Guatemala

Guatemala Puerto Quetzal

This update will come in 3 parts as the group split and had different adventures. Joan and I went on an all day trip to the pre Mayan ruins at Tikal, Byron and Jan met with her cousin who has a banana farm here, and Deb, Joe, and Gigi went to see the city of Antigua.

Tikal

We arrived at Puerto Quezal at 6:00am and were on the bus to catch our flight at 6:30 am. We made our way south of the port when we see this itty bitty air strip to the left with a bunch of Army Guards with Sub Machine Guns . Our bus slows down and takes a let onto a small muddy road which leads us to this air strip. After stopping to talk to the guards, our bus travels through and unto the airport where our plane was waiting. It was a twin engine 19 passenger prop with 2 seats on the right and 1 on the left and head room for a maximum height of about 5'6". As we know anywhere South of the border, rule #1 is safety first, so as soon as the last person boarded and they were closing the door, the pilot started the engines.  a quick left and right and we are hurtling 100 mph down the runway. Joan asked if we should put on the seat belts and I said, it's Guatemala so they are optional. However there was a bottle of water for each of us on board. It was a cloudy day and we were soon sailing high above them with a vey comfortable trip, other than the fact that my knees wouldn't fit in our row, so I sat half off the seat with my legs down the aisle. After about an hour, we nosed dived through the clouds, and looking through the cockpit (no door per local weight control) the International Airport was directly in front of us. 

We boarded our bus  which was air conditioned for the 45 minute drive to Tikal. Our guide supplied by Blue Planet Tours was Marcus Anthony. He was outstanding. Informative, informed, knowledgable about the entire history of the Mayans and all the era's of the Central American Indians. One of the interesting factoids he shared was the answer to the question, "What happened to the Mayan people?". In fact they are still here. 60% of the population of Guatemala is Mayan. When they left Tikal, the rulers went and founded Chitzen Itza where they stayed until the Spanish invaded at which point the came back to the lake just outside of Tikal and settled.

Tikal is in the middle of the jungle as was the way most of Guatemala was covered. Tikal is a national park and cover 280 square miles. it has over 3,000 buildings from the original city but on 20% have been uncovered or partially uncovered as archeological sites. It had an existence of almost 1,500 years starting about 500 BC. It was a massive city with infrastructure that rivals the Roman empire. The first ruin we visited was Temple IV with is the tallest of the structures. They have provided wooden stairs, but I think most of us would have preferred an elevator based on all the heavy breathing and sweating and speed of the climb. The stairs were just to prevent people from climbing the original structure adding wear and tare but followed the same ridiculously steep incline as the original stone stairs. When we did make it to the top (about 60 meters) the view was incredible. As you peer across the thick rainforest, the view is for miles and is only interrupted by occasional other Mayan Temples that were all part of the Tikal city. Hawks soar above the trees looking for prey and the roar of the Howling Monkeys is a constant with the occasional bark of a Tuccan.

This is worse than it looks. StairMaster set to "Mean"

The trip down the stairs was as frightening as the climb up had been strenuous.  But all made it and we began our walk through the rainforest to the next temple and then on to the square. Interesting factoid, the Tikal is just one minute off the same latitude as the the Egyptian pyramids, which makes them about a 2 hour difference. So astrological observations would be nearly identical. Also the Mayans did not use their structures as the burial tombs as the Egyptians did. Their structures are solid throughout, no magical tombs or protected chambers of Indiana Jones fame. The actual square is far more dramatic than the pictures. The craftmanship is incredible. The original city was 8 square miles and the last structure to be built was Temple #1 which is the most famous structure of Tikal. In the center of the base of Temple 1 they found a detailed miniature model version of the entire city which further demonstrates the intellectual power to have built this city 500 years BC with a plan of how it would look after those who designed it had already died. 

When we were done climbing and exploring this small part of Tikal we were escorted to a shade area where we had fresh handmade tortillas and grilled chicken. While we were expiring Tikal, the sun came out and it was a beautiful day with a pure blue sky spotted with brilliantly white clouds. All of which made the heat and humidity exceed those I have ever experienced in Florida. I must have sweat out 2 gallons of sweat and my clothes with the "natural wicking" were working overtime and looked like I had been rained upon. The air conditioned bus ride back to the airport was a welcome relief.  We had to go through immigration and security at the airport which consisted of a double check to be sure we had paid the $3 per person tax. Back to the planes, close the door, sit down and off we were into the skies on our way back to the ship.

We had been the first off the ship in the morning and were the last ones back from the days activities. As we got into our room, we had previously arrange with all to have drinks as we left the port on our verandah, which served several purposes. First, we now knew that all had returned from their various activities, secondly provide all a much needed pain reliever, and lastly gave us a chance to toast to this lovely, hot, wonderful country. 

First of the Day!   

Antigua - (Deblet update)

Bus Ride to Antigua

Deb, Joe, and Gigi took the 90 minute bus ride to Antigua passing thru many coffee farms. One of the Volcanos is still active and we could see smoke puffing from the top. We drove thru the very old part of the city that had been flooded which caused them to build a new city on the top of the hill. But only the rich could afford to buy homes up above the flood plain, so the poor occupied the old city at the base of the hill. That is why there are 2 cities. When we got to the town, it was beautiful with cobblestone streets that have tall side walls. As soon as we got off the bus, Joe was surrounded by girls trying to sell a variety of stuff; blankets, jewelry, flutes. Joe is like a magnet to these girls and they don't want to take no for an answer. Gigi is a trouper with all the uneven surfaces. On the way back to the bus, al the girls see Joe coming and say; "Hi Joe, Remember Me?"…. He relents and buys a necklace, tapestry, and a flute.

Banana Farm - (Waiting Jan Update)

Corrinto Nicaragua

Deb, Joe, and Gigi went ashore to explore and reported back that it was not worth the walk through the containers on the dock and through the little security shack to explore the streets. Definitely a poor people in a poor town. Joe said he would rather jump in the L.A. river than go in the water at the beach. Deb said if you weren't sick before, you would be by the time you got out of the water. The town was unremarkable and little in the way of local crafts. Deb got a wood cup that says Nicaragua (at least thats what we all think it says). Joan, Jan, Byron, and myself all spent the day hanging out by the pool (a perfect 81 degrees and clean). We got some sun, had some food, had some drinks, listened to music or a book and read. Tonight we are all eating in the Pinnacle Grill which is a specialty restaurant onboard with steaks as their main course. I already have the wine picked out, so we shall behaving no pain as head towards spending a full day at sea tomorrow.