Day 10 – Puerto Quetazal, Guatemala

Well, we were due for a stinker of a port and today is that day, both literally and figuratively. This morning when I opened the balcony door I was knocked over by the smell of what I can only liken to manure mixed with the aroma of forest fire. Don’t forget it’s also humid as heck so those smells mix and stick to everything. It’s a smell that you can’t get rid of nor will it leave your cabin while you’re docked here. Thus far all of the ports have been very solid and well worth the trip. Guatemala has no landscape other than being flat (at least as far as I can see), some jungle that you saw in the other cities, and not much else.

This morning there were two couples sitting next to me. “What’s your plan today?” asks couple one to which the second couple replied “Right there, tent city. We should be back on the boat in 10 minutes.” The actual port terminal is (no joke) 50 meters by 50 meters and can accurately be described as a tent city of vendors. There is nothing in eyesight of the boat to do.

There are two problems with this port right now: distance to things and the cost of everything. Boat excursions are double the price of Columbia and you get half the adventure. Want to visit a old Guatemala town? $89. See a coffee field, $99. Both activities are going to require at least 3 hours of driving each way. My dinner mates did both and they both had the same comment, people here are so SO poor and there are beggars everywhere when they got to their destination. The AVERAGE salary here is $2/hr. They said they just couldn't get over the poverty to enjoy the excursion.

If you don't want to see what it's like to be extremely poor just plan on this being a day to nap or hang by the pool. It’s suppose to be 98 degrees with 70% humidity. Maybe today will be the much overdue massage. I’m off to see what’s discounted today. Wifi fans, there is a spot but it's expensive, $5 for 30 min.



On the cool side of things, the President of Guatemala is onboard today! Apparently we're the largest ship to visit the port and the first ship that Royal has brought. Only two boats port here a month and the President is trying to drum up additional business with Royal. Now it makes sense why the army was out in droves all around the dock and pier.

Tomorrow is another sea day and then Acapulco.