Rio Dulce
- By Cathy Mathwig
- Published 05/17/2007
Well, I have passed the halfway point of my stay here having enjoyed every minute I have been given. Martha and friends headed back to Orlando after their busy week exploring the many sites. After talking about my volunteer work, a few from the group decided to take a chicken bus ride for a tour of the medical clinic and housing project at Common Hope. Guiding the three of them in the process of getting on and off the chicken bus was a lot of fun. As Martha was trying to politely force her way off, she was saying to the peoples...okey dokey, okey dokey! Not sure what that translates as, but it worked!
After Common Hope, they stopped in for a look at my accommodations. Then, we were off to lunch, followed by a little shopping. Buz graciously invited me to the tour groups going away dinner at Casa Santo Domingo. This place was fantastically memorable for all. I had never been there. With more candles than I have seen in one place, this was a fantastically romantic spot that I shall remember. We followed up the evening stopping in at Sabor De Cuba to hear some music and watch the dancing...the dancers were not messing around, it wasn't the kind of place you join in, but watch in awe. A sincere thanks to all the group that picked up meals, left me with a few nice bottles of wine, supported my family and just made my week a pleasure!
Just as Martha, Fred, Michael, Carlos, Buz and the others were heading out, my good friend Steve was arriving. Steve has been my travel guide every time I have come to Antigua. Thanks to a new client of Steve's in Rio Dulce, I was again in for a treat. I was anticipating a fantastic week of adventures, but I could have never imagined all the places I would see. After hearing the plan for the week, I informed Rosalinda I would not be at the house and would need my Spanish assignments "to go"! She prepared a folder for me to take along on the journey.
The day before we left, Steve and I took a taxi to a small Mayan pueblo outside of Antigua called San Antonio. Here, Steve has a family he has been assisting for years. Steve has put Leslie through school and is now investing in the future of the family by providing the means for them to open a local store selling staples within the community. We visited the tienda to see the progress of the preparations, including the inventory that had been purchased. With Steve, I have visited Leslie and her family three consecutive years. This visit, there was an excitement in the air about the possibilities of Lareau & Lopez, the new tienda soon to open in San Antonio; a new tienda that has the potential to support this family for many generations!
Steve, proudly showing off the pictures of his two new baby granddaughters!
Steve with the Grandfather....and the dog...
Steve with the Grandmother...
Leslie proudly showing Steve the tienda...
Steve is staying at the house of Senora Vides, where my friend Willemien is also living. Willemien accepted his invitation to dinner, not knowing all she was in for. The evening ended with Steve serenading....lucky for all, he has a fantastic voice. Don't worry Hank, he didn't upstage the 2am balcony serenade of 06!
Now, the time had come to begin the journey across Guatemala to Rio Dulce for Steve's appointment. We continued up the river to Livingston and on to Placencia, Belize. I will end this blog at Rio Dulce and pick up the story in Livingston as there is so much to tell! The trip was three days travel to Belize, two days in Belize and two days back to Antigua. It basically went like this: 1 hour taxi ride to Guatemala City, 5 hour bus ride to Rio Dulce, 3 hour boat ride up the Rio Dulce to visit the Garfuna people of Livingston, 1 hour boat ride from Livingston to Punta Gorda, Belize, 2 hour bus ride from Punta Gorda to Independence, half hour boat ride on the Hokey Pokey Waterway from Independence to Placencia on the peninsula! We were there after an incredible three day journey.
After arriving in the small town of Rio Dulce, we found Bruno's, a small marina/restaurant/hotel tucked away on the shore. This was a place for all who were looking to be lost. The boats were gorgeous, the beers were cold and the sunset created a scene from a national geographic special. The next morning, we got on a boat to go up the Rio Dulce. We passed the Castillo de San Felipe, thatch-roofed homes, huts, shacks, yachts, dug-out canoes, and everything in between. One of my favorite spots along the way was a small store, only accessible by boat, that was surrounded by hundreds of waterlilies. My photos did not capture the beauty of this place, but I hope you can get an idea of how isolated and pristine this location is. If anyone asked me today, what is the most beautiful place you have seen in all of your travels....the slow boat up the Rio Dulce will be the first thing I mention.
Dockside at Bruno's..
We spoke with the gentleman refinishing this boat from Galveston...he said the owners of the boat owned many restaurants in Galveston, I think his nickname was Red for my Galveston friends...
Possibly a new client for Steve....this man had a fantastic story of love/loss/more love, etc.. and how he ended up living in Rio Dulce.
The town of Rio Dulce was a quaint quarter mile of colorful vendors.
Up the Rio Dulce
Castillo de San Felipe
The waterlillies...
This blog covered two days of our trip. Steve has since returned to the US and I am back to my normal schedule here, studying Spanish and volunteering. I am getting through my withdrawal symptoms this week as having the company was wonderful. Steve, thank you for everything....another great travel experience with the Budha! I will pick this story up in Livingston with the Garfuna people.
Tomorrow I am going to visit Angela, the young girl I have been sponsoring through Common Hope. I have a suit case of fun things to take the family and look forward to telling them that we are going to the market together in a couple of weeks for socks, shoes, and whatever else they may need.
