While we were in Antigua we toured a Jade factory they made every thing from small reasonably priced jewelry to large reproductions of pieces found in the Mayan ruins. they can also make pieces to your request. it was here that we learned that Jade is not always green it comes in many different colors green is just most common. the most expensive color is lavender.

Guess where this is. first hint it is not in Guatemala. OK Peggy took it at Miro lake near Mount Baker Washington state and sent it to us. It is such a good photo I decided to share it with the rest of my friends and family.

Most of the old buildings in Antigua have been damaged by earth quakes some have been restored others have not. A lot of the buildings that have been restored have become hotels or restaurant's. this one is waiting its turn.

This is what Linda would have looked like if she had been raised up in this village. Of course all the clothes in the shop are for sale to the local women and tourist alike.

This young lady amazed me as she worked with a hand loom. I took severial video clips of her working. every time I walked by I was compelled to stop and watch.

This is a picture of the 3 volcanos at Lake Attitlan taken from the public swimming area a short distance from the hotel where we stayed in Pananjachel. We could see them from our room as well. On a trip to the villages across the lake close to the shore we saw floating rocks something we had never seen before. We believe they are pumice stone but are not sure so we took a couple back to the boat for souvenirs.

This tiny lady latched onto JD and I when we were at Chichicastenango on market day. No she is not standing in a hole and JD is not standing on a box. She is less than 4 ft and carries her baby on her back and a big bundle of goods she is selling. She followed us around all day and I guess she finally wore us down because when we saw her in the market the next day at Panajchel we bought a jagaur mask. Here she is finalizing the deal with JD.

Note the other lady with the bundle of wares on her head, she also carries a large basket which she sat down to show JD her textiles which were woven in her village.

This is a church close to the downtwon area. It is one of many churches in Antigua. This one is particularly beautiful and we attended services there on Sunday morning. It was hard to decide which church to go to for Sunday as many are beautiful and some are really relics.

One of our favotite restaurants in Antiqua Los Palmas. They serve a really good steak here and the wine is super. We will publish a photo of Momma Lola's later. It is a unique experience with typical Guatemalan/Mayan food.

We were surprised to learn that JD was born on Guatemala's Independence Day. So the Guatelmalans celebrate JD's birthday much like they celebrate our anniversary in the states. Parades,fireworks, lots of music, children running thru the streets blowing whistles and carrying torches and of course lots of food to eat. The town square was alive with people, cooking, selling cotton candy and all sorts of food and toys. We ate at the food court until we were sorry we were too full to eat another bite because the food was so tasty. All kinds of foods we were not familiar with. The sights, sounds and smells were delightful. The parades started at 9am and we thought they were over about 1130 but they started again about 3p and lasted till dusk. Laurie told us the food was great in Antigua but we had no idea how great until we got here.

The independence parade in Antigua included dancing in the street.

OK one more and then we are off to Antigua. This is new construction near San Felipe. Notice the scaffolding they make it on sight from poles they cut from near by trees and wired together. I dont know how they make them stand up much less to be sturdy enough to suport the workers. OSHA would have a field day here. Any way the Jungle Medic is only 1/2 mile up the road and there is a hospital only 2 hours away I guess they will be OK. I hope so.

AHH a well needed break after a long walk to San felipe. We had lunch and Refreshcos before starting our journey back to Tortugal.

We liked this hotel so we checked the price of the rooms here. It is 300Q a night $37.50 US for two. Not bad when you consider the nice pool, restaurant, view of lake Isabel, Small Zoo and the grounds look like a botanical garden.

Note: Mary's hat on the door.

After walking to San felipe we decided to have lunch at a local hotel this is the walk way to the restaurant and pool area.

The ring and small rope in his nose combined with a 2 strand barbed wire fence did not deter our desire to quickly move on down the road. The picture doesn't show it but he had an attitude!!

On our walk to san felipe we saw this large animal much larger than any bull we have ever seen.

JD wanted to wait for a special time to open the bottle of Port that was given to us by Frank Guardner at the bon voyage party --we have met a nice Australian couple who own Hotel Kangaroo and Restaurant locted not far from our boat. This is JD and Gary toasting with a glass of port as they enjoy the hot tub