TheyGO

More El Convento

theygo — Sun, 03 May 2009 20:02:33 +0000

After extending our afternoon shopping and exploring, we were finally able to get into our room at El Convento. It was incredible. All of the linens, even the canopy over the bed, were handmade by one of Antigua’s respected weavers at El Telar (The Loom Tree). We had our own private patio and jacuzzi, a waterfall showerhead as big as pizza, another fireplace and an entry way with a set of stepping stones over water. Kristen was so funny, she had to touch everything in the room; all of the pillows, the towels, the closet and the wood next to the fireplace. It was like she was returning home and was just making sure everything was as she left it. She wouldn’t let me set anything down. It was perfect and she wanted it to stay that way.

Intro to El Convento

theygo — Sat, 02 May 2009 22:33:32 +0000

After our cooking class we popped over to our next hotel, El Convento. Our room wasn’t ready as we were three hours early. We were anxious to see the place after the reviews I had read. The hotel is set on the quiet northeast corner of the city and is across the street from Las Cappuchinas, a historic convent and church from the 1700s.

Once a mansion for one of Antigua’s elite, El Convento opened this past year as a small 12 room luxe inn and gourmet restaurant. They had every little detail nailed down to a tee; hand carved wood doors, cascading flowering vines hanging over ornate wood columns, rooftop patio with fireplace and sitting area, exposed brick, hardwood walkways and lush tropical-like landscaping. Kristen was ecstatic.

Subanik, Tamalitos Blanco, Escabeche and Rellenitos de Platano

theygo — Sat, 02 May 2009 22:11:56 +0000

On Tuesday, we took a Guatemalan cooking class with Antigua Cooking School. Mirna, our private chef/instructor, led us through a lesson on how to cook one of Guatemala’s traditional ceremonial Mayan meals. Our main course was Subanik, a meat stew with a spicy red sauce cooked in banana-like leaves. We made our own fresh corn tortillas, guacamole, corn tamales and a vegetable salad as well as a plantain dessert filled with a chocolate sauce. One of our favorite things was the classroom; completely outdoors set underneath banana trees and a huge 100 year old avocado tree that kept dropping small avocados on the roof above us. Quirky but funny.

Meson Panza Verde

theygo — Sat, 02 May 2009 21:57:32 +0000

After a full day hiking the volcano with our coffee farmer friends and then touring the city, we scheduled in-room massages at our hotel. Nothing that fancy but still a true treat. Here are also a few photos from the courtyard and restaurant at our hotel. One of Kristen’s favorite things about Panza Verde was the candle lit courtyard around the restaurant.

Around Antigua

theygo — Sat, 02 May 2009 21:42:28 +0000

Antigua was amazing! Everything I had hoped for as I was planning the trip; colonial architecture, cobble-stone roads, clean, easy to get around, luxurious accommodations, fine cuisine and a little exploration. Our guide book had so many recommendations and everything was within walking distance. The Antiguans don’t seem to believe in window-shopping. With only a small door open to the street, there is no way to see what is inside without going in. But each door or courtyard we walked into had a new treasure to see. Mayan weave shops, a chocolatiere, cafes, clothing boutiques and a dangerous amount of jade and jewelry shops.

The first photo is from our window at Meson Panza Verde. We were at 4000 feet elevation and surrounded by three volcanoes. Almost every rooftop had a little colonial structure on top of it.

We had lunch (black beans, guacamole, tamales and drinks) at a little cafe called La Fonda Real and I ordered a pineapple juice. As we were waiting at our table we saw one of the waiters walk by with a fresh whole pineapple, two minutes later my frothy drink came out… hmmm is this place for real?

One of the weave shops we went into had this large quilt hanging on the wall with “Obama” on it. I had to take a picture of it. I wish I was around to see who would eventually buy it and get a picture of that one. In the same shop, they had a Jesus chair. Neither Kristen or I could muster the courage to sit in it for a picture.