Marcia, thanks for sending down the dish washing tools, they were a huge hit. The etch a sketch and simon says games are going with me tomorrow. Strung Out, thanks for booking all my flights for our 10 year anniversary celebration this year. I can hardly wait...driving a convertible down the Pacific Coast Highway to the California wineries sounds like a perfect plan for the drinking club with a slight cello problem!
Until next time,
cathy
After Common Hope, they stopped in for a look at my accommodations. Then, we were off to lunch, followed by a little shopping. Buz graciously invited me to the tour groups going away dinner at Casa Santo Domingo. This place was fantastically memorable for all. I had never been there. With more candles than I have seen in one place, this was a fantastically romantic spot that I shall remember. We followed up the evening stopping in at Sabor De Cuba to hear some music and watch the dancing...the dancers were not messing around, it wasn't the kind of place you join in, but watch in awe. A sincere thanks to all the group that picked up meals, left me with a few nice bottles of wine, supported my family and just made my week a pleasure!
Just as Martha, Fred, Michael, Carlos, Buz and the others were heading out, my good friend Steve was arriving. Steve has been my travel guide every time I have come to Antigua. Thanks to a new client of Steve's in Rio Dulce, I was again in for a treat. I was anticipating a fantastic week of adventures, but I could have never imagined all the places I would see. After hearing the plan for the week, I informed Rosalinda I would not be at the house and would need my Spanish assignments "to go"! She prepared a folder for me to take along on the journey.
The day before we left, Steve and I took a taxi to a small Mayan pueblo outside of Antigua called San Antonio. Here, Steve has a family he has been assisting for years. Steve has put Leslie through school and is now investing in the future of the family by providing the means for them to open a local store selling staples within the community. We visited the tienda to see the progress of the preparations, including the inventory that had been purchased. With Steve, I have visited Leslie and her family three consecutive years. This visit, there was an excitement in the air about the possibilities of Lareau & Lopez, the new tienda soon to open in San Antonio; a new tienda that has the potential to support this family for many generations!
Steve, proudly showing off the pictures of his two new baby granddaughters!
Steve with the Grandfather....and the dog...
Steve with the Grandmother...
Leslie proudly showing Steve the tienda...
Steve is staying at the house of Senora Vides, where my friend Willemien is also living. Willemien accepted his invitation to dinner, not knowing all she was in for. The evening ended with Steve serenading....lucky for all, he has a fantastic voice. Don't worry Hank, he didn't upstage the 2am balcony serenade of 06!
Now, the time had come to begin the journey across Guatemala to Rio Dulce for Steve's appointment. We continued up the river to Livingston and on to Placencia, Belize. I will end this blog at Rio Dulce and pick up the story in Livingston as there is so much to tell! The trip was three days travel to Belize, two days in Belize and two days back to Antigua. It basically went like this: 1 hour taxi ride to Guatemala City, 5 hour bus ride to Rio Dulce, 3 hour boat ride up the Rio Dulce to visit the Garfuna people of Livingston, 1 hour boat ride from Livingston to Punta Gorda, Belize, 2 hour bus ride from Punta Gorda to Independence, half hour boat ride on the Hokey Pokey Waterway from Independence to Placencia on the peninsula! We were there after an incredible three day journey.
After arriving in the small town of Rio Dulce, we found Bruno's, a small marina/restaurant/hotel tucked away on the shore. This was a place for all who were looking to be lost. The boats were gorgeous, the beers were cold and the sunset created a scene from a national geographic special. The next morning, we got on a boat to go up the Rio Dulce. We passed the Castillo de San Felipe, thatch-roofed homes, huts, shacks, yachts, dug-out canoes, and everything in between. One of my favorite spots along the way was a small store, only accessible by boat, that was surrounded by hundreds of waterlilies. My photos did not capture the beauty of this place, but I hope you can get an idea of how isolated and pristine this location is. If anyone asked me today, what is the most beautiful place you have seen in all of your travels....the slow boat up the Rio Dulce will be the first thing I mention.
Dockside at Bruno's..
We spoke with the gentleman refinishing this boat from Galveston...he said the owners of the boat owned many restaurants in Galveston, I think his nickname was Red for my Galveston friends...
Possibly a new client for Steve....this man had a fantastic story of love/loss/more love, etc.. and how he ended up living in Rio Dulce.
The town of Rio Dulce was a quaint quarter mile of colorful vendors.
Up the Rio Dulce
Castillo de San Felipe
The waterlillies...
This blog covered two days of our trip. Steve has since returned to the US and I am back to my normal schedule here, studying Spanish and volunteering. I am getting through my withdrawal symptoms this week as having the company was wonderful. Steve, thank you for everything....another great travel experience with the Budha! I will pick this story up in Livingston with the Garfuna people.
Tomorrow I am going to visit Angela, the young girl I have been sponsoring through Common Hope. I have a suit case of fun things to take the family and look forward to telling them that we are going to the market together in a couple of weeks for socks, shoes, and whatever else they may need.
Marcia, thanks for sending down the dish washing tools, they were a huge hit. The etch a sketch and simon says games are going with me tomorrow. Strung Out, thanks for booking all my flights for our 10 year anniversary celebration this year. I can hardly wait...driving a convertible down the Pacific Coast Highway to the California wineries sounds like a perfect plan for the drinking club with a slight cello problem!
Until next time,
cathy