And, there is a lot to see and a lot of history. So as a group, we decided to hire a van and a guide.
The van picked us up at the RV park right at 9:00am. Our guide was Gabriel, and we knew he was good because we had him last year!
Total cost per person was 320 pesos ($16 USD, $21 CAD) and we didn't arrive back at the RV park until almost 4:00pm.
First stop was the Mummy Museum. Ruth and I had been before, and it's kind of one of those things that you only need to see once in your life. A few people stayed behind with us, but those who went in definitely thought it was interesting!
Next up was the La Valenciana Church. There are 28 churches in Guanajuato, and we've been to quite a few over the years but not this one. The La Valenciana church was completed in 1778 at the opening of the La Valenciana mine, the site of the largest vein of silver found in Mexico. It was built by Antonio de Ordóñez y Alcocer, the owner of the mine, to give thanks to his patron saint, Saint Cajetan, for the riches the mine provided. The church is noted for use of gold leaf, especially the main altarpieces which are completely covered in the metal.
Some dark clouds, but it never did rain.
The church was designed to have two bell towers, but when it has two, it would be considered a cathedral. And he had only asked and got permission, to build a chapel. So the other tower was never completed.
The altar is covered with gold leaf!
Underground bus stop!
From there, we did the upper road that takes you to a scenic overlook. We've been up there a few times before, but the spectacular view never ceases to impress!
Scenic Guanajuato.
We took the group out for lunch. We had promised a "welcome dinner" at the beginning of the trip, but when we did it in Montemorelos, it wasn't really what we had in mind and not everybody could attend. So we knew of a great restaurant in Guanajuato... the Casa Valadez. We were still missing Brian, but at least his wife Kathy was finally feeling up to it.
And then I forgot to get a pic of Ruth and Kathy!
Choice of bread rolls.
French onion soup to start.
And then we had fajitas and vegetables, and I forgot to get a photo of that too! Oh, and the magnificent margaritas that we each had as well.
Flan for dessert.
Wonderful meal, and we all left stuffed. Price per person including tip was 331 pesos ($16.50 USD, $22 CAD) per person.
In the plaza outside the restaurant.
Next stop was the ex-Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrera. Again, we've been there twice before but they keep doing improvements and it's a little different each time. Beautiful gardens and it's a worthwhile stop.
The hacienda used to be a silver processing area for the mines.
Now is also a museum.
The hacienda fell into a state of disrepair after the Mexican Revolution. However it was bought by a businessman back in the early 1900's and he slowly restored it. His family lived here until the 1960's when it was sold to the state. It opened as a museum in 1979 and the property is used for state functions, weddings, and private parties.
Angel's Trumpet flower.
They built walls to last back then!
Ruth.
Fuchsias.
Roy and Susan.
It's a big property!
We all had a great day! Arrived back at the RV Park and had happy hour together. We've asked our tour guide Gabriel if he would be able to do the same thing for us on Monday to Dolores Hidalgo and San Miguel de Allende. He has to check with his boss, but hopefully it will come together.
Another vermillion flycatcher.
Sorry... too many photos today!
Today, Ruth and I are headed back into the city just to wander around, along with anybody else in the group who wishes to join us. Looking forward to some enchiladas mineras for lunch!
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For the Apple fans...
And in Canada...
Great memories. Don't apologize for pictures...they tell the story.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the pictures and we were able to rekindle some good memories for you. :-)
DeleteSo lovely! We've really been enjoying this journey. We hope to join you next time.
ReplyDeleteThank you! We are happy you are enjoying the journey so far.
DeleteAs for next year we will first have to see if we decide to do it again. It is already looking like quite a few people will be interested in joining up. :-)
Any chance you'd share Gabriel's contact info? We will be in Guanajuato in February and would like to have a guided trip like this. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately we don't but if we get him to do another tour for us on Monday we will get his information then. The RV park here is the one that contacted him for us.
DeleteOkay, thanks so much Ruth. If you do get it, I'd really appreciate it. Thank you! Enjoy! Sure looks like you are, what fun!
DeleteExcellent blog and pictures Kevin! Guanajuato is a city worth visiting more than once! Thanks loads for organizing a most gratifying and informative day!!!
