The Traveling Pirate: Tuk Tuk & Chocolate

I just got home via my first tuk tuk ride. We're talking a three wheeled taxi sort of vehicle. The tuk tuk and the cobblestone roads made for a bumpy ride but was enjoyable nonetheless. Our tuk tuk driver, Hector, was a real nice guy who had driven a semi for 13 years out of Michigan. He was very proud of Michigan's performance in the NCAA tournament. We had come from a dinner at Panza Verde, an upscale restaurant that was delicious. We shared an appetizer (baked Camembert), salad (arugula with Gorgonzola), and an entree (tortellini with prosciutto & peas). After that dinner and a lunch of fish tacos and buffalo fries (spices and melted blue cheese), I now have one giant stomach ache. A necessary hazard of trying it all.

We've spent the last two days bumming around town. Yesterday we went to the Choco Museo (chocolate museum) and I bought salted chocolate, chocolate with chilis, and white chocolate with chilis. I 've seen a lot of the city as well. One thing that you notice in La Antigua is that although the buildings look less than fancy (and sometimes run down) on the outside, they are really fabulous on the inside. Courtyards, fountains, handmade furniture, etc. As always, don't judge a book (or building) by its cover.

I did get to spend a little time at the pool to day. Nothing like a little water, a little sun, and a good book.

Tomorrow we're headed on a city wide walking tour. After that, we're going to make the rest of our plans for the trip.

I must say, I am greatly enjoying not being available by phone for a while.

The arch of the hill of the cross (that's obviously the translated name). It was hazy but there's a mountain in the back ground that has a cross on it.