1998 - Central America (Part 4 - Guatemala)
More Mayan ruins.
Saturday 18 April 1998 - Thursday 23 April 1998
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1998 Central America, Mexico, California
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Saturday 18 April - We crossed the border into Guatemala. Caught the ultimate chicken bus to the town of Chiquimula over a very bumpy and dusty road. A nice new air con minibus to Rio Dulce and then a short boat ride to Hacienda Tijax.
Rio Dulce.
The Hacienda Tijax.
Sunday 19 April - Took a boat trip up the river to the Castillo de San Felipe, built to keep the pirates from entering the river. Then toured through the mangrove swamps bird watching. We ended up at the town of Livingston and the Caribbean coast. The afternoon spent relaxing back at the Hacienda.
Part of the Castillo de San Felipe.
The Castillo de San Felipe.
The ramparts at the Castillo de San Felipe.
A local residence at El Golfate.
The town of Livingstone.
Siggy, Oli and Philip checking out a hot water spring.
20 April - A boat, a nice bus, a chicken bus with actual chickens, and a ute from Rio Dulce to Poptun. There is not a lot in town, except a bank with loads of bureaucracy when changing a travellers' cheque. The farm we stayed at was Finca Ixobel and it had four mad scarlet macaws. Afternoon spent horse riding through the forest, although it was not very scenic or even interesting.
Me on my horse.
The magnificent seven!
Mind your toes!!
One of the macaws at the farm.
21 April - It was time for a lazy day whilst others went caving or swimming. There are lots of unexcavated Mayan ruins on farm. Beat Oli at two games of chess.
22 April - Lunch time bus from Poptun to Flores. Late arrival. Very nice hotel in centre of old town which is on an island in the lake. Lots of tourist shops and had a great dinner overlooking the lake.
Lago Petén Itzá at Flores.
23 April - An early start for tour of Tikal. Again we had a very knowledgeable guide. Climbed some of the temples, especially Temple IV which has great views. We walked over most of the site, seeing just about everything there as well as lots of animals and birds. Afternoon back in Flores, shopping, emails, and sorting the laundry.
The classic view from Temple IV across to Temple I.
This is the view seen in Star Wars as Tikal stood in for Yavin 4, the rebel base.
An oscillated turkey.
Temple II.
Temple 5C-49 and Temple IV.
The main plaza and northern acropolis.
Another set of ruins.
The eastern temple of Complex Q.
The hard slog to the top of the central acropolis.
Temple IV.
The central acropolis.
Being a tourist is hard work. Gerhard, Philip and Siggy snoozing at Tikal.
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Posted by nzhamsta 12:00 Archived in Guatemala Tagged temples jungle
