Dec 23, 2012 - Flores, offerings and Tikal

Flores is a pretty little town but with a free morning, I spent it in bed catching up on some rest. Let's face it, my body is not used to climbing over ruins for 5 days straight. After a leisurly walk around town and some souvenier shopping, we once again boarded a bus to Tikal where we were camping for the night. That night we made an offering to the Mayan gods (should have been done on 21st but couldn't due to the rain) and a guy in full Mayan outfit joined us. I did feel sorry for him as the head dress weighs about 3kg. What can I say,...

Oct 28, 2012 - Flores

Flores and Tikal ruins Flores is a beautiful town on a tiny island with Tuk Tuk taxis and a lake so warm you can swim in it. Andy decided he could swim across it in 10 mins to the mainland. Off he went. Being only mildly interested I checked every minute or so to make sure there were still bits of dental floss flicking across the water to ensure he was progressing and of course managed to get chatting to a couple from County meathe. They started it really. It was the lad who made himself known ' ah Jesus , will he not rest a minute before...

Jul 10, 2012 - Tikal

Well after another 9 hour bumpy and crammed ride we arrived in Flores.Flores is a small island on a lake with a lot of charm.We got in about 6pm and I was glad to be off the bus.The one thing I was not glad about was the heat and humidity.Flores is in the lowlands of Guatemala and the weather is similiar to that of Florida this time of the year.I made my way to my hotel where I thought I'd be staying because the night before I had made reservations.Well come to find out that whoever booked me did not write me in the book and they just so...

Mar 27, 2012 - Back to Flores

Well, it is time to leave Tikal after three very nice days here. But the bus does not leave until noon. We have to be out of our hotel room by 11 a.m. Time for one last search for the American Pygmy Kingfisher. I tried a different pond that I had not searched before. Stayed there for a while but no luck. Went back to the first pond that I had searched several times before. I was running out of time. Just one hour more. I had given up hope. Then, at the last minute, I found him. The Pygmy Kingfisher is a beautiful little bird that appeals...

Mar 23, 2012 - Flores

We were told that in Bethel we could get a bus to Flores. The 9 a.m. bus did not show up. Neither did the 10 a.m. bus. Finally a bus arrived at noon, after waiting since 8.30 in this tiny village. We spent our time here watching all the animals that were roaming around the village. We watched the cats having sex, the dogs chasing the cats, the chickens looking for food and the male turkey strutting about with his tail feathers spread out to make sure everyone knew how wonderful he was. Bethel is in the Guatemalan state or province of...

Dec 29, 2011 - Flores,Guatemala

Well,after a long ride to Flores we took off a little later this morning and headed to Tikal, but not to see the ruins... zip line adventure number 2! A bunch of us headed out with William our driver for the day--ziplining, some time at the beach then home for a relaxing evening. The zip line at Tikal is 8 lines and about 30 m off the ground-not overly adventurous for an old pro like myself- or so I thought! One is told if they wish to challenge themselves they can let go of the cable etc and flip upside down...the guide did it no...

Sep 9, 2011 - The Descent: Caving in Belize

Hey guys, This is just a quick update to let you know what we're up to. We're currently in Flores, Guatemala, having crossed the border and spent the day roaming the awe-inspiring Mayan site of Tikal. The two days previous to that we spent at an eco-lodge in San Ignacio, Belize. Yesterday we went caving in Crystal Caves in Blue Hole National Park. So cool! It was only the two of us and our guide as this was the more diffucult spelunking expedition. During the hour and a half hike through the dense jungle of Blue Hole National Park and up...

Jul 19, 2011 - A beautiful lake to swim in and amazing sunsets.

Flores Guatemala. 19/7/11 A beautiful lake to swim in and amazing sunsets. It was a short ride to the border where we did the usual border formalities, passports, stamps and fees to get in and out. We changed some money at a fairly good rate a got a taxi to Flores, which didn’t seem too expensive, and seeing as there weren’t any buses to be seen, seemed a fairly good choice. There were a few army and police check points along the way, and large sections of the road were missing and full of large pot holes which would swallow a truck. The...

Jul 13, 2011 - Tikal et Flores!!!

Hello! Apres 5 jours au Belize, nous avons traverse la frontiere du Guatemala! Premiere destination, les ruines de Tikal! Voyageant dans une petite van prive, etant tasse comme des sardines avec nos backsac sur le top de la van, on apprecie le paysage montagneux defilant sous nos yeux!!! On remarque la difference de culture entre le Belize et le Guatemala! A Belize, linfluence des caraibes est tres presente tandis qu;au Guatemala, on se sent vraiment en Amerique centrale!!! J;y vois beaucoup de ressemblance avec la Republique Dominicaine!!!...

Jun 25, 2011 - Flores

Flores is a nice but very small place. The island where we stayed could easily be walked around in about 15-20 minutes with a very casual pace. Regardless, I really liked this place. The view was fantastic from the hotel, the people were really friendly, and it felt like the perfect place to just chill for a day after a long travel day. I didn't stay long in Flores but I did take a few pictures of this town. You can find them here.

Feb 1, 2011 - Flores, Guatemala

The 30th we got a ferry to Belize City before grabbing a local bus to Flores Guatemala - our first local bus experience. In Flores we forked out for a hotel with private hot water bathroom - yessssssssss! We wandered around the island and watched the sunset over the lake. We had an early night as we had to get up at 4am the next day for the Tikal sunrise tour. The 31st we were up at 4am and on a bus at 430am heading out to the Tikal ruins. We had a 5 hour guided tour around the ruins and climbed a pyramid that will be closed to the public...

Dec 13, 2010 - Flores, Guatemala

I am finally traveling!! Even if it is just for a few weeks. I'm currently in Flores, Guatemala and it is absolutely great. Really relaxed atmosphere, a European feel with paved streets and little alleyways, surrounded by a lake (yep, it is an island ;-) and super nice people. It also appears little food markets popup on the lake shores at night, which enhances the wonderful atmosphere... The spectacular Mayan ruins of Tikal are also very close, but I plan to see them with Louise in April, so will not be seeing them at the moment. Tomorrow...