Jump Tikal !
It’s not far in the Jungle Bus to the border with Guatemala and with open sides we manage to avoid getting hot and sticky, for once. At least, until we are standing in the blazing sun. We pay our 37.50 to exit Belize, and USD3 to enter Guatemala and cross the border with ease. Caroline’s personal porter is carrying her backpack and so she elegantly trails 2 small wheelie bags behind her as the rest of us hoist our packs onto our sweaty backs and stagger in the heat towards the waiting minibuses on the other side. As the driver comes to meet us, he immediately offers Princess Caroline assistance with the tiny bags she is trailing. The rest of us just stare in wonder. It’s a brief 2.5hrs to Flores through the beautiful countryside and we are soon crossing the bridge to the island with its quaint, colourful houses and cobbled streets. The EcoGreen Hotel overlooks the lake and has attractive lime green walls to give you nightmares when you sleep. Our bijou little cell offers extensive views over the corridor and a working fan, for which we are extremely grateful. Water from the shower is an optional extra and the exclusive acoustic sound system enables you to enjoy everyone’s conversation from the comfort of your own bed. The air humidity ensures you have a constant stream of cooling water running down your back eliminating the need to get undressed to get wet. Furthermore, the daily afternoon torrential downpour serves to wash both you and your clothes at no extra charge.
Guatemala is also celebrating its independence and so the streets are lively with families enjoying the sultry weather and opportunity to take a dip in the cool lake waters. At night there is a small street market at the lake side where family run stalls offer home cooked traditional tacos, nachos and tamarind juice for 5 quetzales ( <1USD).
It feels like we have hardly gone to bed when the alarm goes off next morning. We have a 4.15am start for the trip to Tikal, an ancient Mayan site that predates Chichen Itza. Bleary eyed we are introduced to our local Guide, Juan, who happens to be an ex Intrepid tour leader. He is knowledgeable on all aspects of Mayan culture and amusing in his delivery. I love this site more than Chicken Pizza, as it has a real sense of a thriving city, but the majority of it is still in the clutches of the jungle and there are virtually no other visitors apart from ourselves.
As we wander round the temples and pyramids we spot the spider monkeys and listen to the howler monkeys cry. We even spot another tarantula hiding in its hole in the ground. Climbing the steep steps of Temple 4 we are able to see the true extent of the jungle enclosing the site.
Back at our exclusive residence we just have time to change for dinner before heading off to Villa del Chef on the lake side for some beautiful white bass, a speciality of the area.
When I wake next morning, it’s light outside but dark inside. I need the loo and I’m hot. Trying not to wake Caroline I carefully put one foot on the floor. It feels wet. Maybe its just my sweaty feet? I put the other foot down. Yep. Definitely wet. I slosh my way to the bathroom, ankle deep in water.
We step outside to dry off and head over to the other side of the island for breakfast at the famous ‘Cool Beans’ where we enjoy the stunning views and amazing fresh fruit, yoghurt, granola and pancakes, before packing our bags into the 2minibuses Ernie has organised to take us to our next stop, thus avoiding the chicken bus and saving hours on the journey.
Guatemala is also celebrating its independence and so the streets are lively with families enjoying the sultry weather and opportunity to take a dip in the cool lake waters. At night there is a small street market at the lake side where family run stalls offer home cooked traditional tacos, nachos and tamarind juice for 5 quetzales ( <1USD).
It feels like we have hardly gone to bed when the alarm goes off next morning. We have a 4.15am start for the trip to Tikal, an ancient Mayan site that predates Chichen Itza. Bleary eyed we are introduced to our local Guide, Juan, who happens to be an ex Intrepid tour leader. He is knowledgeable on all aspects of Mayan culture and amusing in his delivery. I love this site more than Chicken Pizza, as it has a real sense of a thriving city, but the majority of it is still in the clutches of the jungle and there are virtually no other visitors apart from ourselves.
As we wander round the temples and pyramids we spot the spider monkeys and listen to the howler monkeys cry. We even spot another tarantula hiding in its hole in the ground. Climbing the steep steps of Temple 4 we are able to see the true extent of the jungle enclosing the site.
Back at our exclusive residence we just have time to change for dinner before heading off to Villa del Chef on the lake side for some beautiful white bass, a speciality of the area.
When I wake next morning, it’s light outside but dark inside. I need the loo and I’m hot. Trying not to wake Caroline I carefully put one foot on the floor. It feels wet. Maybe its just my sweaty feet? I put the other foot down. Yep. Definitely wet. I slosh my way to the bathroom, ankle deep in water.
We step outside to dry off and head over to the other side of the island for breakfast at the famous ‘Cool Beans’ where we enjoy the stunning views and amazing fresh fruit, yoghurt, granola and pancakes, before packing our bags into the 2minibuses Ernie has organised to take us to our next stop, thus avoiding the chicken bus and saving hours on the journey.
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