our memories and observations and advice

Mike insisting you click on these links...
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Mike did an incredible amount of planning to prepare for our trip and our trip went very smoothly because of it. Here are some of his tips for locating information and being prepared.

On Googling: type the word "blog" + what you're looking for in Google, i.e., "blog Antigua" or "blog Juma Ocag". Stories of other people's experiences round out the information in guide books and have the distinct added benefit of including lots of photos.

Mike's favorite sites:

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http://realtravel.com/flores-journals-j3021258.html

A wonderfully written, nice blog that includes El Remate and Tikal

http://jeffkrehbiel.blogspot.com/2007/05/guatemala-final-post.html

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A nice blog that covers La Casa del Mundo

http://www.trekearth.com/search.php?phrase=guatemala&type=&search=Go

Superb photos

On Guide Books: Check out several travel books to see what they recommend and how they differ. Frommer's Guatemala struck me as best for those with means so I looked there to find a restaurant to splurge on, and confirmed--as well as a guide book could without actually taking us there--that La Casa del Mundo on Lake Atitlan was going to be nice. The Rough Guide to Guatemala is written with younger backpackers or budget travelers in mind and contains great information--we heartily recommend it. We bought and took with us two books: Rought Guide to Guatemala and Lonely Planet Guatemala (also geared toward budget-minded travelers). It was from the latter book that we chose Posada Juma Ocag in for our stay in Antigua. Thanks a million for that little gem! It was nice to have two books along to compare and contrast--and share.

On Visiting Tikal: Mike strongly recommends a bandanna, sun protection and aloe! Insect repellent can't hurt, either.

On traveler's checks:  They are useful backup. We were able to cash traveler's checks at a bank on the zocalo--main square--in Antigua. I learned that Guatemalan banks hold travelers checks for 90 days, so smaller businesses do not take them as a rule of thumb, while larger businesses may reluctantly accept them.