Voyage Round-the-World - 2. Guatemala

The plantation was up in the hills so benefited from some cooling breezes – it was very hot down at sea level. I enjoyed seeing the red berries on the coffee bushes, watching the pickers at work – not an easy job at all. The rich volcanic soil makes Guatemala well suited to growing coffee – particularly as the volcanoes often erupt.I got to squeeze a few berries and taste the 'juice' - sap I suppose - around the kernel. It was super sweet and is apparently used in making the Kahlua coffee liqueur. The place did feel a bit phoney – more geared to receiving tourists than to the serious business of intensive production. I ended up buying a bag of coffee beans and a woven peggy purse - useful for carrying my phone and key card. But it was a pleasant change from being stuck on the ship!