Hola de Tikal

I spent the last couple of days in Flores (Guatemala), with the highlight being a trip to the ruins of Tikal. Marvelous sunset and sunrise with all the animals waking up, and amazing pieces of history. Of course, the people you are with make the difference, and I was lucky to have wonderful people. Juan, the guide that showed us around the place (red shirt) just radiated love to what happened here, which inspired us all. Definitely the best tour I had in years. And the company of Maria, Deana and Amra was simply great. Thank you all.

Even better than expected, Guatemala is simply great. Lots to see and do, nice people, cheap and fun.

From the top of the "Mundo Perdido" pyramid, you can see tops of some of the temples just after sunset, with the howler monkeys screaming in the background.

(Got a haircut 2 days ago)

The "Grand Plaza" of Tikal, with Temple I on the far side. The circle in the middle was laid a couple of years ago, so that the Maya people of today would be able to come and have ceremonies. Left of it, these are not tombstones, but stones that held pictures of important events - strengthening the importance of the rulers.


The forest that started growing on top of the site after it was abandoned, just blasts through the limestone of altars, pyramids and other structures.


A mask in the Grand Plaza.


You can see here part of the water tunnels that helped moving water between reservoirs when they got filled. The rain water, gathered in pools, was enough to sustain the agriculture needed to support around 130,000 people at the peak of this site - in the 9th century. A drought (resulted from over deforestation?) is considered the most reasonable explanation for the Maya's decline and fall.


Cheers,
Eitan.