Tikal, travel diary

 

Leaving Playa del Carmen, we did not know yet what we expected. From the relaxing beaches of Mexico, would be passed to a stressful and still ride the bus to reach the capital of Honduras, and then catch a plane and leave America permanently Center.

But let's go step by step ... we stayed at the station in Chetumal, where we had to turn a bus with the intention of reaching the most important Mayan site of all Central America: Tikal. We left Mexico with a virtually empty bus, compartiendo travel with only two Dutch youth and two Mexican ladies: this allowed us to relax on the seats and recover the lost hours of sleep during the previous night in the station. The journey by bus through the provision of Belize, through its capital (Belmonpan) and then pull straight up to the border of Guatemala. Usual practice of ritual, followed by a brief lunch break and in the blink of an eye our culetto based again on the seat of the bus.
Again on the road, within hours we arrived at the bus terminal, from which we were taken with a small vans and transported to Flores, a lovely town, built on a small island in the middle of a large lake. From there, always in company of the Netherlands, we reached the hostel and arranged the luggage we were sealed to the agency to gather information in preparation for our trip to Tikal. After a brief discussion with the owner of the agency, we decided not to waste time and to move towards the archaeological site on the following day, not happy and we booked the bus for our next destination, Honduras ... certainly can not be said that we lost time!

The excursion to Tikal provided, as usual, a levataccia ... 4:30 in the morning (or night!) we were already standing to enter into a small van full of tourists, which would lead up to the entrance of Tikal National Park. During the journey, we have been bombarded by countless information on the discovery and history of the park, please give some guide, which is subsequently proposed for a guided tour ... course fee!

Given the importance of the archaeological site, we think it appropriate to take advantage of the services of a guide to understand in depth what it represents in the history of Mayan civilization. It seems that it is precisely this initial setting the cradle of one of the greatest dynasties of Central America. After a Spartan lunch, consumed in a baracchetta at the entrance to the park and began our tour in the company of two other people, one Indian and one Austrian. The particularity of this site that is located within a nature reserve, in addition to historical, mix the beauty of unspoiled nature and wild with flora and fauna of all respect. Indeed, were it not for the imposing acropolis which is the main square, there are hardly aware of being in one of the most important Mayan archaeological sites ... Most of the route has developed into a dense jungle, from which from time to time come to the ruins of ancient buildings, some still covered and hidden by vegetation as lacking the funds to continue his excavations. Within three hours we reached the main square and with it the guide is dismissed leaving us time to contemplate individually valuable buildings preserved Acropolis. Looked at the clock, had already made the two in the afternoon ... our batteries had nothing short of shock and so rich in culture, but exhausted, we were directed to the vans that within an hour we would have reported back to. Recently arrived in hostel, just the force required to open the door and we fell supine in bed, knowing that the odyssey was just beginning because the next morning we waited for the umpteenth levataccia turn the bus to Honduras . One thing at a time ... Having recovered some of the forces, we have a duty shower (not all since no water) and we have given a dinner in a restaurant with lake view: that sciccheria! With the stomach full and eyes closed, we have once again dipped in the bed, and within seconds we were already in the arms of Morfeo.

At five the next morning we had again the backpackers and the butt in the seat of the bus: it was time to reach Honduras.