenas. What a beautiful country! It is so obviously doing much better than the others that we asked the tour guide why. She said that when they obtained independence, their first president was a teacher and not a military dictator and that made all the difference. We were again fortunate with our wonderful tour guide whose English was teriffic and pride in country was evident. We stopped at a wonderful factory in Sarchi that produces painted oxcarts. The company dates back to 1903 and provides a distinctive indigineous industry. They ship these carts, in sizes from patio planters and bars to fidge magnets.

In 1502 Christopher Columbus anchors, in 1506 Spain began to colonize and 1821, Costa Rica gained its independence. The first president was elected in 1824 and he established fair courts, expanded education and coffee plantations. In 1890, he made a deal with the United Fruit Company to build a railroad and in exchange gave them a 99 years lease on the land bordering the rail lines to grow bananas.

VOLCANOES. There is a lot of volcanic activity throughout central america and from time to time it has devestated these countries. It takes a lot of time to rebuild after these disasters. Nevertheless, they do.

We had a wonderful Neptune Ceremony yesterday for passing the equator. The crew put on a fabulous ¨Kiss the Fish¨performance and the Lido deck was absoluted crowded with passengers. Some dedicated souls played bridge and refused to come on deck...what sour pusses!

We are looking forward to our next ports of call and will fill you in as we find Internet access.