The proudest monkeys...

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The alarm goes off at 3:00 am, and after a quick shower we step out into the empty streets of Flores. The shuttle arrives at 3:30 am, and we begin the hour or so ride to the ancient ruins. Arriving at the park we quickly pass through the entrance and enjoy a 20 minute flashlight aided walk through the pre-dawn jungle. It’s eerily quiet, and impossible to gage the vastness of the jungle when viewed through the narrow, flickering flashlight beams. We arrive at Temple IV, at 63 meters the tallest of the temples, and begin to the climb up the wooden steps to top. It is still dark; we can barely make out the faint outlines of the jungle canopy below us. What we can’t see we can certainly hear, the jungle is alive with the sounds of its inhabitants awakening from their nights sleep. We sit in silence and listen to the noises coming from all sides; the most impressive by far is the cry of the howler monkey - unbelievably loud and booming - it fills the morning air. As the darkness retreats we get our first glimpse of the jungle - as far as the eye can see a great green canopy. Then in the distance, Temples II and III slowly appear, as well as the Acropolis del Sur. As the sun rises the otherworldly scene comes into full view before us, we sit silently and soak up the moment - this is Tikal, and it is glorious!

Ok, so it didn’t happen exactly like that. There were a few mishaps, and no real sunrise due to a heavy mist, but it was still incredible, so that’s how I choose to remember it. After all, perception is reality!

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Photos

First view of Tikal
Sunrise over Tikal as seen from Temple IV. It was amazing to watch the temples appear through the mist.

Acropolis de Sur
As viewed from the top of Temple IV

Howler Monkey
For little guys, they make a lot of noise!

Gran Plaza
View of the Acropolis del Norte from the Gran Plaza - lots of places to climb and explore.

Another Temple
I believe this is temple I, or the Temple of the Grand Jaquar, but I'm not sure.

Temple
I can´t remember which temple this actually is, but I do remember getting a bit of vertigo at the top, and the somewhat unsettling climb down the steep wooden stairs. If you have a fear of heights I don´t recommend this, but if you brave it the view is breathtaking.

Temple Stairs
The temple stairs were steep - Kat and Kevin walking down from the top of the Acropolis del Norte.

Top of a Temple
Not sure where this was taken, possibly from the top of a temple?

Church, Parque Central, Flores
The park was a good place to relax, enjoy an afternoon Gallo, and look out over the Lago de Peten Itza.

Streets in Flores
Flores is a town on an island in Lago de Peten Itza. It is a typical jumping off point for trip to Tikal and other ruins which are more difficult to get to (think 5 day hikes throught the jungle). It was pretty dead when I was there, so 2 days was enough for me.

Sunset over Lago de Peten Itza, Flores
Nice end to another great day in Guatemala!

Los Amigos
This is where we stayed in Flores - I traveled from Lanquin with Kevin and Kat from Germany and Adrian from Australia - we were able to get a room with four beds and a private bathroom/shower for 40 Q (about $5) per night.