Guatemala 2012

We arrived at the island of Flores after our bus-boat-bus journey. It was nearing dusk and we stayed at the nearest accommodation we could find, Hotel Mirador de Lago. It was a place to rest our head before we set off bright and early (at 4am!!) to visit the Tikal ruins. And at 90 Quetzals (~$12AUD) we could almost overlook the close call Sean had with a dodgy electric shower head. 

We set off on our tour to Tikal (cost 150 Quetzals, around $20AUD per person) at 4am in the hopes of seeing the sunrise from the top of Temple IV. However luckily for us our tour guide, Borris (a Guatemalan with an American accent due to teaching himself english from watching movies with subtitles) told us that it would be far too misty to see anything and it wasn't worth rushing for. So we set off to the other end of the national park to visit other parts of the ruins and within the hour had heard various disgruntled tourist complaining of exactly what Borris had predicted, a non-existent view of the sunrise due to the standard morning fog. 

Tikal as a whole is hard to put into words. It was amazing. Despite the huge number of tourists that visit these ruins each day, the vast size of the place ensures you can still feel totally immersed and get lost exploring the ancient jungle city. How can you put into words the combination of visual, olfactory and auditory sensations you experiences as you stand atop Temple IV, 87m high, whilst howler monkeys screech in the sea of green trees below. Mind blowing. 

Upon returning to Flores after our trip to Tikal, Sean and I went for a stroll around the island. Due to an EL Clásico football match being screened on television the entire island felt like it was in hibernation as it seemed every resident was glued to the closest screen. We stopped for a drink and soaked in the afternoon sun whilst listening to the bars owner yell GOAAAAAAAL at the television. It was great. Later that night we visited a local food market for a cheap and tasty dinner. 

The next day we were off to Belize. I told you, our trip was rushed. 

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