ReplyDeleteWe are glad that you have enjoyed your time here in Guanajuato Lynnette. We have more interesting places coming up in the future as well. We are sure you won't be disappointed. :-)
DeleteI’m really enjoying being along to watch your trip.Each stop has such beauty in its own way.
ReplyDeleteVery interested in Miguel de Allende since I grew up with a friend from that town.
What a wonderful experience your opening people lives to.
Thanks for sharing this with so many.
We are glad that you have been following along on our blog posts and have been enjoying them. You are totally right, each place has its own beauty and each of them are different.
DeleteSan Miguel de Allende is a beautiful town because of the buildings but honestly that is pretty much where it stops for us. It is extremely crowded with a ton of English spoken and at least for us, it doesn't feel so Mexican. As you can tell it really isn't one of our favourites towns to visit but we feel that the caravan should stop and see the town for what it does have to offer.
Love the photos, they bring back many happy memories! The university students have developed a tradition for the walk around the main square in front of the theatre. In the evenings the girls walk around the square in one direction and the boys in the other direction. That way they get to meet everyone and very often a couple will wander off to one of the many restaurants for a coffee and a longer conversation. It is a wonderful city and like you, one of our favorites!
ReplyDeleteWe are happy to bring back some good memories of Guanajuato for you, it is a beautiful and interesting town. We never knew about this tradition with the university students, see even we learn new things. :-)
DeleteI, personally, love the photos AND the details you provide with each one. You guys sure do take some really nice pictures!
ReplyDeleteThank you, we are glad that you are enjoying all the pictures and the details. :-)
DeleteLots of great memories. I think we ate at same restaurant for meal of the day.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard not to have great memories in this city. :-)
DeleteI am sure many people that visit Guanajuato will have eaten in this restaurant, it is nice place with good food and a wonderful location.
Never too many pic! Looks like everyone is having fun!
ReplyDeleteEveryone IS having a great time. :-)
DeleteHello K&R. Stunning photos! Never too many. Love the flycatcher shot! Love your travel details. We start our adventure in a couple of weeks. Carpe diem! Scc&G
ReplyDeleteThank you Susie! We are glad that you are enjoying our pictures and our posts.
DeleteHave fun on your adventure and we hope everything goes well for you. :-)
Your new camera is taking great pictures, especially the bird! Love Mexican churches, so pretty - and actually used unlike so many other places in the world
ReplyDeleteKevin is so happy with our new camera and the pictures it is taking.
DeleteTotally agree, the churches here in Mexico are amazing, they have such beautiful architecture most of the time.
The restaurant looked very high end...what gorgeous food! The soup and flan both look very special! Love Ruth's Mexican top. I would love one like that but suspect I'll never find the equivalent here in the Yucatan, though I've seen plenty of pretty things. I hope to visit Guanajuato one day. It looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteThe restaurant isn't near the top of the high end but is a is a little high end. We wanted to do a special meal for the group as a welcome meal and this place fit the bill. Everyone enjoyed their meals. The soup was very good but it wasn't hot enough.
DeleteI got my top in Pátzcuaro, which a great place for buying tops like this. You definitely need to have Guanajuato on your must see list for Mexico! :-)
Thanks for the reply, Ruth! Right now we can't do a whole lot of travel around Mexico because of Paisley, but someday we look forward to a lot more exploring!
ReplyDeleteYou have lots of time to explore, we certainly know the feeling when you have a pet, that is why we loved traveling in the motorhome when we had Whiskey.
DeleteAny idea of the rent for a 1br apartment in Guanajuato, I wanna live there! Cool tunnels and architecture, even a McDs lol. Plus awesome mountain biking year round
ReplyDeleteThe prices in the actual central part of Guanajuato are more expensive but for a one bedroom apartment you are probably looking at $500 or more a month but if you were to look just outside of the central area or in some of the surrounding communities you would find something much cheaper. And, of course it would all depend on what you are looking for as to an updated apartment or a more "Mexican" apartment, which would be just the basics. We are pretty sure you would love it there, especially the mountain biking!
DeleteThanks! It looks like a really cool place.
DeleteGuanajuato is definitely on of our favourite cities in Mexico! :-)
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