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Published: August 10th 2007
Step aerobics
Tikal, GuatemalaIt's going to be a mixed bag of a blog this time so let's start where we left off in Peru. Due to David's dental issues we spent a week in Arequipa getting to know Dr Fuentes who very kindly returned David's face to its natural size. The hamster look didn't really do it for him.
Fortunately there were a few things to keep us amused in the city with the Santa Catalina Convent, the Inca mummy Juanita and the Colca Canyon. With all these ticked off it was time to leave the land of the Incas and head north to the Mayans of Central and North America.
Guatemala passed in a bit of a blur but we noticed a few things. The incredibly friendly locals, the dramatic change in temperature, the diet of rice and beans, the new language of Garifuna and the fact that a trip in a lancha is not for those who mind getting wet.
The highlight was Tikal, with its jungle setting and noisy inhabitants - groups of howler and spider monkeys. The Mayan temples certainly gave our leg muscles a work out. Another 5am start was worth it for the atmosphere of
Feeling blue
Arequipa, Peru the central plaza with noone else around but the local wildlife.
After all that hard work we felt we deserved some time on the beach and Caye Caulker in Belize had everything we required. The most difficult decision to make each day was when to eat and whose turn it was in the hammock. Carolyn generally won that one. Life on a Carribean Island isn't bad when you can get fresh pineapple for breakfast and spend the rest of the day watching the turquoise water. We didn't even have to make the effort to speak Spanish because English is the first language in Belize.
Another day of travelling saw us crossing our final land border into our final country of the trip. Carolyn is slightly concerned because her passport stamp is so faint they might not let her out of the country. The bar here in Tulum is looking for waiting staff so life in Mexico could work out alright.
We decided to do a bit of research into Mayan culture by visiting a cool little museum in Chetumal which had info on the writing and counting systems as well as models of all the archeological sites.
A nice set up for our visit to the cliff top ruins of Tulum.
After some perusing of the buildings and local lizards we had time to jump some Caribbean waves in the idyllic little cove below the ruins.
We're off now to continue following the Mayan trail and with only 3 weeks left you can be sure our next blog won't be too far away.
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Carol Fraser
non-member comment
Miscalculation
Dear both, using the date the blog was sent and the "number of days left" I thought that you would be home, hence the email. I'm still enjoying all the photo and the chat. Best wishes to both. Carol.