Antigua Coffee

theygo — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 03:35:44 +0000

Guatemala is said to have the best quality coffee in all of Latin America, but they rank number seven in production. As we learned yesterday, most of Guatemalan coffee production happens by hand by individual farmers and in their own homes. Farmers like Alberto and Daniel are part of a co-op with 20 other coffee farmers. They have a really tight-knit community operation happening from house-to-house. Our tour was with As Green As it Gets (www.asgreenasitgets.org)

We spent the morning hiking the volcano to where their coffee is grown. Then we went to Alberto’s house to see how the bean is separated from the fruit and husk and dried. At Daniel’s house, we roasted beans over an open fire and then ground them down for a fresh cup of coffee. I even had two cups and it wasn’t decaf.

Four Desserts Says “We’re On Vacation”

theygo — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 06:14:23 +0000

We had a full day today so we really deserved this treat… after our dinner at a little chic French restaurant Bistrot Cinq (Fillet Minon, French Onion Soup, French Fries and drinks all under $30 with tax and tip, AND by the way, the BEST french fries ever), we skipped over to Casa Santo Domingo, a large 150 room hotel that was once a convent.

Having already eaten, we decided to do dessert and coffee. They all looked so good and at $3.50 a piece we ordered four. The shameful but honest truth… we figured we would have a few bites of each and it would equal one dessert, completely disregarding the awful glares we rightfully should have received. But no scowls be had – even the chef came out to present one of the dishes; a plate of grilled tropical fruits with pistachio ice cream and served with dry ice drenched in pina-colada. They were all so delicious we left only two or three bites for appearance sake and called it a night.

I will post photos from our coffee tour and Antigua explorations tomorrow. Buenos noches! Kristen says hola!

On to Antigua

theygo — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 07:02:02 +0000

We flew back to Guatemala City today and then drove to Antigua for the second portion of our trip. Everyone at the airport in Guatemala City was wearing face masks and we had to fill out questionares. We heard about the Swine Flu while at La Lancha. It is very chilling but everyone says that we are safe where we are at. Unfortunately we have to fly through Mexico City and Mazatlan to return home on Thursday. We are buying face masks tomorrow while in town.

Guatemala City is like most big cities, lots of people, lots of stores, lots of cars and buses and oddly enough lots of Chuck E Queso (Cheese). The elevation is much higher here than at La Lancha. It almost feels like a whole separate trip. Volcanoes, evergreens and hilly roads. We arrived at Antigua about 6:00pm. The town was bustling with people but not overcrowded. There seemed to be a 18th Century Church on every corner. We cannot wait to explore tomorrow.

Tonight we checked into our hotel room at Meson Panza Verde. I swear the hotel defines romantic. Our room is huge and has a gigantic fireplance right in the center. From our bathroom window, we can look down on the small lap pool and restaurant. The bathroom has a dark navy tiled tub and shower and a sitting area. The hotel is an old mansion with winding stone staircases, lots of arches, dark woods and a rooftop lounge area. We went up there when we arrived to catch the Sunday firework show happening at one of the churches nearby. We then had dinner at the hotel restaurant. It is more European than La Lancha and much more formal. By the time we started our main course, we were the only two people in the restaurant besides the staff. Absolutely incredible! Time for bed now. Buenos noches!

Leaving La Lancha

theygo — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:17:08 +0000

After three nights and four days, we are sad to have to go. We loved every minute of our time here. So picturesque and so tranquil. I didn’t even realize until today that we had no TV while we were there.

After breakfast in our room, we spent the rest of the morning packing and lounging by the pool.

Breakfast… last day

theygo — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 02:59:48 +0000

We had our breakfast brought to our room this morning – Guatemalan omelet, pancakes and fresh fruit… and coffee. The meals have been amazing here, all are local Guatemalan specialties including thick homemade corn tortillas, fresh guacamole and a unique sauces.