TIKAL

Tikal Ruins, home to the ancient Mayans and also a location in the original Star Wars movie

WHERE: TIKAL ruins
WHERE (less detailed):)the northern bit of GUATEMALA
WHEN: less than six weeks before we head home
WEATHER: torrential rail in Flores, the town close to Tikal, but nicely clouded when we do our tour. When the clouds cleared we were in danger of melting.

Paul in the central plaza

FOOD IS: the crushed ice lemon soda was amazing. The chicken skewers weren't too far behind. The mojitos were a hell of a lot further behind.
PEOPLE ARE: from the loud and overbearing land of the United States. Tikal is tourist central with old half deaf American tourists raising the volume level. Our Tikal local guide used the phrase "if you want" at least once every 30s but was awesome regardless.
TEMPERATURE: in the glaring heat, at least 42.

Rhaani poses but keeps one eye out for the monkeys

HIGHLIGHTS/LOWLIGHTS: the night spent in Honduras' very own Bates motel during our two day pilgrimage to Tikal would probably fall into the lowlight category ... the "ferry" from Honduras to Belize would also be  in that category ... finally being able to speak English as we enter former British colony Belize is certainly a highlight ... having Belizian "herbalist" Roco entertain us throughout one of the 3-buses we took through Belize ... the Tikal ruins of course fall into the highlight group, although not as decorative as other Mayan sights it's location in the middle of a jungle gives it a real "lost world" feel... braving the rivers of rain water surging through the streets to catch happy hour ...

our "ferry" to Belize

THINGS LOST/STOLEN: nowt more
UP NEXT: back to Belize and the Lilt-advert inspiring Caye Caulker island where no cars are allowed and golf-buggies serve as taxis.