The Island of Flores
Trip Start
Unknown
1
40
93
Trip End
Ongoing
Flores, Guatemala
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Tikal was the big tourist attraction and we visited the ruins early the following morning to get their not only to beat most of the crowds but also to see the ruins as the fog began to rise and unveil these impressively large pyramids. The ruins are the pinnacle in Mayan history in Guatemala and they were also the main back drop to the blockbuster movie 'Apocolypto'.
Our tour group had a guided tour around the ruins which really did help. As they area in where the ruins were situated was so big, it took us nearly 4 hours to make our way around the site. Even then we didn’t get to see the whole site. Some of the pyramids tower above the jungle canopy of the Tikal National Park. There were 5 major granite temples of Tikal and each is impressive in their own rite. Around these temples were smaller structures which consisted of ball courts and smaller structures that were used for housing, and other spiritual practices.
We were able to climb temple number 4 to get a true appreciation on how big the area was. As we climbed up and finally reached our view point above the tree line you really were in awe. It was such a magnificent sight to see the magnificent temples just rise from the jungle below. Not only were these amazing structures home to the Mayans centuries ago, they were also home to abundance of wildlife that unlike the Mayans, still call the area home. Wildlife such as Toucans, Macaws many other colorful birds along with spider and howler monkeys. Though we weren’t able to the see the sunrise due to the fog not clearing until halfway through our tour it was a great trip to the Ruins of Tikal.
Leaving the ruins we made the trip back to the hotel for a bite to eat and then to take a boat trip on the lake and to head to a tower to watch the sunset. It was a great way to finish off the day but unfortunately the weather did try and dampen the mood. We got off the boat to head up to the vantage point when the heavens opened up. Lucky for a few of us, we found shelter which also housed a small bar. Whilst a few headed up to the tower and got absolutely drenched I was sitting underneath shelter bone dry and enjoying a beer.
Once we got back onto the boat and started to head back to the island of Flores the weather started to clear which cave us a great view of the sun setting with the red/orange glow coming off the clouds. It really was a great way to finish a great day off.
We had dinner that night at a local restaurant and then had an early night to get ready for our 5 hour bus ride to the town of Rio Dolce. I had a great time in Flores especially the ruins of Tikal which I would rate as the best in Central America that I have seen.
So off to Rio Dolce now. Not sure what’s in stall so I’ll have to wait until I get there.
Until then stay safe and happy travels
