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Published: February 20th 2023
We took two note worth tours while in visiting Antigua. The first one was a classroom adventure to Finca la Azotea, Jocotenango. A short Q5 Chicken Bus ride to Jocotenango, then a 4 block walk and we arrived at the coffee farm.
Chicken bus explanation: Chicken buses by the way are refurbished school busses from the USA. They are purchased for about $2000, driven all the way to Guatemala, then adorn in multiple bright colors and decorations. They gained their notable name due to the fact that they have been known to carry all types of cargo other than people, including chickens. People are primarily on the busses today, however the chicken bus name has stuck.
At the coffee farm we were greeted by our tour guide who explained to us the effect the elevation, volcanos and climate have on the growth of coffee in Guatemala. The coffee is mild in color and flavor compared to what Don and I drink at home. There are many coffee processing farms in the area but only a few offer tours, tasting, and selling of products. This one was very thorough with the history and process of getting the cup of coffee
in my hands. The farm was large enough that they used tractors yet hand manual helpers using stick made brooms to line the beans in the intense drying sunshine. The ripe, red, coffee beans can be picked and bitten into to taste. The juice is slightly sweet and pleasant. We followed the bean from picking at the plant through the facility to a brewing room where we enjoyed a hot cup of coffee. It was enjoyable, completely in Spanish, and I highly recommend.
The second tour we took was to Valhalla Macadamia Farm, San Miguel Duenas. Macadamia nuts are not native to Guatemala, these trees were transplanted by the owner to provide a resource, jobs, and sustainable income to natives (by donating 6 month old trees to local families). They provide a tour, an English speaking guide, nut and chocolate samples and it was finished off with a facial massage....all for free! There are oils, nuts, chocolates etc. for purchase afterwards and a restaurant that features macadamia nut recipes. The farm is very environmentally aware by reusing resources and building their own equipment to process the nuts until they get to a processing facility (government enforced). A chicken bus
back to Antigua is easily found by standing on the side of the road and waving a bus down, heading in our direction. All busses are usually going to the biggest nearby city.
Travel opens your heart, broadens your mind, and fills your life with stories to tell.
Michelle
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