Antigua
Before leaving the capital city we reload one of our propane gas cylinders.
It is Saturday and as in all major cities, the traffic is very dense and even dangerous.
No driving rules : we must be careful. Pilot and copilot must be vigilant ... knowing that insurance is not mandatory !!!
We drive through many traffic jams and the 40 km trip to Antigua takes us 3 hours… Exhausting.
We find a campsite near the city center and we leave immediately to go shopping, taking a tuc-tuc .... The driver is completely crazy ... his driving in the poorly adjusted cobblestones streets turns into a " rodeo " ... a real pain in the neck for 20 minutes.
Founded as " Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala " in 1524, " Antigua " was the capital of Guatemala, which formerly encompassed a vast territory comprising Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Chiapas in Mexico.
As powerful as Mexico City, Lima or Potosi, Antigua Guatemala was nevertheless marked by the sign of destruction.
It was tranfered in 1527 following the Mayan uprisings, destroyed by an earthquake on September 10th 1541, damaged by 6 other earthquakes between 1563 and 1586, ravaged in 1607 by another earthquake, and then, by three others in 1651, 1689 and 1717.
This last earthquake finally defeated the capital of Guatemala on July 28th 1773.
Tired of nature’s power, the Spanish transferred their capital city 45 kilometres away, and the city of " Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala " became "Antigua Guatemala" in 1774.
It is listed in 1979 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is an exceptional site dominated by the three volcanoes that surround it: Volcano del Agua at 3.766 m, El Fuego at 3.763 m and El Acatenango at 3.976 m.
We fell under the spell of this ancient capital, bringing together magnificent palaces, churches and convents as well as many well-restored colonial residences in a range of flamboyant colours.
We stay there for several days with " Corinne and Thierry " and meet " Lisa and Stef ".
We take our time to visit the different monuments and neighborhoods that attract travelers from all over the world. It is one of the most famous destinations of Guatemala.
* The Arch of Santa Catalina: emblematic monument of Antigua with the silhouette of the volcano "Agua" in the background. It was built in 1693 to link the Santa Catalina Convent to a school.
* Convento Santa Clara: it was inaugurated in 1715, two years before the earthquake of 1717 which caused serious damage. The two-storey monastery could accommodate 46 nuns from " Puebla " ( Mexico) but unfortunately the earthquake of 1773 destroyed it again and only its ruins remain, with a beautiful garden, a cloister and a great panorama on the Volcano " Agua ".
* Parque Central : beautiful square bordered by several palaces and the cathedral.
* Iglesia San Francisco : built in the 18th century in the Spanish Baroque style, it is the gathering place of many pilgrims coming to pray " Pedro de San José de Bethencourt" Franciscan priest who dedicated his life to the poor.
From the campsite we can witness the repeated eruptions of the still active " Fuego " . A sight we never get tired of…
In the evening the eruptions are more visible: the red lava flows appear more clearly ... very exciting for all photographers.
It is possible to approach the volcano "Fuego" climbing the volcano "Acatenango".
That’s a very difficult overnight climb to reach the camp at 3 300 in 4 to 6 hours walk ... According to the guides, the show is breathtaking ... We will not tempt the adventure ... The freezing temperatures under a tent, the difficult access and the weather conditions confirm our decision. (Are we getting old ?)
Several people who made it, have confirmed the enormous difficulty.
That’s here that " Corinne and Thierry " leave us. Their want to be in Peru in may… See you then in France in May 2020.
ROAD BOOK 077
MAVROS ODYSSEE