Photos of Tikal Ruins click photo below

Photobucket Album

So I forgot to add the wacky story that was Tikal. The main reason I went is because everyone I talked to who went to Guat said I couldn´t miss it. ´It´s magical. It´s mystical¨ etc. Well, I went and here is my tale.

As you know about the passport issue. Well we arrived at the Hotel in the park at 9am. The guide said we had until 930 to get checked in and ready to go. So, I threw my stuff in my room, dashed on some bug spray etc and sent off a mad dash email to my parents about the passport issue. So there was a group of 5. An eastern european couple, an older guy from Scotland and a girl from England. No one told me there would be another $20 charge for the park entrance fee and so the Scot loaned me the money. We hiked through the jungle looking at the various ruins of the largest Mayan civilization. Some date back to BC era. They have been reconstructed over the past 30 years, orginally by Univ Penn team. Basically in 900 years almost everything was covered over and has to be painstakingly reconstructed. As you can see in the photos, it was quite an impressive civilization. Our guide taught us all sorts of interesting facts. The most amazing thing about it all is that they did all the construction without the use of the wheel, beasts of burden etc. It was all done by hand. Hundreds of thousands of people, expendable labor. Anyway, 4 hours of trecking through the jungle to experience Tikal.

We make it back to the hotel for lunch, more internet scenario etc. The guy at the front desk went out of his way to help me. He liked the action as something new to his farily boring and routine day. Then for some reason, I had a huge desire to jump in the pool. It looked so refreshing and inviting. So I went for a lovely swim and shower. Things are looking up right... Well, we were told by our guide that Temple V was the best one for viewing the sunset. I thought this would be fantastic. Something worth trecking another hour for certainly. Even thought this is still after my 9 hour bus ride from hell. I was running on fumes. So the English girl and I went together. We thought we could figure it out. Looked at the main map and off we went. Well, the trails are not cement paved and lined with gold. They are basically a rough hiking trail and it was getting dark and the jungle noises were loud and she was afraid of Jaguars. Yet, we pressed on. We find it and climb the insanely steep wood stairs (definitely not regulation approved) just as the sun is almost gone only to find, we are the only one´s there and it is facing the wrong side.

He sent us to the wrong temple. It was temple V for the sunrise and VI for the sunset. So, here we are in the middle of the woods and it is dark and I have a meager flashlight. Full of confidence that we will get out of this situation. I suggest we go back another way. My mind was full of all sorts of terrible mishaps from the other trail. Luckily I have a good sense of direction and had a general idea of how to get back. She was not so sure, but trying to keep positive. We press on and on just when we were beginning to get worried, we saw flashlights. Others were coming back from the treck at Temple IV and had better flashlights. We were spared. I don´t know how well we would have returned without this blessing. Honestly, there is no electricity in the area and no moon was out and it was very circuitious. With out night guide and escort, who tired to convince me to go on the night tour (is he insane) we made it back and I went to bed. So, I experienced Tikal. I don´t think I was in the perfect frame of mind to appreciate it and take it all in unfortunately. I felt off kilter and rushed, but nonetheless, a good time was had.