Guatemala Road Trip Part 3 of 3

22-31 July: Flores

Another long bus journey, but again, worth all of the 10 long hours!  Our family run 2* hotel, Casa Itzayana, was wonderful, exceptionally clean, air-conditioning, hot water shower, terrace over looking Lake Peten and amazingly helpful staff.  Flores is wonderful, an island linked to Santa Elena by a causeway.

Causeway to Flores in Lake Pitan

Nuestra Senora de los Remedios Cathedral over looking Parque Central Square

From here we visited Tikal.

Tikal is the ruin of an ancient city, likely called Yax Mutal, found in a rainforest in Northern Guatemala.

It is one of the largest archaeological sites and urban centres of the pre-Columbian Maya Civilisation, with huge pyramids, tombs and carvings.  In 1979 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation).

                                                                                    Koate

                                                                                    Tikal Temple, 47 Metres (154 ft high)

A small island in Lake Peten is home to the Mayan museum, Museo Santa Barbara and from where radio Peten is broadcast.

Lancha to the island

Museum, radio station and tall radio mast                             Mid broadcast!

Flores from the island                         Car ferry with man sitting on platform at the back next to the outboard motor!

The views were amazing from the mirador lookout at San Miguel, across the lake from Flores.

     
  Lancha arriving at San Miguel

    Friendly pig oblivious to its fate

Another boat ride took us to ARCAS animal sanctuary, where animals are rescued from ill health or illegal trading.  Very sad to see them caged, but better off here than ill in the wild or mistreated on the black market.

The centre was home for jaguars, monkeys, crocs, parrots, toucans amongst many other species.

                                                                                    Caught in torrential rain!

Our final excursion from Flores was to Ixpanpajul Nature Reserve where we crossed six valleys by high suspension foot bridges, walked through jungle up to a lookout point, flew down six ziplines and finished with a relaxing ride around the park!

            A little rest at the top

1-12 August 2019

Time to head back to the Rio Dulce to check on Lady Rebel!

We had managed to find a nice little cabin to rent at Willie’s Marina, across the river from RAM Marina where Lady Rebel was situated.  Our priority was to launch the dinghy as the cabin was only accessible by water.

                                                          From the cabin to the dinghy dock

                                                                              From the dinghy dock across the river

In between boat jobs we celebrated Ken’s Birthday with a bbq at the cabin and a boat trip (booze cruise) down the river!

Blowing out cup cake candles!

Pre-boarding the boat ‘Sledgehammer’                                 Birthday beer and pizza!

Up river, San Felipe Castle

A walk up to the Tijax lookout tower

View from tower top across to RAM Marina

Rubber Tree Plantation                      

Our last adventure prior to visiting the UK for ten weeks was a trip down river by launch, to Tenamit Maya Ziplining and Obstacle Course! The scenery was amazing, the ziplining extensive and thrilling and the obstacle course a challenge! 

                                                            Getting ready for ziplining

                                                                                                            Very attractive!

View from the ziplines

Very long wobbly bridges with varying footing across deep ravines!

Certainly a challenge, but all good fun!

Mid August to End October: UK ….. by plane!