Wednesday 4-20 Heading to Tikal in Guatemala

I knew before I left the States that I wanted to visit the Mayan Ruins of Tikal in Pete'n Province, Guatemala. Before leaving San Pedro, a few people were interested in going with me, but when we arrived in San Ignacio, everyone backed out except Dr. Reck.  We made arrangements for the trip and the guide with the van arrived around sunrise. Riding in the van with the guide was Manuel! Remember Manuel from the ATM Cave? It was so good to see him again. Manuel had never visited Tikal and decided to take a day and visit there. What a coincidence! There were five other people on the trip with us from various places for a total of nine people in the van.

Getting ready to cross the border into Guatemala.

We stopped to take a stretch break at this lake. It was laundry day. The people who live in the hills surrounding the lake come to the lake to do their laundry. The little structures that have been built in the water are communal areas and anyone can use them.

 A young boy washing clothes and containers. Some people are just enjoying swimming in the water and taking a break from the heat. I was amazed out how beautiful and clear the water was. It seemed unusual for lake water. And yes, the water really is that color.

 In this picture, you can see the large stones used for washing the clothes.

Imagination at work. Who needs a video game?

Dr. Reck and me. She was the only brave soul who would join me on my adventure.

After our break, we were back on our way to Tikal.

This is where we parked just outside of Tikal. The silver van is our transportation. People live in the thatch roofed huts you see. The building to the left is a canteen/diner. More about that later. Were off for many miles of walking through the jungle.

Arriving at Tikal. This is me with a park ranger. You can see a Guatemalan soldier in the background to the right. There were other armed individuals there that were some kind of state militia all dressed in black.

Jungle and weapons! My kind of place!

 Tikal was discovered in 1848 by a a chiclero.  A person who collected gum from the trees for chewing gum. There was a legend about Tikal, but no one had seen it since it was abandoned over 1,000 years before. Some of the architecture at Tikal dates back to 4,000 BC. The site encompasses 222 square miles of jungle. Only 10 square miles have been uncovered, but work is still in progress. Tikal is the largest excavated site on the American continent.

 The Ceiba Tree worshipped by the Mayans as "The Holy Tree of Life."

Each of these pillars has a round stone in front of it on which a sacrifice was made.

 Apparently a very special sacrifice was made in this enclosure.

These little guys are everywhere.

This mask at a special ceremonial area enabled one to see into the future and past.

 Some goofy guy in front of a temple.

Notice that I am holding on to the stone. One step back and it's a long way down!

I'm standing atop a temple taking a picture of these other temples across the jungle.

It is unbelievable how tall these structures are. From most of these pictures it really difficult to tell, but the next picture is looking down from where I'm standing. My left foot is about 18 inches from certain death.

Those are people walking around down there, not ants!

At the end of our escursion and after exiting Tikal, we ate at this diner just outside the entrance that I mentioned earlier.

Use what nature gives you.

Before leaving Guatemala, we stopped at this artisan shop. Jewelry is made from jade. Many other items are made from wood, leather, ceramics, and cloth. This is where I bought a doll for the granddaughter I was yet to meet!

Another fabulous day comes to an end. It's a long ride back to Cahal Pech.