On the Way to Tikal

The Tikal National Park was about an hour and a half drive from Petenchel. Along the way, we passed more of the churches built by the Evangelicals when they came to Guatemala to help out in the aftermath of the 1976 earthquake.

On the Way to Tikal

The housing stock is more upscale in this area than we saw in other areas, most likely due to the tourist dollars of people going to Tikal.

On the Way to Tikal

Another house along with way.

On the Way to Tikal

Farm country.

On the Way to Tikal

A river.

On the Way to Tikal

A poinsettia tree.

On the Way to Tikal

A large bougainvillea bush. Beautiful tropical and semi–tropical plants in Guatemala everywhere.

On the Way to Tikal

Shop along the road.

On the Way to Tikal

A very nice house.

On the Way to Tikal

And another one.

On the Way to Tikal

Another church, perhaps this one is Catholic.

On the Way to Tikal

Farm animals.

Tikal National Park

We have arrived at Tikal National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprising 142,333 acres (57,600 hectares) of wetlands, jungles, savannahs, and forests and the remains of the Tikal, a Mayan city. It was inhabited from the 6th century B.C. to the 10th century A.D., when it was abandoned. Tikal was the capital of a conquest state and was one of the most powerful kingdoms of the ancient Mayans. It also interacted with Teotihuacan in Mexico and it is believed that Teotihuacan took over Tikal at some point.

Note that the mosquitoes in Tikal can carry malaria. I was taking malaria pills, but the only mosquitoes I saw on my trip were in my hotel room in Petenchel, which I quickly killed. Anyway, you should be using DEET when traveling in some areas of Guatemala.

Temple 1

It is about an hour walk from the entrance of Tiki National Park to the Grand Plaza where Temple 1 is located. Some of us took a people mover so we wouldn’t have had to walk so far. When you first see the Grand Plaza and its temples, you are really awe–struck. Temples 1 and 2 are in very good condition. In 1848, the Guatemalan government officially discovered the ruins. There had been reports beforehand by Spanish friars of seeing Tikal. It became an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

Tikal National Park

More of the ruins on the Grand Plaza.

Tikal National Park

What was probably the Acropolis on the Grand Plaza.

Tikal National Park

There were a number of stelae here. This one has a figure of a king on it.

Tikal National Park

Temple II, across from Temple I. You are not allowed to climb Temple I but you are allowed on Temple II from its backside.

Tikal Grand Plaza–MOVIE

I made a movie of the Tikal Grand Plaza.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/rVZb8v3U5U8

Tikal National Park

I didn’t climb up Temple II, but my tour mates, Roger and Patrick, did.

Tikal National Park

A great photo that Patrick took from the top of Temple II of the Grand Plaza. The temple way in the back of the photo is Temple III, also known as the Temple of the Jaguar Priest.

Tikal National Park

(Patrick’s photo) Temple IV is on the left and was the tallest of the temple–pyramids at Tikal, measuring 230 feet (70 m) tall. It is the tallest known pre–Columbian structure in the Americas still standing. Just today as I am writing this, articles have appeared on Mayan temples in Guatemala that have just been discovered. For the update on them, go to
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/03/world/americas/mayan–city–discovery–laser.html

Tikal Souvenirs

There was a large souvenir market at the Tikal visitor’s center. The area around Tikal is known for it teak masks and carvings. They were on the expensive side but you can bargain here. You can pay in U.S. dollars and almost anywhere else in Guatemala, but bring along new currency as too–used bills will not be accepted. Guatemala’s currency is the quetzal. I only had to use quetzals in one place––when buying an ice cream at a rest stop.

Tikal Souvenirs

These masks were surprisingly inexpensive.

Tikal Souvenirs

I was surprised to see Day of the Dead dolls for sale at Tikal as I didn’t know that Day of the Dead is celebrated in Guatemala as it is in Mexico and also on Olvera Street, a Mexican street, in Los Angeles.

Tikal Souvenirs

Many of the items for sale in Guatemala are brightly colored as these handbags are.

Tikal Souvenirs

Also for sale was Guatemalan chocolate which is 70% cacao, making it a very dark chocolate. The famous Guatemalan coffee was also for sale.

From Tikal Back to Petenchel

Seen on our drive back to our hotel in Petenchel. Another Evangelical church.

From Tikal Back to Petenchel

Another Evangelical church. As I was taking photos from the other side of the bus from which we drove to Tikal, the churches were on both sides of the road.

From Tikal Back to Petenchel

Another Evangelical church.

From Tikal Back to Petenchel

And another off the road.

From Tikal Back to Petenchel

And one more.

Petenchel

We are now back at our very nice hotel in Petenchel, with free time to swim, walk around, nap, or pack to leave the hotel the next day. (Patrick’s photo)

Guatemalan Dancers-1: MOVIE

After dinner, we were treated to a show put on by Guatemalan dancers. I took movies of some of the dancers.

Youtube: https://youtu.be/OcdU9w2z8dg

Guatemalan Dancers-2: MOVIE

Another dance.

Youtube: https://youtu.be/ZECtKbxiPvE

Guatemalan Dancers-3: MOVIE

And a last one.

Youtube: https://youtu.be/tTnKRCe–b7M