Tikal - the Amazing Mayan Ruins

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Caught a local bus from Belize City - certainly an experience. The luggage was all piled high on the top of the bus - everytime we went round a corner we would look back to check nothing had fallen off. the journey took us through lots of little settlements. Pigs definitely seem to be the favourite pet to have here - we saw load roaming about along the road side. After a very hot 6 hours we arrived in Flores, a pretty island on Lago Peten.

We stayed at Casona de La Isla, a hotel with a swimming pool with great views over the lake and the quaint red rooftops in the town. Spent what was left of the afternoon sat by the pool with a beer or two. Out for dinner in the evening. There are lots of restaurants to choose from here.

View over the forrest canopy
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The next day we did a tour, arranged by the hotel, to Tikal. It was about an hours drive away, the forest vegetation got thicker the closer we got. Even saw a Howler Monkey in a tree on the way there.

Hadnt been walking long when we spotted an Anteater ambling up in the trees, aparently quite rare to see them there.

The ruins were magnificent. The temples and pyramids were really spectacular, especially when we climbed to thetop of them and saw the view over the top of the forrest canopy.

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Saw a group of friendly Racoons and lots of Spider Monkeys swinging in the trees. The mother Spider Monkey made bridges across the trees for her baby to climb over, very cute.

It was a really hot day but the vegetation provided much needed shade. The park is enormous so it involves a lot of walking to see all the ruins. It would be easy to spend much longer than a day there, and great to be there for sunrise when aparently the forrest comes alive with animals and birds.

Back to Flores for dinner and beers.

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The next day was spent chilling out and souvenier shopping. Mum and Dad are going back with doubel the amount they bought, including a hammock and a chair! Unfortunately it was mum and Dads last day here. Took advantage of happy hour in a bar overlooking the lake. beautiful sunset. Went for a swim in the lake too.

Had dinner in a really nice restaurant called La Luna, defintely the best meal we have had here. Our last game of cards on the balcony.

Out for a nice breakfast then mum and dad caught a 3 wheeled Tut Tut to the airport. Sorry to see them go as had a great week with them. I think they may have the travelling bug though so will be coming out to see us again when we are in Thailand!