Flores and Tikal

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Have to admit I was a little aprehensive of coming here after all the warnings I had read and advice theat had been received. It was going to either be a place I'd want get out of quick or it would be completely friendly and I would question what I was worried about in the first place. Well after a few days here I can safely say its definately the latter. Sure, parts of Guatemala City look a bit sketchy and you have to watch what you're doing at night but the people are amazingly friendly and welcoming. I flew down here from Cancun on TACA airlines (or more commonly known as TACA Chance airlines!) There were 5 people on the flight and I was the only one to get off at Flores International airport. After being personally escorted off the plane and across the runway, I went through customs and prepared to be met with a barrage of people trying to sell tours, hotels etc...however it was the complete opposite, I was the only one there! After eventually tracking down a cab driver, he reccomended going straight to the ruins at Tikal rather than the nearby town of Flores. At first I thought I was being ripped off and after a few miles on a deserted road in an umarked car with the sun starting to set I began to think this wasn't my smartest move! Anyway the guy turned out to be really genuine (the first genuine cab driver in the world) and ended up showing me his village and giving me some Spanish lessons on the 2 hour journey! I checked into the Jungle Lodge (cabanas again but this time with fans....and walls and a ceiling) and had a few beers with the owner of the place and resident tour guide. The next morning I was up early after being woken on time by the Howler Monkeys. Tikal is huge, around 60 km2 and was home to around 280,000 Maya at its peak. The Kingdom collapsed in A.D. 900 and Tikal was abandoned. It was discovered again in the 19th century although the local populace new about its whereabouts all the time. Excavation commenced in the 1950's sponsered by the Spanish government (maybe feeling guilty about something!?!) and around 15% of the structures have now been restored. (think there are an estimated 60,000 structures). Due to its size, I had to go on 2 seperate tours to cover everything. After the tours the same cab driver took me to Flores, a small, pretty island town on lake Peten. In the morning I fly to Guatemala City and take a mini bus to Antigua where I plan to stay for at least a week, studying more Spanish.

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Photos

Tikal - View from temple IV
anyone recognise this scene from a well known movie?

Comments

[Gorgie - the Promised Land]

Hi, yer are goin on a lot e tours but wherez the burdz? also, youv got me wi the film quiz - im thinkin somethin to do wi Harrison and the Temple e Chocolate oranges - i give up. tell me the answer