Last year we experienced the west coast of Guatemala, this year we stopped for a wonderful experience in the east coast of this interesting country. Our port, Santo Tomas de Castilla is nestled in the picturesque Amatique Bay. The settlement in this area dates back to the19th century when Belgium pioneers landed and settled here. The port itself was only erected in the 1960's to accommodate the cargo port at nearby Port Barris. Today this port is a very bustling commercial port where cruise ships only began visiting here about eleven years ago as part of the Caribbean adventure.
We were told that there was not much here in the industrial port, there was one building set for handicrafts combined with all day folklore shows. With that in mind we signed up for a cultural experience with a HAL excursion, a six hour day taking us by covered boat across the bay and up a main river then off a tributary to the small community of the Ak-Tenamit people. The Ak Tenamit is an indigenous community organization that promotes long term solutions to poverty in the rainforests of eastern Guatemala through education, health and cultural programs run by and for the Mayan Indians. The hour and half each way on the boat was pretty much an experience in itself as there was plenty to see and experience from bird sanctuaries to resorts, towns and many other very interesting sites.
Our guide, Luies, was great, keeping us safe and well informed along the way. The school we visited teaches all the basics and then some specialized skills to the about 500 students. The students come from the surrounding areas and stay for three months at a time, then they go back home for a few weeks and then come back to continue their education. Once they determine what they are good at then they are introduced to their vocation by way of an apprenticeship. For example, of someone showed an interest or had an aptitude for cooking they would learn at the school and then work at one of the local restaurants in a nearby town. This program is very good and very helpful to the communities here although, we learned, that some communities refuse to participate because it would take away from who they are as a people. So, a bit of a fine edge but more and more communities are finding that this program is for the best in the long run.
We visited one of the supporting communities on the way back, a town named Livingston, we docked at one of the restaurants that are directly involved with this initiative.
We had a great cultural experience day today under beautiful hot skies, tomorrow we end our adventure back on the water on a catamaran with swimming and snorkelling at the second largest coral reef system in the world, should be great.
BTW, although we were told of the very limited options in this port as a independent traveller, the handicraft building did also house a variety of independent tour options. Yes we were very happy with our tour today as it did take us quiet a way from the port but should we come back here we may look to the option available in the handicraft building…
Some pics of our day, hope you enjoy…
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