Traveling Tolins 2

We arrived Puerto Quetzal before noon today then shortly we were on our way to Antigua.  It was a little over an hour's bus ride; we saw many interesting things along the way.  To begin with we were greeted with a welcome sign as we walked off the cruise ship. Before we stated an ascent into the mountains, we passed thru sugar cane fields.  We had never seen tasseled cane plants before.  We think it's because we had never been to sugar cane areas in the US at the time of growing to observe the tassels. We passed numerous cane hauling semis along the way.  These double trailer rigs really take up a lot of length. For all you volunteers at COR Furnishings Ministry, I got a little homesick when we passed this sign!  One of numerous fruit stands along the way.  We are enjoying lotsa fresh tropical fruit at breakfasts.  If anyone complains about high heating and cooking costs back home, just send them south. ...

We sailed from Puntarenas yesterday about 6 PM and arrived Corinto, Nicaragua around noon today. Nicaragua’s former capital, one of the country’s most important cities for its rich culture and history was on our agenda today. We met our guide and rode to León (Lion), a rich collection of Spanish colonial churches, commercial and secular buildings, and private residences. The city was established on its present site after an earthquake destroyed the old town in 1609. Today, its old architecture is lovingly preserved. Single-floor houses are topped with brick and wood roofs and colonial-era streets evoke the spirit of Spain.  We visited the colonial-baroque Metropolitan Cathedral, also called the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of León. The largest in Central America, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the final resting place of Rubén Darío, the father of Modern Spanish Literature. The church still had its manger scene still up.  It is the ...

It took three travel days to arrive at Puntarenas (sandy point) to include the first day of traveling slowly thru the Panama Canal. We became acquainted with Costa Rica’s natural and cultural gifts on a scenic ride along the Nicoya Peninsula.  Many town squares have large decorated Christmas trees. Our sightseeing drive began heading east to Esparza, a picturesque town founded in 1574 by the Spanish that is now known for its hardworking people. Local dancers greeted us at the city park dressed in traditional costumes. The dance below was around a coffee bean tree; the dancers carried small baskets similar to those used by coffee bean "cherry" pickers.   Across the street from the park the dancers performed in is a small Catholic church.  We were surprised to find the wood ceiling inside.  Yesterday's blog had a picture of their manger scene behind the alter. We...