jaguar at the zoo
June 20, 2000
Woke up at 5:00 to the din of a gaggle of unseen birds. Since Belize is 2-hours behind, it's more like 7:00am. Breakfast was fresh-squeezed orange juice, coffee with creamy cream, fruit cup, and eggs on sapopillas w/salsa and beans. Then we were on our way to Tikal, Guatemala: Traveling w/Tom & Pam from NH. 15 minute bus ride to Guatamala past the 'Toilet Paper House', along Mopan River, past the ruins of Xunantunich, and through Benque Villejo (where schoolkids in uniform were on their way to study). Zipped through customs, once the officials showed up, although my lovely wife needs a return visa. Then to the Guatamalan customs for 2-minutes of paperwork, and to pick up our local guide, Hugo. Through small villages and past cattle ranches on a winding, gravel-embedded limestone road at the edge of a narrow valley. Once we climb out of the valley, the high plain opens up a little and the road is well-paved. Limestone everywhere. Horses and cattle can be seen crossing the road, but seem to have some sense, unlike sheep that loiter on the roadway. Clay, clap-board, cement block, concrete, thatch, and sheet metal are all used in construction of the small huts along the road. Patenes region (lake-island) has a lake that releases sulphur every 3-4 years for 3-4 days, thus Sulphur Lake. Once we turned North, we came upon the second-largest lake in Guatemala with Flores island, which once housed a cathedral & prison and is now a tourist attraction. Tikal is 30 minutes up the road, built by Italians 2 years ago. (continued)
Windy Hill resort
random hut in Guatemala
Sulphur Lake