Back in Guatemala

I could still hear the Harleys roaring but Guatemala was calling. I went back again because I haven't seen Cemuc Champey and Tikal yet. It was again a long bus ride to get there and I had to change several chickenbuses. One bus (to Coban) broke down in the middle of nowhere and I was surrounded only by locals, so that was the first challenge to proof my Spanish. We all had to catch other buses that were going the same direction. Finally I arrived in Coban and after a long walk with all my heavy bags, for good an hour, to find a working ATM, I was lucky to catch the last bus down to Lanquin. Wow and that was a bumpy ride!

I stayed in the El Retiro hostel what turned out to be a big party place. Every night big yummy dinner buffet, cheap drinks and dancing. These places make you stay longer than planned... ;-)

I did a tour where you go inside a cave with only a candle light in your hand, did some river tubing and swam in the pools of Cemuc Champey. This is a great place in Guatemala and apart from all the cockroaches, bugs, ants and mosquitos (and even drunk people peeing in your room at night) I can highly recommend a visit.

I had a blast there and met Cecilia (Chile) and Sibyla (Bulgarien) who travelled with me to Flores as well.

Flores is a little village on an peninsula at Lago Peten Itza. From there you can reach Tikal easily, it has a relaxed atmosphere and good restaurants.

Finally I got to see Tikal these big Mayan ruins that are so famous. And it was beyond expectations. We (Sibila and me) went there early in the morning, got up at 4 am and entered the park at 6 am as soon as the gates were opened. Skipped the breakfast in the luxury hotel at the entrance, picked up a good advice from one of the guides and started our private tour. When we arrived at the main plaza, we were the first two individuals there, nobody else around. That was so cool!!! We hang out there for 2h, enjoyed the silence, played with the monkeys and had a nice little breakfast.

Then we continued exploring the park, we climbed the Templo 4 with the great views and made it back to the main plaza when the sun was burning. Even we had 6h in total, it was not enough time for us to see the whole place. But on the other hand it was good to leave the hot and sticky jungle and get some fresh air at the lake.

The next day we relaxed at Flores and took a short boat ride to San Andres on the other side of the lake to get some village impressions.

Then I booked a bus ticket to Belize. Time to leave this wonderful country again. Guatemala is one of the most beautiful places in the world!!!